Soil & Water

The Beaufort Soil and Water Conservation District is a governmental subdivision of the State, a public body corporate and politic, organized in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 139 of the General Statutes of North Carolina and is subject to the powers and restrictions as set forth in General Statute (GS) 139. Under this law, the District has the responsibility of conserving soil, water, and related natural resources within the District's boundary.

Board of Supervisors

The District is governed by a five-member Board of Supervisors, with three officials elected by voters in the general election and two officials appointed by the North Carolina Soil and Water Conservation Commission. The elected officials are James Allen, of Pantego, Archie Griffin, of Washington, and Tracy Warren, of Chocowinity. The officials appointed by the Commission are Sid Cayton, of Aurora, and Wayne Black Jr., of Pantego. The Board meets on the third Monday during the months of September through June at 5:30 pm in the Agricultural Center located on Airport Road in Washington. Their meetings are open to the public.

Programs & Initiatives

Annual and long-range programs of conservation and development within the District's boundaries are developed and carried out with the assistance of local, state, and federal agencies. The North Carolina Agriculture Cost Share Program, initiated in 1984 as a pilot program and gradually extended to all counties, has been a great initiative to encourage landowners and land users to apply best management practices (BMPs). The Agricultural Water Resources Assistance Program, initiated in 2012, is another initiative that encourages land owners and land users to conserve and protect our water resources through the use of best management practices. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), working through a Memorandum of Understanding, is a major source of assistance. This agreement enables the District to furnish technical service to individuals, groups, and other agencies and units of government.

Public Assistance

The public is encouraged to use the assistance provided on request through the Beaufort Soil and Water Conservation District. Assistance is generally provided without charge and without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, or national origin.

The District, with assistance from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, offers county residents and landowners the following:

• Consultative Assistance
• Cost Share and Educational Programs
• Technical and Financial Assistance to Land Users
• Technical Assistance to Units of Government

Mission Statement

The mission of the Beaufort Soil and Water Conservation District is to promote the wise use and management of the natural resources within its boundaries by providing dedicated leadership, technical excellence and educational information to the citizens of Beaufort County. Beaufort Soil and Water Conservation District is committed to providing equal services to all clients without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs and marital or familial status.