NC SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION SHARED PERSONNEL
MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT
2.
Background:
This agenda item establishes a mutual aid agreement with
the North Carolina Association of Soil and Water
Conservation Districts. By establishing pre-arranged
agreements, SWCDs can share resources, enhance
technical expertise, and provide localized support,
including during natural disasters (e.g., Hurricane Helene
in September 2024). Mutual aid assistance among Soil and
Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) is critical for
accelerating disaster response, sharing specialized
personnel and equipment, and reducing recovery costs.
Recognizing the value of mutual aid and assistance for
disaster recovery efforts, the delivery of employee
technical training, and other mutually agreed-upon
assistance, the Guilford Soil and Water Conservation
District Board of Supervisors reviewed and unanimously
approved the attached agreement at its October 1, 2025,
February 4, 2026 Regular Meetings (attached), and
approved a mutual aid agreement term of nine (9) years
through June 30, 2035 at its May 6, 2026 regular meeting
(draft minutes attached).
Counties are authorized to enter into such an agreement
by NCGS 153A-11 and 160A-461 - 160A-464.
Accordingly, implementation of such an agreement
includes the NC Association of Soil and Water
Conservation Districts (Association) developing and
maintaining a Clearinghouse of resources consisting of a
list of all participating Districts and Counties who have
entered into such an agreement (see attached). The
Clearinghouse includes an inventory of personnel, their
acknowledged skill set, and the primary contact for each
participating Soil and Water Conservation District. As
such, the Association will provide from the Clearinghouse a
list of resources to requesting SWCDs to assist
cooperating Districts and Counties, as needed.
The attached agreement binds each District or County only
to the extent resources are available, and the allowance of
shared resources is on a case-by-case basis. The Guilford
Soil and Water Conservation District, with this agreement,
acknowledges that each party receiving aid agrees to