MASWCD Governance 101 Conference September 2013 LeAnn Buck, Executive Director Alexandria, MN

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1 MASWCD Governance 101 Conference September 2013 LeAnn Buck, Executive Director Alexandria, MN

2 Acknowledge the PAST: know origins of Soil & Water Conservation Districts Think & act in the PRESENT: recognize what s really happening Contribute to the FUTURE: help frame the vision for the district

3 Think Think Authorities Think Governance Think Funding

4 Acknowledge the Past

5 Great Depression & Serious Drought Congress Considers a New National Soil Conservation Program Federal Soil Erosion Service Created

6 Watershed Demonstration Projects averaging 25,000 acres Hiring unemployed people through the Works Progress Administration (WPA) & the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

7 Soil Erosion Service moved from the Interior to U. S. Department of Agriculture Renamed: USDA Soil Conservation Service

8 Idea for local special-purpose districts to bridge the gap between federal technicians & private landowners

9 Feb. 1937, President Roosevelt sent governors a copy of the Standard State District Act

10 USDA Secretary of Agriculture Report That on our after July 1, 1937 all erosion control work on private lands, including demonstration projects, be undertaken by the Soil Conservation Service only through legally constituted soil conservation associations

11 To Supplement the Federal Programs, & safeguard their results, state legislation is needed. At the request of a number of states, & in cooperation with them, the Dept. of Agriculture has prepared a standard form of suitable legislation. The Act provides for the organization of soil conservation districts as government subdivisions of the state. President Roosevelt to State Governors

12 The new program would be not just an experiment in conserving natural resources: it would be an experiment in the application of government to natural resources problems in democracy From For the Love of the Land by R. Neil Sampson.

13 Procedures to establish a district through petition to a State Soil Conservation Committee signed by at least 25 land occupiers Public hearing & a referendum on whether the district should be formed

14 Broad Powers to: plan & execute erosion control projects conduct demonstration projects build & maintain structures accept contributions of money, services, and materials propose land-use regulations

15 Create a State Soil Conservation Committee Major function to encourage the formation of districts Consist of heads of Extension & experiment stations, state commissioner of agriculture, & a member may be appointed by the Federal Secretary of Agriculture

16 Districts to be governed by five supervisors Two appointed by the State Committee Three selected by land occupiers in the district A blend of democratic leadership and technical expertise Operation over natural boundaries watershed

17 1937 Minnesota Enacts Soil Conservation Law All Supervisors selected by landowners No Land Use Authority No Taxing Authority Separate from counties but close relationship Funding to be from Federal, State, County and authority to charge for services

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19 Districts organized in the 40 s, 50 s and 60 s: last district formed in the 1970 s Name changed to Soil & Water Conservation Districts in the 1960 s State Soil Conservation Board moved from U of M to DNR in the 1960 s Environmental movement in the 1970 s Federal Clean Water Act 1972 Election laws standardized in the 1970 s

20 The NACD represents the nation s 3,000 conservation districts 17,000 men & women who serve on District governing boards nationwide Districts work nationwide encompassing more that 778 million acres of private land

21 Powers and duties (MN State Statute 103C) SWCD is a legal subdivision of the state. May carry out soil & water conservation measurers on any lands in the district with the consent of the landowner

22 In a nutshell Private Lands Conservation Voluntary Incentive Programs Working Lands Conservation Land Retirement Conservation Education Governing Board

23 1977 Erosion/Sediment/Water Quality Cost Share 1979 Streambank, Lakeshore, Roadside 1980 s Private Forest Management 1986 ReInvest in Minnesota Reserve 1987 Comprehensive Local Water Planning 1989 Groundwater Protection well sealing 1991 Wetland Conservation Act

24 1990 s District Share Engineers through Joint Power Agreements 2000 s Leveraging Federal Conservation Programs with State s RIM Reserve 2006 Clean Water Legacy Act & TMDLs

25 2008 Constitutional Amendment dedicated sales tax = Millions in new project funding 2008 to 2012 state funding deficits Comprehensive Local Water Planning 103B statute changed to allow county plans on a watershed basis

26 1984 SWCD Revenue by Source $6,726,148 Other 2% Charges 25% Federal 0% Interest 5% Local 0% State 31% County 37%

27 2003 SWCD Revenue by Source $28,638, Int. 1% Other 5% Local 3% Charges 24% County 36% Federal 1% State 30%

28 2022 Revenues Local 5% County 39% State 29% Federal 3% Interest 2% Other 3%

29 State Deficit Triggering Cuts to Base Funding 4 years into 25 years of Dedicated Funding with emphasis on projects Need to be competitive Target Outcomes

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40 Sharing People Specialized Technical Assistance Baby Boomers Retiring Impacts to State s General Fund Voluntary Merging of Districts Federal Clean Water Act Greater Impact Watershed Approach

41 Climate Adaptation Incentives Changing Trading Programs Carbon Sequestration Measurable Outcomes Regionalization Technology

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44 Think Think Authorities Think Governance Think Funding

45 You have a rich history The work you do is vital While local, you are part of a larger effort Your district authorities are dynamic Be engaged, listen & respond Your efforts will make a difference!