LOUISIANA SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT SUPERVISOR’S TRAINING AND ORIENTATION

1. LOUISIANA SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT SUPERVISOR’S TRAINING AND ORIENTATION Conducted by the LA State Soil & Water Conservation Commission at the Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts 1

2. This orientation will help you understand: • Why SWCDs were formed • SWCD Board responsibilities • Your role as a Supervisor • Louisiana’s Conservation Partnership

3. History of SWCDs • Dust Bowls and Gullies – 1920’s • extensive erosion by wind and water Harsh climatic conditions + Damaging land use practices = Epic natural disaster

4. History of SWCDs • Hugh Hammond Bennett • 1929 – USDA Bureau of Soils • experiment stations • 1933 – Civilian Conservation Corps • 1933 – USDI Soil Erosion Service • 1935 – USDA Soil Conservation Service • 1994 – USDA Natural Resources • Conservation Service

5. History of SWCDs • Land owners skeptical, situation critical • Model legislation was sent to each state • 1938 – LA Act No. 370; State Soil & Water Conservation Committee • Formation of SWCDs began

6. History of SWCDs The Louisiana SWCD Law, Act No. 370, as amended, exists now as Title 3, Chapter 9, Parts 1 & 2 of the LA Revised Statutes http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=85717

7. History of SWCDs

8. What is a Soil and Water Conservation District? What is the purpose Of a SWCD? Who controls or manages SWCDs? 8

9. Who are SWCD Supervisors? • Local public officials • Landowners • Farm operators

10. Elections and Appointments • 3 elected supervisors • Nominating petitions • Local referendum • 2 appointed supervisors • Appointed by the SWCC • upon SWCD recommendation • Associate supervisors • Non-voting, no per diem • Provide valuable info, insight • Apprentice for full position

11. District Powers and Authorities Soil and Water Conservation Districts are governmental subdivisions of the State and exercise certain public powers. Conservation districts are given specific authorities by Louisiana Act No. 370. Louisiana RS: 3;1201-1219 11

12. District Powers & Authorities To carry out preventive and control measures for better utilization of soil and water resources. To enter into agreements and furnish financial or other aid to any private or public agency or land user within the district for better utilization of soil and water resources and for removal of excess water as the supervisors deem necessary 12

13. District Powers & Authorities To obtain by purchase, exchange, lease, gift or otherwise, any real or personal property to accomplish the goals of the district. To make available to land users any equipment and materials needed to carry out soil and water conservation programs. 13

14. District Powers & Authorities To construct, improve, operate and maintain works of improvement as needed. To develop comprehensive plans for soil and water Management in the district and bring this information to the attention of the public. To take over and administer any soil conservation, flood prevention, drainage, irrigation, water management, erosion control or erosion prevention projects within the boundaries of the district. 14

15. District Powers & Authorities To accept contributions in money, services or materials from any source for use in carrying out the district program. To sue and be sued in the name of the district; to have perpetual succession unless terminated as provided in Act No. 370, as amended; To make and execute contracts and other instruments; and to make and amend rules and regulations as needed. 15

16. District Powers and Authorities As a condition to extending benefits on private lands, the district may require contributions in money, services, or materials, and may require landowners to enter into agreements or covenants regarding the permanent use of such lands to control erosion, flooding and sediment damages.

17. District Powers and Authorities To develop and enact through a local referendum, land use regulations within the district when needed to conserve soil and water resources, as provided in Act No. 370, as amended. To cooperate with other districts in the exercise of any of its powers. To combine, divide or discontinue a district by petition to the State Soil & Water Conservation Committee, as provided in Act No. 370, as amended. 17

18. District Powers and Authorities To organize irrigation, drainage or watershed development projects, to install, operate and maintain works of improvement such as levees, ditches and pumping stations.

19. There’s one thing Districts cannot do!!! As per Act No. 370, Districts do not have the power or authority to levy, assess, or collect any taxes or special assessments. 19

20. District Responsibilities Legality Control and prevention of soil erosion, prevention of damage from flood water and sediment, utilization and disposal of water, wise guidance in present and future use of state land resources. Active roles in water management for irrigation, drainage, flood control, recreation, pollution abatement, and fish and wildlife habitat. Soil surveys, erosion control practices, soil fertility and condition, and preserving agricultural land. Land and water management, landscape beautification, education and involvement of citizens in conservation programs. 20

21. District Responsibilities Methodology District board organization District board meetings Financial management Technical assistance 21

22. District Responsibilities Methodology District employees Intergovernmental cooperation Planning Education Reporting Equal opportunity 22

23. Duties of SWCD Supervisors Administration • Assist in SWCD policy development • Establish needs and priorities • Long range & annual work plans • Annual reports • Solicit support for your district • Maintain key contacts • Working agreements • MOU’s with USDA – NRCS • Understand partnership relations • Become familiar with Act No. 370 • Supervisors handbook • Board meetings

24. Duties of SWCD Supervisors Finance • Secure adequate funding for the district • Establish sound business procedures • Adequate accounting & management • Annual budget & financial report • Efficient, judicious use of public funds

25. Duties of SWCD Supervisors Leadership • Area and state meetings • Local public opinion • Active conservation recruitment • Consult & cooperate with other entities • Wear the SWCD hat • Communicate outside meetings

26. Duties of SWCD Supervisors Education • Who • Units of government • Businesses • Civic organizations • Professionals • Universities, grade schools • Libraries • Churches • Farmers, ranchers, land owners • How • Long range, annual plans & reports • Soil Stewardship week • Master Farmer • Project WET • S & W Conservation Society • Meeting invitations • Ag BMP field day demonstrations

27. The Louisiana Conservation Partnership 27

28. State Soil & Water Conservation Committee • District policy, funding and regulatory decisions. • Supervisor elections, appointments and resignations. • District formation and discontinuance • State Conservation Policy • Information exchange between SWCDs • Membership • Chancellor, LSU Agricultural Center • Commissioner, LDAF • President, LACD • 5 elected SWCC Area representatives 28

29. LDAF/Office of Soil & Water Conservation • Office staff managed by LADF/OSWC Asst. Commissioner • OSWC Asst. Commissioner serves as SWCC Exec. Director • OSWC Staff duties: • Administration • SWCC • Assistance to SWCDs • Agriculture Nonpoint Source Pollution Control • Coastal Restoration • LDAF Conservation Project Management • Environmental Education • Agriculture By-Products BMP Program • Prescribed Agricultural Burning. • Special projects 29

30. “Helping People Help the Land” History • Federal Agency – established in 1935 • Partnership – Model conservation district law in 1937 • Federal ↔ State ↔ Local governments • History and success intertwined with conservation districts

31. “Helping People Help the Land” Foundation Documents • Mutual Agreement • Cooperative Working Agreement • Operational Agreement and local partnerships

32. “Helping People Help the Land” Mutual Agreement • Partners share a common objective of assisting public and private landowners and users to utilize and manage natural resources in accordance with the capabilities and needs for protection and improvement. • Signed by District, State, and Secretary of Agriculture

33. “Helping People Help the Land” Mutual Agreement • Each party is independent • Respective responsibilities • Recognizes the need to coordinate for successful delivery of conservation programs • Implement long-range natural resource conservation programs

34. “Helping People Help the Land” Mutual Agreement • Secretary – continue to carry out broad conservation programs – technical, research, educational, and financial assistance • State of Louisiana – continue commitment to aid in administration, coordination, financing and delivery of conservation programs through Districts • Encourage agreements with other natural resource agencies • Comply with nondiscrimination provisions contained in Law

35. “Helping People Help the Land” Cooperative Working Agreement • Supplements the Mutual Agreement • Establishes the relationship between NRCS, state and District • Does not obligate funds • Specific projects and activities must be under operational agreements

36. “Helping People Help the Land” Cooperative Working Agreement • Mutually agree to: • Provide leadership in natural resource conservation • Listen • Anticipate • Respond to customer’s needs • Decision making at lowest level

37. “Helping People Help the Land” Cooperative Working Agreement (cont’d) • Mutually agree to: • Respect private property rights • Advocate comprehensive resource management planning • Maintain and improve grass-roots delivery system • Build new alliance – expand partnerships

38. “Helping People Help the Land” Cooperative Working Agreement (cont’d) • Mutually agree to: • Foster economically viable environmental policies • Improve quality of life for future generations • Conserve and enhance our natural resources

39. “Helping People Help the Land” Cooperative Working Agreement (cont’d) • How to Get ‘er Done: • Advance and practice teamwork • Input in decision making process, coordination and cooperation • Capacity building – shared training • Share leadership and ownership ↔ credit and responsibility • Put quality first • Professionalism, dedication, and striving to improve

40. “Helping People Help the Land” Operational Agreements • Optional • Operational commitment between the local partners • Developed as needed

41. “Helping People Help the Land” District Conservationist • Communication • Resource issues • Programs • Establishing priorities • Attend - Conservation District Board meetings – Report • Support District priorities – (communicate)

42. “Helping People Help the Land” District Conservationist (can’t do) • Handle funds or finances • Hire, managing, supervising, evaluating or terminating conservation district personnel • Manage district equipment or promote district services as a condition of Federal assistance

43. “Helping People Help the Land” Our GOAL: To be known as the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) providing assistance through local soil and water conservation districts.

44. The Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts (LACD) • Unified forum for all LA SWCDs and supervisors • LACD benefits SWCDs, farmers and land owners • Managed by Executive Board of Directors • President • 1st Vice President • 2nd Vice President • Sec.-Treasurer • Past Presidents • Immediate Past V. Presidents • Immediate Past Sec.-Treasurer • Area V. Presidents • Area Directors

45. The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) • Represents nearly 3,000 Conservation Districts and almost 15,000 supervisors • Facilitates conservation and orderly development ofAmerica’s land, water • and related resources through local self-government • Works with Congress to justify funding and • support to federal conservation agencies • District Capacity Building • Operational needs and Services • Council • Executive Committee

46. “What a frightful lack of foresight, and what terribly false economy it would be, if we did not go ahead with the soil conservation job” Hugh H. Bennett 34

47. Supervisors Handbook Reference Slide No.Handbook page No.State LawPPM 3-5 III 6-7 general reference §1204 81§1201-1202 9 I, II, 12§1206-1207 10 12 §1206-1207 9 11-19 2 §1208 4,10,12.15 20-22 3-7 §1207-1208 1,2,3,9,12 23 17 §1207-1208 9 24 18 §1207-1208 4-8,10,11 25 18 §1207-1208 15 26 19 §1207-1208 27 28 §1207-1208 28 13, 25-27 §1204 29 26, 27, 41, 46 RS 36;628G 30 32 §1208 31 III, 2, 5, 18, 23, 26, 27, 32, 39, 40 §1203, §1204 32 34 §1204 A.(1)(a) 33 33