CONSERVATION DISTRICT

PARTNERS

CONSERVATION DISTRICT

PARTNERS

Conservation Districts partner with many local and statewide groups and organizations. (The Building Partnership module in this Certification Program will discuss that in more detail.)

The two main agencies that assist with Conservation Districts are the Colorado State Conservation Board (CSCB), and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

There are also two main non-profit organizations that assist Districts: the Colorado Association of Conservation Districts (CACD) and the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD).

Main Partners in Conservation

CSCB Relationship

The Conservation District Act provides for CSCB to coordinate programs of the various Conservation Districts, assist in planning local programs, assure that each District is operated and maintained as an entity of government and, administer state and federal allocated grants and funding to Conservation Districts.

CSCB is a sub-program of the Colorado Department of Agriculture, housed in the Conservation Services Division.

Local District administration assistance and program coordination functions are carried out by the Conservation Specialists under CSCB.

CDA History

In October of 1954 Governor Dan Thornton designated the State Soil Conservation Board as the official state agency to carry out the state functions as required under Public Law No. 566.

In 2002 legislation was passed to move the State Conservation Program from the Colorado Department of Natural Resources to the Colorado Department of Agriculture and to remove “soil” from the names of districts to better reflect the current broader activities of the conservation districts in this state.

Today there are 76 Conservation Districts with the state agency housed in the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA), Conservation Services Division.

The Districts continue to work for constructive land use providing for the conservation and preservation of natural resources, including adequate underground water reserves, the control of wind and water erosion, noxious weed control and the reduction of damage resulting from floods across the entire state.

Colorado State Conservation Board (CSCB)

The CSCB is created in C.R.S. 335-70-103 and consists of nine members. One member is a qualified elector of the State appointed by the Governor from the State at large for four-year terms. The remaining eight positions on the Board are filled by elections held within the watersheds as listed below for four-year terms.

A candidate for the Board shall be or shall have been an elected supervisor of a local Conservation District. The number of members to be elected and the watershed from which they are to be elected are outlined on the next page.

Watershed RepresentationColorado State Conservation Board (CSCB) is comprised of one representative from each of the following

Watersheds:

Rio Grande San Juan Basin North Platte, White & Yampa Republican, Lower South Platte

Upper South Platte Lower Arkansas Upper Arkansas Colorado, Gunnison-Dolores

+1 Governor Appointee Board Member

CSCB VacanciesAny vacancies occurring in the elected positions on the Board are filled by the Board appointment of a person who would be qualified to stand for election for the board and who is from the same area in which the vacancy occurred, and the appointee holds office until the expiration of the term of the office to which he/she was appointed.

Members of the CSCB serve without pay except for their actual travelling and living expenses while on official state board business.

The Board provides administrative and financial assistance to Colorado’s 76 conservation districts. It also coordinates various programs with state and federal agencies on natural resource issues, provides guidance and assists districts on various water and energy programs. One board member serves as a representative on the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board.

The Director of CSU Extension, the Director of the State Experiment Station, the Commissioner of Agriculture, and the Execute Director of the Department of Natural Resources serve in an advisory capacity to CSCB. The Board also works in partnership with NRCS and the Colorado Association of Conservation Districts (CACD).

CSCB Powers & Duties

Part 1

To promote and assist in the organization of conservation districts in any section of the state where erosion damage exists or is threatened;

To accept petitions for the organization of conservation districts; To prepare and present to the qualified voters uniform bylaws for the conduct of the

business of such districts; To act in an advisory capacity with the board of supervisors of each district and to

coordinate the programs of all conservation districts; To act as the state board of appeals; To prepare a uniform and adequate system of accounting for districts, which may be

adopted and used by all districts within the state; To administer and disburse any funds that may be made available to the state board of

assisting conservation districts in the conservation of soil and water resources of the state of Colorado and to defray expenses of the state board and its duly appointed or employed agents in carrying out the provisions of this article;

The CSCB Powers and Duties Part 1: (see CRS 35-70-103 for more details)

CSCB Powers & Duties Part 2

To loan money to conservation districts to assist such districts in furthering the purposes of this article;

To undertake studies of watershed planning and to undertake development of watershed flood prevention and underground water storage projects, both on its own initiative and in response to requests submitted to the board by one or more soil or water conservation districts, flood prevention or control districts, boards of county commissioners, municipalities, drainage or irrigation districts, or other legally constituted bodies having authority under state law to carry out, maintain, and operate the works of improvement;

