General Information for St. Mary's Soil Conservation District

Office Closings 2010

    - Monday, January 18, 2010 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Office CLOSED
    - Monday, February 15, 2010,- President's Day, Office CLOSED
    - Monday, May 31, 2010 - Memorial Day, Office CLOSED
    - Monday, July 5, 2010 - Independence Day, Office CLOSED
    - Monday, September 6, 2010 - Labor Day, Office CLOSED
    - Monday, October 11, 2010 - Columbus Day, Office CLOSED
    - Thursday, November 11, 2010 - Veterans Day, Office CLOSED
    - Thursday & Friday, November 25 & 26, 2010 - Thanksgiving, Office CLOSED
    - Friday, December 24, 2010 - Christmas Day, Office CLOSED
    - Friday, December 31, 2010 - New Year's Day, Office CLOSED

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Soil Testing

    Nitrogen and phosphorus are the two key nutrients that contribute to the problems with our tributaries and the Chesapeake Bay. When these nutrients reach our waterways they encourage excess algae blooms which block sunlight from reaching submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). Without appropriate sunlight the SAV beds decline and don’t offer the food and protection for crabs, fish, and other aquatic life. Once the algae blooms die, they settle to the bottom and as microorganisms decompose the dead algae, they use up all of the dissolved oxygen in the water which leads to a problem known as eutrophication.

    A way to reduce the problem associated with nutrient runoff is to only apply fertilizer at the recommended times and rates for your particular needs. One of the best ways to determine your soil fertility is through a soil test from an accredited soil testing lab(pdf).

    Soil samples must be taken from the selected agricultural field, garden plot, lawn, or flower bed; packaged up and sent to the soil testing lab(pdf) of your choice. The lab will evaluate your soil     sample(s) and send a report back to you with fertilizer recommendations for your particular need.

    Some labs may require you to have an account set up with them in order to send samples. If this is the case, and you do not send enough samples to warrant an account, the District has an account with A&L Labs and we can send your sample(s) for you. The District will bill you for the lab fee and postage. If you choose A&L Labs, you can print out the agriculture(pdf) and lawn/garden(pdf) soil testing forms and bring them to the District along with your sample(s) for mailing.

Other Useful Links: Soil Testing Basics(pdf)

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Enabling Legislation

Maryland, along with 21 other states, passed its Soil Conservation District’s Law effective June 1, 1937. It appeared as Article 2A, Sections 15-28 of the Annotated Code of Maryland. In 1939, renumbering of the Code resulted in the SCD Law to be in Sections 45-58. In the 1955 issue, it appeared in Article 66C, Sections 88-103 and in 1974 it was moved to the Agricultural Article, Sections 8-101 to 8-501.

The SCD Law created the State Soil Conservation Committee with authority to organize, advise, and assist soil conservation districts. The districts were to be organized as independent political subdivisions of the state. The five-member boards of supervisors were given broad general authority to carry out soil and water conservation programs. St. Mary’s Soil Conservation District was organized on January 5, 1942.

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Staff & Supervisors

Name	Title	Phone Extension
District Employees
Bruce Young	District Manager	103
Jane Sanders	Erosion & Sediment Control Specialist	109
Haley Carter	Administrative Assistant	101
State Employees
George Beavan	Soil Conservation Planner	112
Edward Dean	Soil Conservation Planner	107
Tom Koviak	Soil Conservation Planner	106
Sara Lewis	Soil Conservation Planner - Equine Specialist	115
Mike Russell	Soil Conservation Associate	110
Sara Lasher	Secretary	108
Federal Employees
Terry Heinard	District Conservationist	117
John Mattingly	Soil Conservation Technician	105

Board of Supervisors
Name	Title
Stanley Boothe	Chairman
Alfred Knott	Vice-Chairman
James Woodburn	Treasurer
Donald Ocker	Member
Luther Wolfe	Member
Aubrey Mattingly	Associate Member
Robert Jarboe	Associate Member
James "Bubby" Norris, Jr.	Associate Member

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About

The St. Mary’s Soil Conservation District is a political subunit of state government, governed by a five (5) member board of supervisors appointed by the State Soil Conservation Committee. These supervisors hold monthly meetings to keep informed on local, state and national issues, which could have an impact on farmers, landowners and residents within St. Mary’s County. Board meetings are open to the public and held on the first Thursday of each month.

Mission

St. Mary’s SCD’s mission is to promote practical and effective soil, water, and related natural resource programs and to provide assistance to all citizens on a voluntary basis through leadership, education, and cooperation.

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Copy/Public Information Policy

Effective March 4, 2009, the St. Mary's Soil Conservation District now charges a fee for the copying or reproduction of certain documents. In addition to the copying fees, procedure was also established for applicants to request information contained in erosion and sediment control plans, sewage sludge permits, and soil conservation and water quality plans. The procedure adopted pertains only to the means in which to information is requested from the District, not the content of the information.

     For more information and for a listing of the reproduction costs, see the documents below.

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