For more Butte SWCD history and research on the Big Lost and Little Lost River Valleys, please visit our history website at https://bswcdhistory.weebly.com/
The Butte Soil and Water Conservation District, located in Central Idaho in Butte County and the southern portion of Custer County within the Big Lost River and Little Lost River Watersheds.
Butte Soil and Water Conservation District was organized by the citizens of Butte County, Idaho in 1953 to offer technical assistance to farmers and ranchers in water use and conservation, land leveling, soil fertility, crop rotation, introduction of new crops, use of windbreaks and range management.
In 1967 the portion of Custer County that is situated in the Big and Little Lost River drainages was added to the district.
Butte SWCD has developed a five-year plan to guide not only the district, but also to encourage cooperation among landowners, government agencies, private organizations and elected officials. Through knowledge and cooperation, all concerned can ensure an adequate natural resource base for present and future generations in the Butte Soil and Water Conservation District.
These goals are:
Butte Soil and Water Conservation District was organized by the citizens of Butte County, Idaho in 1953 to offer technical assistance to farmers and ranchers in water use and conservation, land leveling, soil fertility, crop rotation, introduction of new crops, use of windbreaks and range management.
In 1967 the portion of Custer County that is situated in the Big and Little Lost River drainages was added to the district.
Butte SWCD has developed a five-year plan to guide not only the district, but also to encourage cooperation among landowners, government agencies, private organizations and elected officials. Through knowledge and cooperation, all concerned can ensure an adequate natural resource base for present and future generations in the Butte Soil and Water Conservation District.
These goals are:
- To work with the counties to preserve prime agricultural lands for agricultural use, encourage the restriction of building on flood plains and high water table areas, and to encourage the orderly development of the natural resources through a comprehensive plan.
- To work with the public land administering agencies in the management of soil, water and related resources of the public lands.
- To work with federal, state and local agencies in the management of soil, water and related resources of the public lands.
- To emphasize environmental quality in the conservation decisions made by the board.
- To encourage all land use decisions to be guided by the multiple use principle.
- To support sound water resource use decisions.
- Increase water quantity and improve water quality in the Butte SWCD
- Improve soil health and reduce erosion through the adoption of best management practices on cropland, pasture, and rangeland
- Improve animal waste management and promote riparian area protection
- Conduct natural resources information and education activities
- Effectively carry out District operations
- Improve natural resources conservation in urban settings
- Promote wildlife conservation