To hold public hearings at any point within or without each proposed watershed for the purpose of determining the extent of public interest, the degree of anticipated cooperation, and any other data and information needed by the state board in making decisions as to each project;

To plan, in cooperation with the United States government or any of its agencies, the state of Colorado or any of its political subdivisions, and private individuals or corporations, conservation districts, and others, watershed improvement, underground water storage and flood prevention projects, conservation and erosion control practices, and other projects not inconsistent with this article;

Within the limits of available funds, to administer, direct, and operate such watershed improvement, underground water storage and flood prevention projects, conservation and erosion control projects, and other similar activities;

CSCB Powers & DutiesPart 3

To administer and expend funds made available to the state board by the United States government or any of its agencies or by the state of Colorado or any of its political subdivisions or funds derived from any other source for the purpose of planning, developing, and putting into operation practices and projects undertaken in accordance with this subsection;

To obtain options upon and to acquire, or acquire control of, by purchase, exchange, lease, gift, grant, bequest, devise, or otherwise, any property, real or personal, or rights or interests therein; to maintain, administer, and improve any properties acquired, to receive income from such properties, and to expend such income in carrying out the purposes and provisions of this article; and to sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of any of its property or interests therein in furtherance of the purposes and provisions of this article;

To erect suitable structures and maintain any facilities, so as to arrest or prevent the erosion of soils or lands, to improve the watershed and prevent floods, and to increase underground water reserves, with due consideration to established water rights;

To accept grants, services, and materials and to borrow money from the United States or from any corporation or agency created or designed by the United States to lend or grant money, or from the state of Colorado or any of its subdivisions;

To report annually at such times and on such matters as the commissioner of agriculture may require;

To place any funds it receives pursuant to paragraph (e) of this subsection (6) into a trust and to administer and expend any moneys in such trust.

CSCB Staff DutiesCSCB Program Staff implement and deliver technical, administrative, and financial assistance under the direction and guidance of the CSCB and the CDA.

The CSCB, Staff and districts work in a cooperative effort to offer assistance to landowners and citizens of the district to help solve natural resource problems including soil erosion, water quality and quantity, noxious weed control, wildlife habitat, and much more.

Contact information is available on the CSCB website:http://www.colorado.gov/ag/cscb

Advise CD supervisors & employees on policies and programs

Consult with local CDs relative to their authorities & procedures of operation

Assist in planning and coordinating Area Association of CDs meetings

Perform CSCB responsibilities pertaining to CD Supervisor elections and appointments

Provide technical advice in preparation of district programs, work plans, etc.

Confer with CD supervisors on programs and needs of the district

Who is the specialist for my district?State Office Programs Northeast Specialist Western Specialists

Annual Plans of Work Big Thompson Center Olney Boone BookcliffBusiness Reviews Boulder Valley Conejos County Prairie Colorado First CSCB Organization & Meetings Centennial Costilla Prowers Debeque-Plateau Valley Direct Assistance Cope Mosca Hooper South Pueblo County Delta District Conservation Tech Deer Trail Rio Grande Spanish Peaks-Purgatoire River Dolores Land Transfers Douglas County Agate Teller Park Douglas Creek Long-Range Plans East Adams Baca County Turkey Creek Dove Creek Matching Grants Fort Collins Bent Upper Arkansas Eagle County Supervisor Lists/Data Haxtun Branson Trinchera Upper Huerfano Gunnison Training Jefferson Burlington West Otero Timpas La Plata

Kiowa Central Colorado Mancos Longmont Cheyenne MesaMorgan Custer County Middle Park Platte Valley Double El Mount Sopris Sedgwick County East Otero North Park Southeast Weld El Paso County Pine River Washington County Flagler Routt County West Adams Fremont San Juan West Arapahoe High Plains San Miguel Basin West Greeley Kiowa County Shavano Yuma Lake County South Side

Southeast Specialist

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Our mission: To help people implement local solutions that sustain and improve Colorado’s natural resources through partnerships, planning, and programs.

NRCS provides assistance to land users, communities, units of state and local government, and other Federal agencies in planning and implementing conservation systems.

