Conservation District Business Plan
 Vanderburgh County Soil and Water Conservation District
I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand as in what direction we are moving – Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
 

Organization:     A district constitutes a governmental subdivision of the state and a public body corporate and politic exercising public powers.

Function:   To provide information about soil, water and related natural resource conservation; identify and prioritize local soil and water resource concerns; and connect land users to sources of education, technical and financial assistance to implement conservation practices and technologies.

We serve:  Vanderburgh Co. SWCD serves current & future citizens of Vanderburgh County emphasizing agricultural, urban and suburban communities.

Why:  Vanderburgh County SWCD is legally mandated to address soil & water quality issues.

Mission Statement:  Our mission is to provide quality conservation services resulting in a harmonious balance between natural resources, social change and profitability within Vanderburgh County by fostering innovative partnerships.

Critical Natural Resource Issues: 
Soil Erosion
Water Quality
Preservation of Farmland
Preservation/Creation of Natural Areas (Forestry, Wildlife Habitat & Green Spaces)
“Brownfield Development”

SWCD SUPERVISORS:  David Ellison, Chairman, Davie Sue Wallace Litov, Vice-Chairman, Laura Lamb, Secretary,  Maurice Berendes, Member & Wayne Fehd, Member

Statements of Intent (Outcome) for each of the natural resource issues.
Soil Erosion:
By December 2009, 75% of developers & public officials will be educated and 40% of general public will be informed on proper urban erosion control practices & legislation.
By December 2006, conservation tillage will be increased by 20% over 2002 amounts, with a minimum of 5% per year on highly erodible land.
Water Quality:
 By December 2008, nitrates and phosphates levels will be reduced in Locust Creek by 10% over 2002 levels.
By January 2004, partner with county & city agencies on Carpentier Creek & Bayou Creek to address water quality issues, especially septic systems.
Preservation Of Farmland:
By December 2008, reduce the loss of prime farmland to urban development
Preservation/Creation of Natural Areas:
By December 2005 encourage the utilization of “green spaces” in subdivisions & urban areas
By July 2007 preserve existing wetlands, forests & wildlife areas
By July 2007 Create additional wetlands, forest and wildlife areas
“Brownfield” and Urban Land Use:
By April 2004 educate/inform the general public & public officials of the “Brownfield”/urban resources opportunities and its importance to the community.

Priority Actions for 2003 to 2009:

Soil Erosion: (Form a Soil Erosion Committee)
  I.  Urban control practices
          a. Continue developer’s workshop to highlight urban control practices and legislation
              (partnering with other agencies) by November 2003 (Norma)
          b. Determine SWCD level of involvement with local MS4’s December 2003 (SWCD)
          c. Develop program to inform general public on urban control practices & legislation by January 2005      (Norma and committee)

 II.  Conservation Tillage
         a. Develop “Farm Day” to promote conservation & related practices by Dec. 2006                                 (Norma & Committee)
         b. Promote No Till Workshop for producers by 2004                                                                             (Darrell)
         c. Target Locust Creek with Core 4 grant (i.e. soil erosion, nutrient management, pesticide management,  
             & buffer strips) (Grant submitted by Rick Obenshain)
         d. Locate and promote programs that provide incentives to adopt conservation practices                         (Newsletter/ongoing)

Water Quality: (Form a Water Quality Committee)
   I. Carpentier/Bayou Creek
          a.       Partner with Health Department to address water quality concerns (i.e. Septic) (Invite Dwayne
                Caldwell to SWCD Board Meeting by June 2004)
          b.      Educate public on maintenance of septic related issues by SWCD & Partners with newsletter, flyers,
                fair booth (Ongoing)
          c. SWCD becomes more knowledgeable on septic system opportunities (i.e. Jobe’s Lane) by June 2004

 II. Combination Sewer Overflows
         a. Meet with Evansville Water & Sewer Utility Board to call attention to overflow concerns, esp. constant
             flows by January 2005 (SWCD)

III.  Locust Creek N & P
          a. Apply for Core 4 grant for Locust Creek by September 2003 (SWCD)  Done

Preservation of Farmland (Form a Farmland Preservation Committee) Darrell, Bonnie, Kemper, Dave
   I. Utilize all of the Federal Program available
           a. SWCD Board become knowledgeable about Farm & Pasture Protection Program in current farm by March 2004
           b. Schedule 30 minutes at SWCD board meeting to explore possibilities by March 2004
           c.  Educate general farming community & landowners of program opportunities by Sept. 2004 Farm Bureau Annual Meeting               

                and February 2005 SWCD Annual Meeting
           d. Offer a partnership mechanism (RC&D) to implement the program by newsletter articles

 II. Investigate IASWCD’s role in Farmland Preservation at 2004 Annual Conference                                             (Bonnie & Board)

III. Investigate State of Indiana programs and assistance currently available contact Julia Wickard                             (Bonnie)

IV. Schedule Farmland Preservation Day (regional)/handout packet by August 2005

  V. Develop a video for youth on impact of farmland conversion by July 2006                                                         (Susan F. Lauren P.)

 VI. Explore utilizing Indiana Zoo farmland conversion display on loan by 2004                                                         (Holly McCutchan)

VII. Develop information resource on farmland conversion for public officials & general Public

Preservation/Creation of Natural Areas (Form a Natural Area Committee)

   I.  Encourage the utilization of “green spaces” in subdivisions & urban areas by Nov 2005 (Builders Booth)
           a.  Educate SWCD on Zoning & related “green space” issues by March 2005
           b.  Examine SWCD impacts on influencing zoning ordinances related to “green space” by March 2005
           c.  Partner with city Arborist to promote Tree City USA program by Oct. 2003                                             (Tom Niksch)
           d.  Partner with City Beautiful to promote relevant programs by 2005                                                             (Committee)
           e.       Partner with City/County parks department to preserve/create parks & related areas.                                (Ongoing)

 II.  Preserve existing wetlands, forests & wildlife areas
           a.  SWCD becomes knowledgeable about federal, state & local programs related to natural areas
                preservation by October 2004
           b.  educate & promote programs to general public by January 2005                                                                 (SWCD & Partners)
           c.       Develop related workshops to promote available programs for natural area preservation by Feb 2006

III.  Create additional wetlands, forest & wildlife areas
            a.  SWCD becomes knowledgeable about federal, state & local programs related to natural areas preservation
                 by October 2004
             b.  Educate & promote programs to general public by Jan 2006                                                                     (SWCD & Partners)
             c.  Develop related workshops to promote available programs for natural area preservation by Feb 2006

“Brownfield” & Urban Land Use  (Form Land Use Committee)
   I.  Educate/inform the general public & public officials on the importance to the community of the Brownfield
       and Urban Resources opportunities.
             a. Partner with Evansville Brownfield Coordinator by January 2004                                                                 (Committee)
             b. Explore role of SWCD by SWCD & Committee (Ongoing)

HOME  TOP OF PAGE