Soil Conservation

Programs that are responsible for working with landowners and other land users and developers to ensure that land utilization practices protect farmlands, forests and open spaces, many of which are being converted to urban uses, from unnecessary erosion and sedimentation or other destruction. Services may include development of soil and land capability studies and maps to ascertain appropriate uses for specific tracts of land; development of conservation plans for specific areas which include measures for protecting and preserving waterways and vegetation, which provide for flood protection, and which show the location of conservation devices such as dikes, water diversions, terraces, dams, reservoirs, water conduits, grassed waterways and plantings of grass, trees and shrubs; and consultation and technical assistance for individuals, particularly farmers, who want to ensure that their lands are adequately protected.