Soil conservation is the protection of soil against erosion or deterioration. It can also be defined as the preservation and careful management of the environment and natural resources.
Florida has 62-Soil and Water Conservation Districts to assist in the state’s soil conservation. They were established in 1937, according to the Florida statutes.
A Natural Resource Conservation Program is implemented by the local Soil and Conservation Districts. These districts are special-purpose, political subdivisions of the state charged with implementing natural resource conservation and assistance programs.
A board of five residents, known as supervisors, governs the districts. “District” or “Soil and Water Conservation District” applies to a county whose board of supervisors has declared by resolution said county to be a soil and water conservation district.
Some Florida counties also have very active Soil and Water Panels, which enact conservation programs and promote preservation. They also work closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
President Franklin D Roosevelt pushed for the establishment of local soil and water districts during the 1930’s “Dustbowl Era.” Supporters were mainly concerned with the soil erosion and thought farmers would be more cooperative if they were dealing with their friends and neighbors on a local board.
The Orange Soil and Water Conservation District (O.S.W.C.D.) was created under Florida Statute Chapter 582 to develop and carry out various conservation and education programs. The district also provides technical assistance to landowners to help conserve and protect natural resources.
The O.S.W.C.D. board consists of five elected, non-partisan supervisors. The O.S.W.C.D. also works closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (N.R.C.S.) and other state and local agencies in studying soil and water related issues, implementing conservation programs and providing technical services to agricultural producers.
The Soil & Water Conservation Program is a blueprint for the O.S.W.C.D. (or something about this program as this is the 1st time this program is being mentioned- needs an introduction). The purpose of the program is to preserve and protect Florida’s environment and natural resources.
I believe that a primary focus the State of Florida should be water conservation, the prevention of soil erosion and flood damage and optimum utilization of Florida’s soil and water. This focus is necessary in order to maintain these sacred resources for future generations of Floridians. We can’t wait until it is too late and these resources have been spoiled and/or depleted.
Current consumption is staggering. It is estimated the average Floridian uses about 124 gallons of water a day. Commercially, a large power plant often uses more than 2 million daily gallons of water!
By reducing water consumption from 9,000 gallons to 8,000 gallons per month, a family can save an average of $34.20 annually on their water bill (an estimated savings of $2.85 per 1,000 gallons) or $61.56 on their combined annual water and sewer bill (an estimated savings of $5.13 per 1,000 gallons).* (* Information from Planning on 2/24/06.) The department of evnrionment, Protection’s planning Board
Our state’s water supply is not an inexhaustible resource. Approximately 85% of Florida’s water supply comes from groundwater pumped from aquifer The main source of the ground water supply in Florida is the Florida aquifer system, which underlies the entire state.
The remainder of water is generated by rainfall. West-Central Florida receives approximately 53 inches of rainfall a year. In the central region of Florida, we usually receive between 50–55 inches of rain every year. Typically, we get 60 to 65 % of our rainfall between June and September, but lose nearly three-fourths to evaporation.
Access to water is crucial to human life and health. Many people still do not have access to clean water.
There are, however, numerous ways of addressing the widespread lack of usable water. The three primary means of increasing water access are conserving water, preventing pollution of water resources and harvesting water. Additional means include groundwater recharging and upgrading municipal water systems.
The conservation of soil, water and agriculture are all interdependent and interrelated. The State of Florida is known as “Sunshine State.” We are blessed with abundance of sunshine and in some years, rain. We should make the best of the good weather conditions and environment.
It is said “Health is Wealth.” If we have healthy soil, we can have healthy food. If we have pure water, we can have healthy living. It is encouraging to see in recent years there has been so much focus on organic foods and a clean environment.
By: “Sri” Sridhar Rangaswamy
Candidate for District Supervisor, Orange Soil & Water Conservation District V, Orlando, FL
More on “Sri” Rangaswamy:
I run a non- profit organization called “Sai Sharan.” One of its major activities, among many, was its involvement in the Environmental Protection Program (run by Progress Energy). I am also member of FreshfromFlorida.com which is part of Department of Agriculture
If I am elected supervisor to represent the Soil & Water Conservation District V, I will work closely with the federal and state agencies for the benefit of Orange County and the community. It will be a very productive venture if we can collaborate with research agencies like United Nations Development Programme and utilize the best technology and latest innovations in the field of soil and water conservation.
I want to improve the quality of life of the common man by providing them with clean and pure drinking water, good sanitation and a clean environment. Our state’s “health is her wealth.”
