NRCS Staff

 

Cliff Eaddy

District Conservationist

 

Johnny Lee

Soil Conservation Technician

 

In General:

 

                 The Clarendon Soil and Water Conservation District is a subdivision of state government under the direction of a local five-member Board of Commissioners. State law created conservation districts to provide grass roots leadership for developing and implementing conservation activities. In South Carolina, district boundaries are the same as county boundaries. There is a conservation district in each county.

 

           Conservation districts are unique; no other agency has the responsibility that districts have. If conservation activities are to take place within a district, the district must initiate them. Other government agencies and groups may assist in these efforts, but the responsibility rests, by law, with the conservation district.

 

           The Clarendon Conservation District coordinates assistance from all available sources – public and private, local, state and federal – in an effort to develop locally driven solutions to natural resource concerns. It is the districts responsibility to the citizens of Clarendon County to provide first-line leadership in developing and implementing plans that will address the conservation needs within the county.

 

Mission:

 

To promote the wise use and care of natural resources for the benefit of the citizens of Clarendon County

 

Objectives:

 

· Provide conservation education to the public through school programs and community involvement.

· Observe, report, and monitor conservation and natural resource concerns in Clarendon County.

· Promote and implement programs to protect and conserve natural resources.

 

 

Commissioners

 

W.D. Harrington

 

Vicky Howell

 

Jason Gamble

 

Henry King Jr.

 

David Richburg

 

 

 

 

          

           A district commissioner is an appointed or elected member of the governing body of a conservation district. Commissioners must identify local conservation needs, set goals, develop plans to achieve those goals, and ensure proper implementation of those plans.

 

           Clarendon county is continually adapting to newly emerging conservation challenges. Urban expansion poses a variety of problems, from threatening plant and animal habitat to compromising water quality. In taking the Oath of Office, a commissioner commits to the responsibility of identifying these changes in the environment and developing a proper plan of action.

 

 

Associate Commissioners

 

Justin Woodard

 

Lee Reaves Jr.

 

Dwight Stewart

 

 

            

            

             Associate commissioners are officially appointed by the board as advisors and representatives.  Associates do not vote on board decisions but augment the board’s knowledge and experience and assist with conservation district programs. They also offer a way to cultivate potential new commissioners, allow former commissioners to remain active in the district, and broaden community input to the district.

 

 

District Manager

 

 

Casey Blackmon

 

 

           The district manager serves as the initial contact between the general public and federal, state and local programs and activities. District managers help to implement the programs and policies decided by the board, coordinate board activities, provide information and data as requested, and serve as an agent of the district to contact landowners and other agencies regarding district business.

 

           The Natural Resource Conservation Service has a Cooperative Working Agreement with the conservation district and SCDNR, which says that the partnership of  NRCS, SCDNR, and the District will work together on program delivery to customers, technical standards, facilities, equipment, data sharing, funding, liability and civil rights. NRCS provides conservation technology to water quality problems, soil erosion and agricultural waste. They also help  individuals, groups, organizations, developers and property owners plan, design, and implement conservation programs that will help protect the county’s natural resources.

Contact Information:

 

Clarendon Soil and Water Conservation District

9-B West Rigby Street

Manning, SC 29102

 

Phone: (803) 435-2612

Fax: (803) 435-2786

 

casey.blackmon@sc.nacdnet.net

 

 

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