Welcome

The Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts (MASCD) serves as the voice for Maryland's 24 soil and water conservation districts on state legislative issues. It also provides a forum for training, policy-making and the exchange of information at their annual  and quarterly gatherings.

MASCD Mission is to: promote practical and effective soil, water, and related natural resources programs to all citizens through individual conservation districts on a voluntary basis through leadership, education, cooperation and local direction. » Read More

Summer 2010 MASCD Meeting

Meeting to be held at the Holiday Inn at Solomons.
July 27-28

This newly formatted two-day meeting will mean that most participants will only need one overnight, however rooms have been reserved for those who wish to stay the night of the 26th. The first Board meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 27th and the last Board meeting will adjourn by 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday July 28th. The theme for the meeting is “Maryland Districts - Meeting Bay Milestones and Developing TMDLs” as we accept the challenge to meet new expectations under the Federal Executive Order.

Tentative Agenda:

Tuesday, July 27

9:30 - 10:30 a.m. BOARD OF DIRCTORS; 10:45 - 12:00 p.m. AREA MEETINGS; 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. LUNCHEON; 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. OPENING SESSION; 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. SSCC; 3:15 - 4:30 p.m. District Managers Meeting; 3:15 - 4:30 p.m. District Conservationist Meeting; 3:15 - 4:30 p.m. MASCD PAST PRESIDENTS MEETING; 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. RECEPTION; 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. AWARDS BANQUET & AUCTION

Wednesday July 28

7:00 - 8:00 a.m. BREAKFAST; 8:30 - 11:45 a.m. STANDING COMMITTEES; 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. LUNCHEON; 1:00– 2:15 p.m. GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING; 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING; 3:30 p.m. Adjourn

2010 Legislative Session Report

Final Report available as Word or PDF file

You can download a final report on the 2010 session at the links below. Surprisingly the districts faired well considering today's climate. We maintained the 7 field positions as required under the Ag Stewardship Act of 2006 and kept the language requiring the 110 position in tact. Cost share funds are at $10m and cover crop at $15m.

While we maintained our 7 positions in the budget - the legislature also called on the Governor to cut 500 state positions so these are very fragile positions.

2010 Report - Word File
2010 Report - PDF File

MASCD offers guidance document on E&S/SWM

The Role of Maryland's Soil Conservation Districts in Sediment Control And Stormwater Management During Construction

New laws and regulations have expanded the role of Districts in carrying out their sediment control and stormwater management responsibilities and still more requirements are expected to be received from EPA before the end of 2009. Download the full PDF document.

Maryland Farm Stewardship Certification and Assessment Program Announced.

The Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts (MASCD) has established the Farm Stewardship Certification and Assessment Program (FSCAP) to encourage, acknowledge and reward farmers to put more conservation best management practices (BMPs) on the land. Read More.

NACD Northeast Regional Meeting Hosted By Maryland.

Fellow Conservationists - We were pleased to be the host of  the NACD NE Regional meeting this past  July 26-29, 2009. Solomons, Maryland provided a perfect setting for serious discussion on our common conservation issues as well as for a place to renew and start friendships and professional contacts.

We hope we showed all that attended our down home traditional Maryland hospitality. Be sure to come back and discover more of our great state.

Meeting with Governor O'Malley

MASCD and Maryland SCD representatives met with the Governor on March 9th, along with representatives of the Tributary Teams in Maryland.

Governor O'Malley discussed farm conservation planning, outreach to farmers and reviewed statewide progress in reaching Bay Implementation Goals via BayStat.

This was  the first time a Governor has asked to talk with us and engage in frank discussion about what the soil conservation districts do and how we are key players in reaching goals for bay restoration. We have every intention of working as hard as we can to reach those goals within our current staffing levels.