The mission of the Morrow Soil and water Conservation District (SWCD) is to conserve, protect, and develop soil, water, and other natural resources for the economic and environmental benefit of the residents of Morrow County.  

In partnership with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) the district has the ability to develop and implement scientifically sound and economically feasible resource management plans for private landowners at the local level.

This project will implement riparian buffer/filter  systems in Morrow County and address limiting factors identified in the Umatilla Subbasin Summary (which includes Willow Creek), John Day Subbasin Summary, Umatilla Willow Subbasin Plan (in development) and the Willow Creek Watershed Ag. Water Quality Management Plan (AgWQMP SB1010).

One FTE will be dedicated to the outreach and promotion of state and federal funding programs along with the technical planning support needed to implement approximately 20 riparian buffer agreements in this contract year.  Buffer widths will average from 35 to 180 feet on each side of qualifying streams and will include such practices as fencing, riparian plantings and off stream watering facilities to benefit livestock and wildlife.  Existing programs, i.e. Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CCRP) and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), will cover actual implementation costs on a cost-share basis, lease payments, and maintenance costs.  Incentive payments are also available to the contract holder.  A cost-share incentive amount has been included in the project budget for first year agreements to entice adjoining landowners to participate in the programs when incentives are unavailable from other funding programs.  Other funding may also be used as available.  Leases will be for 10-15 year periods.  This program meets a critical need in the Mid-Columbia Basin.  Technical staff shortage for conducting assessments and developing plans has created a growing backlog of potential buffer projects.

Morrow SWCD will continue to provide vehicle liability and collision insurance for the length of this agreement.