Natural Resource Conservation & Development Board

The Natural Resource Conservation and Development Board (NRCDB) serves as an advisory board to the DNR Commissioner and Alaska’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts on matters relating to conservation and development of the state’s non-game natural resources. The NRCDB also oversees the portions of Alaska not otherwise included in an established soil and water conservation district. At the present time there are twelve local districts in Alaska each operated by a board of five supervisors elected from their memberships in annual elections conducted by the NRCDB Executive Director.

SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS

The Soil & Water Conservation program traces its roots to the great dust bowl era of the 1930s. In 1937, President Roosevelt wrote each state recommending the legislation that led to the State Soil & Water conservation programs. The Alaska Soil Conservation District Law was passed in 1947 during our territorial days. Please see AS 41.10.130 for details.

The districts represent local land users in a grass roots partnership of land users, state, federal, and non-profit agencies that work together to manage, conserve and develop natural resources. The districts provide a volunteer expertise of 60 supervisors averaging 15 hours a month. This amounts to 10,800 volunteer hours annually.

The services provided by the soil and water conservation districts include land conservation plans requested by local land owners, erosion control projects, water quality projects, implementation of best management practices, educational programs in local schools, resource development expertise and the synergy that results when all those holding a responsibility for Alaska’s resources work together for the common good.

Soil and water conservation programs provide an effective and results-oriented way to promote local conservation and wise development of our renewable natural resources. As provided by AS 41.10.130 the Commissioner of Natural Resources is authorized to "Create Soil and Water Conservation Districts in the state. . . ." and " . . . delegate to the district supervisors powers as the commissioner considers necessary to accomplish the purposes of this chapter within district boundaries.”