For Maryland SCD's without dedicated web pages
11602 Bedford Road, NE ?Cumberland, MD 21502
(301) 777-1747, ext. 4
Responsibilities
The Allegany Soil Conservation District serves one of three mountainous
counties in
Western Maryland. The narrow mountain ridges, separated by steep
valleys, present unique
challenges for controlling runoff and erosion. The Allegany Soil
Conservation District
addresses three major program areas—agriculture, surface mining
(coal) and urban
development. Once the leading industries in the area, agriculture and
surface mining have
declined in recent years. Currently, the staffing arrangement can
handle these program
areas adequately. Conversely, the district's urban program work load
has increased
steadily. Severe flooding during the past several years has caused the
District to focus
on stream channel and streambank restoration programs. The district has
been successful in
acquiring grants from nontraditional sources to implement stream
restoration projects in
several watersheds, and will continue to seek grant monies to implement
additional stream
restoration projects over the next several years.
2005 Priorities
1. Complete soil conservation and water quality plans for farms as part
of the state's
nonpoint-source pollution control goals.
2. Provide timely review and inspection of erosion and sediment control
plans and
stormwater management plans.
3. Promote the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share Program
and the Maryland
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program to help farmers pay to install
BMPs to protect
the environment.
4. Implement stream restoration projects in the Braddock Run, Jennings
Run, and George's Creek
watersheds to address aspects of Maryland's Tributary Strategies and
the Clean Water Act.
5. Assist the Maryland Bureau of Mines in implementing erosion and
sediment control
practices on surface mine sites.
2662 Riva Road, Suite 150 ?Annapolis, MD 21401 ?
(410) 222-7822
Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the Anne Arundel Soil Conservation District are
divided equally
between urban and agricultural interests. The district's agricultural
programs are geared
toward developing and implementing Soil Conservation and Water Quality
Plans to protect
the environment. These plans include best management practices (BMPs)
to protect water
quality, reduce soil erosion and control nutrients and pesticides. On
the urban front, the
district reviews and approves erosion and sediment control plans for
developers and
various county departments, state projects in the Severn River
watershed and the City of
Annapolis. Approvals for sand and gravel operations and reclamation
facilities also fall
under the district's purview. In addition, the district works in
cooperation with
the Maryland Department of Natural Resources on shore erosion control
matters, small pond
approvals and nontidal wetlands issues.
2005 Priorities
1. Promote up-to-date soil conservation and water quality plans for
county farmland and
emphasize the need for nutrient management.
2. Provide timely, in-depth reviews and approvals of grading permits,
subdivisions,
petitions and sediment control and stormwater management plans.
3. Maintain an updated agricultural inventory for use in contacting
potential cooperators.
4. Increase public awareness of the need for sound natural resources
management.
5. Promote the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share Program
and USDA Farm
Service Agency cost-share programs that help farmers install BMPs.
6. Host an agricultural awareness day.
9831 Van Buren Lane ?Cockeysville, MD 21030 ?
(410) 666-1188, ext. 3
Responsibilities
The Baltimore County Soil Conservation District serves all of Baltimore
County, an area
encompassing roughly 380,700 acres. Of this acreage, 40 percent is
classified as urban,
while 60 percent is zoned agricultural. The district assists the
county's urban interests
by reviewing and approving erosion and sediment control plans,
stormwater management plans
and small pond plans. On the agricultural front, dairy, beef and
poultry operations are
giving way to grain, vegetable and small fruit producers. The
commercial horticulture
industry—which includes greenhouses, nurseries and tree
farms—is also growing
rapidly. The district assists the agricultural community by developing
Soil Conservation
and Water Quality Plans (SCWQPs) featuring a range of best management
practices to protect
the environment. There are three reservoirs located in the county which
provide water for
six surrounding counties and Baltimore City. Developing SCWQPs for
farms in these
watersheds featuring buffer strips, manure storage facilities and other
best management
practices is a high priority for district staff. The district also
takes an active role in
Chesapeake Bay programs, including Maryland's Tributary Strategies, and
works
cooperatively with the Critical Area Commission.
