The purpose of the Catawba Soil and Water Conservation District is to provide leadership in formulating a plan of conservation and protection for soil and water in the county.

The definition of conservation is "protect from loss or waste."

Soil and water are two of our most precious natural resources. They are essential in providing food, clothing and shelter.

Erosion is the greatest enemy of soil; pollution is the greatest enemy of water.

Topsoil contains many nutrients necessary for plant growth. Nature replaces it, but very slowly. It takes an average of 500 years for one inch of topsoil to form. Unprotected soil erodes at an alarming rate. Uncontrolled water carries tons of topsoil into nearby streams.

The sediment, containing pesticides, herbicides and other pollutants, not only clogs the stream but lowers the water quality as well.

The District works with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and other agencies to assist and educate land owners and users in proper use of land relating to conservation of soil and water.

The Catawba SWCD Board of Supervisors meets on the first Friday morning of each month at the district office in the Agricultural Resources Building. All meetings are open to the public.

All services are free of charge.

Technical assistance is provided to individuals, groups, or corporations on soil and water related concerns. Technical assistance is provided to the farming community on: cropland management, pasture management, installation of Best Management Practices (BMP's) to protect soil from eroding and improve water quality, planning and implementation of practices for compliance with the Food Security Act, animal waste utilization plans and certification for compliance with the Division of Water Quality's .0200 regulations.

Technical and financial assistance are available for installing BMP's through the North Carolina Agriculture Cost Share Program to improve water quality. The federal Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) provides technical and financial assistance to landowners to address environmental concerns. BMP's for each of these programs include: animal waste management systems, critical area stabilization, diversions, field borders, filter strips, grassed waterways, stock trails, stream crossings, stripcropping, spring developments, watering tanks, and fencing streambanks.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

• Animal waste management systems
• Critical area stabilization
• Diversions
• Grassed waterways
• No-till, Minimum-till, Conservation-tillage
• No-till sod seeding of pastures and hayland
• Pasture and hayland management
• Strip cropping
• Terraces
• Woodland Management
• Livestock Exclusion
• Waste management plans
• Heavy Use Areas
• Stock trails
• Animal Mortality Composters
• Incinerators
• Stream crossings
• Cross fencing
• Nutrient management plan
• Pest management plan
• Alternate water sources for animals

OTHER SERVICES PROVIDED

PROSPECTIVE LANDOWNERS

Soil Information

Watershed information

HOMEOWNERS

Erosion control assistance

Assistance on drainage problems

Soil testing information

Recommendations for grass & ground covers

DEVELOPERS

Soil information and maps

Erosion control information

Consulting assistance in the development of erosion control plans

Recommendations for temporary and permanent groundcovers

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

Review of subdivision plans for erosion control

Erosion control information

Soil information and land use planning

Prime and Important Farmland Maps

Catawba County Soil Survey

Flood Plain Management Studies

Review applications for Voluntary Ag. Districts

Involved with the Catawba County Paddle Trail System

SCHOOLS

Sponsor high school student to attend Resource Conservation Workshop at NCSU

Conservation education programs and materials

Erosion control assistance

Soil training

Sponsor Poster, Essay, and Public Speaking Contest

Sponsor Conservation Field Days

Sponsor Area Envirothon teams

OUR OFFICE PROVIDES INFORMATION ON:

Wildlife planning and enhancement

Fish pond stocking

Tree seedlings