Transcript In The Beginning. . . 1935—Public Law 46 was passed by Congress: • Established soil and water conservation and wise land use as.

In The Beginning. . .
1935—Public Law 46 was passed by Congress:
• Established soil and water conservation and wise
land use as a national policy
• Created the USDA—Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS)
1937—President Franklin Roosevelt wrote all Governors recommending
each state adopt legislation forming conservation districts, and a state
agency to provide coordination, guidance, professional, technical and
financial assistance to districts.
Governor Olin D. Johnston signed the SC Conservation District
Law on April 17, 1937.
Basic Agreements with Districts
These agreements establish the working
relationship between the United States
Secretary of Agriculture, State of South
Carolina, SC Department of Natural
Resources and each conservation district in
South Carolina.
Agreements at a Glance
Framework for
cooperation with
USDA
Signed by:
Mutual
Agreement
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Framework for
state
cooperation
US Secretary of Agriculture
Governor
Each Conservation District
Signed by:
Cooperative
Working
Agreement
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NRCS
DNR
Each Conservation District
Hand in Hand . . .
PLANNING
EDUCATION & PUBLIC INFORMATION
DEMONSTRATION
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
COST SHARING
FARM BILL IMPLEMENTATION
URBAN ASSISTANCE
AWARDS
Conservation Districts
Man Working in Harmony with Nature
From the mountains . . .
Caesar’s Head, SC
Photo by Trevor Zion Bauknight
. . . to the sea
Pawleys’ Island Sunrise
Legislative Declaration of Purpose
“All lands of the State are among the basic
assets of the State and the preservation of these
lands is necessary to promote the health, safety
and general welfare of its people. . .”
“It is further declared to be the policy of the
General Assembly to provide for the
conservation of the soil and water resources of
this State…”
Conservation Districts
• Soil and Water Conservation Districts Law § 48-9-10, et. Seq.
• 46 Conservation Districts in SC
• 230 Commissioners: 138 Elected
in General Election and 92
appointed by the DNR
Function of Conservation
Districts
Coordinate conservation planning
on public lands
Jocassee Gorges
Road Stabilization
Develop comprehensive plans
for the conservation of soil
and water resources on private
lands
8.2 million acres under a
conservation plan
Natural Resource Assessment
Urban Assistance
Conducts surveys and research
relating to soil erosion,
flood and sediment damage,
and water conservation
Ridge Road Project
Spartanburg County
Natural Resource Assessment
Rural Assistance
Conduct surveys, design, and
other assistance to private
landowners to improve
soil and water quality.
Special Programs
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37 Watershed Districts
§ 48-11-10, et seq.
185 Directors
Taxing Authority
75 Dams
300 Miles of channels
Flood Control, water
supply, fish & wildlife
habitat, sediment
control and recreation
Resource Conservation
Make available
machinery, fertilizer,
seeds, seedlings, and
other material and
equipment for the
conservation of soil
and water resources
Educational Programs
• SC Envirothon
• Carolina Coastal Adventure
• Governor’s Institute for
Natural Resource
Conservation
Dry Hydrants
• 2500 Dry hydrants installed
•
Statewide savings on insurance premiums and
property loss approximately $50 million/year
• Reaches 300,000 people
• 3,000 businesses benefit
Stormwater Management
•County Stormwater Management Programs
managed by:
- Clarendon Conservation District
- Greenville Conservation District
- Sumter Conservation District
In addition numerous Districts provide input on stormwater plans
Take Home Message
•
The private sector is willing to implement best management
practices (BMP’s) in a cooperative, non-regulatory framework.
•
State government has opportunities to have more input in natural
resource management through the 46 Conservation
Districts.
• The voluntary approach by the Districts has been successful.
•State Funded Cost Share Program
•$690,000 instate funds given to Districts
•Installed BMP’s worth $2,326,000
•Participation is solely voluntary
Who Benefits
The State
The Economy
and most importantly,
The RESOURCE
Thanks to…
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Pickens Soil & Water Conservation District
Greenville Soil & Water Conservation District
USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service
– Dennis Bauknight, District Conservationist
– Ross Stewart, Resource Conservationist, Pickens
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S.C. Department of Natural Resources:
Land, Water & Conservation Division,
Von Snelgrove, Division Chief