Origins of Soil & Water Conservation Districts

The Dust Bowl conditions of the mid-1930’s served as the springboard for congressional action for soil and water conservation throughout the nation. Congress passed and President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Soil Conservation Act of 1935, which established the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) within the USDA. The SCS, as a federal government entity, worked directly with landowners, primarily farmers. At the time farmers were skeptical of federal involvement. It was realized the future trust and long-term cooperation of landowners would depend upon a linkage of and involvement with state and local government.

Congress passed a resolution, which the President signed, calling for states to become the channel for soil and water conservation assistance from USDA to land users. This allowed for establishment of state soil conservation agencies and procedures whereby local soil and water conservation districts could be organized. The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board was established in 1939 by the Texas Legislature. It remains the lead agency in Texas responsible for planning, implementing and managing programs and practices for preventing and abating agricultural and silvicultural (forestry) nonpoint sources of water pollution.

The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board published the Evolution Of The Soil And Water Conservation District Program in Texas providing an extensive, fact-filled account of the history of SWCDs in Texas.

History of Caldwell-Travis Soil & Water Conservation District

The local SWCD was organized in 1940 as a district with responsibility for a several-county geographic area. It was brought into existence by a vote of the landowners within the boundaries of the district and was among the earliest districts organized in the state of Texas. In 1985 the district was reorganized as the present Caldwell-Travis SWCD with a service area of over 662,000 acres.

Today's local landowners have a continued voice as they are charged with electing the district's Board of Directors as has always been the representation process. While technology and best practices may have changed since the early years, the purpose of the Caldwell-Travis SWCD remains the same - to promote sound soil and water conservation programs on farm and ranch lands within the district. It remains the fact that farmers, ranchers, and other community members must exercise the voluntary initiative to apply conservation programs that meet their objectives.

Here are few recommended sources of excellent historical accounts of conservation districts.