The Louisiana State Soil and Water Conservation Commission (SWCC) was created by the State Legislature in l938 under Act 370 to develop the LA conservation district program and to establish operational policy, and provide general regulatory oversight of the conservation district program. Although the legislature made significant changes to the make-up of the State Commission in l956 and in l985, its functions and relationship with the conservation districts has remained the same since the enactment of Act No. 370 of l938.

The State Commission consists of eight members. The Chancellor of the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry and the President of the Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts are members of the commission by virtue of their offices.

The other five members are SWCD supervisors elected by fellow supervisors, one from each of the five State Commission Areas established by the legislature. The make up of the five State Commission Areas is listed in the Louisiana Revised Statutes, Title 3, Section 1204.

In addition to regulatory oversight, the State Commission supports conservation districts in the following ways:

• Guides state policy in soil and water conservation.
• Assist conservation districts in exercising their powers and carrying
out their programs.
• Makes SWCD supervisor appointments and assists in conducting district elections.
• Directs the legal process of forming or discontinuing soil and water
conservation districts.
• Coordinates district programs by advice and consultation.
• Secures assistance for districts from federal and state agencies.
• Prepares budget requests for state appropriations to support district
programs.
• Disburses funds to districts and reviews district expenditures.
• Keeps districts informed and facilitates the exchange of information
and experiences among districts.
• Disseminates statewide information on programs and activities of
districts.
• Serves as the official state entity to cooperate with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Louisiana Soil and Water Conservation Commission

Guillory, George – Chairman
P.O. Box 637
Crowley, LA 70526

Fletcher, Randell – Vice Chairman
4299 Hwy 71
Colfax, LA 71417

Compton, John – Sec. - Treasurer
6267 Moss Side Lane
Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Colvin, Garland
2024 Dulverton Ct.
Shreveport, LA 71118

Yerger, Edward M., Jr.
2927 Hwy 602
Tallulah, LA 71282

Strain, Mike DVM
P.O. Box 631
Baton Rouge, LA 70821

Richardson, William “Bill”, PhD
P.O. Box 25203
Baton Rouge, LA 70893

Girouard, Ernest
8209 Hwy. 13 
Kaplan, LA 70548

Soil and Water Conservation Commission Meeting Proceedings 
Jan. 2009
April 2009
May 2009
June 2009
July 2009
Aug. 2009
Oct. 2009

SWCD Supervisors Handbook (PDF)

PPM Manual (PDF)

State Conservation Law (PDF)

Louisiana Conservation History (PDF)