Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 600 - STATE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION COMMISSION › Chapter 600-2 - CONSERVATION COMMISSION FUNCTION › Rule 600-2-.01 - Duties of the Conservation Commission

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
The Conservation Commission was created to serve as the
				Governor's representative and to act for him in carrying out the administrative
				functions necessary for the operation of the Soil and Water Conservation
				Districts program. The principal duties of the Commission are:
(a) The Commission shall issue appropriate
			 regulations governing the conduct of hearings and referenda for the creation of
			 Soil and Water Conservation Districts and provide for the registration prior to
			 the date of the referendum of all eligible voters, or prescribe some other
			 appropriate procedure for the determination of those eligible to vote in such
			 referendum.
(b) Perform all
			 State-level administrative functions necessary in the operation of Georgia's 40
			 Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
(c) Consistent with the Soil and Water
			 Conservation Districts Law, approve or disapprove all District
			 actions.
(d) Act in an advisory
			 capacity on District programs and coordinate the programs of the 40 Soil and
			 Water Conservation Districts in the State.
(e) Keep the State's 370 Soil and Water
			 Conservation District Supervisors informed of activities and experiences of
			 other districts and facilitate an interchange of advice and experience among
			 Districts.
(f) Provide assistance
			 when and where needed to District Supervisors in carrying out their powers and
			 programs.
(g) On behalf of the
			 Governor, receive, review and approve or disapprove applications for assistance
			 under the provisions of  P.L. 566(otherwise known as the Watershed Protection
			 and Flood Prevention Act) and recommend priorities for planning on such
			 applications. The Commission is also responsible for approval of final
			 watershed work plans.
(h) Secure
			 the cooperation and assistance of the United States and any of its agencies and
			 of the agencies and counties of this state in the work of the
			 Districts.
(i) Receive gifts,
			 appropriations, materials, equipment, lands and facilities; manage, operate and
			 dispense same.
(j) Keep Districts
			 informed of any changes in the Districts Law, operational policies and
			 procedures, and other matters of importance to the District.
(k) As prescribed by District Law, the
			 Conservation Commission shall appoint one supervisor per county in all
			 districts made up of two counties or more and two supervisors per county in all
			 single-county districts. Appointments are made from a list of three nominees
			 provided by the elected supervisors in the districts and are for terms of two
			 years.
(l) The Conservation
			 Commission shall supervise the conduct of elections for supervisors so that one
			 eligible voter in each county is elected except in two-county districts where
			 two supervisors are elected from each county and in single-county districts
			 where three supervisors are elected from within the county. Supervisors are
			 elected to four-year terms by the qualified electors in their counties upon
			 timely submission of a petition signed by not less than thirty (30) qualified
			 electors from the county in which the election will be held.
(m) The Commission may conduct such public
			 meetings and public hearings as necessary for a final determination upon
			 petition from 25 or more landowners asking for discontinuance of a
			 District.
(o) Enter into contracts
			 and agreements with the Districts, municipalities, and counties of this state,
			 other agencies of this state, the United States and any agencies thereof, any
			 association, and landowner or land occupier, or any person in order to carry
			 out the purposes of this article.
(p) Receive grants from any agency of the
			 United States Government or any agencies of this state, and to make grants to
			 Districts, municipalities, or counties of this state, or other state agencies
			 in order to carry out the purposes of this article.
Ga. L. 1937, p.377; Ga.
				1949, pp.190, 584; Ga. L. 1962, p.116; Ga. L. 1973 p.929; Ga. L. 1988, pp.269,
				1336.