OCR Text |
Show Conservation Is Major National Need Conservation is a major national need. A rapidly increasing population demands .more and more from our limited and diminishing resources. As this demand grows the efficient use of land becomes more complicated. As the use of water mounts on the farm, in our home, and in industry the management of the supply becomes increasingly critical. Conservation is much more than simply keeping what we have. It's much more than restoring what we once had. It is the development, protection, use and management of our resources for the needs and enjoyment of all the people. Through it and it alone can we improve the quality of our environment. The Soil Conservation Service is working to meet this challenge for creative conservation through its activities in flood prevention, erosion and sediment control, range improvement, recreation developments, beautification programs, water supply and conservation projects, wildlife developments and other projects. SCS brings together in one staff the trained conservationists needed to solve land and water problems. The staff includes conservationists, soil scientists, economists, agricultural, irrigation, hydraulic, drainage, and cartographic engineers, specialists in woodland, biology, agronomy, range management, plant materials, geology and sedimentation. Assistance is given to more than, 2,900 Soil Conservation districts over the entire United States, organized and managed by land owners and operators under state law. The districts program had its beginning 45 years ago in the darkened hours of drought and depression. Not long after the creation of the Soil Conservation Service in 1935 came the establishment of Soil Conservation districts. On February 27, 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt sent a letter to all state governments recommending Soil Conservation districts legislation. Less than one month later. March 23, 1937, Utah enacted legislation authorizing the creation of Soil Conservation districts. Utah currently has 41 Soil Conservation districts whose contribution to soil and water conservation in the state have been outstanding during the past 44 years. These districts are organized under state law by local people. They are managed by an elected and unsalaried board made up of local citizens. SCS is the only federal agency that receives appropriation from Congress earmarked for assistance to conservation districts. Each district is legally responsible under the state law for soil and water conservation work within its boundaries, just as a county is responsible for roads or a school district for education. Districts operate under the guidance of a state Soil Conservation Commission appointed by the governor. SCS by written agreement and at the request of district boards provides professional conservationists to help plan and carry out the districts long range conservation program. The districts channel the services of these conservationists to the cooperators, individuals, groups, and units of government and set priorities for the kind and amount of work. Some of the major accomplishments of the SCS and the Sevier County SCD are the Mill Canyon-Sage Flat Flood Control Watershed Project, the Glenwood Irrigation Water Management Watershed Project and the Monroe-Annabella Flood Control and Irrigation Water Management Watershed Project. In addition hundreds of individual farmers, ranchers, and groups have received technical help with their soil, water and range conservation problems. Many of the communities within the county have also received technical help with their soil and water problems. |