2005 Priorities
1. Develop and implement Soil Conservation and Water Quality Plans to
protect the
environment.
2. Develop an effective information and education program emphasizing
conservation of
natural resources.
3. Provide timely reviews of stormwater management, small pond and
erosion and sediment
control plans.
4. Continue to work with federal, state and local agencies on the
Tributary Strategies,
Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Law and Water Quality Improvement Act.
5. Continue efforts to improve water quality in Baltimore County's
three reservoirs and
the Deer Creek Priority Watershed.
640 Legion Road, Suite 3 ?Denton, MD 21629 ?
(410) 479-1202, ext. 3
Responsibilities
Located on Maryland's Eastern Shore, the Caroline Soil Conservation
District serves a
predominantly agricultural region. Farming operations include dairy,
swine, beef and a
growing poultry industry. Grain farms, however, dominate the landscape.
Approximately 80
percent of the county's land drains into the Choptank River, while
another 20 percent lies
in the Nanticoke River watershed. Implementing Soil Conservation and
Water Quality Plans
featuring a range of best management practices to protect the
environment and
promoting the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share Program
are chief priorities
for the district's technical staff. Drainage is also a major concern
for district staff,
who help farmers manage water in existing drainage systems. Caroline
has more organized
drainage associations than any other district in Maryland. On the urban
front, the
district also reviews erosion and sediment control plans.
2005 Priorities
1. Work with farmers and other landowners to control erosion and manage
nutrients and
pesticides to help maintain ground and surface water quality.
2. Provide technical assistance to Public Drainage Associations.
3. Evaluate and update existing Soil Conservation and Water Quality
Plans.
4. Maintain a computer data base for resource management.
5. Review erosion and sediment control plans.
6. Help farmers comply with Maryland's nutrient management regulations.
1004 Littlestown Pike, Suite B-2 ?Westminster, MD 21157 ?
(410) 848-8200, ext. 3
Responsibilities
The Carroll Soil Conservation District serves all of Carroll
County—an area
encompassing roughly 300,000 acres. Approximately 30,000 acres are
committed to
residential development, while 173,000 acres are classified as
agricultural. Carroll
County is one of the leading agricultural regions in Maryland. Large
numbers of livestock
are maintained in the district, including poultry, dairy and beef
cattle, horses, hogs and
sheep. The cumulative impact of agricultural runoff, urban erosion and
increased
population has raised concerns about water quality in the county. To
address these
concerns, the district provides technical assistance to the
agricultural community,
reviews and approves erosion and sediment control plans for
construction activities and
promotes the use of best management practices (BMPs) to protect water
quality.
2005 Priorities
1. Develop Soil Conservation and Water Quality Plans and provide
assistance to landowners
to install best management practices. Emphasis will be placed on new
cooperators and
livestock operations.
2. Implement the environmental provisions of the Farm Bill and promote
and/or implement a
range of local, state and federal programs including the Carroll County
Land Preservation
and Rural Legacy Programs, the Conservation Reserve Enhancement
Program, the Maryland
Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share Program and the Water Quality
Improvement Act of
1998.
4. Review and approve erosion and sediment control plans.
5. Provide a conservation equipment rental program for farmers and a
tree seedling sale
for the community.
6. Coordinate the Envirothon Program for high school students.
92 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 230 North Amber ?Frederick, MD 21702 ?
(301) 695-2803, ext. 3
Responsibilities
The Catoctin Soil Conservation District serves Frederick County west of
the Catoctin
Mountains, including the fertile Middletown Valley. Dairy operations
dominate the region,
but there are a number of grain, beef and poultry operations, as well.
Developing Soil
Conservation and Water Quality Plans, stream buffer protection programs
and manure storage
facilities are primary functions of the district's technical staff. The
Catoctin Soil
Conservation District shares office space and staff with the Frederick
Soil Conservation
District.
2005 Priorities
1. Target priority watersheds to implement nutrient reductions for
Maryland's Tributary
strategies.
2. Pursue funding for a nutrient management consultant for the Catoctin
Soil Conservation
District to provide additional assistance with nutrient management
planning and
agricultural waste management.
