Post by cambygsp on Jul 28, 2005 5:33:45 GMT -5
www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050728/NEWS02/507280470/1006/NEWS01
July 28, 2005
21 state Soil Conservation jobs cut
By Tammy Webber
tammy.webber@indystar.com
The Indiana Department of Agriculture this week cut almost one-third of the work force in the Division of Soil Conservation as part of a restructuring plan, marking the latest round of job-trimming among Indiana agencies.
Most of the 21 employees who lost their jobs Tuesday worked in a program that encourages farmers to set aside land as open space, leave wetlands intact or establish vegetative buffer strips beside waterways.
The division will be restructured into regions to mirror the U.S. Department of Agriculture's structure, said Soil Conservation Division Director Gail Peas.
Several other state departments and agencies, from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to the Department of Natural Resources, have eliminated jobs.
The cuts in the conservation division reduced its work force to 46 from 67, although eight of the positions will be refilled after being reclassified based on required education and skills, Peas said. Those who lost their jobs may reapply if they meet the new qualifications, she said.
The move will cut about $512,000 a year, or about 15 percent, in staffing costs. That money will be used to meet the state's requirement to match federal money for a USDA conservation program.
"Our hope is that the new structure will be more efficient and provide more timely service to (farmers) in Indiana," Peas said.
Previously, the state Soil Conservation Division had individual employees responsible for two counties each; now, a group of employees will handle a region, similar to the way the USDA works in Indiana, she said.
The state division also provides administrative support to county soil and water conservation districts to enhance their ability to help landowners, Peas said.
The Soil Conservation Division was part of the Department of Natural Resources until this year, when Gov. Mitch Daniels formed the Agriculture Department. As a result, the division lost some of its duties, including enforcing environmental rules, which now fall to the Department of Environmental Management.
July 28, 2005
21 state Soil Conservation jobs cut
By Tammy Webber
tammy.webber@indystar.com
The Indiana Department of Agriculture this week cut almost one-third of the work force in the Division of Soil Conservation as part of a restructuring plan, marking the latest round of job-trimming among Indiana agencies.
Most of the 21 employees who lost their jobs Tuesday worked in a program that encourages farmers to set aside land as open space, leave wetlands intact or establish vegetative buffer strips beside waterways.
The division will be restructured into regions to mirror the U.S. Department of Agriculture's structure, said Soil Conservation Division Director Gail Peas.
Several other state departments and agencies, from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to the Department of Natural Resources, have eliminated jobs.
The cuts in the conservation division reduced its work force to 46 from 67, although eight of the positions will be refilled after being reclassified based on required education and skills, Peas said. Those who lost their jobs may reapply if they meet the new qualifications, she said.
The move will cut about $512,000 a year, or about 15 percent, in staffing costs. That money will be used to meet the state's requirement to match federal money for a USDA conservation program.
"Our hope is that the new structure will be more efficient and provide more timely service to (farmers) in Indiana," Peas said.
Previously, the state Soil Conservation Division had individual employees responsible for two counties each; now, a group of employees will handle a region, similar to the way the USDA works in Indiana, she said.
The state division also provides administrative support to county soil and water conservation districts to enhance their ability to help landowners, Peas said.
The Soil Conservation Division was part of the Department of Natural Resources until this year, when Gov. Mitch Daniels formed the Agriculture Department. As a result, the division lost some of its duties, including enforcing environmental rules, which now fall to the Department of Environmental Management.
