It’s hard to believe that 2009 is right around the corner. We’ve had a lot of changes here at the District Office that we are really excited about. We have been restructuring job duties in an effort to better serve our cooperators and ensure efficient implementation of District programs. For those of you who do not already know, Cheryl Sonnen is no longer with the District. She has taken the new position of Regional Stormwater Management Coordinator for Asotin County. We thank her for her many years of service and wish her well in her new endeavor. I have been named the District Manager and am really looking forward to working together with the Board of Supervisors and dedicated staff to continue and expand the programs of the District. Megan Stewart is Finance Coordinator/ Resource Technician and is also handling the Small Acreage Program. Jason Schlee, who recently joined us, will be working as a Resource Technician primarily for projects funded by the Salmon Recovery Funding Board. He will also coordinate the Fire Wise program. Casey Scott who will be the new CREP Coordinator will be joining us the end of October. Pat Worle is our part-time Office Assistant and has taken over the payroll processing and bill paying. Pat has been invaluable to all of us and we would be lost without her. What all of these changes mean to you, the landowner, is more individualized attention, timely cost-share reimbursements and better overall efficiency in the District office.

Another big change is the temporary increase in cost-share rates recently approved by the Board of Supervisors. The District currently has ample funding available for projects that can be completed by December 31, 2008. Because it is a short window for which to complete projects and due to the increased cost of materials and the poor crop year, the Board substantially increased the rates as an incentive for landowners to use the available funding. If you are interested, contact the District to take advantage of this incredible opportunity.

On behalf of the District Staff and myself, we want to thank all of you for your participation in our programs and your continued support of our efforts to conserve our natural resources for future generations.

Sandy Cunningham, District Manager