Board Election Information

Governed By Our Community

Benton Conservation District (BCD) is governed by a board of five volunteer supervisors who set our priorities and policies. Three are elected by our community, and two are appointed by the Washington State Conservation Commission for a full term of 3 years.

Board Meetings

BCD board meetings are scheduled for every second Wednesday of the month from 12:00-2:00PM at the Richland Public Library Conference Room A.

Election Information & Deadlines

Benton Conservation District determines an election date between January and March (typically in March, but contact us for more information). Applicants must be a registered voter in Benton County and must be a landowner or an operator of a farm within the conservation district boundary. The deadline to apply for the elected position is 4 weeks prior to Election Day and the deadline for an appointed position is March 31st.

Open Supervisor Positions

Appointed Position

There are no positions open for the year of 2025.

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Elected Position

There's one elected position open for election for the Fiscal Year of 2025. Apply below!

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Appointed Positions

There are two Supervisor roles that are appointed to Benton Conservation District by the Washington State Conservation Commission. The Commission requires that everyone who wants to be considered for an appointed position must submit the appointment application (AF1) in its entirety before March 31st regardless of status. After the application deadline, the Commission will evaluate each applicant for their qualifications and sustainability to serve. Immediately upon appointment by the Commission, the applicant becomes a municipal officer of the conservation district and may begin performing the duties required by conservation district supervisors at the next regular or special meeting.

Mid-Term Appointments

Mid-term appointments are less than 3 years as vacancies occur. Mid-term application deadlines are set by Benton Conservation District and the position must be advertised for a minimum of 4 weeks in advance.

Visit the Washington State Conservation Commission website for more information on Appointed Positions.

Elected Positions

Benton Conservation District determines the election date between January and March (typically in March, but contact BCD for more information). Candidates are required to fill out the Candidate Required Information form (PF-A) to be considered for eligibility. The application deadline is 4 weeks prior to the selected Election Day.

Write-in Candidate

A write-in candidate that wins an election must fill out the Candidate Required Information form within 28 days of notification to be assessed for eligibility to serve.

Visit the Washington State Conservation Commission for more information on Elected Positions.

Board Roles & Responsibilites

Responsibilites

Identify local natural resource conservation needs
Develop and evaluate Annual and Long-range plans.
Educate and inform landowners, farm operators, the general public, and local, state and federal legislators on conservation issues and programs.
Administer the District by delegating tasks through a structure of board officers and committees.
Budget district funds and report on activities to the public.
Set policy for District Executive Director to implement.
CD Supervisors are public officials who serve without compensation.

Time Requirement

A Supervisor's term of office is three years. Supervisors are expected to attend 12 regularly scheduled board meetings per year, committee meetings, and other special meetings, for an average of 20 days/year.

Supervisor Benefits

Serving your community by guiding programs to protect and enhance it's natural resource priorities and future generations
Satisfaction in seeing conservation practices applied locally
Interaction with others who are passionate about natural resource conservation
Ability to provide input to Local, State, and Federal conservation programs
Learning opportunities through the Washington Conservation Commission and the Washington Association of District Employees