|
| |
NRCS Alaska News
October, 2009
Click Here to View Archive Editions
We Are All Connected
Drive by Enlightenment
Ringing the Dinner Bell for Veterans
RC&D Coordinators Plan for 2010
Alaska SharePoint Site
Ecology 101: Everything
Comes From Soil
News from Snow Survey
Safer Bears, Safer People
Public Buildings Upgraded in
Kenny Lake
NRCS Partners with
University of Alaska
Bob’s Burgers & Bratwursts for
CFC
FSAFEDS
2009 Federal Benefits Open Season
Personnel Actions
Cleaning House
Molly Voeller, Public Affairs Specialist, Palmer
This
artwork (see right) by Andre Abyo was selected in a state-wide contest to be the NRCS 2009
Alaska Native-American Indian Heritage Month Poster. A poster is printed
yearly in honor of American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, celebrated
in November. Posters are being sent to every NRCS office and field service
center across America.
Born in Anchorage, Alaska and raised in the Bristol Bay village of Pilot Point,
Andrew Abyo is an Aleut/Alutiiq artist and carver who seeks to learn and pass on
his cultural traditions. He wants everyone, especially his four children to have
a greater understanding of the Alutiiq culture and its rich history. "My goal is
to bring out different things that you normally don’t get to see, other than in
a museum.”
The artwork, “We Are All Connected,” depicts the relationship between land,
animals, and people. Abyo described his piece this way: “We are connected to
land and animals. We are connected by touch and feel in spirit. Our ties to land
and animals help us survive and connect to our ancestors. We are all connected.”
Please join me in celebrating Alaska Native American Indian Heritage month by
hanging this poster in your office.
Artwork: We are All Connected, by Andrew Abyo, Alaska Native
Artist.
(back to top)
Jim Hazlett, Veterans Special Emphases Programs Manager, WasillaIt was
the kind of autumn day we all dream of: bright sunshine filtering thru crystal
clear cool air bouncing off snow covered mountains. As we topped the hills
southwest of Fairbanks on the Parks Highway Mt. McKinley came into view. A finer
day one could hardly imagine. The mountain would be with us for much of our
journey south. Little did we realize our view of the country would soon be
diminished in comparison to what lay ahead for us. We oohed and awed as we
motored thru Broad Pass where what is arguably the best views of the mountain.
As we began our decent into the Chulitna River valley the mountain began to play
hide and seek with us.
With the tourist season over we enjoyed limited traffic and proceeded at a
leisurely pace. At 147 mile we pulled into the Alaska Veterans' Memorial. With a
dog walking trail, ample parking for long loads, and unlocked restrooms, it had
become a favorite stopping point on our many trips to and from Fairbanks. We
walked down to the Veterans' Memorial to pay our respect to those who had
sacrificed their time, efforts and even lives for our freedoms.
As we ambled around the memorial reading inscriptions. We had momentarily slid
Mt. McKinley to the rear of our minds, then we turned to exit the memorial.
There, clearly in focus of the two parka clad granite Alaska Natives stood the
continent’s tallest peak in all its glory. The statues were watching the
mountain, or so it appeared. They had best view of the mountain we had seen all
day.
The granite natives are representative of the sacrifices made by Alaska Natives
as they served the vital role of protecting the Alaskan coast from invaders
during the Second World War. It seemed very fitting that these memorials be
viewing such a majestic mountain in perpetuity.
Be it the cool air, bright sunshine, or the mountain itself, I somehow felt
there was more to these two sentinels mission. What that was, I had not yet
grasped. It was 40 minutes and 15 miles later that it hit me. Yes, these
sentinels did represent the contributions of Alaska Natives during WW II. Yes,
they appeared to be defending the mountain. Both noble causes befitting of the
granite statues.
But like the native scouts of WW II, the statues are part of a system. They have
a place in a larger mission; a mission shared by many throughout this countries
history. The mission is to stand guard and be forever watchful against tyranny.
