[Durham INC] What is the SWCD? (and why you should care about the petition I requested you sign)

[Debra Hawkins]

Thanks, signed earlier via circulation from great neighbors/Durhamites on
social media. Over 630 and growing, I encourage all other INC-ers to sign
as well. Kind regards, D Hawkins, former delegate/communications committee
member

On Thu, Dec 2, 2021 at 5:28 PM Pat Carstensen <pats1717 at hotmail.com> wrote:

> Historically, SWCD were initiated in response to the dust bowl and worked
> with farmers to do contour farming, no-till practices and other ways to
> reduce erosion.  They are sort of text book of federalism working: The
> national government provides research and funds, the state provides
> regional expertise and the district (usually a county-wide organization)
> has a local board that hires staff, does the detail in policy.
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* INC-list <inc-list-bounces at lists.deltaforce.net> on behalf of
> Melissa Rooney <eddietheelectron at gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, December 1, 2021 12:32 PM
> *To:* INC <inc-list at lists.deltaforce.net>
> *Subject:* [Durham INC] What is the SWCD? (and why you should care about
> the petition I requested you sign)
>
> Since my message requesting that people sign Durham's SWCD petition (
> https://chng.it/tRmyLFxGk7), I have received some questions about what
> the SWCD even is.
>
> So this message is to provide some information on how the SWCD benefits
> Durham and why we should all want to ensure it does not fall into toxic
> dysfunction.
>
> Durham’s SWCD is the organization that initiated the “BETC” program, which
> *pays* Durham public high school students and teachers to design,
> install, and *maintain* "best stormwater practices" like rain gardens,
> cisterns (giant rain barrels), and vegetative landscaping practices that
> reduce (and naturally filter) stormwater runoff on Durham school campuses
> and public and private properties. Using “CCAP funds” (which *match the
> costs* of 75-100% of applicable “best stormwater practice” projects,
> public or private), SWCD funds have been used to install cisterns, grassy
> open areas, sustainable landscaping, and educational trails and gardens at
> EK Powe Elementary School, George Watts Elementary School, Creekside
> Elementary School, Lowe’s Grove Middle School, Riverside High School,
> Jordan High School, Northern High School, Southern Highschool - and those
> are just the ones I am familiar with. Durham’s SWCD also provided funding
> (and assistance) to install a cistern at my old house, cisterns or rain
> gardens for many of my neighbors, a stream bank restoration at a rental
> property I own, and so many other necessary projects that will continue to
> reduce the pollution of our (currently impaired) waterways for as long as
> they exist. The SWCD has also provided the Enivirothon for area schools,
> including preparatory education, as well as Conservation contests for
> grades K-HS that conclude with award ceremonies and cash prizes for the
> winning students *and *their teachers. This is in addition to the
> organization’s direct roles in sustainable NC farming and agriculture.
>
> The situation below is a grave threat to what has been the passionate
> conservation mission of Durham’s SWCD and a great benefit to Durham with
> regard to its prioritization of sustainability and the financial costs
> associated with repairing the health of our waterways, as required by state
> and federal governments (with substantial monetary penalties).
>
> Please sign the petition and stay abreast of this situation in case it
> requires your further input and support.
>
> Very Sincerely,
> Melissa
>
>
> ~~~~~
>
> From Anjali Boyd, an elected Supervisor on the board of Durham’s Soil and
> Water Conservation District (SWCD).
>
> On behalf of Phoebe and I, I would like to say THANK YOU soo much for your
> support! We are blown away by all of the signatures and messages we've
> received in the last 48 hours.
>
> When we originally decided to file a complaint and draft the letter, we
> never imagined we would get as many signatures as we have. Within the last
> 48 hours we've collected more than 200 signatures from members of our
> community and people throughout the state! To help us better keep track of
> all the signatures and ensure everyone's name is listed on the letter, we
> are now using Change Dot Org to collect signatures.
>
> We ask that you re-sign the letter by adding your name to the petition
> using the link below:
> https://chng.it/tRmyLFxGk7
>
> Once again, thank you so much for your support and sharing Phoebe's story
> with those in your network. We could not have done this without your
> support!
>
> Thanks,
> Anjali
>
> --
> _______________________________________________
> INC Website: https://sites.google.com/view/durhaminc/
>
> Durham INC Mailing List
> inc-list at lists.deltaforce.net
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>
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