There are two openings on the board of supervisors of the Okanogan Conservation District. One is an elected position and the other will be appointed by the Washington State Conservation Commission.
Conservation districts are subdivisions of state government, much like school boards. Each district is governed by five supervisors who serve voluntarily and without pay. Three are elected by local citizens and two are appointed by the state commission.
Supervisors identify conservation needs, supervise staff, and coordinate assistance and funding from various sources.
The Okanogan district is currently recruiting interested candidates. Anyone who lives in the district can file for candidacy for the elected post by 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 12, 2016. District boundaries include all of Okanogan County, except the towns of Twisp, Winthrop, Tonasket, Riverside, Omak, Conconully, Brewster and Pateros, which have not chosen to annex into the district boundaries.
For the appointed position, the deadline for letters of interest is March 31. Applicants for appointed positions do not have to live within the district, but must be registered voters in Washington.
Terms are for three years. Supervisors attend 12 regular meetings and other special meetings for an average of 20 days each year.
The mission of conservation districts is to develop and implement programs to protect and conserve soil and water, farmland and rangevland, wildlife, energy and other renewable resources.
Voting — open to all registered voters in the district — will take place in person at the conservation district in Okanogan on Feb. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or by absentee ballot. Absentee ballots must be requested by 3 p.m. on Jan. 19.
For more information, an application form or an absentee ballot, contact the district office at (509) 422-0855 or visit the conservation commission website at www.scc.wa.gov.