Joining these two sentinels in this mission are millions of others. They live
and work among us and have for centuries. We call them veterans. We may or may
not know them. We certainly owe each of them. They protect our nation, our
freedoms, and liberty where ever threatened. Recognizing the magnitude of the
service of this group, which has given so freely of themselves, we have set
aside a day to honor their service. Since 1938, America has officially honored
our veterans.
Veterans Day is November 11 and I ask each of you to pay due respect to those
who have defended your liberty. Whether at a public gathering or alone please
take just a moment to realize the price others have freely paid for your
liberties.
Be thankful for the veterans who have given and defended the freedoms we all
enjoy as citizens of this great nation. Take a moment to express that gratitude
as you find appropriate.
Photo: Parks Highway Mile 147 Veterans' Memorial
“It is easy to
take liberty for granted,
when you have never had it taken from you”
~Former Vice Present Dick Cheney
(back to top)
Applebee's will be providing selected menu entrees to veterans
and activity military on Veterans Day, Tues. Nov. 11. The offer will be honored
from 4:00 to 9:30 p.m. (Some early advertisments indicated 5:00 to 9:30 p.m.)
Golden Corral Restaurants will be honoring veterans with a free dinner from 5:00
to 9:00 p.m. on Mon. Nov. 16
(back to top)
Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Coordinators gathered to
plan the 2010 Pacific Rim Regional RC&D Conference which will take place
in Homer, Alaska.
Photo: Left to right: Paul Coffee, Southeast Conference RC&D
Coordinator; Al White, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs; Arlene
Rosenkrans, Copper Valley RC&D Coordinator; Le Ludden-Coray, Kenai Peninsula
RC&D Coordinator; Norm Stadem, Interior Rivers RC&D Coordinator; and Ryan
Maroney, Fort Yukon RC&D Coordinator
(back to top)
Pam Taber, Administrative Program Analyst, Palmer
Technology can
complicate our work, making it easier for our higher-ups to request more
reports, expect perfection, want information now. NOW. A refreshing
use of technology is sharing. By sharing, we can benefit from one
person's already completed work. Here is the link to the Alaska SharePoint site:
https://nrcs.sc.egov.usda.gov/west/ak/default.aspx It is a work in
progress. Free free to contact me
for questions.
(back to top)
Dennis Moore, Senior Soil Specialist, Palmer
On October 9, 2009, Dennis Moore had the
privilege of speaking to an Ecology class at Wasilla High School. Dennis started
the classes by challenging the students to name any item we use that
doesn’t come directly or indirectly from soil. The teacher, Cheryl Williams and
Dennis teamed up to provide the students with free extra credit points to
motivate the students with creative thinking. Dennis further facilitated
creative thinking by offering an “A” for the day and a “Get out of Class Free”
for the student that could think of something that we use everyday that doesn’t
come from soil. After 20 minutes, the students came to the conclusion that
everything we use in everyday life does indeed come directly or indirectly from
soil.
The students were then treated to a power
point presentation covering an array of topics. The themes included definition
of soils, soil texture, structure, five soil forming factors, the twelve orders
of soils, genesis and morphology of the soils in the Matsu Valley, soil and
water quality, soil erosion, human impact on soils, and much more. Through out
the presentation, students participated in demonstrations of soil particles,
soil texture, and the amount of soil that humans have to grow their food and
fiber on. The class concluded with employment opportunities with the Natural
Resources Conservation Service.
(back to top)
Rick McClure, Hydrologist, Anchorage
The snow survey staff welcomed new staff in June. Daniel Fisher is
new to full time Snow Survey work, but not new to Alaska, having performed snow
surveys in Delta Junction. He was hired and transferred to Anchorage replacing
James Montesi, who departed to the NWS Alaska River Forecast Center in January.
Three SNOTEL (SNOw TELemetry) sites received new shelters and a forth was moved
completely, receiving all new equipment during the summer of 2009 thanks to the Snow
Survey staff Dan Kenney, Daniel Fisher and
Rick McClure.
