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WELCOME to the Star Valley Conservation District website. Whether you are looking for a specific water report, subdivision requirements, or upcoming workshops, you will find what you need right here. Please contact our office directly if you need further assistance.
A BIT OF HISTORY In the late twenties, the nation was suffering heavy losses from wind and water erosion which amounted to $200,000,000 annually. Thousands of acres of once productive lands were being ruined for further tillage. Streams, lakes and reservoirs were being filled with silt which was once rich top soil. Declining soil productivity was reducing yields and income. It was in 1929 that soil erosion, as a menace to the economy, health and general welfare of the United States, received national recognition. The Dust Bowl had made the need to conserve our natural resources, particularly soil, very clear. Eventually the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) was created under the Soil Conservation Act of 1935 to develop and implement soil erosion control programs. In 1937, President Roosevelt urged states to grant authority to landowners to organize for the purpose of conserving soil and water, especially on private ground. Legislatures of 22 states passed such laws that year. Since that time, all 50 states have passed legislation which permits the establishment of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Conservation Districts are a political subdivision of state government that acts as a local governing body, representing the people of the District through a variety of natural resource conservation management programs. They provide leadership, direction and priorities for the delivery of conservation programs from a local perspective. A guiding philosophy of Conservation Districts is that local perspective and direction is critical to the success of any natural resource program. Districts often act as a bridge between agencies and natural resource users. Long range planning serves to focus and organize local conservation concerns and objectives so that the District can carry out its responsibilities. WYOMING CONSERVATION DISTRICTS In March of 1941, the Wyoming State Legislature enacted the law which established Conservation Districts in Wyoming. One of the first four Conservation Districts to organize under the new law was STAR VALLEY CONSERVATION DISTRICT. It soon became apparent to a number of District leaders that if District Supervisors were to become well informed on conservation matters and more efficient in District operations, and if their voice was to be heard in determining State natural resource conservation needs and efforts, they would have to form a State Association. In November of 1946 a group of Soil Conservation District leaders met in Casper to form a State Association. Twenty-four individuals from across the state as well as Soil Conservation Service employees, met, selected a committee to effect a permanent organization, draw up a constitution and by-laws and serve as a legislative committee for the upcoming year. The following November the State Association met and approved the constitution and by-laws. Conservation Districts were to direct programs protecting local renewable natural resources. There are now thirty-four Conservation Districts statewide, regulated by the Wyoming Department of Agriculture. STAR VALLEY CONSERVATION DISTRICT Star Valley Conservation District was organized on December 3, 1941 by the farmers and ranchers of Star Valley to deal with their agricultural problems efficiently, collectively and according to a plan. It was the purpose of these people to develop and improve the agriculture of Star Valley so that future generations might enjoy the same opportunities and inherit their land in as good, or better condition than it was when the valley was first settled. Individuals had been attempting to improve their lands and irrigation systems, but individually and unassisted it was a difficult, or impossible task. The farmers and ranchers within the District felt that under the Soil & Water Conservation District, with technical assistance from the USDA-Soil Conservation Service, they could work together and obtain the assistance they needed to work out their problems and improve their agriculture. Since the organization date of Star Valley Conservation District, sixty-one dedicated ranchers and area residents have served as District Supervisors over the past sixty years. Star Valley Conservation District's first board of supervisors was elected in March of 1942. The District covers all of North Lincoln County and serves part of Bonneville and Caribou Counties, Idaho that lie in the valley. The District lies between the Bridger-Teton and Caribou National Forests. |
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