Hatley Family Recognized for Attention to Conservation

The 2008 Latah Conservation Stewardship Award was presented to George and Iola Hatley of Moscow and Craig and Cheri Hatley of Deary. Latah SWCD chairman Cody Anderson presented the award to the Hatley family at a barbecue held in their honor on July 1 at The Pony Club near Deary. Each year, the Latah Soil and Water Conservation District (Latah SWCD) Board of Supervisors presents this award to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding contributions to the conservation of natural resources in Latah County.

Iola prepared a display table in recognition of her husband’s publications and accomplishments. Many associate George with having led the Appaloosa Horse Club (http://www.appaloosa.com/) for many years. In 1946 he began producing the first Appaloosa Horse Club newsletter, which evolved into what is now the Appaloosa Journal (http://www.appaloosajournal.com/). He is credited with developing the Appaloosa Horse Club into an international organization. He has written several books, including The Legendary Appaloosa, Horse Camping, Appaloosa Horse Club, How to Pack a Horse, and Pioneer: The Life and Times of Riley B. Hatley. A tour of the Hatley’s property preceded the barbecue. Tour highlights included viewing progress of the Corral Creek Fill Removal (CCFR) Project and a demonstration of cut-to-length (CTL) timber harvesting.

The CCFR Project, which will permit steelhead to migrate into the upper Corral Creek watershed, began in 2005. Thanks to cooperation and perseverance from the Hatleys and extensive collaboration efforts, a culvert and approximately 49,000 cubic yards of fill were removed from a railroad embankment in September-October 2007. Latah SWCD has contracted with Idaho Fish and Game to complete the re-vegetation portion of the project. Extensive riparian plantings began in spring 2008 and should be completed during the 2009 field season.

Craig Hatley practices cut-to-length harvesting, a conservation-minded approach to timber harvesting. His Timbco harvester enables him to traverse variable terrain, minimize soil disturbance, leave quality seed trees for restocking, and leave branches on the forest floor to prevent erosion and supply nutrients for future forest growth. Tour participants watched intently as Craig selected a tree, removed the branches, and cut it into specified lengths in a matter of seconds, all with a single piece of equipment.

The Latah SWCD would like to thank the Hatley Family for hosting the tour and BBQ, and for years of conscientious stewardship of land in Latah County.