The sites receiving the new shelters in June were Middle Fork Bradley River, in
the Bradley Lake Hydro-electric Power project, and McNeil Canyon School, 12 miles northeast of Homer. In August, the Turnagain Pass SNOTEL site received a
new shelter, replacing the original installed in 1982. The new shelters
have laminated siding with the outer skin being metal; no painting
necessary. The forth site receiving extensive work this past fiscal year was Teuchet Creek in the Chena Basin northeast of Fairbanks. The site was move
completely with all new equipment installed. This site is sponsored by the Army
Corp of Engineers for their flood control project.
There are 22 SNOTEL sites reporting soil moisture/soil temperature data that
have had the soils described and soil samples collected to help calibrate the
soil probes.
The 53 SNOTEL sites and three SCAN sites are sending hourly data to
http://www.ak.nrcs.usda.gov/Snow/ and to the National Water and Climate
Center (NWCC). The daily data is edited for quality-control, stored and
available in two places http://ambcs.org/ and
http://www.ak.nrcs.usda.gov/Snow/index.html
  
Left Photo: New Snow Surveyor, Daniel Fisher on the
Auklet, Prince William Sound Maintenance trip near Nuchek September 10, 2009
Center
Photo: Reconstructed Teuchet Creek SNOTEL site with Crane Johnson - Corp of
Engineers, Chena River Basin, September 3, 2009
Right
Photo: Volunteer, George Clagett, measuring snow at Congahbuna Lake near
Tyonk, April 2, 2009
(back to top)
Meg Mueller, District Conservationist, Kenai & Anchorage Field
Offices
This October, the Kenai Brown Bear Committee held its semi-annual meeting
to report on the year's human-brown bear interactions on the Kenai
Peninsula and determine what messages and educational activities to
pursue for 2010. Non-hunting mortalities of brown bears for 2009 were
down to half of the 2008 level. There were 20
defense-of-life-or-property killings and associated taking (as in
orphaned cubs) of bears this last year. This reduced non-hunting taking
allowed for a spring and fall brown bear season. On the Kenai Peninsula
brown bears are a Species of Special Concern.
The group originally convened as a result of a stakeholder based
conservation strategy effort, finalized in 2000 and was led by ADF&G.
The Kenai Brown Bear Committee was originally intended to consider ways
to reduce human-bear interactions, land-use planning, to develop a
cohesive message about bears to be used by all agencies that provide
info to the public on brown bears and then provide leadership in
outreach and education activities using that message. The Committee
concentrates on the message portion of the original charter and
occasionally providing input on land planning, such as to Advisory
Planning Commission groups (particularly to Moose Pass and Cooper
Landing). Other management and planning that were considered in the
original charter, specifically around the Russian River, has proven
exceptionally contentious as it involves two federal landowners (USFS
and USFWS) and the state (ADF&G) who manages the bear populations. That
particular area is discussed separately by the Russian River Interagency
Coordination Group and is limited to the involved, governmental
stakeholders.
The NRCS involvement is to take the portion of the message about brown
bear attractants and how to manage them to the landowners we meet with.
Among the group NRCS is in the unique position to be meeting with people
at their home/farm, usually before a bear incident. We are there
specifically to inventory the resources and can make recommendations on
handling of livestock and livestock and pet foods to reduce the
likelihood of a bear encounter. For livestock, compost with food waste,
and feeds the message is keep it inside or surround it with an electric
fence.
The Kenai Brown Bear Committee has developed a bear attractant checklist
that Pam and I will be leaving with people as we visit with them. It is
in association with the Junior Ranger Program…I will request a version
for grown-ups! It will work for the near future as the information and
items to look for are the same. Please
email me if you'd like a
copy.
(back to top)
Story from Rural Development
Thanks to the USDA, the Kenny Lake community, located
off the Edgerton Highway between Glennallen and Valdez, now has two
usable public buildings, including one with a State-approved community
kitchen.
The Kenny Lake fair grounds has two large community buildings on it: A
log hall and newer nearby building which includes a large community
space, kitchen and offices. Both buildings were showing signs of
deterioration and the kitchen in the newer building was unusable because
it didn’t meet fire code. “Rural Development provided much of the
funding needed to make these buildings useful,” said Arlene Rosenkrans,
a Kenny Lake resident and the area’s USDA NRCS RC&D Coordinator. “We use
both halls for the annual community fair and local gatherings, but both
buildings needed to be fixed.” In addition to the kitchen project, the
water well was unusable and bathrooms were not handicapped accessible.
