Module 7:Module 7:

Partners in Conservation Partners in Conservation

Conservation District Conservation District Supervisor AccreditationSupervisor Accreditation

SD Association of Conservation SD Association of Conservation DistrictsDistricts

A voluntary nonprofit corporation A voluntary nonprofit corporation representing the 69 conservation districts, representing the 69 conservation districts, controlled by its member districts and controlled by its member districts and financed by contributions of its membership.financed by contributions of its membership.Provides administrative staff, training, and Provides administrative staff, training, and technicians to assist districtstechnicians to assist districtsOne “voice” for 69 conservation districts on One “voice” for 69 conservation districts on environmental and legislative issuesenvironmental and legislative issuesCoordinates legislative activities on matters Coordinates legislative activities on matters affecting the districtsaffecting the districts

South Dakota Association of South Dakota Association of Conservation District EmployeesConservation District Employees

The SDACDE (organized in 1973) was The SDACDE (organized in 1973) was formed to encourage more efficient, better formed to encourage more efficient, better informed and motivated district employees. informed and motivated district employees. Sponsors annual training workshops, Sponsors annual training workshops, informational materials, and improved informational materials, and improved communications between districts. communications between districts. Coordinates its activities with the training Coordinates its activities with the training provided by other agencies. provided by other agencies.

SDACD AUXILIARYSDACD AUXILIARYOrganized in 1952, its members are spouses of Organized in 1952, its members are spouses of conservation district supervisors. It works to conservation district supervisors. It works to promote the principles of the conservation promote the principles of the conservation districts.districts.

Top priority is conservation education for youth, Top priority is conservation education for youth, providing a base for natural resource stewardship providing a base for natural resource stewardship in the future.in the future.

Works with the state's schools, providing Works with the state's schools, providing materials such as books, pamphlets, and Arbor materials such as books, pamphlets, and Arbor Day and Ag‑in‑the‑Classroom materials. Day and Ag‑in‑the‑Classroom materials.

Developed and promoted the Sammy Soil Saver Developed and promoted the Sammy Soil Saver mascot and puppet kits.mascot and puppet kits.

National Association of Conservation National Association of Conservation DistrictsDistricts

Organized in 1946Organized in 1946

Vision: America’s Voice for Natural Resource Vision: America’s Voice for Natural Resource ConservationConservation

Mission: Serving conservation districts by providing Mission: Serving conservation districts by providing national leadership and a unified voice for natural national leadership and a unified voice for natural resources conservation resources conservation

Purpose: Conservation, orderly development and Purpose: Conservation, orderly development and judicious use of the nation’s land, water, timber and judicious use of the nation’s land, water, timber and related natural resources through local initiatives, related natural resources through local initiatives, decisions and self-governmentdecisions and self-government

It pools district experience to develop national It pools district experience to develop national policies on conservation issues.policies on conservation issues.

NACD Priority IssuesNACD Priority Issues

Public awareness and public relationsPublic awareness and public relations– Education & Stewardship program is high priorityEducation & Stewardship program is high priority

Support for state & local membersSupport for state & local members– Capacity building, training and resourcesCapacity building, training and resources– Working with partners to increase opportunitiesWorking with partners to increase opportunities

contribution agreements, computer network & contribution agreements, computer network & connectivity, grants, federal programs for producers, connectivity, grants, federal programs for producers, etc.etc.

Grassroots advocacyGrassroots advocacy– Farm Bill deliberationsFarm Bill deliberations– Federal AppropriationsFederal Appropriations– Influence from the ground up!Influence from the ground up!

Contact: Contact: www.nacdnet.org

Conservation CommissionConservation CommissionAuthorized in 1937 under SD Codified Law 38-7. Authorized in 1937 under SD Codified Law 38-7.

