What is a Conservation District?

Oregon conservation districts operate as political subdivisions of the state but are not classified as state agencies. These districts are considered municipal corporations, a type of local government subject to many of the same regulations as state agencies. According to Oregon law (ORS 174.116), soil and water conservation districts are explicitly included as part of local government.x

The SWCDs of Oregon were created gradually starting in 1939. To date, 45 districts are serving Oregon. They are considered subdivisions of state government, but function as local units led by a locally elected board of directors.

Who is Columbia SWCD?

The Columbia SWCD was created in 1946 and has been serving the citizens of Columbia County ever since!

Columbia SWCD is a special district that offers FREE services to the residents and landowners in Columbia County, Oregon, to preserve, protect, and enhance natural resources. Our focus is to help you with land and water issues you may have on your property or simply, help you prevent potential issues. We do this through free technical assistance; sometimes, cost-share may be available for certain practices.

Columbia SWCD prefers to be proactive rather than reactive helping landowners implement best management practices to prevent agriculture and water quality issues on their land.

The Columbia SWCD is non-regulatory.

We work with Columbia County residents on a cooperative, voluntary basis to conserve our shared resources for current and future generations.
We do not create or enforce natural resource regulations or land-use rules. 

Agricultural Water Quality Management Act

In 1993 the Oregon Legislature tasked the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) with reducing water pollution from agricultural sources.

The Columbia SWCD assists the ODA with addressing agricultural runoff by working on a voluntary basis with landowners and agricultural operators to address pollution from:

¨ Erosion and runoff associated with roadsides and urban development

¨ Contaminated runoff from agricultural operations

¨ Reducing sediment from eroding agricultural and forest lands and stream banks

The Act does not specify how to comply with runoff and soil erosion. It gives each area and landowner the authority to develop Best Management Practices to suit their needs, and the needs of their operations.