The Sussex County Soil Conservation District Clifford R. Lundin, Attorney at Law District Manager
Background to District Special Purpose Unit of State Government Established in 1950 (prior to 1950 part of joint district with Morris and Warren) Based upon Federal model legislation contained in Soil Conservation Act of 1937 Origin in New Deal/Dust Bowl Programs Concept of locally led. Concept of voluntary incentive based compliance. Currently 3000 districts in United States
New Jersey s SCD s Authorized by P.L. 1937 chapter 139, Article 4 15 Districts within NJ- All areas of State Considered a governmental subdivision All actions subject to review by State Soil Conservation Committee Includes the power to adopt land use regulations.
Powers of NJ Soil Conservation Districts Conduct research/surveys, disseminate info Undertake projects to control erosion Dams and flood control Acquisition of equipment Assistance to landowners Own and manage real property.
Governance of Soil Conservation Districts Governed by 5 person Board of Supervisors appointed by State Soil Conservation Committee Supervisors receive no compensation Three year staggered terms. Must be geographically distributed SSCC also requires distribution by interest Procedure requires a local Nominating Committee In some states Supervisors are elected on ballot
Sussex County Board of Supervisors Barbara Rosko, Chairman (Hampton) James Kilduff, Vice-Chairman (Franklin) Walter Ricker, Secretary (Wantage) Fred Hough, Treasurer (Wantage) Philip Deacon, member (Sparta)
SCSCD- Agricultural Assistance Any producer seeking technical or financial assistance under the US Farm Bill must initially enter into a Conservation Agreement with the District District reviews and approves all applications for federal assistance District reviews and approves all Farm Conservation Plans. District role in Animal Waste Management Plans District role in Eight Year Farmland Preservation Program
SCSCD Woodland Assistance SCSCD is local point of contact for Common Waters Fund Target area is Delaware River Watershed North of Gap Cost-share assistance to woodland owners to develop Forest Stewardship Plans Cost-share assistance to woodland owners to implement Best Management practices Applications being accepted on a quarterly cycle.
SCSCD- Public Education District sponsors annual Conservation Poster Contest District participates in SC Fair NJ Envirothon Annual Conservation Scholarship Soil Tunnel Soil Curriculum
SCSCD Land Conservation Program SCSCD can own land. Land qualifies for Tax Exemption District currently owns one parcel- Flynn Preserve located between Lake Owassa and Culvers Lake. Additional land donations will be considered.
Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Program Approximately 90% of District workload PL 1975 Chapter 251 Amendment to SC statute Key definition of project 5000 square feet Involving a construction or demolition permit Includes all lands subdivided since 1976 Excludes SF homes on pre-existing lots w/o variances Parking lots/public facilities, mining or quarrying, grading or clearing (other than agriculture tillage)
SESC (continued) Requires preparation and implementation of SESC plan. Plan has a 42 month life. Plan must meet NJ Standards District inspects and enforces plan. District ability to issue STOP WORK ORDERs District approval required before Occupancy. State DOT projects exempt (Own standards) Exempt municipalities (Andover/Green) Violations provide for penalty of up to $3000.00 per day. District can also seek injunctive relief.
SESC Statistics in Sussex County 4,954 Projects- 1976-2010 Total acreage of projects-42,913 ac.- 1976-2010 99,103 inspections- 1976-2010 173,054 Staff hours Estimated 97% reduction in soil loss Estimated prevented 1,913,919.8 tons of material from entering Sussex County waterways. Currently 405 active projects.
Coordination with other programs Original SC 208 Areawide Plan identified the SCSCD as a management agency. NPDES/NJPDES Point Source Program Construction Site General Permit Program- 1 acre or more or part of a plan of development. Compliance with SESC plan constitutes compliance with General Permit District can call in NJDEP or EPA at any time. RFA now issued on-line, District certification code is required. Violations of RFA carry penalty of $10,000 per day
Some other points District receives no federal or state tax $ District receives no Sussex County tax $ District fully self sufficient entity Currently 3 Full-Time and 2 Part-time staff
QUESTIONS Thank you for your time Sussex County SCD 186 Halsey Road Newton, NJ 07860 973-579-5074 973-579-7846 fax Sussex@sussexscd.org