PRINCE WILLIAM SOIL AND WATER

January 2000

Melvin D. Bellinger ..............................................................................Chairman

Jeffrey M. Guide ...........................................................................Vice Chairman

William F. Lawry II................................................................................Secretary

Robert (Pete) Shiner............................................................................Treasurer

Marc Aveni ............................................................................................ Director

T. Clay Wood ......................................................................Honorary Director

Debrarae Karnes ...............................................................PWC Planning Office

Deb L. Oliver ........................................................................PWC Public Works

Tom Carter ....................................................................................PWC Farmer

Chris Branigan .......Environmental Program Coordinator/Education in Schools

Denise Oppenhagen........................................................................PWC Citizen

John D. Bell .........................................District Manager/Conservation Specialist

Nancy Finucan.....................................................................Education Specialist

James S. Bonar .............................................................Conservation Specialist

Katherine A. Norris ........................................................Conservation Specialist

Kerry Wharton ................................................................Conservation Specialist

Lisa Bailey .....................................................................Administrative Assistant

Barry Harris ..............................................................District Conservationist

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Conservation districts had their beginning in the 1930s when Congress, in response to national concern over mounting erosion, floods and the sky-blackening dust storms that swept across the country, enacted the Soil Conservation Act of 1935. The act stated for the first time a national policy to provide a permanent program for the control and prevention of soil erosion, and directed the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the Soil Conservation Service (now known as the Natural Resources Conservation Service) to implement this policy. The conservation district concept was developed to enlist the cooperation of landowners and occupiers in carrying out the programs authorized by the act.

WHO WE ARE

The Soil Conservation District's Law of Virginia was passed in 1938, and a tri-county Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District was established on July 30, 1945. The Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District was formed on May 25, 1971 after the separation of Loudoun, Fairfax and Prince William Counties into independent Districts.

The Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District is governed by a five-member Board of Directors comprised of local citizens who are familiar with local problems. Three of the Directors are elected in a general election, and two are appointed by the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board. One of the appointed Directors, by law, is an Extension Agent from the Prince William Cooperative Extension Service. Additional expertise and assistance is provided to the District by Associate Directors from the local jurisdictions.

Financial assistance for the implementation of many projects and programs comes from Prince William County Public Works Department, the Manassas City Council, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance Department, local businesses, organizations, and citizens assistance.

District activities fall into the following general categories:

• •Agricultural Conservation
• •Adult/Farmer Education
• •Youth Education

Our Mission . . . . .

The mission of the Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District is to provide leadership in the conservation of soil, water and related resources to all Prince William County citizens, through technical assistance, information and education.

GOAL #1: Utilize new incentives and emerging technologies for conservation to promote and increase on-the-ground conservation.

1. Compile an easily understood list of current conservation incentives to be distributed to targeted agricultural interests within the District.

2. Continually improve the quality of technical assistance offered to cooperators and find new ways to interest "traditional" cooperators in our programs.

3. Support efforts for agricultural tax status and land-use revisions as related to horse farms.

4. Support efforts to offer incentives to landowners within the District to preserve or create more open spaces.

GOAL #2: Gain participation of part-time farmers, small acreage landowners and horse owners in the implementation of BMPs and conservation plans.

1. Assess the needs of part-time farmers.

2. Coordinate with available technical, financial, and educational resources for part-time farmers. TO DO WHAT?

3. Work with state agencies to develop BMPs, cost-share practices and tax credits specifically for natural resource management and protection on horse farms and other small-acreage farms.

GOAL #3: Expand the youth education opportunities of the District and its partners to address issues relating to soil and water conservation.

1. Continue to distribute list of current programs and activities to teachers and present developmentally appropriate programs to students. HOW OFTEN

2. Organize annual Farm Field Day for 4^th grade students with at least a 25% annual increase in student attendees through FY03.

3. Coordinate Arbor Month programs and activities within Prince William County, Manassas City, and Quantico D.O.D. schools.

4. Sponsor "Wetlands Month" activities and events.

5. Maintain "Adopt-A-Stream" program.

6. Sponsor scholarships to attend Youth Conservation Camp.

7. Sponsor a high school team to attend the Regional Envirothon competition.

8. Seek expanded funding to finance educational initiatives in Prince William County and Manassas City schools.

GOAL #4: Develop additional sources of funding.

• Explore the establishment of a "line item" in the Prince William County budget for District funding, as well as incremental additions of county support.
• Explore establishment of partnerships with local Prince William businesses interested in funding and/or seeking grants for conservation purposes.
• Solicit funds for the District's "Environmental Excellence Foundation" as a 501(C3) tax exempt option.
• Actively explore grant opportunities available through public and private sectors.

GOAL #5: Develop volunteer program.

• Develop and maintain a set of projects and tasks to be performed by volunteers.
  
  
• Use NRCS Earth Team program and other means to recruit and manage volunteers.

GOAL #6: Increase and improve communication with Prince William Board of County Supervisors, cooperating agencies and the general public.

Prince William Board of County Supervisors

1. Meet with the Prince William Board of County Supervisors at least once a year.

2. Present the Strategic Plan to Prince William Board of County Supervisors to solicit their support and involvement.

3. Provide quarterly personal, written or verbal contact and annual reports highlighting major accomplishments.

Cooperating Agencies

• Promote and establish formal and non-formal partnerships with agencies or organizations that have a direct or indirect relationship with the District.
  
  
• Participate in the Prince William County Watershed Roundtable on a regular basis to provide information and make presentations as needed.

General Public

• Present the District's technical expertise to segments of the Prince William community (ag, business, media, homeowners, industry and others), through a variety of media.
  
  
• Publish and distribute a quarterly District and monthly teacher's newsletter.
  
  
• Further develop the District website to distribute District information, including press releases, available resources and program information.

GOAL #7: Examine the mission and role of the District with regard to changing land use.

1. Devise alternative strategies to address the future focus of the District, whether it be predominately agricultural or urban.

2. Research other urban districts and what changes have occurred from 1980 to 1999.

3. Maintain a continuing dialogue with other districts about the consolidation of the PWSWCD office to meet emerging needs.

GOAL # 8: Develop and retain highly qualified employees.

• Provide training for employees to perform their job at the highest level of competence.
  
  
• Evaluate performance of each employee twice annually and provide recognition as appropriate.
  
  
• Promote a team atmosphere among staff and between staff, directors and cooperating agencies.

This Strategic Plan was reviewed and approved at the district board meeting on January 13, 2000.

Signatures of the Prince William Soil & Water Conservation District Board of Directors:

______________________________________

Melvin D. Bellinger, Chairman

______________________________________

William F. Lawry, III, Vice Chairman

______________________________________

Jeffrey M. Guide, Treasurer

______________________________________

Marc T. Aveni, Secretary

Signature of Department of Conservation and Recreation:

_____________________________________ _______________

Deborah B. Cross Date

Conservation District Coordinator

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Authorized by the Friends of Jeff Guide