Governor appointed nine member board includes:Governor appointed nine member board includes:– Four farmer members (three by area, one at-large), Four farmer members (three by area, one at-large), – One representing urban interests, One representing urban interests, – One representing water development districts, One representing water development districts, – Two representing the forest industry, and Two representing the forest industry, and – One member at-large.One member at-large.

Is attached to the Division of Resource Is attached to the Division of Resource Conservation & Forestry (RC&F) for Conservation & Forestry (RC&F) for administrative purposes.administrative purposes.

Has joint responsibilities with RC&F for requiring Has joint responsibilities with RC&F for requiring proper financial records and reports.proper financial records and reports.

Conservation CommissionConservation CommissionDuties include:Duties include:– Review and make recommendations on natural Review and make recommendations on natural

resource development programs proposed or resource development programs proposed or planned by local, state, and federal agencies planned by local, state, and federal agencies

– Provide oversight, guidance and support of Provide oversight, guidance and support of conservation districts including:conservation districts including:

Actions to remove district supervisors from office for Actions to remove district supervisors from office for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office,neglect of duty or malfeasance in office,Provide grants to implement goals of the SD Provide grants to implement goals of the SD Coordinated Natural Resources Conservation Plan Coordinated Natural Resources Conservation Plan Provide loans from the Conservation District Provide loans from the Conservation District Revolving Loan Fund, andRevolving Loan Fund, andProvide recommendations for loans made from the Provide recommendations for loans made from the Rural Development Loan Fund.Rural Development Loan Fund.

SD Dept. Of Ag., Div. of Resource SD Dept. Of Ag., Div. of Resource Conservation & Forestry (RC&F)Conservation & Forestry (RC&F)

RC&F is the direct link between conservation RC&F is the direct link between conservation districts and state government. By law, the districts and state government. By law, the principal duties of the Division are to:principal duties of the Division are to:– Represent the state's conservation districts,Represent the state's conservation districts,– Develop and implement state policy for land Develop and implement state policy for land

conservation and development (SDCL 38-7-1)conservation and development (SDCL 38-7-1)– Coordinate the programs of the various Coordinate the programs of the various

conservation districts by advice and consultation,conservation districts by advice and consultation,– Secure the cooperation and assistance of state Secure the cooperation and assistance of state

and federal agencies for the districts,and federal agencies for the districts,

RC&F RC&F (duties cont.)(duties cont.)

Assist district supervisors to carry out their Assist district supervisors to carry out their responsibilities and developing their responsibilities and developing their programs,programs,Keep districts informed of changes in the Keep districts informed of changes in the law, operational policies and procedures and law, operational policies and procedures and other matters of importance to the districts,other matters of importance to the districts,Provide funds, supplies and staff assistance Provide funds, supplies and staff assistance (including technical assistance for (including technical assistance for woodlands management) to districts as woodlands management) to districts as appropriations allow, and appropriations allow, and Require proper accounting and financial Require proper accounting and financial procedures by conservation districts.procedures by conservation districts.

SDDA Division of Agricultural ServicesSDDA Division of Agricultural Services

Regulates a number of agricultural Regulates a number of agricultural activities in the state including licensing of activities in the state including licensing of tree nurseries.tree nurseries.

The state Weed and Pest Control The state Weed and Pest Control Commission administers a grant fund and Commission administers a grant fund and works with local weed control commissions works with local weed control commissions to control noxious weeds. Districts should to control noxious weeds. Districts should work with the local commission for noxious work with the local commission for noxious weed control projects.weed control projects.

Natural Resources Conservation ServiceNatural Resources Conservation Service

Mission: to plan and carry out a national program to Mission: to plan and carry out a national program to conserve and develop our soil and water resources.conserve and develop our soil and water resources.

The basic objective is the use and conservation The basic objective is the use and conservation treatment of land according to its capabilities and treatment of land according to its capabilities and needs.needs.