“Thanks to Rural Development, some State funds and local community
support, much has been addressed,” said Rosenkrans. “We hired local
contractors to pull the pump and thaw the well, also repairing broken
pipes. The well line was heat-taped; one contractor donated almost
$1,000 in labor. Now we have water into the hall and an accessible
bathroom. The log hall is important to us as a meeting place and also
serves as an emergency shelter; the stove purchased for that hall can
run without electricity.” Two fuel-efficient stoves were purchased with
grant funds and flooring was repaired by a local resident for the newer
hall. As a bonus, offices that were of limited use in the new building
now can be rented out, defraying some of the cost of building
maintenance. “It was a slow, tedious process, but we persevered and the
entire community came together over this,” Rosenkrans said. “It is a
win-win situation for the community.” Rosenkrans acknowledged the
efforts of Kim Morse, who oversaw the project and Fairbanks Rural
Development Area Director Jim Pohlman and his staff who helped with the
application and grant administration. She also thanked the members of
the Kenny Lake Community League and volunteers who assisted in
completing the project.
(back to top)
Tom Gould, Aniak District Conservationist, partnered with the
University and shared the boat used in Aniak on the Kuskokwim River.
Photo: NRCS boat used for University of Alaska evaluation of the
Kuskokwim River in a feasibility study for hydrostatic electric
generators
(back to top)
Jim Hazlett, Alaska NRCS Combined Federal Campaign Coordinator, Wasilla
The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), which is the federal governments
only approved charity solicitation event, has once again instigated good
fun for a worthwhile cause here in the great land.
It all started with State Conservationist, Bob Jones’s idea to encourage
giving by competition. Bob challenged the Alaska’s Farm Service Agency
(FSA) and Rural Development (RD) to contribute more per person than
NRCS. Amazingly, they accepted the challenge and the competition to
determine which agency could contribute the most per person to the
charities was set.
On October 6th the CFC Kick Off opened the competition with a fantastic
BBQ at the state office. Bob wasn’t content to allow just anyone to
prepare the meal. He personally undertook the job of cooking. The side
dishes were plentiful, pleasing to the eye and pallet alike. A big thank
you to all involved.
This magnificent lunch was followed by the attending agency heads
touting their organizations generous nature, each hoping their
organization could win the contest.
Next, our guest speaker, Elinor Haplau from the Boys and Girls Clubs of
Alaska, spoke about her organization's dependence on contributions from
CFC for certain club programs. She explained how the small payday
contributions from us equate to big contributions for some programs.
Sometimes the doors being open can depend on contributions from CFC and
similar campaigns.
Seven field offices having completed their campaign. Of all NRCS Alaska
employees, 71 percent have been contacted. To date, NRCS has raised
$6,003.40 equaling $500.25 per contributor or $93.80 per person in
Alaska NRCS. Is that enough to win? Tough to say, but more is always
better for the charities receiving your contributions.
What can you do to help? If you have not been contacted yet let your
boss know. If you have been contacted and are on the fence about giving,
contact a CFC representative to answer any questions. If you have
already given, thank you very much. Please talk up the benefits of
giving through the CFC with your coworkers. If you have already declined
this opportunity, please reconsider.
(back to top)
HR Updates:
FSAFEDS is the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program available to most
Federal employees in the Executive Branch and employees in several other
agencies that have adopted the Program. A Flexible Spending Account, or FSA,
allows you to set aside pre-tax money. You pay less taxes and therefore save
money. Then you get the money back when you submit claims for eligible health
care and day care expenses.
FSAFEDS offers three types of FSAs:
A general purpose Health Care FSA, a Limited Expense Health Care FSA, and a
Dependent Care FSA.
A general purpose Health Care FSA (HCFSA) reimburses eligible health care
expenses not covered by the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, the
Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program, or any other insurance.