3. Support the Western Maryland Resource Conservation and Development
Board.
4. Promote the use of winter cover crops to tie up unused nutrients.
105 Chesapeake Blvd., Suite B-3 ?Elkton, MD 21921 ?
(410) 398-4411, ext. 3
Responsibilities
The Cecil Soil Conservation District is located in the northeast corner
of the state and
is bounded on the west by the Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay.
The topography of
the region varies from the nearly level Atlantic Coast Plain in the
south to the rolling
hills of the Piedmont Plateau in the north. Commercial agriculture is
the county's largest
industry, with dairy, beef, horses, swine, poultry, corn, soybeans,
small grain, nursery
stock and orchards as the primary products. Developing Soil
Conservation and Water Quality
Plans is a major function of the district. The main focus of district
staff is to assist
with the design and installation of best management practices (BMPs),
including grassed
filter strips, waterways, grade stabilization structures, animal waste
storage structures,
spring developments, stream crossings and stream buffers. The district
promotes nutrient
management, cover crops and land preservation, and is responsible for
the review of all
erosion and sediment control plans. The district also handles the
Maryland Agricultural
Water Quality Cost-Share Program, the Conservation Reserve Enhancement
Program
Conservation Reserve Program, Environmental Quality Incentives Program
and other related
government efforts.
2005 Priorities
1. Develop and implement Soil Conservation and Water Quality Plans for
county farms.
2. Provide technical assistance and administrate cost-share programs
for the installation
of BMPs.
3. Work cooperatively with the private sector and Maryland Cooperative
Extension to
educate
the public and promote nutrient management.
4. Review erosion and sediment control plans and stormwater management
plans. Provide
additional technical assistance to county agencies.
5. Promote the conservation of natural resources through a dynamic
information and
education outreach program.
6. Help farmers comply with Maryland's nutrient management regulations.
101 Catalpa Drive, Suite 106C ?LaPlata, MD 20646 ?
(301) 934-9588, ext. 3
Responsibilities
The Charles Soil Conservation District serves an area that is changing
rapidly from rural
gricultural to suburban residential, commercial and industrial land
uses. The Potomac and
Patuxent rivers border the district in the west, south and east, and
are the focus of
multi-agency cleanup programs. Although the district's main priority is
to provide the
agricultural community with technical assistance to conserve valuable
soil and water
resources, development pressures have generated an increased work load.
More than 60
percent of the land area of the county remains forested.
2005 Priorities
1. Develop Soil Conservation and Water Quality Plans for farms in the
Lower Potomac River
Basin. Help landowners implement the plans.
2. Provide timely reviews of urban erosion/sediment control plans.
3. Complete soil survey update.
4. Plan and coordinate the Envirothon Program for high school students
and expand
conservation education activities.
5. Promote awareness of financial assistance programs including the
Maryland Agricultural
Water Quality Cost-Share (MACS) Program, Environmental Quality
Incentive Program (EQIP),
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Conservation Reserve Enhancement
Program (CREP).
6. Boost efforts to identify and correct pollution caused by
agricultural livestock
operations.
7. Revise district's long-range plan.
Newsletter, May 2005
Newsletter, February 2005
501 Court Lane ?Cambridge, MD 21613 ?
(410) 228-5640, ext. 3
Responsibilities
Located on Maryland's Eastern Shore, the Dorchester Soil Conservation
District assists
farmers, poultry producers, and other landowners in the wise management
of our soil, water
and related natural resources. Agriculture is the county's number one
industry, with corn,
soybeans, small grains, truck crops and poultry serving as the primary
agricultural
products. The Choptank and Nanticoke rivers flank the district
and are major
tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. More than 60 percent of the farms in
Dorchester County
have a portion of their land in the Critical Area. Developing
Soil Conservation and
Water Quality Plans to help landowners comply with Critical Area
requirements is a high
priority for district staff and a major part of the work load. District
staff also assist
with the design and installation of best management practices to
improve water quality,
including grassed filter strips, waterways, animal waste storage
structures and poultry
composters. Technical assistance is also provided for wildlife
enhancement programs,
erosion and sediment control plans for forestry projects and urban
development, soil
surveys, wetlands projects and the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality
Cost-Share Program.
