Partners
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Council Profiles & Partners
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The Curry County Watershed Councils have a close working partnership with the Curry County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). The SWCD has been in existence since 1953, working with local landowners to practice the conservation of natural resources. The SWCD represents several hundred small landowners in the county, who own land ranging from 5 to 500 acres or more. This blend of the SWCD, with its traditional representation of agricultural interests (farming, ranching, etc) -- and the watershed councils (formed in the 1990's for salmon and watershed enhancement projects) creates a powerful synergy for resource conservation. Many projects are done on private land with the full cooperation of the SWCD, watershed councils, and private landowners. The watershed councils also cooperate with a number of federal and state agencies in implementing the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds. Some of these agencies include: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality; Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW); Oregon Board of Forestry; Division of State Lands; Oregon Department of Water Resources; Coos Bay BLM; and others. Funding for watershed coordinators, our monitoring coordinator, and for many, many projects comes from the Governor‘s Watershed Enhancement Board (GWEB). Federal agency partners include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Siskiyou National Forest, Coos Bay District BLM and others. Curry County recently received a $200,000 EPA Rural Sustainability Challenge grant (Fish for the Future) to demonstrate the interconnection of environmental health and economic stability. We also have a good working relationship with local timber companies, including Moore Mill, Hancock Timber Resources Group, Westbrook Timber, and South Coast Lumber Company. The watershed councils have a close relationship with local school districts (See Outreach and Education page.) We also work closely with Curry Anadromous Fisherman and South Coast Fishermen, local volunteer groups that have been doing fish habitat restoration projects for the past 20 years. Conservationist of the Year: As part of our continuing efforts to recognize outstanding conservation efforts and strengthen partnerships, each year the SWCD and watershed councils recognize a "Conservationist of the Year." This award is presented to someone in the community who exemplifies the qualities of a proactive land and water steward. The latest recipient of the Conservationist of the Year was Glenn Miller of Gold Beach. Glenn was born and raised on the lower Rogue River. As a boy, he lived on one side of the river and had to row a small boat across the river every day to attend a one-room school on the other side of the Rogue. Glenn has been a central force for Curry Anadromous Fishermen and the Lower Rogue Watershed Council. He has been instrumental in maintaining the Indian Creek Fish Hatchery and recently served as project manager for the Indian Creek wetland project. He has assisted ODFW with manpower needs and has aided the SWCD with countless projects, both large and small. Glenn
Miller is one strong and skillful man, with a gentle heart. The Curry
County SWCD and the watershed councils recognize and appreciate Mr.
Miller‘s dedication and contribution to the enhancement of
Curry County watersheds. Congratulations Glenn !
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