WASHINGTON COUNTY APPROVED BUDGET
FY 2026
Soil Conservation – Department 12300
Contact: Dee Price
The mission of the Washington County Soil Conservation District is to provide effective leadership in addressing the conservation of soil, water, and related resources, through delivery of programs focusing on education, information, financial incentives, and technical assistance to landowners and land users of Washington County.
Department Description/Function
Washington County Soil Conservation District is recognized for effective leadership in natural resource conservation and assisting people and communities to achieve a productive land in harmony with a quality environment. The Conservation District will take available technical, financial, and educational resources whatever their source, and focus or coordinate them so that they meet the needs of the local land user for conservation of soil, water, and related sources.
Goals Fiscal Year 2026
Complete 35 Conservation and Water Quality plans for 5,000 acres. Complete 25 Agricultural Best Practices to assist in meeting Agricultural Watershed Implementation Plan (Phase III) goals. Install crop covers on 13,000 acres.
Provide $1 million in federal cost share to producers. Provide $1 million in state cost share to producers.
Complete two potential Forest Conservation projects in cooperation with Washington County. Complete construction for one grant funded stream restoration project in Keedysville. Complete, design, permitting and construction for one grant funded stream restoration project at Hamilton Run. Complete Stream Restoration Program revamp in cooperation with the District Attorney’s Office. Grow our Pollinator and other outreach programs. Continue working with Washington County Planning and Zoning to develop a Fowl Ordinance. Develop a Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Bonding Program. Provide 70 pre-construction meetings, 30 Water Quality inspections and 35 Final Site Closeout Reviews for the Urban Community Program.
Accomplishments Fiscal Year 2025
Completed 16 Soil Conservation and Water Quality plans for 1,277.9 acres. This fell short of our FY2025 goal due to the department being short two staff members for most of FY2025. It will take time to see a noticeable increase in production while the new staff gain experience. Completed 14 Agricultural Best Management Practices to assist in meeting Agricultural Watershed Implementation Plan (Phase III) goals. Installed crop covers on 13,287.5 acres. This was just shy of our FY2025 goal of 14,000 acres. Our FY2025 goal was exceeded by providing $2,226,371 (goal was $2 million) in Federal cost share funds to producers. Delivered $645,000 in Federal program contract cost shares to producers.
2026 Budget Document
134
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