Additionally, the district promotes and implements Maryland's
Conservation Reserve
Enhancement Program and several USDA programs, including the
Conservation Reserve Program,
Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Wildlife Habitat
Incentives Program.
2005 Priorities
1. Assist farmers in complying with the Water Quality Improvement Act
of 1998, while
developing Soil Conservation and Water Quality Pans for farms in the
Critical Area and
priority watersheds.
2. Provide farmers in the Nanticoke and Choptank watersheds with
planning and assistance
to manage nutrients.
3. Work with Maryland Cooperative Extension to educate poultry
producers on the advantages
of nutrient management.
4. Develop strategies to reduce agricultural nonpoint-source pollution
in the Choptank and
Lower Shore Tributary basins.
5. Provide landowners with information on land-use and management
issues, review sediment
and erosion control plans and stormwater management plans for county
agencies.
92 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 230 North Amber ?Frederick, MD 21702
(301) 695-2803, ext. 3
Responsibilities
The Frederick Soil Conservation District serves all of Frederick
County, except the area
west of the Catoctin Mountains. Dairy operations are predominant in the
region, but there
are also substantial beef, poultry and grain farms in the area.
Developing Soil
Conservation and Water Quality Plans, stream buffer protection programs
and manure storage
facilities are primary functions of the Frederick Soil Conservation
District's technical
staff. While agriculture is still the largest industry in the area,
there is substantial
urban development in and around Frederick City, Walkersville, Mount
Airy, Thurmont,
Urbana, Buckeystown and Adamstown. Consequently, the district now has
the growing
responsibility of reviewing erosion and sediment control plans,
addressing urban growth
issues, and protecting open space. The Frederick Soil Conservation
District shares office
space and staff with the Catoctin Soil Conservation District.
2005 Priorities
1. Target sub-watersheds to implement nutrient reduction strategies for
the Tributary
Teams and state-established priority watersheds.
2. Complete Soil Conservation and Water Quality Plans for farms with
highly erodible
fields in accordance with the Farm Bill.
3. Help Maryland farmers comply with the Water Quality Improvement Act
of 1998.
4. Promote the use of winter cover crops to tie-up unused nutrients.
5. Continue to review erosion and sediment control plans and improve
communication with
the county on urban development issues.
1916 Maryland Highway, Suite C ?Mountain Lake Park, MD 21550 ?
(301) 334-6951
Responsibilities
The Garrett Soil Conservation District is the western most district in
Maryland. The
topography of the region varies from gently rolling upland to steep
slopes and rugged
stream valleys. Agriculture and recreation are the county's two chief
industries.
Construction, timber, coal mining and light manufacturing are also
important to the local
economy. Part of the district drains into the Chesapeake Bay by way of
the Potomac River,
while another portion drains into the Mississippi River via the
Youghiogheny River. A
Maryland scenic river, the Youghiogheny is the only river in the state
designated as
"wild." Water quality is a primary concern for both watersheds. A top
priority
for the district is to integrate the nutrient management plan
requirements of the Water
Quality Improvement Act of 1998 with the development of Soil
Conservation and Water
Quality Plans (SCWQPs). The district is quite involved in the urban
area and is
responsible for reviewing and approving erosion and sediment control
plans, small pond approval and maintaining
three flood control dams.
2005 Priorities
1. Assist landowners in meeting the nutrient management requirements of
the Water Quality
Improvement Act of 1998.
2. Develop a strategy for the Southern Youghiogheny Watershed to
increase the use of best
management practices to protect water quality.
3. Target landowners in need of agricultural planning assistance.
4. Continue to promote conservation. Encourage landowners to seek
and implement a
Soil Conservation & Water Quality Plan.
