Union SWCD Strategic Plan 2013-2017
History of Union County:
Union County is located in the State of Ohio (its name being the result ofthe union of pieces of Franklin, Delaware, Madison and Logan Counties). According to the 2010 United States Census, it has a population of 52,300, which is an increase of 27.8% from 40,909 in 2000, and is the third fastest growing county in the state. Its county seat is the City of Marysville.
About the Union SWCD:
The Union Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) was organized in 1945 by concerned landowners interested in protecting and improving the county’s soil and water resources. It consists of all the lands within Union County (437 square miles or 279,680 acres).
As a separate entity of State government, the District receives funding from the Union County Commissioners and the Ohio Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Partnerships, donations, sales programs, and equipment rentals generate additional funds. Through a Cooperative Working Agreement with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, we are co-located in the Union County Agricultural Center, and NRCS provides technical guidance and assistance to the District.
The Union SWCD is administered by a board of five supervisors who are elected for three-year terms by Union County landowners and/or residents. The Board establishes District policy, guides the work of the District, oversees utilization of District funds and hires personnel to carry out the work of the District.
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Phone: 937/642-5871 x3 Fax: 937/642-2825 Website:
Mission Statement: “The mission of the Union SWCD is to promote, preserve and enhance the wise use of our natural resources for the people of Union County by providing technical, financial and educational assistance.”
Forward:
This plan was developed as a 5-year guidance and planning tool for the Union SWCD. It will be a working plan, with periodic updates being made.
Major Program Areas:
1.Soil Conservation
a)Agricultural Assistance:
Promote and assist with implementation of agricultural conservation Best Management Practices (BMPs) to help conserve soil and prevent soil erosion.
b)Ditch Maintenance/ Drainage Projects:
Promote importance of and perform continued maintenance for the Union County DitchMaintenance Program.
Assist county engineer and/or landowners with drainage projects with end goal of putting on ditch maintenance if at all possible.
Continue to do Home Site Reviews in cooperation with Union County Health Department in order to determine the best drainage outlets for new homes.
c)Drainage Complaint Resolution:
Work to assist landowners and municipalities in finding acceptable solutions to drainage problems.
d)Urban Assistance:
Assist municipalitiesto meet MS4 permit requirements.
Promote and assist with implementation of urban conservation Best Management Practices (BMPs).
e)Pollution Abatement:
Conduct pollution investigation visits and follow procedures to help find solution(s) to existing problem(s).
2.Water Quality Enhancement
a)Watersheds:
Promote importance of water quality in all Union County watersheds.
Keep Darby Watershed website in place with funding assistance from Darby Planning Group.
3.Wildllife:
Promote and implement wildlife conservation and wildlife management in Union County.
Provide assistance with pond management issues and provide information on building ponds.
4.Education:
Provide and promote conservation education opportunities.
Pursue continuing education opportunities for supervisors and office staff.
Apply for and obtain grants to help with promotion of conservation in Union County.
Market Union SWCD and USDA-NRCS.
5.Miscellaneous:
Provide convenient access to conservation products (fish fingerlings, tree seedlings, rain gauges, marker flags).