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In 1935, following the dust bowl
period of the Midwest, Congress ordered the establishment of the Soil Conservation
Service within the Department of Agriculture (USDA). It required states
receiving benefits from the program to enact legislation that provided
for the prevention of soil erosion. Since successful natural resources
conservation programs depend on local involvement and ownership, the USDA
developed a standard legislation creating Soil Conservation Districts in
each state. The purpose of the legislation was to allow the Soil Conservation
Service to provide conservation programs through local districts as a way
to bridge the gap between the federal government priorities and local needs.
The arrangement gave both state and local government a stake in the program.
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The function of Vermont's Conservation
Districts has widened over the years. What began as an interest in agriculture
and soil erosion prevention now encompasses all natural resources issues,
especially water quality. Conservation districts coordinate available technical,
financial and educational resources and focus them on meeting the needs
of the land user. Districts encourage volunteer cooperation of landowners
and the general public through information and education. They also inform
local, state and federal elected officials about implications of the conservation
issues that they address.
The Winooski NRCD covers both Washington and
Chittenden Counties, works closely with the Natural Resource Conservation
Service, and also works in partnership with the White River Conservation
District.
The District is organized as a non-profit organization and received
a modest base allocation from the State of Vermont. |