5. Implement Maryland's Tributary Strategies.
122 Speer Road, Suite 4 Chestertown, MD 21620
(410) 778-5150, ext. 3
Responsibilities
The Kent Soil Conservation District serves a primarily rural
agricultural region. Grain
and vegetable operations, dairy farms, poultry farms and nurseries
comprise the
agricultural makeup of the area. Bordered on three sides by water and
boasting 70 miles of
tidal shoreline, the district is involved heavily in protecting the
county's water
resources. District staff work with landowners and farmers to
develop Soil
Conservation and Water Quality Plans outlining best management
practices (BMPs) needed to
maintain agricultural production and minimize downstream water quality
problems.
Major BMPs installed by the district include structural practices such
as grassed
waterways, grade stabilization structures, cropland terraces, and
animal waste storage
structures. Non-structural practices used to control erosion and manage
nutrients include
crop rotation, residue management and the planting of winter cover
crops to tie-up excess
nutrients.
2005 Priorities
1. Promote and direct conservation efforts toward MD Priority
Watersheds and continue to
assist with Maryland's Tributary Strategies.
2. Promote MD's Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program.
3. Coordinate the Envirothon program for high school students.
4. Promote the Environmental Quality, CSP, AMA and Wildlife Habitat
Incentives
programs.
5. Continue to promote and provide application assistance for the
Maryland Agricultural
Water Quality Cost-Share Program.
6. Help farmers develop and implement Soil Conservation and Water
Quality Plans and Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans.
7. Help farmers comply with the Water Quality Improvement Act of 1998.
8. Educate young people and the general public about conservation.
18410 Muncaster Road Derwood, MD 20855
(301) 590-2855
Responsibilities
Many Marylanders envision Montgomery County as an urban center, but
fully one third of the
county—some 99,000 acres—is comprised of agricultural land.
More than half of
this acreage is made up of cropland, with 23,000 acres devoted to
pastureland. Fruits,
vegetables, flowers, Christmas trees and sod are among the
county’s leading
agricultural products. Promoting stewardship of the county’s
natural resources is a
main focus of the district’s efforts. This is achieved primarily
through the
development and implementation of comprehensive Soil Conservation and
Water Quality Plans
(SCQWP) for the county’s agricultural lands. In addition, the
district
works with Maryland
Cooperative Extension to help farmers and others comply with the
requirements of the Water
Quality Improvement Act of 1998. On the urban front, the district
provides homeowners with
technical assistance to correct drainage problems, reviews stormwater
management ponds for
local municipaities and conducts a variety of conservation education
programs.
The District will also be involved in implementing a new county ordinance which requires every horse operation with 10 or more horses to have a SCWQP.
2005 Priorities
1. Develop Soil Conservation and Water Quality Plans to provide
guidance for farmers, especially within the equine industry.
2. Continue to deliver technical assistance and promote the MD
Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share Program and USDA Incentive
programs to assist farmers in implemementing conservation practices.
3. Deliver a variety of public education and otreach programs to
promote a better understanding of and appreciation for the importance
of agriculture in Maryland.
4. Provide support and agricultural input for the Tribuatary Strategy
effort and the Montgomery County Water Quality Advisory Committee.
Newsletter, December 2004
Newsletter,
June 2004
5010 Brown Station Road, Suite 195 ??Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
(301) 574-5162, ext. 3
Responsibilities
Bordered by the Patuxent River in the east, the Potomac River in the
west and Washington,
D.C., Prince George's County is a mix of urban and agricultural areas.
The majority of the
county's 1,000 agricultural operations are located in the southern
region. Currently, some
430 Soil Conservation and Water Quality Plans (SCWQPs) are in place on
these lands.
Developed by district technical staff, these plans feature a wide range
of best management
practices to safeguard water quality, control nutrient movement,
prevent soil erosion and
protect wetlands. The Water Quality Improvement Act of 1998 requires
nutrient management
plans for all Maryland farms. These plans will need to be integrated
with SCWQPs. Urban
growth areas are located mainly in the northern section of the county
and along the
Washington, D.C. border. The district's primary urban concerns include
erosion and
sediment control plan reviews and dam safety approvals for stormwater
management ponds. The district was recently given the responsibility to
administer the county's Ag. Land Preservation Program.
