'Tin: FUTtlRK OF DISTRICTS' 



We hear a lot today about organizational and social activities that are locally based 

 and oriented with the people of the community affected. I think we are all agreed that 

 local participation and grassroots control of orp.anizatlons , subdivisions of Government 

 and Government itself. Is highly commendable and the most Democratic process of all human 

 social activity. 



Local Soil & Water Conservation Districts have, from their Inception, been locally 

 organized and controlled, a fact, we may all he proud of. The march of time and man's 

 progress has not changed this concept and let us hope that it never will. However, man*s 

 technological and scientific advancement and its changing social pattern has dramatically 

 changed the outlook and complexity of resource conservation and planning . These changes in 

 turn demand a changing and receptive attitude on all organizations and groups administering 

 and sponsoring the broad aspects of conservation. In our Districts, we have failed to meet 

 the challenge of this change. In the matter of District financing, we are a "beggar group" 

 in a world of high-powered finance and advertising. We are the destitute champions of a 

 cause that effects every man, woman and child in our nation. 



Our changing social structure dictates that we can no longer be concerned with prob- 

 lems of strictly local nature. Such problems as flood control, water pollution, urtian 

 water supplv, air pollution and the many facets of recreation are demanding our attention. 



The Districts, as presently established, are financially and by virtue of statute, 

 unable to effectively administer the multi-interest and multi-purpose resource develop- 

 ments refiulred by our modern day society. 



, It is in view of our limitations as Districts that we must look forward toward new 

 ^ enabling legislation, providing new and supporting entities entrusted with new powers and 



responsibilities n ecessary to expedite resource conservation and development with the 



complex Interests concerned. 



The powers necessary to achieve this must Include among others: the power of 

 eminent domain, the power of taxation and the power of bonding. The Governing Boards 

 shall receive these powers onlv at the consent of the people being taxed and bonded. 

 The people must have representation on the Board equal to their respective participation 

 and benefit in the project concerned . 



If we fail to receive legislative updating, the alternative could well be the in- 

 creased role of higher echelons of state and federal government in resource development 

 and the consequent loss of local control* 



The above was written bv Walter Mvllvmakl, Chairman of tlie Judith Basin SWCD. 



DATES TO EE'-IEMBER 

 4-H Camp at Little Bitterroot Camp - Kalispell 



American Society of Range Management , Intermountain Section Annual Meeting^ 

 A Iberta, Canada 



MASWCD AREA MEETINGS 

 Western Montana (Area V) Kalispell 



Triangle (Area HI) Great Falls 



Heatiuaters (Area VI) Three Forks 



^outhcentral (Area V) Billings 



(Area I) Glasnou 



ilortkeastem 

 Southeastern 



(Area II) 



LaLonde Hotel 



Baker 



Sidney 



■5- 



July 8-12 

 July 25-27 



September 30 

 October 1 

 October 2 

 October 3 

 October 4 

 October 5 



October 30, 31, 

 ■? November 1 



