Eagle County Conservation District
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In the 2007 calendar year, the district completed activities under each category listed below to address the natural resource concern.
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Eagle County Conservation District
Monthly Meeting:
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Major Economy:
Points of Interest:
Eagle County Conservation District was established April 5, 1951.
The District is located mostly in Eagle County.
The total acreage is 1,090,803.
Land ownership within the District:
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US Forest Service - 593,780 acres
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Bureau of Land Management - 261,271 acres
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Private land - 230,323 acres
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State land - 5,429 acres
Land uses within the District:
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Rangeland - 126,692 acres
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Woodland - 64,807 acres
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Irrigated Pasture & Hayland - 18,750 acres
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Non-irrigated Pasture & Hayland -8,000 acres
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Wildlife land - 10,000 acres
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Urban - 9,000 acres
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Water - 3,200 acres
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Highways & Roads - 6,397 acres
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Railroads - 1,527 acres
Addressing Local Concerns
Districts generate funding through local, state, and federal sources. Local citizens elect the District board to identify and address local natural resource issues. The board involves locals and experts to help develop strategic plans. The district holds open monthly meetings, publications, events, presentations to communicate with district partners and residents about district services, good conservation practices and financial/technical services.
This conservation district serves its landowners as they participate in:
Sponsored local teacher to attend AgLearn Summer Institute. Held annual meeting offering information on noxious weeds and EQIP updates. On behalf of local private landowners, Eagle County Conservation District (ECCD) participated in 17 subdivision reviews. Sponsored Agriculture in the classroom to 4th and 5th graders and funded a scholarship to 4H Rookie of the year. Hosted booth at the Eagle County Fair.
Fostering Sound Range Management
Ensuring sound range management for future generations is important to conserve natural resources and improve production as well as enhance wildlife habitat.
This conservation district serves its landowners as they participate in:
Preventing Soil Erosion
Preventing erosion preserves soil producitivity long term for agriculture, production, and other uses on rural lands. It also provides improved stream flows, decreases sedimentation, and improves overall water quality. Some common practices that help producers prevent soil erosion and build soil quality include no till, minimum tillage and cover cropping.
This conservation district serves its landowners as they participate in:
Managed Colorado Forest Service Tree Sales, generating $3000.00.
Protecting Water Quality & Quantity
The District provides assistance to managers, landowners, and residents with conservation practices and management tools to protect near stream areas. In addition, they work together on reducing the movement of chemicals and nutrients to streams in sedimentation or runoff. These efforts help stabilize streambanks and protect water bodies from impacts.
This conservation district serves its landowners as they participate in:
Clint Mehl, current ECCD board member became the area watershed representative to CACD. He attended the 2007 annual CACD board meeting along with their monthly meetings. Featured two articles in the ECCD quarterly newsletter on local water issues. Developed relationship with the Eagle County Watershed council. A ECCD board member now attends weekly waterwise meetings.
Preventing the Spread of Noxious Weeds
Conservation Districts implement measures to reduce the spread of invasive populations and help implement weed control projects.
This conservation district serves its landowners as they participate in:
ECCD featured two articles on weed control in the ECCD newsletter, started a weed cost share program for Eagle County private landowners, featured a guest speaker from CSU extension services at the annual meeting to discuss identifying and controling noxious weeds, and assisted in aerial seeding in the burns area spraying over 400 acres. One ECCD board member is currently on the Eagle County Weed Board.