Historical Background
In 1941, the Ohio
Soil and Water Conservation Commission (OSWCC) was established as a result of
the 94th General Assembly’s passage of House Bill 646.
The Commission was created to ensure that
Ohio
counties are served by effectively administered, adequately supported soil and
water conservation districts.
The OSWCC was first located at The Ohio State University from
1942 to 1969. However, the office
was moved in 1969 when the Commission became affiliated with the Ohio Department
of Natural Resources.
Main
Purpose
·
Determine the allocation of state funds to
soil and water conservation districts and recommend the level of state and
federal funds needed by the districts.
·
Inform SWCD supervisors of their powers and
duties and inform them of the activities and experiences of other SWCDs.
·
Seek cooperation of state and federal
agencies for SWCDs.
·
Issue appropriate rules governing election
of SWCD supervisors.
·
Recommend to the Director of ODNR priorities
for planning and construction of small watershed projects as well as
coordination of agreements with local SWCDs.
·
Recommend to state officials programs and
legislative relative to SWCDs and their encouragement of proper soil, water, and
other resources management.
·
Approve agriculture pollution abatement and
urban sediment pollution abatement rules proposed by the ODNR.
Membership
The
membership and terms of service on the OSWCCC are specified in Ohio Revised Code
Section 1515.02. The OSWCC consists
of seven members, four of whom are appointed by the Governor to four-year terms;
of the appointed members, two shall be farmers.
The OFSWCD designates a member by resolution.
The other two members are the Director of the Ohio Department of
Agriculture, the Vice President of Agricultural Administration of The Ohio State
University. The Director of the Ohio
Department of Natural Resources is an ex officio member who may participate in
Commission meetings, but without the power to vote.
The Chief of ODNR’s Division of Soil and Water Conservation serves as
the Commissioner’s Executive Secretary.
