By Donna Schmitz, Resource Conservationist

During the height of the “dust bowl” years in 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt promoted the passage of the Soil Conservation Act to address the problems of soil erosion.  Legislation authorizing state governments to form Soil Conservation Districts was adopted in 1937 after the federal government recognized that local input was needed to implement a large soil conservation effort nationwide.  Oregon’s first Soil Conservation District became official in 1940. 

In the months prior to December 28, 1956, a group of forward looking Benton County residents formed the Benton Soil Conservation District.  Benton County’s population was 31,570 people (78,000 today) and the number of farms greater than 10 acres was 1581 (635 today).  The major source of farm income was general livestock, dairy and poultry. Statistics from 2005 indicate that the major source of farm income was specialty crops which include nursery crops, bulbs, greenhouse, small woodlot products and Christmas trees.  The market value of agricultural products in 1956 was $9.1 million compared to $105.4 million in 2005.

The original work plan of the District was very ambitious and Benton County land managers have taken conscientious strides in tackling district problems identified in our 1956 archives:

Woodland Management:  Spotty or no natural regeneration of logged timber land, and logging through streams were identified as issues contributing to Benton County soil erosion in 1956. With the passage of the Forest Practices Act in 1971, land that has been logged must be re-planted within six years. Today, a minimum 50-foot riparian buffer adjacent to streams must remain largely intact during logging operations.

Soil Survey:  In 1956, it was recognized that timberland and farmland owners needed to know the capability of their soils for timber/crop growth, yields and erosion potential. As a result, the Benton County Soil Survey was published in 1975.

Some of the problems identified in 1956 continue to be resource concerns today.

Soil Erosion:  1956 files indicate that sheet and gully erosion were occurring on sloped farm land and erosion on bottom land soils occurred when there wasn’t adequate cover during erosive winter rains. “Serious stream bank erosion occurring along most of the streams in Benton County” continues to be an issue today. Anytime land managers manipulate the vegetative cover, the soil resource is exposed to erosive forces. We continue to work with land managers to correct these problems.

Irrigation:  The 1956 work plan predicted a future shortage of irrigation water.  It encouraged reservoir development and the distribution of information on efficient use of irrigation water. High levels of nitrates in drinking water wells have dictated the recent declaration of a Groundwater Management Area (GWMA) adjacent to the Willamette River and east of Hwy 99W. Failing septic systems, abandoned wells, and agricultural activities-such as excess nitrogen and irrigation water applications-have contributed to this resource concern. Today, our work includes promoting irrigation water management.

Soil Fertility:  “Acquaint the farmers with the benefits of commercial fertilizers and the planting of soil building crops...Good soil building crop rotations and use more green manure crops” were recommendations fifty years ago.  Promoting proper nutrient management, as well as, implementing good pasture management practices continues to be in our work plan today.

Invasive Weeds:  Canada thistle, wild garlic, tansy ragwort, morning glory, St. Johnswort, and blackberries were weeds identified in 1956. The original work plans suggested that “an active weed control program...should be established.”  It suggested that the District work on a “cooperative effort with individual farmers, landowners, timberland owners and the County Weed Control Program”. Invasive and noxious weeds continue to be resource concerns today.

Some things have changed...

Drainage:  The fickle pendulum of management practices has shifted some 1956 problems to 2006 solutions.  Such is the case with drainage of the land. The 1956 Action Plan noted that “most of the bottomlands are seriously in need of drainage” by “deepening, widening and clearing existing stream channels”. The District’s 1956 work plan identified the need for open and tile drain systems to make agricultural land productive and move floodwaters faster through cleared stream channels. Today, a large amount of effort and public money are allocated to restore wetland hydrology to some of the land drained during the 1960’s and 70’s. Woody debris that was cleared out of stream channels to improve drainage is now being replaced to create wildlife habitat and improve stream channel structure.

Water Quality:  Of significance, water quality issues were never mentioned in the 1956 plan of work. In 1963, the Oregon Legislature added “and Water” to the name of Soil

Conservation Districts.  In 1993, the Oregon Legislature approved the Agricultural Water Quality Act (Senate Bill 1010).  Local water quality plans were developed to identify voluntary measures and strategies for landowners to prevent and control water pollution resulting from agricultural activities, such as soil erosion, excess nutrient loss from fields, and degraded streamside vegetation areas.

District Partners - You!  As the State of Oregon realized the need for the establishment of conservation districts in Oregon, the citizens of Benton County had the foresight to establish the District within the county boundaries in 1956.  In 2004, Benton County residents approved a tax levy to support the continuation and expansion of the education and technical programs of the District. A lot has been accomplished in the last fifty years. With the continued support of its residents, the District has a bright future to assist in conserving and improving the natural resources of Benton County.