Blaine Soil Conservation District                                       

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 246           

Physical Address: 20484 Main St.

City, State, ZIP:  Carey, Idaho  83320

Telephone: (208) 823-0052

Contact Person: Bob Simpson, Chair

County / Counties Served:  Blaine

Legislative District(s): 25

Conservation District Function or Mission Statement

The mission of the Blaine Soil Conservation District is to coordinate and deliver technical, financial, and educational assistance for responsible natural resource management that conserves and improves air, soil, water quality, as well as fish and wildlife habitat.

Insert a photo and caption of your District’s most significant accomplishment

Most Significant Natural Resource Improvement, Project, or Accomplishment

The completion of a large stock watering system of non-irrigated range land of over 1,000

acres, is a significant improvement.  The system uses approximately four miles of underground pipeline, providing water to four different locations on the range.

The project greatly increased the productivity of the land. It promotes conservation through

appropriate grazing and water use and provides water for both stock and wild life.  This project allows for proposed neighboring water association which could potentially serve several other ranchers who use the Laidlaw Park Range.

Priority # 1 Irrigated Crop land Accomplishments 

One of several irrigation projects is the completion of a two pivot system which services over 210 acres of crop land with the potential of adding more.  These fields had previously been dry land or flood irrigated and had been used to produce hay.  This is the first year barley has been successfully grown, greatly increasing the productivity of the land and the efficient use of water.

Priority # 2 Urban Conservation Accomplishments

The Blaine Soil Conservation District has been instrumental in the establishment of “Carey CREW”, a local civic support group.  This group was designated by the mayor to represent the city to establish GEM status with the Idaho Department of Commerce and Labor.  Carey CREW, in behalf of the city, has applied for four grants to date.  These include, Library Improvements, Information & Education, Community Corridor Enhancement, and Parks Improvement. The Blaine Soil Conservation District, in concert with the Wood River RC&D has helped this small community find information and assistance through networking with the USDA Rural Development, Idaho Department of Commerce and Labor, and Idaho Rural Partnership.  This is an effort to build and strengthen a rural community of 700 people, and growing.  The effect is to provide a proper framework for growth and development, including best management practices of current resources and development of others.

Priority #3 Riparian Accomplishments

Our district is currently contracted to do a project regarding upland wildlife management, as well as another contract for wetlands restoration.  Each contract will affect over 60 acres, (120 acres total), and will involve the seeding of natural vegetation to assist in the restoration of native wildlife and their habitat.

Priority #4 District Operations Accomplishments

Identify, secure and administer funds for the Conservation District’s goals and actions

Increased funding allows our district to put more conservation practices on the ground, as well as increase conservation education and awareness in our community.

The district was able to prove to our county commissioners that the money they allocated to the district would be a great investment. For a relatively small investment each year ($10,000), they are receiving a much larger contribution of funds for improvements within the county ($210,000 in conservation projects).  As a result, we received a $4,200.00 increase in funding for the next fiscal year.

District Information and Education Accomplishments

The District worked cooperatively with the Wood River RC&D, the Wood River Land Trust, and the Blaine County Extension Office to provide four workshops in both Bellevue and Carey to address issues of urban water use, low maintenance landscaping, correct tree and lawn watering, and weed control. The information was also send out in 500 newsletters.

Synopsis of financial assistance coordinated for constituents with District Conservation Partners to plan, design, and implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) to protect, enhance, and conserve Idaho’s renewable resources.