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O. M. Ueland, Editor, Montana Tech. "BRARY 



day, but erosion and Teaching had robbed the 

 Southern soil and disabled their children's 

 bodies; while out here, most of the minerals 

 and vitamins are still intact. 



Continued on Page II - Column I 



KEEPING ABREAST OF CONSERVANCY DISTRICT 

 LEGISLATION 



ILL KESLER, PRESIDENT SEZ: 



Having just returned from the National Conven- 

 lon In New Orleans, Louisiana, I should be 

 aaded with Important events to relate, but It 

 eems the days at a convention are so busy and 

 much going on. It takes a week or two of re- 

 lection after getting home before one can re- 

 ember more than the highlights. 



For me, one of the most Interesting meetings 

 f the whole convention was the banquet where 

 enator Allen El lender was the main speaker. Hi 

 as supposed to talk about Soil 4 Water Conser- 

 atlon, but this being an election year. It was 

 ery political. Of course, while talking to us, 

 e was talking a great deal for the Louisiana 

 ome folks and what he would do. For me, how- 

 ver. It is always Interesting to hear the 

 ther fellow's point of view. 



To my eyes, the Southern people do seem a 

 ittle different. There Is no hurry; their way 

 f life Is, or seems, slower; their food Is 

 ifferent. It was brought out In the District 

 iperations Committee, of which I was a member, 

 hat during World War II, when men were being 

 examined for army duty, that In several of the 

 outhern states, 7 out of 10 men were rejected 

 ecause of bad eyes, bad teeth, heart, lungs, 

 one structure, etc. While In the Western 

 .tates, 7 out of 10 passed their physicals, 

 hey all filled their' stomachs three times a 



The Legislative Subcommittee, studying the 

 need for Water Conservancy Districts at its 

 February 25 meeting In Helena, set up some 

 guidelines for Its staff to draft a proposed 

 bill. The thinking of the committee is that 

 Water Conservancy Dlstrlc#-s should be organized 

 by the courts as separate entities of state 

 government. They expect to have a rough draft 

 of a proposed tIJ I ready for the April 2 meeting 



Proposals by the State Soil Conservation 

 Committee and the Montana Association of Soil 

 and Water Conservation Districts that Soil and 

 Water Conservation Districts could and do func- 

 tion as Conservancy Districts brought a reply 

 that SWCDs should not branch out In other fields 

 such as water development, range renewal, recrea' 

 tlon, and related resource development. The 

 development of uncommitted water supplies In 

 Montana need the best people, engineering ser- 

 vices, etc. A program of that scope shouldn't 

 be entrusted to SWCD Supervisors. The size of 

 the conservation of the state's water resources 

 requires greater efforts. 



Expressions of encouragement were made thai 

 all concerns for water development were being 

 considered and that each meeting brings a 

 better concensus of opinion. 



A study of NACD District Outlook Committee 

 shows that SWCDs throughout the United States 

 are moving toward a broader more active role in 

 resource development. They point out that 

 SWCDs are In a position to coordinate at the 

 local level the oncoming jnb of resource manage- 

 ment (planning, development, use, and conserva- 

 tion of renewable natural resources). SWCD 

 Leaders in Montana have expressed strong feelings 

 that they are willing to take on the job at the 

 local level and that existing agencies of 

 government should be strengthened to give 

 assistance to districts. 



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