The Putnam County Soil and Water Conservation District, established in 1967, consists of a five member Board of Directors which includes two Legislators and three community members. In Putnam County the District works in conjunction with the Department of Planning, Development & Public Transportation.
Districts are local governmental subdivisions established under state law to provide technical assistance and programs to residents, landowners and units of government on the conservation, use and development of soil, water and related resources. Districts are resource management agencies, coordinating and implementing resource and environmental programs at the local level in cooperation with federal and state agencies.

The District has a broad focus to consider a range of soil and water resource conservation concerns, including protection of streams, floodplains and wetlands, and management of land disturbing activities to minimize the impact on surface water quality and stormwater runoff.

The office is open from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday, except from mid-June through mid-September, when the hours are 8 am to 4 pm. Please note: Appointments are needed for all technical assistance.

Rain is natural – Stormwater isn’t. Government studies have shown that up to 70% of the pollution in our streams, rivers and lakes is carried there by stormwater. Although most people never think about stormwater, about half of the pollution that stormwater carries comes from things we do in our yards and gardens! Selecting native plants and grasses that are drought and pest resistant require less water and fertilizer.

Planting a rain garden may seem like a small thing, but if you calculate the amount of rain that runs off your roof, you would be very surprised. Rain is supposed to soak into the ground, but instead heads down the street to the storm drain, carrying pollution with it. Keeping rain where it falls by putting it into a beautiful rain garden, is a natural solution. You not only get a lovely garden out of it, you have the added benefit of helping protect our rivers, streams and lakes from stormwater pollution.

Putnam County Groundwater Protection and Utilization Plan