What does it mean to be a Conservation District Supervisor?
Ferry Conservation District is governed by a five member board of supervisors who serve three year terms. Supervisors are local landowners/users who serve on a voluntary basis and represent the interests of all landowners within the District. Three of the positions are elected locally by the residents of Ferry County and two positions are appointed by the Washington State Conservation Commission.

The board of supervisors is a governing body, officially elected to manage the District and District funds. It is not an advisory board. Supervisors provide direction and leadership for natural resource programs within the District. This is generally done by communicating with local stakeholders about natural resource issues; by providing technical, financial and educational assistance to resource users within the District; and by working closely with staff guiding the policies, plans and priorities of the District for natural resource conservation. Board members manage the finances, determine the grant funding that is sought, and monitor the progress of deliverables for awarded grants. Board members handle all aspects of personnel management and conduct employee evaluations once per year. They are also asked to network, tell people about the programs that are available, encourage participation, and lobby state officials when necessary.

The Ferry CD Board of Supervisors meets once a month to conduct district business.  Occasionally, board members need to devote extra time reviewing information and materials, and they may need to represent the District at local or regional events.  Annual events that supervisors usually attend include the regional association meeting in October, the state association convention in November, and the annual planning session. Board members are also expected to complete an annual internal audit that takes about half a day. Board members may also be asked to assist with special District projects, like the annual plant sale.

Who is eligible to serve on the Board?
All registered voters who own or occupy land within the District. This includes all land within Ferry County.

Who is eligible to vote?
All registered voters who own or occupy land within the District. This includes all land within Ferry County.

How can you run for office?
For elected positions, a Nominating Petition must be signed by at least 25 registered voters. This petition must be verified by the Ferry CD at least 15 days prior to the election. It is recommended that the petition be submitted to the conservation district at least 20 days prior to the election. If you do not submit the completed nomination petition by 15 days prior to the election, it is possible to run as a write-in candidate and become the unofficial winner of the election. In this case, you must provide a completed nomination petition to the Washington State Conservation Commission within 30 days of the election. The next elected position will be available for nomination in March 2009. Contact us in January 2009 to obtain election information.

Appointed positions require the submission of an Application for the Position of Appointed Conservation District Supervisor form to the Washington State Conservation Commission by March 31st of the year in which an appointed term expires. Since there are only two appointed positions, an appointment does not occur every year. One appointed position is currently vacant. Contact the district for more information.

When and where are elections held?
By law, elections are held during the first quarter of each year, typically late in March. The date for the election is usually announced sometime in January. The 2008 election was held on March 24th at the District office in Republic, Washington.

Because the cost of conducting elections on the general ballot would be prohibitive, elections for district supervisors are not held in conjunction with the general election.

For more information, contact our office at (509)775-3473.