Eligible expenses include co-payments, co-insurance, deductibles,
over-the-counter medicines, medical supplies, prescription drugs, vision and
dental care, shipping and handling charges for mail-order prescriptions and
eligible over-the-counter items, and much more.
A Limited Expense Health Care FSA (LEX HCFSA) is designed for individuals who
are enrolled in or covered under a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a
Health Savings Account (HSA). Under IRS rules, you cannot enroll in a general
purpose HCFSA and an HSA at the same time. But you CAN enroll in a LEX HCFSA and
an HSA at the same time. A LEX HCFSA limits reimbursement to only eligible
dental and vision expenses.
A Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA) reimburses eligible day care expenses for your
children under age 13 and your tax dependents of any age who are incapable of
self-care. These expenses must be necessary to allow you and your spouse (if
married) to work, look for work or attend school full-time. You, and your spouse
if married, must have earned income during the year.
You may review an extensive list of eligible expenses for the Health Care,
Limited Expense, and Dependent Care FSAs by visiting the Eligible Expenses Juke
Box at www.FSAFEDS.com.
To learn more, go to www.FSAFEDS.com and be sure
to come back and enroll during the Federal Benefits Open Season.
You must enroll in FSAFEDS during the upcoming Federal Benefits Open Season
(November 9 - December 14) to take advantage of these tax-saving accounts - even
if you are currently enrolled in FSAFEDS for 2009!
(back to top)
Kristi Hicks, Human Resources Officer, Palmer
The 2009 Open Season begins November 9 and run through December 14, 2009. You
can find out about the 2010 Plan information at
www.opm.gov/insure/openseason/.
You can find a comprehensive list of FEHB plan significant changes in
Attachment 2 of the Benefits Administration Letter (BAL) 09-405 2009 Federal
Benefits Open Season: FEDVIP and FEHB Program Significant Plan Changes at
http://www.opm.gov/whatsnew/archive_2009_10.aspx
(back to top)
Kristi Hicks, Human Resources Officer, Palmer
What does the National Defense Authorization Act have to do with NRCS
employees? A lot, for most as the Act contains several retirement changes. I
will provide additional information and guidance as soon I receive it. In the
mean time, here is a short synopsis.
Credit for sick leave in the computation of FERS annuities is effective at 50%
immediately and 100% in 2014.
Provisions phasing out cost of living allowances for federal employees working
in Hawaii, Alaska, and other non-foreign U.S. territories, and phasing in
locality comparability pay in place of the allowance affecting retirement take
effect next year.
Provision allowing former federal employees under the FERS who withdrew their
contributions to the retirement trust fund, thereby waiving retirement credit
for those years of service, to redeposit their earlier contributions, plus
interest, upon reemployment with the federal government is effective
immediately.
A change in CSRS part-time computation (going to a single deemed high-3) is
effective immediately.
A change of the ending date for periods of service under CSRS that can be
redeposited by actuarial reduction (instead of for separations prior to
10/1/90 it will be for separations prior to 3/1/91) is effective immediately.
The less-than-full-time dual comp reemployed annuitant provision authorizes
federal agencies to reemploy retired federal employees under certain limited
conditions, without offset of an employees’ annuity against their salary is
available for agencies to use effective immediately.
The provisions allowing certain previously non-creditable D.C. Government
employment to be creditable for title but not annuity computation are effective
immediately.
(back to top)
Kristi Hicks, Human Resources Officer, Palmer
Retirement
- Joe Moore – November 2
Joe is retiring with 32 years of Federal Service, all with NRCS (SCS).
(back to top)
The State Office and Anchorage Field Office cleaned out "stuff" stored in an
Anchorage warehouse.
   :
Left Photo: Dan Kenney operates fork lift while Rick McClure, Michelle
Schuman, Brett Nelson and Dee Covalt sort and clean.
Second to Left: Rick McClure organizing snow survey tools
Second to Right: Dan Kenny uses the fork lift to stack yet another pallet of
material to shred.
Right: Pam Taber, Michelle Schuman, Julie Hopkins, Dee Covalt and Molly Voeller
at the end of the day.
(back to top)
< Back to Alaska NRCS Intranet
| |
|
About Us
Back to Top