Soil and Water Conservation Board, Virginia

Natural and Historic Resources

Purpose

The purpose of the Soil and Water Conservation Board is to provide for the conservation of soil and water resources; control and prevent soil erosion, flood water, and sediment damage; oversee and support the soil and water conservation districts; and preserve the natural resources of the Commonwealth.

Term

After the initial staggering of terms, all citizen members shall serve four-year terms; no member shall serve more than two consecutive full terms

Composition

The Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board is continued and shall perform the functions conferred upon it in this chapter. The Board shall consist of nine nonlegislative citizen members and one ex officio member with nonvoting privileges. The Director of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, or his designee, shall be a nonvoting ex officio member of the Board. Three nonlegislative citizen members of the Board shall be appointed by the Governor as at-large members, of whom at least two members have a demonstrated interest in natural resource conservation with a background or knowledge in dam safety, soil conservation, or water quality protection. Additionally, four nonlegislative citizen members shall be farmers at the time of their appointment and two nonlegislative citizen members shall be farmers or district directors,. Each of the six nonlegislative members who is a farmer or district director shall be a resident of a different one of the six geographic areas represented in the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts and shall be appointed by the Governor from a list of two qualified nominees for each vacancy jointly submitted by the Board and the Board of Directors of the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, in consultation with the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation and the Virginia Agribusiness Council. Nonlegislative citizen members shall be appointed for a term of four years. All appointed members shall not serve more than two consecutive full terms. Appointments to fill vacancies shall be made in the same manner as the original appointments, except that such appointments shall be for the unexpired terms only. The Board may invite the Virginia State Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service, to serve as an advisory nonvoting member. The Board shall keep a record of its official actions and adopt a seal and may perform acts, hold public hearings, and adopt regulations necessary for the execution of its functions under this chapter.

Vacant Seats

No seats are available at this time. If you are interested in joining this board in the future, please submit an application here.

Current Board Members

Profile photo placeholder for Charles A. Newton

Charles A. Newton

Soil and Water Conservation District Director/Farmer Membership expires on 6/30/2026
Profile photo placeholder for Mr Adam D. Wilson

Mr Adam D. Wilson

Soil and Water Conservation District Director/Farmer Membership expires on 6/30/2026
Profile photo placeholder for Mr. John Thomas Schick

Mr. John Thomas Schick

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2027
Profile photo placeholder for Mr. Jason Robinson De La Cruz

Mr. Jason Robinson De La Cruz

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2027
Profile photo placeholder for Robert Mills

Robert Mills

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2027
Profile photo placeholder for Mr Leigh H Pemberton

Mr Leigh H Pemberton

Soil and Water Conservation District Director Membership expires on 6/30/2028
Profile photo placeholder for Nicholas Thomas

Nicholas Thomas

Soil and Water Conservation District Director/Farmer Membership expires on 6/30/2028
Profile photo placeholder for Kevin Dunn

Kevin Dunn

Soil and Water Conservation District Director Membership expires on 6/30/2029
Profile photo placeholder for Stephanie Cornnell

Stephanie Cornnell

Soil and Water Conservation District Director/Farmer Membership expires on 6/30/2029
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