Conservation Districts Are...

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Government>Charlevoix Conservation District>About Conservation Districts

local units of state government organized by the people within the District boundaries under provisions of the Soil Conservation District Law, Act 297 of Public Act of 1937, as amended. As such, it is a locally controlled resource management agency, created by concerned landowners and administered by a publicly elected board of directors. In 1994, the Conservation District Law was made part of the Compiled Environmental Code. It is now Part 93 of Act 451 of 1994, as amended.
The locally elected five-member board of directors makes all decisions regarding the District's programs and activities. The directors hire qualified staff to conduct and carry out the programs and activities that have been approved. These programs provide technical assistance, information, and education to assist people in the District to properly manage their natural resources. In Michigan, there are 82 Conservation Districts which are generally organized along county boundaries.

The Purpose of Conservation Districts
"Conservation District Purpose: Managing our natural resources & providing easy access to resource management assistance to the citizens of the state". Major goals of a Conservation District and its programs are to:

Reduce wind and water erosion, and control sedimentation in waters.
Encourage conversion of all mismanaged land to a productive use.
Encourage use of effective methods of surface and ground water management.
Facilitate landuse and landuse changes based on land capabilities and user goals.
Enhance and protect the basic ability of land to produce food and fiber.
Promote the maintenance of aesthetic values of land and its related resources.
Control nonpoint sources of pollution to surface water, ground water, and air.

How Conservation Districts are Funded
District funding sources include state appropriations, county and other local governmental appropriations, and locally initiated and conducted fund raising activities. Conservation District directors are responsible for developing funding sources for the operation of the Conservation District and for the conduct of programs that focus on solving resource issues. The Charlevoix Conservation District is especially grateful for the support of the Charlevoix County Board of Commissioners!!

Conservation District's Legal Powers
These powers, fully detailed in Section 8 of Part 93, Act 451 of 1994 are outlined as follows:

Conduct surveys, investigations and research relating to the conservation of farmland and natural resources, and to publish results.
Conduct demonstration projects on conservation methods and measures.
Carry out preventative and control measures on lands owned or controlled by the state or on private lands upon obtaining consent of owner.
Cooperate or enter into agreements with agencies, governmental or otherwise, or any land owner in carrying out erosion control or prevention measures.
Own or lease property, earn income from that property, sell or lease that property and use funds obtained to support District activities as provided by law.
Make available services, machinery and materials which will assist land users to establish conservation measures on their lands, according to terms prescribed by the District.
Engage in plant rescue operations; plant, harvest, and sell only conservation species indicated on the list as established in Section 4a.
Provide technical assistance to other Conservation Districts.
Construct, improve and maintain structures and measures necessary to carry out operations authorized in the Act.
Develop comprehensive plans for conservation of farmland and natural resources and for control and prevention of soil erosion.
Take over by purchase, lease or otherwise, to adminster any farmland and natural resource conservation project located in the District which has been established by any agency of state or federal government; or to manage as agent of any agency of state or federal government any farmland and natural resource conservation project within the District including acquisition, construction, operation and administration. Accept donations, gifts, monetary conributions, services materials or otherwise from any state, federal or other source to use or expend in carrying on District operations.
Sue and be sued in the name of the District; have perpetual succession; have a seal that is judically noticed; make and execute contracts and other instruments to exercise powers; and make, amend and repeal rules and regulations to carry into effect its purposes and powers.
Borrow money for facilities or equipment for conservation purposes and pledge the assets of the District as collateral against loans. Money borrowed is the sole obligation of the District.
May require contributions in money, services, materials or otherwise for extending benefits provided under the Act to private landowners, and may require landowners to enter into and perform agreements or covenants as to the permanent use of the lands that will tend to prevent or control erosion.
Act as complaince assistance agent for other federal, state and county laws.
Act as the enforcing agency for a county if designated under Section 5, Part 91 of Act 451, the Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Act

This page last updated on 2/14/2005.