Soil & Water Conservation Districts Work for You! Soil and Water Conservation Districts are working in every county of the state providing many public benefits and services, such as:
How Are They Funded? Funding for Soil and Water Conservation Districts is available from a variety of sources, but not all Districts are successful in acquiring them. For example:
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They help landowners control wind and water erosion on construction sites, farms and public lands.
They help communities and individuals prevent mudslides and damage to homes.
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Oregon's Department of Agriculture provides each District with yearly operating funds IF the District can match them locally. Some Districts have conservation equipment they rent to local landowners.
They plant trees and other land cover to
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They help protect beaches, streams and
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Some Districts receive county funding.
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Some receive local contributions.
hold soil in place, provide wildlife food and cover and beautify neighborhoods. rivers.
They help with flood control and drought management program.
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They teach young people about natural resources and why they must be protected.
They protect farmlands to assure an ample supply of high quality food.
They help prevent water pollution. They encourage protection of our best
farmlands from conversion to non-farm uses.
They help manage and conserve water supplies for all beneficial uses.
They help provide recreational
opportunities for public enjoyment.
They help improve and establish habitat for fish, and wildlife.
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Grants are sometimes available through the state or federal government and other sources.
Districts can, by law, seek to establish a tax base or operating levy through local election processes. State law allows Districts to issue general obligation and special assessment improvement bonds.
Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD): The SWCDs were created gradually in Oregon following the establishment of the Commission in 1939. Presently there are 45 districts in the state, each of which is governed by either a five or seven-member board of directors. These District directors are elected on Oregon's general election ballot and serve terms of four years without pay. District directors are your neighbors -men and women from your business and professional communities and the farmers and ranchers who understand the ecological relationships of soil, water, plants and animals.
The District's major concern is conservation and wise use of renewable natural resources. Conservation practices benefit all Oregonians by protecting our food and fiber resource the soil. The result is cleaner water; more productive crop, pasture, range and forestland and improved wildlife habitat. SWCDs are involved in efforts to improve the environment. They assist state agencies, councils of government and counties in developing water quality plans under the Federal Clean Water Act. They help farmers and ranchers develop conservation plans that control erosion, conserve water and improve crop and forage production. They also help communities and land developers obtain soils information and other resource data to help develop comprehensive plans.
Oregon Association of Conservation Districts (OA CD): The OACD is a voluntary, nonprofit association of Oregon's 45 Soil and Water Conservation Districts all cooperating in the management of Oregon's natural resources. Together they form a part of a national network (The National Association of Conservation Districts - (NACD) comprising approximately 3,000 Districts and over 15,000 individual Directors. The OACD was organized December 29, 1948 to provide a unified voice for conservation. Its 575 members work closely with the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission and advise them of policy and natural resource concerns. It also provides a forum for discussion of common problems, including erosion and sediment control, water quality, forestry and conservation education and informs State Legislators and members of Congress on these natural resource concerns.
Oregon Soil and Water Conservation Commission (SWCC):
The Soil and Water Conservation Commission is an advisory body consisting of seven district directors appointed by the Director of the Department of Agriculture. Members serve four-years with staggered terms and are limited to two consecutive terms. Advisory members to the Commission include representatives from Oregon State University's Extension Service and Agricultural Experiment Station, the NRCS State Conservationist, and the State Director of the Farm Service Agency, along with the Regional Representative of the National Association of Conservation Districts and the President of the Oregon Association of Conservation Districts. The Chairman of the Commission, by statute, becomes a member of the State Board of Agriculture. The commission's primary function is to coordinate the programs of the Division, NRCS, FSA, OSU, OACD and NACD with those of districts, and advise the Director Department of Agriculture on policy and administration of the state conservation program.
Natural Resources Division (NRD):
The Natural Resources Division, as a part of the Oregon Department of Agriculture, maintains an office in Salem and provides support to 45 conservation districts throughout the state. There major responsibilities are to coordinate the various programs of districts and keep directors informed of activities of other districts and promote cooperation among districts. The division also solicits assistance for districts from other state and federal departments and agencies; provides administrative grant assistance and assists with the development of funding strategies for other district programs; and is responsible for reviewing all projects , practices, budgets, contracts or regulations of districts.
USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
__________________ CONSERVATION DISTRICTS
Their work is accomplished primarily through local soil and water conservation districts. They provide technical assistance to individuals, groups and units of government. Their technical staff of soil and range conservationists, soil scientists, engineers, technicians, agronomists, biologists, foresters and hydrologists are available to every SWCD in Oregon, and are able to help people solve a wide array of soil and water conservation problems.
What's A Soil & Water Conservation District?
The NRCS, formerly know as the Soil Conservation Service (SCS), was established in the United States Department of Agriculture in 1935 to plan and carry out a program to conserve and develop the nation’s soil and water resources.
The NRCS is the only federal agency that receives appropriations from Congress earmarked for assistance to soil and water conservation districts. In addition, they have several other program authorities including: Watershed protection and flood prevention projects, multi-county resource conservation and development projects, technical responsibility for USDA cost-share programs, national land inventory and monitoring programs, snow surveys and water supply forecasting in the West and the national cooperative soil survey.
Soil and Water Conservation Districts are legally defined as subdivisions of state government, but they function as local units led by a locally elected board of directors who serve without pay. District Directors are your neighbors - men and women from your business and agricultural communities who understand the ecological relationships of soil, water, plants, animals and humans. Much of the District's work involves matching government assistance with local conservation needs and influencing land managers to use conservation practices.
Who Are These People?
School teachers, business leaders, government leaders, landowners, farmers, ranchers, senior citizens, students and other volunteers who care about our natural resources and who want to do something to help protect, conserve and restore them. They are volunteer members and associates of your local Soil and Water Conservation District.
Oregon’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts are Equal Opportunity Employers, providing services to the public and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital or family status, or disability.