September 7, 2005

 

 

Dear Conservation District Directors, Employees and NRCS Employees:

 

In cooperation with Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts and Natural Resources Conservation Service the Conservation Commission is offering two Watershed Operation and Maintenance Workshops. The workshops are designed to serve conservation district directors, district employees and NRCS employees. Each workshop will be 2½ days in length. Okmulgee will be the location of the first workshop on October 11-13. Our meeting site in Okmulgee is the Okmulgee County Fairgrounds and our hotel is the Days Inn. The second workshop will be in Chickasha on October 18-20. Our meeting site in Chickasha is the Grady County Fairgrounds and our hotel is the Best Western. Each workshop will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday and conclude at noon on Thursday. A preliminary program is attached.

 

The workshop includes one day in the classroom where we will address all aspects of O&M, including roles and responsibilities, liability issues, technical assistance and funding. Day two will take us to the field where site inspection exercises and equipment demonstrations will take place. Day three will be back inside to discuss worst-case scenarios and the rehabilitation program. We feel this workshop is very important and will be worth your time to attend.

 

The Conservation Commission has made arrangements to assist districts with registration, lodging and per diem expenses. The Commission will reimburse registration, lodging and per diem for one district employee and up to two district directors provided that, at a minimum, one director from the district attends the first day of the workshop. If at least one director does not attend the first day of a the workshop, the Commission will only pay lodging expenses. Wednesday lunch and dinner will be provided.

 

If you have not done so we ask that a request be placed on your next board meeting agenda for two district directors and one district employee to attend this workshop. Upon approval by your board complete the registration form; attach a check made out to OACD for the registration fees and mail to OCC. Your registration should reach OCC by September 23rd. Upon confirmation of your attendance you will be added to the hotel reservation rooming list. You do not need to make hotel reservations; OCC will do that for you. Payment for lodging will be the responsibility of the Commission.

 

NRCS employees should complete a registration form once attendance has been approved by the appropriate SLT member. OACD has made arrangements with the NRCS state office to direct


bill them for your registration fee. Upon receipt of your registration form your name will be added to the hotel reservation rooming list with a notation that you will pay the hotel directly. You do not need to make hotel reservations for yourself.

 

There is an excellent chance that on day two you will have more than one opportunity to get wet and/or muddy... We would suggest you bring clothes and boots that you won't mind wearing under those conditions. If you have any questions concerning this workshop please contact Tammy Sawatzky at 405.521.4823 or tsawatzky@okcc.state.ok.us. We look forward to seeing you in October.

 

Sincerely,

 

Mike Thralls                                      Dan Lowrance                          Darrel Dominick

Executive Director, OCC                   President, OACD                     State Conservationist, NRCS

 

Enclosure

            Preliminary Program

            Registration Form