2009 Policy Book Now Available

The responsibilities of the District Operations Committee are to:

2009 Committee Members

Resource Contacts

Action Items         * Action items #1 and #2 are the top two priorities of this committee. 

1.             The Executive Committee of the Association may continue to actively develop funding for an administrative officer position through grants, contributions and other sources based upon District Capability and when the funding is secured proceed to fill the position based upon the funding obligations and associated work plans approved by the executive committee.  2007 

2.             The Association encourages the Executive Committee to appoint a committee of past presidents to review the job descriptions and duties of the Association officers.  2007

3.      The Association will study and seek guidance from the Division of Soil and Water Conservation
Director regarding the effects of the state Ethics Commission’s rules on the operations of the
Association. 2009

Policies & Positions 

1.             The Association will continue as a leader to improve the quality of N.C. waters.  The Association encourages the districts to expand their role in developing policies and programs with our conservation partners toward meeting the conservation challenges. This effort must retain our non-regulatory function in assisting cooperators and would be contingent on the provision of adequate funding.  2005 

2.             The Association encourages the Division to seek funds and grants to fund additional projects and personnel to assist Districts in addressing water quality problems.  2005 

3.             The Association is interested in maintaining a leadership role for improving water quality in North Carolina by encouraging districts to take State & Local officials on an annual tour of their BMP’s, and to express appreciation to State Representatives, Senators and local officials for their support. The Association encourages District Supervisors to maintain contact with their members of Congress, State Legislators and local officials to seek their support in funding DSWC conservation programs. 2009

4.             The Association requests that in the process of studying proposed resolutions at the Annual Meeting, a member of the District sponsoring a specific resolution attend the standing committee meeting to which the resolution is assigned for the purpose of showing support.  The Association has determined that resolutions originating from Districts and/or Areas must reach the office of the Association no later than November 30 and that draft resolutions should include desired actions.  2003 

5.             The Association supports efforts to protect and improve rivers, lakes, streams, and estuaries by volunteers who adopt water bodies as part of the Stream Watch Program.  Districts are urged to identify at least one water body within their boundaries as a candidate for adoption, and work with the N.C. Division of Water Resources and local groups to establish a Stream Watch group for that water body.  Each District is encouraged to incorporate this concept into its Annual Plan of Work.  Districts are also encouraged to work through local schools or youth groups to use water bodies as educational resources and to involve young people in Stream Watch activities.  2003 

6.             The Association supports and joins the efforts of the Commission, the Division, NRCS and other participating agencies and organizations to strengthen the conservation partnership and the comprehensive natural resources conservation program in North Carolina through adoption of strategic planning, capacity building, and total quality management principals and practices in the implementation of their conservation programs.  2003 

7.             The Association designates the first Sunday after January 2 as the opening day for the Association’s Annual Meeting.  2003 

8.             The Association should establish an In-Service Training Subcommittee for district supervisors and employees. Part of this effort should include a system of credits for supervisors to earn and accumulate.  As a compliment to this effort, the Division should continue offering the annual NC Supervisor Workshop with dates rotating between January and February.  2006 

9.             The Association supports district employees being properly trained in animal waste management systems and any other aspects of future technical areas.  This technical training will be based on the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide Standards and other applicable information.  There needs to be continual training, so that district employees can stay current and new employees are qualified to handle the role of duties associated with inspections.  2005 

10.         The Association will continue to support the conservation partnership organization’s efforts to provide cooperators with the information and technical support they need to comply with regulations.  Having this partnership also serve as the regulatory authority, the role traditionally served by DWQ, would threaten the partnership’s historical working relationship with producers, which has been very effective in reaching resource conservation goals over the years.  2003   

11.         The Association hereby declares that it does not support any effort that would bring Districts into new roles without consultation of the Executive Committee.  2003 

12.         Whenever feasible, any committee that is established stemming from a resolution approved at the annual meeting shall include a representative from the District that submitted the resolution.  This representative can be either a district supervisor, or employee as deemed appropriate by that local district board.  2003  

13.         The Association encourages all conservation partners (district supervisors and employees of; districts, NRCS, Division, NCDA&CS and CES) to participate in the NC Supervisor Workshop.  2006 

14.         The Association appreciates and supports the Division for maintaining, updating and distributing the NC SWCD Directory, which includes; districts, the Division and NRCS.  2006 

15.         The Association encourages every District to involve NRCS, CES and the Division in annual and long range planning.  In addition, management of NRCS, CES, Division and DENR are encouraged to follow the lead in their planning processes.  All districts are encouraged to list in all planning documents; Division, Foundation, NRCS, CES and other DENR programs (Forestry, Wildlife, EEP, Office of Conservation & Community Assistance, etc.)  2006  

16.         The Association encourages that any partner with significant policy change or operational changes that may impact another partner notify well in advance all other partners affected by the change via electronic communication and regular mail.  2007 

17.         The Association supports district involvement, where appropriate, in creating and implementing Local Ordinances that protect important natural resources; these local ordinances include, but are not limited to, Erosion and Sediment Control ordinances, Low Impact Development ordinances, Stormwater ordinances, Steep Slope ordinances, and Water Conservation ordinances.  2008