1999-02-08 Regular Meeting, Public Hearing and Special Called Workshop Minutes of City Council

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RESOLUTION 99-20 * * * * WHEREAS, for over a half century fanners and ranchers working in cooperation with local soil and water conservation districts (SWCD's), have built a legacy proving themselves willing and able to assume responsibility for the conservation of the state's soil, water and related natural resources; and WHEREAS, since the 1940's technical assistance provided to landowners by soil and water conservation districts has been provided by the federal government through the USDA -Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS); and WHEREAS, the reduction offunds appropriated to the USDA-NRCS over the past two decades has drastically reduced the technical assistance available from this source,' and WHEREAS, federally mandated programs such as the Fann Bill, the Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, and other environmental laws have drastically increased the workload of soil and water conservation districts and NRCS Staff, thereby reducing the time available for district assistance to landowners for traditional conservation planning; and WHEREAS, there is a need to continue to strengthen voluntary conservation programs to improve management and efficiency of water use and to improve quality and quantity of water available for the citizens of Texas; strengthen locally led conservation programs to protect the state's soil resources; strengthen brush management programs for erosion control, water management and improvement of wildlife habitat, and strengthen brush management programs for erosion control, water management and improvement of wildlife habitat, and strengthen voluntary conservation programs for timber stand improvement,' and WHEREAS, there are many public benefits received from SWCD programs such as: the protection of local land values and local tax bases; protection of the agriculture productivity base; sustaining local economies, providing watershed protection and flood control; reducing sedimentation in streams, rivers and lakes,' increasing or sustaining stream flows; enhancing groundwater recharge; enhancing local municipal and industrial water supplies; improving fisheries, wetlands and aquatic systems; maintaining stability of the state's overall water budget; maintaining a healthy wildlife population; helping protect threatened and endangered species improving air quality; providing community services through soil interpretations for agricultural and community development,' and improving quality of life;