The purpose is to reduce erosion, improve soil and water quality, improve and conserve wetlands, enhance fish and wildlife habitat, improve air quality, improve pasture and range condition, reduce upstream flooding and improve woodlands.

Provides technical assistance through staff, standards & specs, technical training, etc.

For a full listing of available programs, please visit: www.nrcs.usda.gov

The NRCS has a long and extensive tradition of work with conservation districts. The NRCS provides personnel, equipment, office space, and counsel to districts. It also provides technical assistance and financial assistance to the land users through the conservation districts.

Colorado Association of Conservation Districts (CACD)

CACD is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization representing the 76 conservation districts in the State of Colorado.

Conservation Districts are represented by the CACD at the state level and the National Association of Conservation Districts at the national level. CACD serves as a state voice for conservation districts on state policy, legislation, communication, and funding for conservation activities and has a strong lobbying component. Each of the ten major watersheds elects one supervisor to serve as director on the CACD board.

CACD has program areas with committees including:•District and association outlook,•Soil and Land,•Education and Public Outreach,•Small Acreage and Urban Interface,•And Water.

CACD and CSCB form a strong partnership to serve the best interests of the conservation districts and landowners to ultimately provide for the conservation and preservation of natural resources.

For more information on the CACD Board of Directors, staff and programs go to http://www.cacd.us

P.O. Box 4138 Woodland Park, 80866 Phone/Fax: 719-686-0020

National Association ofConservation Districts

NACD is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization representing over three thousand districts and their state associations in the fifty states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

Contact: www.nacdnet.org

NACD Priority Issues:Public awareness and public relationsEducation & Stewardship program is high prioritySupport for state & local membersCapacity building, training, and resourcesWorking with partners to increase opportunitiesContribution agreements, computer network & connectivity, grants, federal programs for producers, etc.Grassroots advocacyFarm Bill deliberationsFederal AppropriationsInfluence from the ground up!

NACD represents the national interests of conservation districts in the area of policy development and program delivery. The NACD leadership and staff are available to you at any time. If you have a concern that needs to be addressed, please pick up the phone and call their staff or officers or send them an email. The more they are aware of your needs, the better equipped they are to represent districts in Colorado.

Simplified Relationship ChartCSCB CACD NACD NRCS

Dissemination of information about activities and programs of districts.

Distribute educational materials of districts' programs to the general public.

Strong lobbyist in Washington, D.C. Provides technical assistance through agreements.

Promoting and assisting organizations of districts.

Promote cooperation between districts. Maintains relationships with organizations and government agencies.

Field offices staffed with technical personnel headed by a district conservationist.

Allocation of state funds to districts. Cooperates with all state and federal agencies charged with conservation of natural resources.

Publishes information about conservation districts.

Provide inventories, maps, and other data to the board of supervisors.

Co-sponsors watershed protection and flood prevention projects.

Promote the interest and activities of civic, business and industrial organizations in conservation.

Works with leaders in religion, youth, agriculture, industry and other fields.

NRCS develops annual plan of operations for field offices and for the entire State based on district priorities.

Coordinating programs of CO districts. Assist in development of conservation education in schools.

Provides specialized services to districts throughout the country.

Assists district cooperators and landowners in developing conservation plans.

Liaison between districts and federal or state agencies.

Encourage youth to participate in conservation practices.

Operates through a council composed of one representative from each state.

Responsible for Farm Bill activities, watershed and flood prevention projects, river basin investigations.

Act as State Board of Appeals for districts and landowners.

Assist in obtaining appropriations for funding and adoption of legislation at the state and national level.

Performs certain natural resource inventory functions.

Provide training to supervisors and employees of each district.

Lobby at the state level concerning natural resource issues and funding for districts and natural resource conservation.

Provides technical and funding assistance through various Farm Bill programs.

Acts as advisory agency to local districts for elections.

Completes and coordinates snow surveys for water supply forecasts.

Encourages compliance of Soil Conservation Act, state and federal laws as well as good business practices

KEY POINTS• The Colorado State Conservation Board (CSCB) is

housed in the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

• There are 10 watersheds in Colorado.

• The local Conservation Specialist (employees of CSCB) are the “local” contacts for CSCB and are there to assist districts with questions/concerns/etc.

• The two main non-profit organizations that assist Districts are: the Colorado Association of Conservation Districts (CACD) and the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD).