UP-DATE DISTRICT PRCX3RAM 



Do you remember when your district was concerned with only 

 land use adjustments and getting practices on the land to control 

 soil erosion? That wasn't too long ago, was it? Today, our soil 

 and water conservation districts have a greatly increased respon- 

 sibility. It should be emphasized that a careful re-examination 

 of districts needs and a thoughtful appraisal of districts opportunities 



all in the light of a reasonable prospects for the future is the 



heart of this matter of updating our long range programs of work. 



It is a fact that our long-range district program of works made 

 before 1950 are out of date. The fact is that more and more of our 

 of our districts are becoming involved in a number of new programs 

 such as: Rural Area Development, Development of Watershed Pro- 

 jects; Recreational Area and Facilities; Water Supplies; Local Land 

 Use Planning; Great Plains Program; Public Land Conservation and 

 Assistance to non-agricultural land owners. Resource, Conserva- 

 tion & Development Program. 



Because of new ways of conserving soil and water through tech- 

 nological advancements, the field of responsibilities of soil -yid 

 water conservation districts are widened. We are now concerned 

 with the full development and utilization of our land and water. 



The minutes of the District Board Meeting indicate that a great 

 amount of attention is being directed toward up-dating the long range 

 program. If any assistance from the State Board, please let us know. 



(Reprinted from Oklahoma State Conservation Board News) 



REPORT OF APRIL MEETING STATE SOIL CONSERVATION COMMITiTEE 



The State Soil Conservation Committee had as guests at their April meeting, Director Walter 

 Everin, Bob Cooney, Bill Alvord, and George Holton of the State Fish & Game Department to- 

 gether with Frank Schledorn and E. P. Vance of Soil Conservation Service and Sid Turnquist of 

 Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. They discussed "Recreation". Herschell 

 Kurd of the Committee and State SCS Conservationist reviewed "Recreation" as a new and proper 

 land use as recognized in the Food and Agriculture Act, and to which SCS has been given leader- 

 ship responsibility. Vance discussed income producing phases, that recreation is to be consi- 

 dered along with other enterprises in developing farm and ranch plans. However, being SCS is 

 new at this, they look particularly to state agencies who are in the recreation business for advice 

 and cooperation in incorporating any recreation developments in farm and ranch plans. 



There are several proposals from ranchers and farmers throughout the state such as one rancher 

 who plans to raise big game instead of cattle and charge a fee for hunting, others who plan fish 

 ponds, picnic areas, horses, guide service, tenting, etc. Schledorn told that Watershed Projects 

 can incorporate recreation developments. Turnquist told that ASCS under "Cropland Conversion 

 Payments" will develop practices which they will cost-share on in diverting cropland to recreation. 

 It was reported FHA has certain loans they can make in converting cropland to recreation. 



On the matter of ranchers planning to stock their ranches with big game, Walt Everin stated he 

 thought the Fish & Game Department would oppose or discourage such an enterprise. Wildlife is 

 owned by the state. The commission probably would not give a game farm permit which would be 

 required. Experience in the past where it has been tried proved that it was impossible to deter- 

 mine ownership of game, and that fencing costs to contain or exclude game were prohibitive. How- 

 ever, it was brought out a farmer can charge for tresspass to hunt. A person, with consent of 

 landowners, can charge for use of an area. Buffalo can be raised without permit of state . 



The fish & Game people stated they would look with favor at any facilities private land owners 

 ) would develop that promotes hunting and fishing." Fish & Game has programs to acquire land for 

 fishing access, camping areas, marshes for migratory waterfoul. Any recreational developments 

 by private landowners for profit meets stiff competition in Montana where so many public areas 

 are available. 



Delegations from Custer and Yellowstone Counties meet with Committee on Watershed applications. 



