CX)NSERVAT|ON DISTRICTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT 



\ In connection with every action and activity contemplated by the district, it seems 



to me each District official ought to ask himself this question: 



What will it do for the quality of llving-not only in my district, but In my section 

 of the country? 



I would suggest further that we need to re-examine the long-range programs of our 

 districts, and revise them with a new dimension in mind. It seems to me that if dist- 

 ricts are really going to serve their communities during the rest of this century, district 

 leaders need to shape their goals and their work deliberately toward those resource activ- 

 ities which will clearly improve the quality of living in their communities. 



The new dimension in district affairs is the human dimension. It means acting with 

 the well-being of people in mind, instead of operating primarily for the protection of 

 resources. It means thinking in terms of the long-range needs and benefits of the whole 

 community rather than in terms of individual farms and watershed. 



Let's look at some of the ways district leaders contribute either through the applica- 

 tion of their own know-how, or by bringing to bear the expertise of agencies cooperating 

 with districts, or both. 



1. Districts can help in the control of water pollution that has its sources In the 

 erosion process, whether the erosion takes place on farmlands, construction sites, road 

 sides, strip mines or stream banks. Sediments produced by erosion are the most exten- 

 sive pollutants of surface watersheds. 



2. Districts can help in the control of water pollution that has its sources in 



I runoff from feedlots and farmlands - runoff that carries animal wastes as well as a variety 

 of chemicals including pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, and fertilizers. 



3. Districts can help in the control of air pollution that has its sources in soil 

 blowing (dust storms) or in the malodorous fumes sometimes generated in farming or live- 

 stock operations. 



4. Districts can help with beaut i f icati on through healing work on ugly landscapes; 

 through planting programs of attractive trees, shrubs, and grasses; through the identifi- 

 cation and protection of particularly scenic streams and vistas; through roadside beauti- 

 f icati on projects; and in dozens of other ways. 



5. Districts can help with the development of recreational facilities- through coopera- 

 tion with private landowners in establishing fishing, swimming, boating, hiking, riding, 

 picnicking, and other recreational attractions. The district can help also in connection 

 with the development and management of such public recreational facilities as local parks, 

 town forests, camp grounds, nature trails, and lakes. 



6. Districts can help with the protection and preservation of unique areas that may 

 be threatened by neglect, commercial exploitation, erosion, or pollution. Thease areas 

 may include stream and lake shores, estuaries, historic sites. Irreplaceable sections of 

 class I farmland, waterfowl breeding grounds, or unusual stands of timber. 



7. District can help with solid waste disposal though the identification of sites 

 suitable for use as sanitary landfills. 



8. Districts can help with waste land use, zoning, and resource development by calling 

 in experts on soils, forests, water, fish, wildlife, recreation, education, economics, and 



P'3""'"9- Lyie Bauer - NACD treasurer 



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