SWCD's ACTIVE IN POLLUTION REDUCTION-cont'd 



The small watershed program Is cent- 

 ered around an integrated system of land 

 treatment and structural measures to re- 

 duce sediment leaving the land. It pro- 

 vides for storage of sediment and reduc- 

 tion of flooduater. Benefits accrue to 

 land and water resources both within the 

 watershed and downstream. Montana 

 communities and groups have three projects 

 presently under construct ^ on, six prp- 

 Jects are in the planning stage, and ap- 

 plications are on hand for planning and 

 Investigations for an additional 43 

 projects. Four projects have been com- 

 pleted. 



The Great Plains Conservation Program 

 available in 38 eastern Montana counties 

 provides technical and cost-sharing help 

 to apply conservation measures on farms 

 and ranches. Twenty-four practices are 

 designed to improve land and water use 

 and reduce erosion. Recent legisla- 

 tion passed by the Congress provides 

 for measures to reduce or control agri- 

 culturally related pollution. Over 1,600 

 landowners have participated in this pro- 

 gram. 



The sediment problem is complex and 

 remains a threat to land and water re- 

 sources. Even though good progress has 

 been made there is still too much mis- 

 used range, forest and farm land. Stream- 

 bank erosion is often a major source of 

 sediment. Solution lies in support 

 from individual farmers and ranchers, 

 state and local governments, urban devel- 

 opers and other groups who disturb soil. 

 All must apply conservation practices to 

 control or prevent sedimentation from 

 sources under their control. 



Incorporation of established soil and 

 water conservation methods will signif- 

 icantly reduce agricultural water pollu- 

 tion as well as benefit the industry. 



A combined effort of individuals — 

 rural and urban — industry and govern- 

 ment at all levels is needed to solve this 

 problem. 



Leo Hackley, Richland County Soil 

 & Water Conservation District Supervisor, 

 has been appointed by Governor Forrest H, 

 Anderson to the State Soil Conservation 

 Committee. He replaces Oscar Hippe of 

 Frold on the Committee, Hackley joins 

 three other holdover Governor appointed ( 

 members. Dean Hanson, of Gildford, Wn, F.'" 

 D'Ewart of Wilsal, and John Schroeder of 

 Lolo. Ex-officio members are Torlief 

 Aasheim, State Extension Director, Joe 

 Asleson, State Experiment Station Director, 

 and George Lackman, State Commissioner 

 of Agriculture. Ave Linford, State Con- 

 servationist, SCS, is an Advisory member. 



The Committee is the parent state 

 agency of the SWCD's organized thru-out 

 Montana. It also functions as the state 

 agency to act for the Governor to screen 

 applications for P.L. 566 Watershed pro- 

 jects, and Resource Conservation & Dev- 

 elopment projects. 



Their last meeting was january 19 

 and 20, 1970. Included in the agenda 

 was a joint meeting with the Commissioners 

 of the Department of Planning and Economic 

 Development, 



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