2005 Priorities
1. Help farmers implement and maintain conservation practices required
by the Water
Quality Improvement Act of 1998 and other programs such as CREP and
EQIP.
2. Implement Soil Conservation and Water Quality Plans for farms in
priority watersheds.
3. Provide timely reviews of soil erosion, sediment control and
stormwater management
plans.
4. Administer the county Ag. Land Preservation Program.
5. Promote Maryland's Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program to
protect water quality.
6. Secure a long-term solution to office space needs.
505 Railroad Ave., Suite 3 ??Centreville, MD 21617
(410) 758-3136, ext. 3
Responsibilities
Located on Maryland's Eastern Shore, Queen Anne's Soil Conservation
District serves a
predominantly agricultural region. Corn, soybeans and small grains are
the primary
agricultural products. Vegetable, poultry, beef, dairy and swine
operations comprise the
remaining agricultural makeup of the area. The district provides a
comprehensive education
and information program directed toward all citizens—both urban
and rural—which
looks at human impacts on the environment and how people can lessen
those impacts. Due to
the explosive growth of the Kent Island area, the district's urban
responsibilities have
multiplied dramatically in recent years. Consequently, the district now
has the growing
responsibilities of reviewing erosion and sediment control plans,
approving stormwater
management plans and addressing urban growth issues.
2005 Priorities
1. Service all field requests in a timely manner.
2. Continue to promote agricultural waste management systems, the
Maryland Agricultural
Water Quality Cost-Share Program and the Environmental Quality
Incentives Program.
3. Help farmers implement best management practices required by the
Farm Bill.
4. Update Soil Conservation and Water Quality Plans that are more than
five years old.
5. Provide a comprehensive information and education program for all
citizens of Queen
Anne's County.
6. Promote MD's Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program.
7. Help landowners comply with the Water Quality Improvement Act of
1998.
22660 Washington Street ??Leonardtown, MD 20650
(301) 475-5856, ext. 3
Responsibilities
St. Mary's Soil Conservation District promotes the wise and efficient
use of the county's
soil and water resources. This is accomplished through a cooperative
working relationship
between county, state and federal agencies. Goals and objectives of
each agency are then
implemented at the district level. The district's primary goal is to
help farmers plan and
implement best management practices (BMPs) on their farms. This leads
to healthier, more
productive farms, which, in turn, help St. Mary's maintain its rural
character. Working
with landowners to stabilize eroding shorelines and create new wetland
habitat is another
important district function. An integral component of this effort
involves educating and
informing farmers about the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
(CREP). On the urban
front, the district has an important program involving the review and
approval of erosion
and sediment control plans, stormwater management plans, pond designs
and forest harvest
sediment control plans. Educating the public on the importance of
conserving valuable soil
and water resources is an ongoing feature of both the agricultural and
nonagricultural
programs.
2005 Priorities
1. Prepare Soil Conservation and Water Quality Plans and implement best
management
practices on agricultural land.
2. Review and approve stormwater management designs and erosion and
sediment control plans
for urban development.
3. Install non-structural shore erosion control practices and promote
marsh creation
projects on public and private lands.
4. Expand the District information and education program to reach more
youth and non-traditional agricultural producers.
30730 Park Drive ??Princess Anne, MD 21853
(410) 651-1575, ext. 3
Responsibilities
The Somerset Soil Conservation District is located in the southernmost
region of
Maryland's Eastern Shore. Broilers, corn, soybeans, vegetables, swine
and dairy operations
comprise the agricultural makeup of the area. Because of its
agricultural productivity,
Somerset County is ranked among the top 100 agricultural counties in
the United States.
Developing Soil Conservation and Water Quality Plans to protect the
environment and
implementing the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share Program
are chief
priorities for the district's technical staff. Additionally, district
staffers are
involved in planning and implementing strategies to reduce agricultural
nutrients in Lower
Eastern Shore watersheds as part of the Chesapeake Bay's Tributary
Strategies. Drainage is
also a major concern for district staff. Many of the streams and rivers
in the county are
tidal, and approximately two-thirds of the soils have impeded drainage.