Analyze resource problems and suggest safe uses Analyze resource problems and suggest safe uses and treatment. Staffs include soil conservationists, and treatment. Staffs include soil conservationists, soil scientists, economists, agronomists, biologists, soil scientists, economists, agronomists, biologists, foresters, plant materials specialists, range foresters, plant materials specialists, range conservationists, geologists, landscape architects, conservationists, geologists, landscape architects, resource planners, and engineers from a number of resource planners, and engineers from a number of specialties.specialties.

Natural Resources Conservation Natural Resources Conservation ServiceService

Gives technical and financial assistance to Gives technical and financial assistance to individuals and groups to conserve, maintain individuals and groups to conserve, maintain and improve the state’s natural resources and and improve the state’s natural resources and environment through implementing environment through implementing conservation programs authorized in the conservation programs authorized in the Farm Bill. Farm Bill. Coordinates with its partners through the Coordinates with its partners through the State Technical Committee which is State Technical Committee which is comprised of individuals who represent a comprised of individuals who represent a variety of natural resource sciences and variety of natural resource sciences and occupations. occupations.

Resource Conservation and Resource Conservation and Development Councils (RC&Ds)Development Councils (RC&Ds)

Independent regional nonprofit Independent regional nonprofit organizations staffed with NRCS organizations staffed with NRCS employees and partially funded by NRCS.employees and partially funded by NRCS.

Goal is to improve the capability of state Goal is to improve the capability of state and local units of government in rural and local units of government in rural areas to plan, develop and carry out areas to plan, develop and carry out resource conservation and development resource conservation and development projects designed to meet unique needs of projects designed to meet unique needs of rural communities. rural communities.

SD Department of Environment and SD Department of Environment and Natural Resources Natural Resources

Mission is to protect public health and the Mission is to protect public health and the environment by providing assessment, financial environment by providing assessment, financial assistance, and regulation. assistance, and regulation.

Administers water resources management, non-Administers water resources management, non-point source and water quality programs, point source and water quality programs, environmental regulation and water rights. environmental regulation and water rights.

Funds may be available to conservation districts.Funds may be available to conservation districts.Administers the EPA 319 Program that provides Administers the EPA 319 Program that provides grants to implement non-point source projects grants to implement non-point source projects and programs under the Clean Water Act.and programs under the Clean Water Act.

State Revolving Fund (SRF) Non-point State Revolving Fund (SRF) Non-point Source Financial Assistance ProgramSource Financial Assistance Program

This program provides loans and/or grants for This program provides loans and/or grants for water quality improvement projects, including water quality improvement projects, including lakes, streams, wetlands and groundwater.lakes, streams, wetlands and groundwater.Individuals, businesses, corporations, Individuals, businesses, corporations, associations, private entities and government associations, private entities and government agencies are eligible.agencies are eligible.Loans are usually provided at 0% interest.Loans are usually provided at 0% interest.These NPS funds can provide match for other These NPS funds can provide match for other funding sources including 319 grants, ARDL funding sources including 319 grants, ARDL loans and other state and federal funds.loans and other state and federal funds.

SD Department of Game, Fish and SD Department of Game, Fish and ParksParks

Mission is to conserve, manage, protect, and Mission is to conserve, manage, protect, and enhance the state’s wildlife resources, parks and enhance the state’s wildlife resources, parks and outdoor recreational opportunities for residents outdoor recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.and visitors.

Specific programs include:Specific programs include:– Upland and riparian shelterbelt plantingsUpland and riparian shelterbelt plantings– Pheasants for EveryonePheasants for Everyone– Walk-in Hunting ProgramWalk-in Hunting Program

US Dept. of Interior US Dept. of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

USFWS’s mission is to conserve, protect and USFWS’s mission is to conserve, protect and enhance fish and wildlife and their habitats, to enhance fish and wildlife and their habitats, to protect endangered and threatened species, protect endangered and threatened species, conserve habitat and reduce environmental conserve habitat and reduce environmental contaminants. contaminants. This program provides 10-30 year cost-share This program provides 10-30 year cost-share agreements on private lands for both uplands agreements on private lands for both uplands and wetlands.and wetlands.Projects can include fencing, water development, Projects can include fencing, water development, re-establishment of riparian habitat, installation of re-establishment of riparian habitat, installation of water control structures and others.water control structures and others.

US Department of Agriculture Farm US Department of Agriculture Farm

Service Agency (FSA)Service Agency (FSA) Established in the 1930s, FSA is dedicated to achieving Established in the 1930s, FSA is dedicated to achieving an economically and environmentally sound future for an economically and environmentally sound future for American agriculture.American agriculture.A locally elected three to five-person county committee A locally elected three to five-person county committee reviews county office operations and makes decisions reviews county office operations and makes decisions on how to apply the programs.on how to apply the programs.Administers three main conservation programs Administers three main conservation programs authorized in the Farm Bill: Conservation Reserve authorized in the Farm Bill: Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CRP), Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), and Emergency Conservation Program (CREP), and Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) Program (ECP) The conservation districts have a responsibility to review The conservation districts have a responsibility to review and approve, as appropriate, the conservation plans and approve, as appropriate, the conservation plans developed under the CRP program. developed under the CRP program.

US Department of Agriculture Forest US Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USFS)Service (USFS)

Mission is to sustain the health, diversity, Mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. and future generations. USFS is also among the largest forestry USFS is also among the largest forestry research organizations in the world, and research organizations in the world, and provides technical and financial assistance provides technical and financial assistance to state and private forestry agencies. to state and private forestry agencies.

South Dakota State University South Dakota State University Cooperative ExtensionCooperative Extension

SDSU conducts research on resource problems SDSU conducts research on resource problems on such subjects as adapted species, shelterbelt on such subjects as adapted species, shelterbelt design and row spacing, and weed control.design and row spacing, and weed control.Cooperative Extension Service leads and directs Cooperative Extension Service leads and directs educational programs in agriculture, home educational programs in agriculture, home economics and other related areas. Their goal is economics and other related areas. Their goal is to improve communities and family life by building to improve communities and family life by building agriculture and agribusiness.agriculture and agribusiness.Provides local resources and expertise to assist Provides local resources and expertise to assist conservation districtsconservation districtsCo-sponsors some local programsCo-sponsors some local programsProvides conservation education assistance and Provides conservation education assistance and trainingtraining

US Geological Survey (USGS)US Geological Survey (USGS)USGS is the principal federal agency for USGS is the principal federal agency for generating hydrologic information and generating hydrologic information and appraising the nation's water resources. appraising the nation's water resources. The water resources of SD consist of The water resources of SD consist of numerous streams, springs, lakes and aquifer numerous streams, springs, lakes and aquifer systems. systems. USGS collects stream flow, ground water USGS collects stream flow, ground water levels and water quality data throughout the levels and water quality data throughout the state. These hydrologic data and other data state. These hydrologic data and other data are used in research and hydrologic studies are used in research and hydrologic studies to describe the quantity, quality and location to describe the quantity, quality and location of the states' water resources.of the states' water resources.

US Army Corps of Engineers US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)(USACE)

Mission is to provide engineering services to Mission is to provide engineering services to the nation for planning, designing, building and the nation for planning, designing, building and operating water resources and other civil works operating water resources and other civil works projects for navigation, flood control, environ-projects for navigation, flood control, environ-mental protection and disaster response. mental protection and disaster response. Its biologists, engineers, geologists, Its biologists, engineers, geologists, hydrologists, and natural resource managers hydrologists, and natural resource managers provide environ-mental consulting services to provide environ-mental consulting services to federal, state, local and private entities. federal, state, local and private entities. In granting or denying permits to developers, In granting or denying permits to developers, the USACE strives to prevent environmental the USACE strives to prevent environmental damage by balancing the need of economic damage by balancing the need of economic development with environmental development with environmental considerations. considerations.