Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission

The Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission administers the Soil and Water Conservation Districts Law (Missouri Revised Statutes, Chapter 278, RSMo). Created in 1943 by the Missouri General Assembly, the commission was created to further soil conservation practices on Missouri farms and maintain oversight of the soil and water districts. The commission was assigned to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, when the department was created under the Omnibus State Reorganization Act of 1974.

The commission formulates policies and general programs for saving Missouri soil and water by the soil and water conservation districts, giving consideration to the districts' needs. The commission provide financial incentives and technical assistance working with state and federal conservation partners to agricultural landowners with the goal of saving soil and protecting Missouri’s water resources. The commission receives and allocates any funds appropriated by the General Assembly for the use or benefit of the districts, including a soil and water conservation cost-share program. The commission also receives and conveys any other form of aid extended by any other Missouri agency to the soil and water conservation districts. Funding for financial and technical assistance is provided by the Soil and Water Conservation Sales Tax Fund, which receives 50% of the Parks, Soils and Water Sales Tax. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Soil and Water Conservation Program assists the commission in its duties. 

• Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission - PUB1260
• Soil and Water Conservation Program

Commission Meetings

The commission meets six to nine times a year, depending on need. Agenda items vary, but they typically include public hearings, actions on rules, requests for variances or work related to compliance issues. The public is welcome to attend these meetings, which may be in person, by conference call or through Webex. The department cannot guarantee the quality of the Webex or conference call options. The department attempts to correct any technical difficulties as they arise, but the meeting will not be subject to change or repeat due to any technical difficulties.

If you would like to address the commission on any agenda item, you will need to notify the department before the meeting. You can do this by emailing the commission secretary at tina.stockman@dnr.mo.gov if attending by Webex or conference call. If attending in person, you can complete a Speaker Request form that will be available at the registration table at the meeting.