SSCC and MASWCD 

 to Back Reorganization 



As a result of a joint meeting of the SSCC and the MASWCD board of directors, agree- 

 ment was reached to support the recommendations of the Montana Commission on Executive 

 Reorganization with some modifications. ^P 



The recommendations of the Commission on Reorganization is to establish a Department 

 of Natural Resources and Conservation headed by a director appointed by the Governor. 

 The present Water Resources Board, Fish & Game Commission, Forestry Board, State Soil 

 Conservation Cormittee, and Grass Conservation Commission would be abolished. A five 

 man Natural Resources Board appointed by the Governor would be set up to be advisory to 

 the director and perform the quasi-Judicial and quasi-legislative functions of the five 

 abol ished boards. 



Separate and distinct divisions of Water Resources, Fish i Game, and Forestry, would 

 be set up under the Natural Resources Board and the Director. The administrative func- 

 tions of the SSCC and Grass Commission would be assigned to divisions as administratively 

 feasible. 



The Directors of the Association of SWCD strongly recommend however that the functions 

 and responsibilities of the SSCC be provided through a separate and distinct division 

 within the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation to be called "Conservation 

 Districts Division." 



Chairman Dean Hanson of the SSCC and President Bob Anderson of the MASWCD in replying 

 to Governor Anderson's request for comments commended the Governor for his efforts to 

 update State Government. They further stated that "It Is important and necessary that 

 conservation districts representing both urban and rural interests be provided a direct 

 and responsible link to state government. Also determined essential that each division 

 be provided with a statutory advisory committee." ^ 



Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the State Soil Conservation Committee have 

 a legally established working relationship with several Federal Departments such as Agri- 

 culture and Interior, as well as others. Technical services and financial cost-sharing 

 assistance in excess of 10 million dollars annually is provided by these agencies to the 

 citizens of Montana through Conservation Districts. 



The directors expressed their feeling that Natural Resource Conservation and Development 

 objectives vital to Montana can best be met by inclusion of Water Resources, Fish & Game, 

 Forestry, and "Conservation Districts" in a single department. Experience supports the 

 principle of a director to provide the essential coordination. 



MONTANA ASSOCIATION OF SOIL & WATER 



CONSERVATION DISTRICTS 

 224 Mitchell Building - Helena , Montana 



51 i^e^tsJayoa/cccpyc^: 



Non-profit Org. 

 U.S. Postage PD. 

 Permit No. 171 

 Butte, Montana 



Treasure 

 ficres 



MOMT STATZ LiBRAPxY 

 9 30 E LYMDALE 



HELENA mo::t 5:5601 



