|
STATE SOIL CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
Robert M. Davis, Chair, 1996
Louise Lawrence, Executive Secretary
(410) 841-5863
Established in 1937, the State Soil Conservation
Committee works to stop soil erosion and nonpoint
source pollution, conserve soil, and protect water
quality (Chapter 436, Acts of 1937). Through
twenty-four soil conservation districts covering the
entire State (except Baltimore City), the Commit-
tee coordinates district work to apply scientifically
sound and practical conservation measures ("best
management practices") to Maryland lands. For
each district, the Committee appoints four of the
five persons who serve on a local board of soil
conservation supervisors.
The State Committee helps districts secure aid
from State and federal agencies for soil and water
conservation, and certain phases of related land use
programs. Areas of concern include nonpoint
source pollution, watershed protection and flood
prevention, siltation of streams and reservoirs,
shore erosion control, and highway erosion con-
trol. They also involve forest and woodland conser-
vation and development, the protection and
propagation of wildlife, development of public land
areas, and urban sediment and erosion control.
The Committee has eleven members. Six serve
ex officio. Five are soil conservation district super-
visors appointed to four-year terms by the Secretary
of Agriculture from nominees of the districts rep-
resented (Code Agriculture Article, secs. 8-101
through 8-501).
NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Louise Lawrence, Chair
(410) 841-5863
The Nutrient Management Advisory Commit-
tee began in 1992 (Chapter 137, Acts of 1992).
Nutrient management concerns soil fertilization
and determining the amount, placement, timing,
and application of animal waste, commercial fertil-
izer, sludge, or other plant nutrients to prevent
pollution and maintain productivity. Appointed by
the Secretary of Agriculture, the Committee advises
the Department on certification and licensing of
|
nutrient management consultants (Code Agricul-
ture Article, secs. 8-801 through 8-806).
RESOURCE CONSERVATION GRANTS
Eileen O'Brien, Supervisor
(410) 841-5864
Resource Conservation Grants started in 1989
as the Conservation Grants Section. In 1992, the
Section was renamed Resource Protection Incen-
tives, and in 1994 received its present name. This
office administers the Maryland Agricultural Water
Quality Cost-Share Program (MACS) and the State
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).
Established in 1983, the Maryland Agricultural
Water Quality Cost-Share Program reduces water
pollution caused by nutrient and sediment erosion,
animal wastes, or agricultural chemicals. The Pro-
gram provides cost-share grants to individuals for
installing best management practices on agricul-
tural land.
The State Conservation Reserve Program pro-
vides annual payments to landowners or operators
for certain acreage taken out of agricultural produc-
tion and planted in vegetative cover for a ten-year
period. The Program began in 1988 as an incentive
for enrolling in a similar federal program adminis-
tered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
RESOURCE CONSERVATION OPERATIONS
Vacancy, Chief
(410) 841-5896
Resource Conservation Operations originated
in 1989 as an outgrowth of the Soil Conservation
Administration. It was reorganized as Resource
Management Services in 1992. In 1994, it resumed
its earlier name.
Resource Conservation Operations administers
State resources that support soil and water conser-
vation programs on agricultural land. This section
guides and assists twenty-four soil conservation
districts and gives financial, administrative and
technical support for conservation programs. Re-
source Conservation Operations also provides
technical assistance to farmers and landowners on
best management practices to control soil erosion
and agricultural nonpoint source pollution.
|
