U.S. Soil & Water Conservation Districts
Following the widespread starvation and economic collapse of the Dust Bowl, President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed the value of soil health and erosion reduction by pushing forward the Soil Conservation Act of 1935.
The Act established the Soil Conservation Service within the United States Department of Agriculture to offer technical assistance to protect communities and avoid natural resource loss. At first, the Soil Conservation Service was charged to manage all soil enhancement programs nationwide.
However, during the Service’s initial 2 years, managers learned that they needed support, direction, and hands-on knowledge of local farmers. In 1937, President Roosevelt asked all state governors to promote legislation allowing the formation of Soil Conservation Districts.
Prior to 1963, Conservation Districts across the U.S. focused only on soil resources until lawmakers made sure to include the importance of clean water to national conservation goals. Thus, Soil & Water Conservation Districts were created.
Soil & Water Conservation Districts in Oregon
Oregon first created its own SWCDs in 1939, housed within what was then called the Oregon Soil Conservation Committee. The first district formed in Oregon was the South Tillamook Soil Conservation District, organized officially on February 10, 1940.
Since then, many other districts have formed, consolidated, redefined boundaries, and today are represented in every county of the state. As of 2020, there are 45 districts across the state of Oregon, with Douglas, Grant, Josephine, Lake, Lane, and Multnomah Counties having 2 districts each, and Baker County boasting 4.
History in Lincoln County
Organized under the Oregon Soil and Water District Law ORS 568.210-780, the Certificate of Organization creating the Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District (LSWCD) was issued August 25, 1955. Lincoln SWCD is led by 5 elected volunteer Directors: 3 represent geographic zones in the county, and 2 fill at-large positions.
Located in Newport, Oregon, LSWCD works to understand and meet the evolving environmental challenges and community needs of the mid-coast region – from sandy beach towns, to rich agricultural valleys, to salmon-bearing waterways, and productive timber lands.
LSWCD, like the other 44 soil and water conservation districts across the State, is a non-regulatory government agency established by the State Legislature for the purpose of supporting renewable natural resources in cooperation with private landowners.
District financial resources are provided primarily through competitive grants, inter-agency agreements, and direct service contracts. Staff receive guidance and support from federal and State agencies and local partners, other District Staff, and members of the LSWCD Board of Directors.