|
|
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Click on picture to learn
about 60 years of
district history
VANDERBURGH CO.
SWCD
SUPERVISORS
LAUREN PRESKE
Chairman
.jpg)
Vice-Chairman
Davie Sue
Litov
SECRETARY
WAYNE FEHD
David Ellison
Member
Maurice Berendes
Member
|
District Purpose/Governance/Powers
Purpose
In Indiana, a
soil and water conservation district (SWCD)
is a unit of state
government responsible for soil and
water conservation programs within
its county
boundaries. The district provides a means for all
interested people in a county to work together for natural
resource
conservation and development. It is funded
through a variety of
sources, including county and state
appropriations, money-making
activities, grants, and
private donations.
Governance
The official
governing body of a district consists of five supervisors. Three
are elected (One each year for a
three-year term) at an annual meeting
of land occupiers held in January, February, or March. Two are
appointed
(also for staggered three-year Terms) by the State Soil
Conservation Board based upon recommendations of the
leadership in the
district. The selection of all five
supervisors is based upon
recommendations of the
leadership in the district. The
selection of all five
supervisors is also based on input from the local
people
they serve. As public officials responsible to the
district
and state, supervisors are required to subscribe to a
standard oath of office.
The five
supervisors' major roles are to evaluate local soil and water
conservation needs and opportunities, to set priorities, and to
provide for the develop-ment of we programs to meet those prioritized
needs within the
district.
Powers
As a governmental
subdivision of the State of Indiana and a public body (corporate and
politic), soil and water conservation districts exercise public
powers. Following is a summary of the specific powers given to
SWCDs and
their supervisors by the Soil and Water Conservation
(Indiana Code 4-32):
-
To
carry out soil erosion and water runoff preventive and control measures
within the district (a) on land owned or controlled by the state and
(b) on any other land upon obtaining the consent of the occupier of
the land or the necessary rights or interests in such lands.
-
To
construct, improve, operate, and maintain the structures that are
necessary or convenient for the performance of any of the operations
authorized in the District Act.
-
To cooperate or enter into agreements
with and furnish financial or other aid to any federal, state, or
other agency or any occupier of lands within the district to carry on
conservation operations, subject to such conditions as the supervisors
deem necessary.
-
To obtain options
upon and acquire by purchase, exchange, lease, gift, grant, bequest,
device, any real or personal property or rights or interests in
property; to maintain, administer, and improve the properties
acquired; to receive income from the properties and expend such income
in carrying out the District Act; and to sell, lease, or otherwise
dispose of property or interests in property in furtherance of the
District Act.
-
To make available
to land occupiers within the district (on such terms that the district
prescribes) agricultural and engineering machinery and equipment,
fertilizer, seeds, seedlings, other material or equipment, and
services from the district that will assist such land occupiers to
conserve the soil and water resources.
-
To
develop comprehensive plans for the proper management of soil and
water resources within the district; and to publish such plans and
information and bring them to the attention of land occupiers within
the district.
-
To take over
(with consent of any federal or state entity, by purchase, lease, or
otherwise) and to administer any soil and water conservation, erosion
control, water quality protection, or flood prevention project of the
entity located within the district's boundaries.
-
To accept
donations, gifts, and contributions in money, services, materials, or
otherwise from the United States; and to use or expend such
contributions in carrying on district operations.
-
To
sue and be sued in the name of the district; to have perpetual
succession unless terminated; to make and execute contractors and
other instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of the
district's powers; and to adopt rules and regulations to carry into
effect the purposes and powers of the District Act.
-
To require an
occupier of lands not owned or controlled by the state (as a condition
to extending benefits under the District Act) to (a) make
contributions of money, services, materials, or otherwise to any
operations conferring such benefits, and/or (b) enter into agreements
or covenants regarding the use and treatment of the lands that will
prevent or control soil erosion, achieve water conservation and water
quality protection, and reduce flooding.
District Affiliations
Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts
(IASWCD)
National Association of Conservation Districts
(NACD)
Indiana District Employee Association
(IDEA)
Natural Resource Conservation Service
(NRCS)
Indiana State Department of Ag
(ISDA)
Four Rivers
Resource Conservation And Development Area, Inc. (RC&D)
Farm Service
Agency
(FSA)
Extension Service
(Local
ES)
(State
ES)
PURDUE "PEST &
CROP" NEWSLETTER
http://www.entm.purdue.edu/Entomology/ext/targets/p&c/index2004.htm
SCOTT TOWNSHIP PARK &
WILDLIFE EDUCATION CENTER
The Vanderburgh County SWCD board and staff are
pleased to be partnering with the Scott Twp. Park
group working to enhance the community.
The park had its beginning in early 2003, when the
Scott Township Trustee and Advisory Board voted
to buy the 38 acre tract. Located in a rapidly devel-
oping area of Vanderburgh Co., the land was envis-
ioned as a refuge for wildlife and people. The Friends
group was
recently formed to help develop the Park.
For more information:
www.friendsofscotttownshippark.com
Top of Page
Home |
