VANDERBURGH COUNTY SWCD              (SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT)                        12445 Highway 41 North                        Evansville, IN  47725                        PHONE: (812) 867-0729                        FAX: (812) 867-0622                        Office Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.                        Monday thru Friday

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Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide quality conservation services resulting in a harmonious
balance between natural resources, social change and profitability within Vanderburgh
County by fostering innovative partnerships.
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
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 development 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)

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