Moreover, only
about ten percent of the county's soils can be farmed without
artificial drainage. Helping
farmers maintain good drainage has been, and continues to be, a major
concern for the
Somerset District.
2005 Priorities
1. Develop and update Soil Conservation and Water Quality Plans in
priority watersheds,
critical areas and county-wide.
2. Provide technical assistance to landowners and cooperators receiving
Maryland
Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share Program funds to install best
management practices.
3. Help the county minimize the impact of development pressures on
agriculture, the
environment and water quality.
4. Help farmers protect water quality and improve crop production by
promoting controlled
drainage in existing drainage areas.
5. Help landowners comply with the Water Quality Improvement Act of
1998.
6. Promote conservation education programs.
2322 B Goddard Parkway ??Salisbury, MD 21801
(410) 546-4777, ext. 3
Responsibilities
The Wicomico Soil Conservation District serves both an agricultural and
urban region on
Maryland's Eastern Shore. Poultry, grain and vegetable operations
comprise the
agricultural makeup of the area. Providing farmers with technical and
financial assistance
to install best management practices to protect the environment is a
main focus of the
district's technical staff. The Pocomoke, Wicomico and Nanticoke
Rivers—all
tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay—are part of a tributary cleanup
program designed to
reduce nutrients entering the Bay. Additionally, the Upper Pocomoke
Watershed has been
designated as a special water quality project targeted for technical
assistance. Although
agriculture remains the primary land use within the district, a growing
urban and
industrial center continues to flourish in the Salisbury area.
Consequently, the district
now devotes a substantial amount of time and resources reviewing
sediment and erosion
control plans. Providing educators, students and the general public
with information on
soils, wetlands, land use policies and other educational services is
also a major function
of the district's staff.
2005 Priorities
1. Promote and install best management practices to reduce nutrient
pollution using the
MDA Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share Program, Conservation Reserve
Enhancement
Program and Conservation Reserve, and Environmental Quality Incentives
Programs and Agricultural Management Assistance Programs.
2. Provide technical assistance to help landowners comply with the
Water Quality
Improvement Act of 1998.
3. Target the Upper Pocomoke Watershed for installation of BMPs;
support a water quality
monitoring project.
4. Review erosion and sediment control plans in a timely manner.
5. Assist landowner groups interested in organizing public drainage
associations.
304 Commerce Street ??Snow Hill, MD 21863 ??
(410) 632-5439, ext. 3
Responsibilities
The Worcester Soil Conservation District is located on the southern tip
of Maryland’s
Eastern Shore. Worcester County is unique because it drains to both the
Chesapeake Bay and
the inland bays of the Atlantic Ocean. The region is strongly
influenced by the poultry
industry, with cash grain farms also comprising a large portion of the
agricultural
market. The Pocomoke River provides drainage to four of the top 30
priority watersheds for
pollution potential to the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. Development
pressures in the
coastal areas have increased over the past several years. The
district’s urban
responsibilities now include the review and approval of erosion
and sediment control plans for county and municipal construction
projects. On the farm,
district staff work to develop Soil Conservation and Water Quality
Plans to protect
natural resources and farm profitability. The district promotes the
Maryland Agricultural
Water Quality Cost-Share Program, which has been widely used by farmers
to help cover the
costs of water quality improvement projects. District staff are also
involved in
developing shallow water wildlife areas to help protect this
environmentally-sensitive
area. Additional priorities include implementing a shoreline
stabilization and coastal
dune maintenance program, promoting the Conservation Reserve
Enhancement Program and
helping farmers comply with the Water Quality Improvement Act of 1998.
2005 Priorities
1. Continue to provide Soil Conservation and Water Quality Plans for
farms throughout the
county. Help landowners comply with the Water Quality Improvement Act
of 1998.
2. Promote the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share Program
to help farmers pay
to install water quality improvements.
3. Participate in and implement aspects of the Maryland Coastal Bays
Program, the Lower
Eastern Shore Tributary Strategy Team, Environmental Quality Incentives
Program,
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program and Wetland Reserve Program.
4. Continue to promote conservation programs, including integrated crop
management.