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McIntire receives service award

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Monte McIntire of Gunsight was recognized by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board for his 30 years of service as a board member for the Lower Clear Fork of the Brazos Soil and Water Conservation District. 

McIntire did not attend the state-wide Soil and Water Conservation District meeting in Fort Worth in October, when the plaque was originally presented, so fellow local board member John Tate picked it up for him, and presented the award to McIntire at the local district monthly meeting on Nov. 30.

“The board is strictly all volunteer, similar to school boards,” said Tate. “McIntire has been on the local board that sets the conservation policies for our district for 30 years.”

McIntire has been the chairman of the five-member board since 2002.

The local board is unusual, in that it includes two counties, both Shackelford and Stephens.

“Directors have to own land in the district, and also live in the district,” Tate added. “Monte’s dad was a farmer and rancher in Stephens County, and was a conservationist. Monte learned from him, and also grew up to be interested in conservation practices.”

The local board meets monthly and one of their primary duties is to look for landowners who have applied for cost share conservation programs and decide who is eligible for the Environmental Quality Incentive Programs (EQIP).

The programs include such areas as water conservation, terraces, brush control, diversions, and cross fencing for controlled grazing, according to Tate.

“Monte has been in charge of our local workgroup during the USDA EQUIP program,” Tate said. “He was also instrumental in the deal for the rainfall simulator.”