PENNSYLVANIA’S CONSERVATION DISTRICT LAW

ACT 217 enacted May 15, 1945 as amended April 30, 1986.

 

Section 2. Declaration of Policy.

It is hereby declared to be the policy of the Commonwealth to provide for the conservation of the soil, water and related resources of this Commonwealth, and for the control and prevention of soil erosion, and thereby to preserve natural resources; assist in the control of floods; prevent impairment of dams and reservoirs; assist in maintaining the navigability of rivers and harbors; preserve wildlife; preserve the tax base; protect public lands; and protect and promote the health, safety and general welfare of the people of the Commonwealth.

 

The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts

 

The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. (PACD) was organized in 1950 to serve as a collective voice of Pennsylvania's conservation districts. PACD provides districts with education and information to help them in their work in land and water conservation. Over the years, the Association has been an integral part of the shaping of the modern conservation district.

The PACD represents districts at the state and national levels in soil, water, and related resource management. PACD places importance on local decision-making and involvement in solving conservation problems.

Conservation districts serve a range of agricultural and urban interests and participate in a wide variety of resource programs.

 

Some of the programs Pennsylvania’s conservation districts are involved with include:

 

Erosion and Sedimentation Pollution Control

Storm Water Management

Abandoned Mine Reclamation

Nutrient Management

Waterway Protection

Dirt and Gravel Roads

Biosolids Permitting

Agricultural Land Preservation

Chesapeake Bay Program

Forest Management

Wildlife Management

Environmental Education

County Envirothon

Pennsylvania State Envirothon

Floodplain Monitoring

Source: PACD