JMRPWG agenda 102898 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

established districts as political subdivisions of state government . Under the provisions of the law, districts have been organized through the efforts of landowners to plan and carry out conservation programs that are locally designed and operated . Districts also coordinate the efforts of federal and state agencies in such programs, including the Natural Resource Conservation Service (formerly Soil Conservation Service) of the U. S . Department of Agriculture, and the Division of Soil and Water Conservation of the . N. C . Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources . Under the Soil Conservation Districts Law, districts may exercise a variety of powers with respect to soil conservation, erosion control, erosion prevention, flood prevention, or the conservation, utilization, and disposal of water, and the development of water resources . One example of the work of a Soil and Water Conservation District ( SWCD) involves soil conservation, and erosion control and prevention. The Orange SWCD and the Natural Resource Conservation Service have provided conservation planning assistance to local farmers . In addition, the N . C . Agricultural Cost Share Program provides incentive payments and cost- sharing funds to farmers who install Best Management Practices (BUT s) . Another example involves a cooperative agreement between the N. C . Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and the Greene (County) and Wayne (County) SWCD ' s . As part of the Nahunta Swamp Watershed Plan, the Greene and Wayne SWCD ' s developed wetland restoration plans for individual properties . The SWCD ' s then acted as agents between landowners and NCDOT, purchasing and holding (in perpetuity) conservation easements . Funding for all costs associated VVIth the purchase of the conservation easements and implementation of wetland restoration measures was provided by NCDOT . In the case of the Nahunta. Swamp Watershed Plan, a greater conservation role is suggested for the Orange SWCD . For instance, the Orange SWCD could hold conservation easements donated to it and/or Orange County. Monitoring to assure compliance with the terms of the easements could also be accomplished, since the staff of the Orange SWCD must monitor farms to assure that conservation plans are being implemented . In contrast , funding resources and easement acquisition may deter the Orange SWCD from a greater conservation role. Furthermore, the SWCD may not wish to play an active role in purchasing conservation easements . Finally, if the SWCD wishes to limit the extent of its involvement to agricultural and forest lands, other resources such as natural areas and wildlife corridors , historic and archeological sites; recreation areas ; and scenic views must be dealt with by other organizations . Given such limitations , the Orange SWCD , like the Triangle Land Conservancy, will probably play only a supporting role in the county . Orange County . If the Triangle Land Conservancy and the Soil and Water Conservation District could be expected to play supporting roles at best, then Orange County could assume a primary role in conserving resources . Counties and cities are authorized to acquire by purchase, gift, grant, bequest, devise, lease or otherwise, the fee or any l interest, development ri ght, easement, covenant or other contractual right of or to real property in order to preserve, through limitation of their future use , open spaces and areas for public use and enjoyment . 7