Uinta CountyConservation District

About Us

   Mission Statement        Goals and Plans       County Overview
   Board Members and Staff

In the early 1930's large dust storms ravaged more than 75% of the United States.  Drought conditions and howling winds carried approximately 35 million acres of formerly cultivated soils away, leaving the land useless for crop production.  Millions of additional farmed acres were rapidly losing topsoil and becoming useless.  Farmers were forced to seek work in cities where conditions were not much better.  President Franklin D. Roosevelt set extensive conservation programs in force to prevent erosion of the land in April 1935.

Our County has come a long way since the 1930's, and the conservation of our natural resources has been a success only due to the participation and efforts of local land owners and citizens.  The Uinta County Conservation District was organized on June 4, 1948, as the Bridger Valley Soil and Water Conservation District, in accordance with Wyoming State Law.  Then, and now, our aim is to maintain the county's predominantly agricultural lifestyle while allowing future generations the same opportunities by wisely caring for the land.

The Uinta County Conservation District is responsible for directing programs that aim to conserve the soil, water and vegetative resources within our county.  This is accomplished through conservation programs that promote sustainable use of our natural resources.  Success and advances in conservation in Uinta County is due to the stewardship of the local landowners and concerned citizens of the county.

To promote and protect agriculture and to provide leadership, information, education and technical assistance for the development and improvement of our natural resources, to protect the tax base and promote the health, safety and well being of Uinta County residents

Every year, UCCD writes an Annual Report and an Annual Plan of Work.  These documents are written for the general public in order to provide information and updates on all of our projects, activities, and plans for the next year.  If you would like to see how we are meeting our goals and helping the stewardship of local natural resources, this is the place to look!

Uinta County was officially organized in 1896 by trappers, explorers and settlers.  Evanston (now our County Seat) was settled in 1868 by workers of the Union Pacific Railroad.  the Roundhouse for the railroad still stands today.  Coal mines, the railroad, fur trading, supply posts, military activities, trona mines, and ranching were the primary occupations of settlers of Uinta County.  More recently oil and methane exploration and development is underway, while agriculture is still a major occupation and source of income for residents.

Uinta County lies in the Southwest corner of the state of Wyoming, and is a relatively small county for the state.  Almost half of the land is privately owned, while most of the other half is public land.  The state manages 3.7 percent of the land.

Water in the county comes from the Bear River Water Basin and the Green River Water Basin.  The largest percent of water use is by irrigation, followed by industrial and municipal water uses.  There are three water storage reservoirs for the county:  Stateline, Meeks Cabin and Sulfur Creek (Uinta County Profile, 2003).

For more information about Uinta County, go to http://www.uintacounty.com

The Uinta County Conservation District is governed by a five member Board of Supervisors, elected by the residents of Uinta County during the general election.  They serve staggered four-year terms, with two positions available at a general election and three positions available at the next general election.

Supervisors are unpaid, elected volunteers who attend monthly board meetings and are actively involved in overseeing the activities of the Conservation District.

-- Contact Us --
100 East Sage Street, P.O. Box 370, Lyman, WY 83937
District Manager:  Kerri Sabey (307) 747-UCCD (8223) - email:  ksabey@bvea.net
Education Coordinator: Briar Harris (307) 747-8224-email: bharris@bvea.net
Range Specialist:  Oakley Ingersoll (307) 747-8225 -- email:  oingersoll@bvea.net