The Soil and Water Board of Supervisors has power that other boards can only dream about.

Like other soil and water boards across the state, the Rowan board has the authority to set and impose a tax — but never has and probably never will.

Soil and water boards are a product of the Dust Bowl era in the 1930s, when much of the nation’s topsoil blew away in clouds of dust.

The first soil and water conservation district in the nation was created in Anson County in 1937. As the national effort to spur conservation grew, more than 3,000 districts were created across the nation, and 96 remain in North Carolina today.

Rowan’s district dates back to 1939, when it was part of a district serving the Yadkin River Basin. In 1964, Rowan split away, becoming a separate district.

Unlike most other local board members, supervisors get no pay for their service. Members of the non-partisan board serve four-year terms. Three are elected, and two are appointed by the board.

Current elected members are Ed Church, Ben Knox and Frank Small Jr. Chairman Jim Summers and Vice Chairman Sam Correll hold appointed positions.

The board works in conjunction with farm agencies and programs. Supervisors work directly with Bruce Rider, the conservationist, who is a federal employee.

Rider said the top priority now is dealing with erosion control, trying to limit the amount of sediment — especially animal waste — getting into streams and lakes.

Landowners, primarily farmers, can apply for assistance through state and federal programs. This year, supervisors will distribute about $66,000 as grants to landowners for various projects.

The Soil and Water District has become more active in non-farm roles in recent years. An increasing number of homeowners are calling the district officer to ask about drainage problems that are causing flooded basements or other difficulties.