HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0366.008 2014-2016PI COU NCrL
2ES. 2_ o -i5
Gw int . Xou
Murashige, Laura
From: Keith Unger <kaimiunger@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, July 20, 2015 1:57 PM
To: David, Maile; Kanuha, Dru; Eoff, Karen; Council Testimony
Subject: Soil and Water Conservation Districts Funding
Aloha County Council,
I urge you to approve the funding for our six Soil and Water Conservation Districts. As a Director for the Kona
Soil and Water Conservation District (KSWCD) and as a cooperator with KSWCD since 1955 (McCandless
Ranch) I can attest to the services provided to the local farming and ranching communities.
The Soil and Water Districts are the interface between the farming community and the National Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) and the many programs NRCS provides such as The Farms and Ranchlands
Protection Programs, Conservation Stewardship Programs, NRCS Farm Bill Programs and the Wetlands
Reserve Programs.
In many cases, The Conservation Districts are the first contact with new farmers, introducing them to
important topics such as mulching, soil health, flood prevention and ungulate control.
As a cooperator and with the help of KSWCD and NRCS, McCandless Ranch recently applied for the
Environmental Quality Incentives Program to fence 330 acres of native forest, remove the ungulates and out -
plant native trees.
Thank you for your consideration to continue funding for our Conservation Districts.
Aloha,
o
� c�
c
Keith F. Unger
o
q.
Director — Kona Soil and Water Conservation District
General Manager —McCandless Ranch
r
W
Comm. No. `J
Ref. To•ZWOci /
Ref. Date JUL 2 4. 201 ..,