From left, Butler County Commissioner James Kennedy and conservation district chairman Charles Stowe receive a congratulatory letter Thursday from state Department of Environmental Protection program manager John Holden on behalf of Gov. Ed Rendell on the district's 45th anniversary.

A representative from the state Department of Environmental Protection delivered a letter from Gov. Ed Rendell congratulating the Butler County Conservation District on their 45th anniversary.

At Thursday's meeting, DEP representative John Holden said, "The local conservation district has been in the forefront of some of the most challenging issues in the commonwealth. The work of the conservation district is characterized by the role it plays in trying to strike a balance between intense commercial and residential development pressure and large agricultural operations that have existed in the county for decades."

One of the conservation district's main responsibilities is the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System program. The program is aimed at preventing excessive soil loss and the resulting sediment pollution from development construction activities. The pollution control plans are reviewed by conservation district staffers for environmental concerns before permits are issued. They also assist DEP staff with stream crossing, dam safety and encroachment permitting.

Butler County has experienced a large amount of growth and development in the past 25 years. The conservation district has reviewed many plans for construction projects over those years.

"The conservation district is active in farmland preservation and is a Pennsylvania leader in promoting environmentally sound farm practices to the benefit of Butler County's agricultural community and the environment," said Holden. "The district plays a pivotal role in administration of Growing Greener funds for projects that protect water quality."

Holden went on to praise the conservation district for environmental education programs and tree seedling sale and planting programs.

The conservation district also works with local watershed groups, administers a dirt and gravel roads improvement program and a West Nile Virus prevention program.

The district board of directors are: Charle Stowe, chairman; Leroy Andrews, vice chairman; and members James Kennedy, Michael Burgoon, James Faust, Denise Foertsch, Howard Halstead, David Lamperski and Mary Zacherl.

There are 66 county conservation districts in Pennsylvania.

Ron Fodor is district manager of the Butler County Conservation District.