Conservation District could see closure under Bevin's budget proposal

However, under Gov. Matt Bevin's budget proposal, the conservation district is one of 70 programs that would have state funding reduced to zero.

"If direct aid stays at zero, the district will have approximately $30,700 ($27,500 from fiscal court and $3,200 in administrative allowance) ... for FY 2018-19 unless other funding is found," Simpson County Conservation District Operations Manager Michelle Estes said. "The consequences could be that the conservation district goes part time or eventually goes away. (We are) working to get direct aid restored, which will then add about $10,000 back to Simpson County."

According to Bevin's Deputy Communications Director Woody Maglinger, the administration looked for programs they felt should be analyzed for effectiveness when drafting budget recommendations.

"With significant fiscal pressures exerted by the crippling pension burden and other escalating costs, tough decisions had to be made," Maglinger said. "The Commonwealth simply cannot spend money that it does not have."

In the 2016-17 fiscal year, the Simpson County Conservation District's total receipts equaled $42,937.55, with 23.6 percent in direct aid from the state.

The district also provides financial and technical assistance for local farmers through the National Resource Conservation Service ($429,600 in Simpson County in 2017 according to budget listings provided by Estes). As a federal program, it is not included in the state budget, though local conservation districts have served as the first step in applying.

"The SC Conservation District plays a large part in leveraging federal funds through NCRS," Estes said. "Our office is the information center and point of contact for federal programs in Simpson County, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation Stewardship Program."

In addition to federal funding, farmers receive assistance with water quality and other practices through the conservation districts. Estes said one of the most important tasks is working with local farmers to develop Agriculture Water Quality Plans, and that the district received $55,057 for that purpose in 2016.

"The Agriculture Water Quality Act requires all landowners with 10 or more acres ... to develop and implement a water quality plan," Estes said. "The Conservation District helps explain to farmers and landowners how to (put into practice) a water quality plan for their individual operations."

Another source of funding for the district is the State Cost Share program, through which conservation districts are approved for a certain amount to take on agricultural projects, and the state covers 75 percent. Bevin's proposal recommends reducing statewide SCS funding from $5 million to $2.5 million.

"These programs are to help with things like water quality, soil erosion and manure issues," Estes said. "There are also environmental grants, where they take out an amount to do things that aren't necessarily categorized with SCS."

Among the projects funded by these environmental grants is a $7,500 effort to address the swampy conditions in front of Simpson Elementary School. Students from FSHS's FFA, Masonry, SES's STLP and the Exploratorium are collaborating on the effort.

"The end result will have a hardscape around the SES sidewalk going back to the Resource Center," Estes said. "Inside of the hardscape will be water-loving trees and flowers to rapidly absorb the water in this area. Hopefully, the end result is a yard that can be mowed instead of cut with grass trimmers, and not a wet swampy mess."

Some of the other ways the Conservation District is involved in Simpson County include sponsoring the FSHS Envirothon competition, supporting tree nurseries by buying and distributing seedlings and facilitating the Ag in the Classroom program, among others.

"Some people don't know what conservation is, and they don't know where all our fingers (in the community) go," Estes said.

Before any action is taken on a state budget, each chamber of the legislature must also submit a proposal, with all options considered as part of the final negotiation. Simpson County residents can voice support or concerns regarding items in a budget proposal by contacting State Rep. Wilson Stone and/or State Sen. David Givens through the legislative hotline at 1-800-372-7181.