Who is the Garrett Soil Conservation District?
301-501-5886
Our Mission
To implement conservation programs and initiatives within Garrett County to protect and improve our soil, water, and related natural resources through local involvement and decision making.
Our Function
To take technical, financial, and education resources, whatever their source, and focus or coordinate them so that they meet the needs of the local land manager with conservation of soil, water, and related natural resources.
Our History
The Garrett Soil Conservation District was created in 1943, under provisions of the Maryland Soil Conservation Districts Law, to involve local citizens in conservation planning and erosion and sediment control programs. The District functions independently under a five-member Board of Supervisors. As a political subdivision of state government, the District exercises public powers and receives guidance and assistance from the State Soil Conservation Committee. Although we have the same boundaries as Garrett County, we are not part of county government. Our staff and operating budgets are funded through a combination of federal, state, and local assistance. It is a unique three-way partnership that enables us to carry out our mission.
Our Board of Supervisors
- James “Smokey” Stanton, Chairman
- Kristen Enlow, Vice Chairman
- William Buckel, Member, S&E Subcommittee Chairman
- Butch Helbig, Member, Treasurer
- Nevin Sines, Member
OUr Staff
Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA)
- Seth Metheny, District Manager – 301-501-5866, 301-616-8169, seth.metheny1@maryland.gov
- Jillian Mason, Planner – 301-501-5871, jillian.mason@maryland.gov
- Miranda Rounds, Planner – 301-501-5884, miranda.rounds2@maryland.gov
- Jarrod Sisler, Technician – 301-501-5864, jarrod.sisler@maryland.gov
- Tricia Kipp, Technician – 301-501-5868, tricia.kipp@maryland.gov
NRCS - Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA)
- Chad Bucklew, District Conservationist – 301-501-5861, chad.bucklew@usda.gov
- Will Gindlesberger, Soil Conservationist – 301-501-5863, william.gindlesberger@usda.gov
- Craig Zimmermann, Soil Conservation Technician – 301-501-5872, conrad.zimmermann@usda.gov
- John Grose, Program Support Specialist, RC&D – 301-501-5886
- Jeannie Frazee, Administrative Specialist/Web Developer – GSCD – 301-501-5860, jeannie.frazee@maryland.gov
NCRS - Protecting our county's natural resources
Erosion Control
- Develop soil conservation and water quality plans for Garrett County agricultural landowners
- Continue to review Garrett County Erosion and Sediment Control plans for compliance with approved standards and specifications
- Continue to provide technical assistance to individual land-owners and users in addressing erosion and runoff problems
- Increase awareness of county and state road officials of the importance and need for ditch and road bank stabilization
Water Quality
- Provide assistance to landowners by designing waste storage systems, roof and barnyard runoff, and heavy use protection areas
- Develop a District stream protection pilot project to improve water quality
- Enroll and assist landowners in establishing fencing and/or riparian buffers, etc.
Nutrient Management
- Assist landowners in complying with Maryland Nutrient Management Law by providing soils, farm boundaries, field numbers, acres, account ID numbers, and related information
Natural Resource Inventory of Problem Areas and Solutions
- Establish a list of resource problem areas to target for corrective action such as stream bank erosion, heavy use protection areas, overgrazing pasture, etc.
Conservation Education
Provide informational educational activities such as tours, demonstrations, news articles and school programs as requested.