Hi Bethany,

New Hampshire has a basic description. We adopted this as a policy in early 2024.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Best,

Ian

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State Conservation Committee Representatives Responsibilities 

Objective: The State Conservation Committee Representatives are appointed to represent the interests of their two districts at activities and votes of the Committee. They also communicate relevant information from the Committee to their represented districts. This document should provide consistent guidance to conservation district supervisors and former supervisors who serve as a district representative on the State Conservation Committee (SCC) as to the responsibilities of the position.

Responsibilities

• Attend SCC meetings (third Thursday of February, May, August, and November), in-person preferred, remotely if necessary.
• Contact both represented district boards prior to SCC meeting to ensure a quarterly report is presented at meeting.
• Ensure district supervisors receive SCC meeting minutes from SCC Executive Director (published via email once prepared and posted on SCC website).
• Maintain communication with both represented districts in order to help facilitate communication with SCC and be aware of ongoing collaborative efforts.
• Provide SCC updates at district meetings, either in-person or written report (can coordinate with SCC Executive Director to ensure district gets an update).

Hi Bethany,

We have a Supervisor Handbook with description of State Committee and duties (p. 32-34).

I have also attached language from old docs I found in our paper files describing the duties of the District Supervisors on the committee (probably at least 30 years old). There are 11 voting members on the State Soil Conservation Committee: 5 are supervisors from across MD that serve 4-yr terms. The remaining are state agency or commission reps that serve at the pleasure of their respective leadership.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF SUPERVISOR MEMBERS OF THE STATE COMMITTEE

The State Soil Conservation Committee was created to organize and advise soil conservation districts. Six of the eleven members of the State Committee are district supervisors. Five of these supervisors represent the districts of five geographic areas of the State. It is the duty of these supervisors to make decisions that affect the districts they represent. Their decisions may not always suit every district because they have to keep the best interests of all the districts in mind.

There should be close communication between the supervisors of the State Committee and the districts they represent. They need to bring the concerns of the districts they represent to the attention of the Committee. They also need to convey the thoughts and actions of the Committee to the districts. A State Committee member needs to visit in the districts periodically to better communicate with the supervisors they represent and learn about their district operations, concerns, issues or problems. The supervisors of the districts should feel free to contact their representative on the Committee or any other Committee member at any time concerning district business or issues.

The State Committee appoints four supervisors to each district, for a five-year term. (The fifth supervisor is appointed by the county government). In making supervisor appointments, the Committee makes a decision that is of major importance to each district. The State Committee member needs to know the record of the incumbent supervisor and the qualifications of the others recommended. The State Committee member should seek the advice of the other supervisors in the district where an appointment is to be made. The Committee members needs to know all the important facts to select the best qualified persons to serve as supervisors. The SSCC members will look to the area representative to make recommendations in appointments from his area. The SSCC may promote diversity and balance on SCD boards through their appointments.

The State Committee may develop policy to give guidance to districts or make recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture about soil conservation and water quality programs and issues. The Committee members need to communicate with the districts, understand local issues, concern or impacts prior to voting on policies.

The SSCC provides a forum for SCD representatives to discuss issues and programs of mutual interest with state and federal conservation agencies. Agencies may provide information about programs or issues seeking input, assistance, or agreement on a course of action from SSCC members. Similarly Area Representatives may have questions or issues about a state or federal program or issue that they can raise on behalf of a district they represent.

The Committee members should know the various provisions of State laws which affect district operation in order to help districts operate within the provisions of State laws. Examples include the SCD law, Sedimem Control law and Public Drainage law. They should also have a working knowledge of a number of state and local programs that soil conservation districts play a role in implementing.

Members of the SSCC have the unique opportunity to acquire a common understanding about complex issues. Your interest and participation is the key to an effective SSCC.

Should you be a supervisor member of the State Committee?

1. Are you willing to spend the time necessary to attend regular monthly daytime meetings of the Committee and other meetings as necessary?
2. Would you take the time to visit in the districts you would represent?
3. Could you make unbiased decisions for the best interests of all the districts?
4. Where do soil conservation activities stand in your list of priorities? Does a soil conservation meeting take precedence over others?
5. If you are a landowner, do you have a conservation plan or follow good conservation practices?
6. Do you have a working knowledge of the SCD law and other laws affecting district activities?
7. Are you concerned about the conservation of all lands in the state, regardless of ownership or use?
8. All members of the Committee should be willing and able to take the leadership Would you be willing to take the lead on SSCC activities or serve as chair or vice­ chair of SSCC if elected?