| Background of Conservation Districts |
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Washington State
In 1939 the Washington State Legislature created Chapter 89.08 of the Revised Code of Washington. RCW 89.08 created
the Washington Conservation Commission and provided for the development and dissolution of conservation districts. It also
explained the duties, responsibilities and powers of the Commission, conservation districts and district supervisors.
This law has been altered, amended and changed numerous times since it was created. However, much of the original
wording remains because the focus and purpose of local conservation districts has remained the same. The law clearly
identifies the need to conserve all renewable natural resources through the voluntary actions of Washington's residents.
RCW 89.08 clearly defines the role conservation districts fill in Washington State. It is the role of conservation districts to
provide the state's residents with the tools, resources and skills necessary to voluntarily conserve the renewable natural
resources.
Although conservation districts were first created to address resource conservation in the agricultural community, the State
Legislature has broadened their scope over the years. Our state legislators recognize that for issues relating to natural
resources, the most effective governmental link to private landowners in Washington State are conservation districts.
Lincoln County Conservation District
Lincoln County Conservation District is a grass roots conservation agency that was first formed in 1944 when the landowners
of Lincoln County voted to form four districts within Lincoln County. In 1975 the district merged into what is now Lincoln
County Conservation District. A board of five supervisors whose job is to protect our area natural resources directs the
District. The county’s landowners elect three of these five volunteers and the Washington State Conservation Commission
appoints two. NRCS is in the county to provide technical assistance because the District exists.
All Lincoln County residents are linked to each of the area’s natural resources. We drink the water, breathe the air, garden
and farm the soil, pasture the grass, enjoy the recreational facilities, eat the fish and enjoy the diversity of wildlife. The long-
term stability of our area’s economy and preservation of Lincoln County’s diverse and unique character depends on the
conservation of our natural resources.
The District delivers services directly to the residents of Lincoln County. Our programs are based on helping individual
landowners solve their resource protection concerns. Unlike state, county and city governments, we are able to work on
private lands, directly for the landowner.
It is important to remember that the Lincoln County Conservation District is NOT a regulatory agency and does NOT have an
enforcement role. We therefore, offer an important voluntary action-based alternative for solving resource protection
problems.
The District is an important liaison between local land users and public agencies. This is demonstrated by our on going role
helping farmers and cities understand and work with Ecology.
The District is an important asset to local landowners providing technical assistance, trees and shrubs through our annual
tree sale and tree/shrubs and planting their CRP, EQIP, and WHIP contacts. We are a key player in the education arena for
agriculture, air quality, and water quality issues, sponsoring many public information meetings.
The District is an important player in Lincoln County on issues relating to water quality (both ground and surface waters),
agricultural issues and air quality. We are involved in many projects to assist the citizens of the county. We support a cost
share program for water quality projects such as terraces, grasses waterways, well head protection, abandoned well
closures, cross fences, and livestock watering facilities seeking and using grant funds.
In 1939 the Washington State Legislature created Chapter 89.08 of the Revised Code of Washington. RCW 89.08 created
the Washington Conservation Commission and provided for the development and dissolution of conservation districts. It also
explained the duties, responsibilities and powers of the Commission, conservation districts and district supervisors.
This law has been altered, amended and changed numerous times since it was created. However, much of the original
wording remains because the focus and purpose of local conservation districts has remained the same. The law clearly
identifies the need to conserve all renewable natural resources through the voluntary actions of Washington's residents.
RCW 89.08 clearly defines the role conservation districts fill in Washington State. It is the role of conservation districts to
provide the state's residents with the tools, resources and skills necessary to voluntarily conserve the renewable natural
resources.
Although conservation districts were first created to address resource conservation in the agricultural community, the State
Legislature has broadened their scope over the years. Our state legislators recognize that for issues relating to natural
resources, the most effective governmental link to private landowners in Washington State are conservation districts.
Lincoln County Conservation District
Lincoln County Conservation District is a grass roots conservation agency that was first formed in 1944 when the landowners
of Lincoln County voted to form four districts within Lincoln County. In 1975 the district merged into what is now Lincoln
County Conservation District. A board of five supervisors whose job is to protect our area natural resources directs the
District. The county’s landowners elect three of these five volunteers and the Washington State Conservation Commission
appoints two. NRCS is in the county to provide technical assistance because the District exists.
All Lincoln County residents are linked to each of the area’s natural resources. We drink the water, breathe the air, garden
and farm the soil, pasture the grass, enjoy the recreational facilities, eat the fish and enjoy the diversity of wildlife. The long-
term stability of our area’s economy and preservation of Lincoln County’s diverse and unique character depends on the
conservation of our natural resources.
The District delivers services directly to the residents of Lincoln County. Our programs are based on helping individual
landowners solve their resource protection concerns. Unlike state, county and city governments, we are able to work on
private lands, directly for the landowner.
It is important to remember that the Lincoln County Conservation District is NOT a regulatory agency and does NOT have an
enforcement role. We therefore, offer an important voluntary action-based alternative for solving resource protection
problems.
The District is an important liaison between local land users and public agencies. This is demonstrated by our on going role
helping farmers and cities understand and work with Ecology.
The District is an important asset to local landowners providing technical assistance, trees and shrubs through our annual
tree sale and tree/shrubs and planting their CRP, EQIP, and WHIP contacts. We are a key player in the education arena for
agriculture, air quality, and water quality issues, sponsoring many public information meetings.
The District is an important player in Lincoln County on issues relating to water quality (both ground and surface waters),
agricultural issues and air quality. We are involved in many projects to assist the citizens of the county. We support a cost
share program for water quality projects such as terraces, grasses waterways, well head protection, abandoned well
closures, cross fences, and livestock watering facilities seeking and using grant funds.