SD Conservation.org

Conservation for Today, Tomorrow and the Future


Perkins County Conservation District
PO Box 189, 604 Colman Avenue — Bison, SD 57620-0189 Phone: 605-244-7160—FAX: 605-244-5223

Perkins County is located in the northwest corner of South Dakota and is the second largest county in the state. The Perkins County Conservation District was established in 1955 and covers 1,619,400 acres. The district includes the entire county except 10 townships in the southeastern corner. Ranching and farming are the main enterprises with seventy-eight percent of the district being grazing land and the remainder is cropland. The National Grasslands and Shadehill Reservoir are located in Perkins County and provide an abundance of hunting, fishing and other water activities. When the district organized the following statement was adopted. “It is hereby declared to be the policy of this district and within the scope of state law, to provide for the conservation of the soil and water resources of this district, and for the control and prevention of flood waters and sediment damages, and for the conservation, development, utilization and disposal of water, prevent impairment of dams and reservoirs, reserve wildlife, protect the tax base, protect public lands and protect and promote the health, safety and general welfare of the people of the district.
Locally Led Success
County Road Living Snow Fences
The Perkins County Conservation District started working with the Perkins County Commissioners, the Highway Department and the SD Division of Resource Conservation & Forestry Service on a County Road Living Snow Fence Program in 1995. Past success in the late 1980's in Perkins County, resulted in several living snow fences installed along major state highways. The state highway living snow fences have proven their worth as the plantings became established. Project partners included the SD Division of Forestry and the Department of Highways. The Perkins County Living Snow Fence Program, as approved, is designed to provide snowfences at no cost to the participants. The cost of trees, planting and necessary fencing is paid by the county, through grants, cost share programs and county snow removal funds. Participants also receive payments for breaking, fallowing and maintenance of the living snow fences. A ten-year contract is required by the county with the landowner as long as the they provide the necessary land and construct fences as needed. To date, 15 living snow fences have been established. The snow fences total 18,300 feet in length and protect 9 miles of county roads.

To Contact Perkins County Conservation District, click here
Conservation District Board of Supervisors and Staff

Ron Harris Chairman Prairie City , SD	James W. Anderson Vice Chairman Lemmon, SD	Veronica Kari Secretary/Treasurer Bison, SD
Greg Fried Supervisor Lodgepole, SD	Willard Ottman Supervisor Lemmon, SD	Susan Anderson Administrative Secretary Bison, SD


Photos courtesy USDA NRCS and SDACD Photo Contest
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