The Bergen County Soil Conservation District is a special purpose subdivision of the State of New Jersey. There are 15 soil conservation districts in New Jersey with each serving one or more counties.
The District provides soils information, technical assistance, and conservation education to the public. We also implement the Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Act, Chapter 251, P.L. 1975. Through this State Law, soil erosion and sedimentation as a result of construction activity is substantially minimized.
The District operates under the guidance of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture State Soil Conservation Committee. We are governed by a board of five supervisors who are nominated locally and appointed by the State Soil Conservation Committee.
Our Nation’s soil conservation districts were formed back in the 1930’s as a result of the Dust Bowl. Poor land management practices resulted in mounting soil erosion, floods, and sky blackening dust storms that swept across the Nation.
In response to growing public concern for water quality, New Jersey’s soil conservation districts have become the primary local governmental agencies responsible for controlling point sources of pollution due to soil erosion and sedimentation associated with construction, mining, quarrying, and agriculture.