What is a Conservation District?
Conservation districts are local governments at work and their specific responsibility is management of your soil and water resources. The idea behind
our formation is to keep decision making on soil and water conservation matters at the local level. Each district is governed by a board of five directors who serve without pay. Two directors are appointed by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission and three are elected by resident landowners.
Conservation District Activities in Arkansas
319 Non Point Source (NPS) Grants:
Since 1990, the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ANRC) has been the lead agency for the Arkansas Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution Management Program. ANRC has oversight over the NPS Grant Program, and funds various 319 projects related to nonpoint source pollution management. Additional information can be found at www.arkansaswater.org
AACD Essay Scholarship Contest:
Districts provide the student with the winning essay a cash award, after they complete one college semester in conservation related field of study at an accredited college in Arkansas. Other districts provide similar opportunities for students in their local school district.
AR Game and Fish Fine Revenue:
Each county’s quorum court allocates all fine money to their school districts and conservation districts according to Annotated 6-16-1101 and ACA 15-41-209. The AGFC and the ADE do not have a role in determining which programs are funded. School and conservation district officials must contact their local quorum court with requests for fine revenue and suggestions concerning the best method of distributing funding. Additional information at http://www.agfc.com/education/Pages/EducationFineRevenue.aspx
Beaver Eradication Program:
The "Beaver Eradication Program"created under Act 630 of 1993 and coordinated by the Department of Finance and Administration and county governments is now the "Conservation District Beaver Control Program" administered by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission
through Arkansas’ conservation districts. Additional information at http://www.anrc.arkansas.gov/conservation 20division/beaver_control_program.html or contact your County Judges office located in the Eastern and Western District Courthouses.
Board Meeting Minutes:
Regular Monthly Conservation District Board Minutes are mailed and emailed to ANRC
Conservation District Director Training:
Arkansas Natural Resources Commission Title II: Rules Governing Conservation Districts, Section 210.8 and
211.16 require that all conservation district directors complete the Commission’s approved training course. http://www.anrc.arkansas.gov/
Floodplain Management:
To view the official Code, follow the links on the State of Arkansas Website:
www.arkansas.gov Chapter 268. Flood Loss Prevention. Sections 14-268-101. Legislative determination. http://www.floodplain.ar.gov/Legislation.html. Certain Districts have Certified Floodplain Managers (CFM’s) on site to assist the public.
Partnerships:
Some Conservation Districts partner with other local county agencies to sponsor awards for good stewards of the land; conduct conservation
education workshops; District Director Dinners to provide opportunities for local, county and state official’s to hear updates on conservation district
activities in their districts.
Rental Equipment:
Some Districts have available for rent to the public; No-till drill, pasture sprayers and renovators, aerators, Bermuda planters, litter spreader, feed bunks, spring and freeze proof watering tanks, electric fencing kit. Districts also sell Topo Maps, Plat Books, engineering flagging stakes and tape.
Soil and Water
Stewardship Materials:
Materials are purchased annually for outreach programs and Earth Day Celebration. In 1955, the National Association of Conservation Districts began a national program to encourage Americans to focus on stewardship. Stewardship Week is officially celebrated from the last Sunday in April to the first Sunday in May. It is one of the world's largest conservation-related observances.
State Poultry Registration:
Conservation District’s provides district personnel to assist with the mandatory Annual State Poultry Registration. Poultry Producers can register at their local USDA Field Service Center Office anytime between January 1 and March 31 of each year.
Tax Incentives:
The purpose of this program is to encourage water users to invest in (1) the construction of impoundments to use available surface water, thereby reducing their dependence on ground water; (2) the conversion from ground water use to surface water use; and (3) land leveling to reduce agricultural irrigation water use. Tax credits may pass through partnerships, corporations, etc.
An application must be approved by your county conservation district, then submitted to the Commission and approved
before a taxpayer may begin construction of a project and claim credits. All projects must be maintained for a minimum of 10 years following issuance of the Certificate of Completion, or benefits will be subject to recapture. An application fee of three percent of the total approved tax credit must be paid, and there is a minimum fee of $100 and a maximum fee of $1,500. Additional information at http://www.anrc.arkansas.gov/conservation%20division/tax_incentives.html
Technical Service Provider Program (TSP):
Conservation Districts provide district personnel to assist the District Conservationist w/USDA, NRCS Programs. www.nrcs.usda.gov Technical Service Providers.
Tree Sales:
Districts provide a way to purchase tree seedlings to landowners during season.
Water Quality Technician Program:
Program provides district personnel to write Nutrient Management Plans for producers to apply nutrients at the recommended rate.
Youth Conservation Workshop:
Conservation Districts invite you to nominate participants to the Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts (AACD) – Youth Conservation Workshop.
