NOTE: As of July 1, 2011, the NC Soil and Water Conservation Division will transfer from the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources to the NCDA&CS .
North Carolina Soil and Water Conservation
Soil and Water Conservation Division
Mission:
To foster voluntary, incentive-driven management of soil, water and related natural resources for the benefit of the environment, economy and all citizens.
The Division of Soil and Water Conservation works in cooperation with the Soil and Water Conservation Commission to protect and improve soil and water resources throughout the state.
Soil and Water Conservation Commission
The Soil and Water Conservation Commission provides leadership in the partnership between the division, local districts, federal and other agencies. The commission is the policy and rule-making board for state programs, and establishes cost share procedures, allocates funds, considers programmatic changes and settles contract disputes.
Conservation Partnership
The division is recognized as having one of the nation's top soil and water conservation programs for private lands. This effort is achieved through a conservation partnership comprised of the state division, local conservation districts and the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service, as well as private and nonprofit entities. The partnership is successful in putting conservation measures on the ground across the North Carolina landscape, largely due to the strong local district infrastructure.
Local conservation districts help the division meet NCDA&CS goals
The Division of Soil and Water Conservation is statutorily connected to North Carolina's 96 local conservation districts through General Statute 139 and delivers its programs through the comprehensive district infrastructure. The division cost shares on 116 county-employed district technician positions throughout the state.
Districts partner with federal, state and local entities to deliver state and federal conservation programs related to water quality practices, farmland protection, wetlands restoration and wildlife habitat enhancement. Districts assist with community conservation planning in natural resource management areas such as erosion and sediment control, stormwater management, flood control, water use efficiency, stream restoration, small-plot forestry management and restoration efforts after natural disasters. Districts also help implement conservation easements and respond to local projects such as building environmental education centers.
