TEMPLE - Jerry D. Nichols, of Nacogdoches, Texas, was re-elected May 6, 2014, to serve a successive term on the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB).
Nichols represents State District Four which consists of 52 counties in East Texas. State District Four encompasses 37 soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs).
As the lead agency for the state of Texas in addressing agricultural and silvicultural forms of nonpoint source pollution, the TSSWCB also offers a technical assistance program for the state's 216 SWCDs for the planning, management and abatement of agricultural and silvicultural nonpoint source pollution. The TSSWCB maintains regional offices in strategic locations in the state to help carry out the agency's water quality responsibilities.
The TSSWCB board of directors consists of five elected members and two gubernatorial appointees who must be actively engaged in farming or ranching. The five TSSWCB members are chosen in a convention type election by SWCD directors in the State District in which the TSSWCB member represents.
Nichols, who has served as chairman of the TSSWCB, is also a district director in the Nacogdoches SWCD which is headquartered in Nacogdoches. He is also a member of the Deep East Texas Association of SWCDs, which consists of 22 SWCDs. He has served as the vice president of the Deep East Texas Association of SWCDs. He has also held the chairman and secretary position with the local SWCD board.
Nichols and his wife Linda are currently involved with livestock, poultry, and hay production. Nichols is also active in real estate, banking, and forestry enterprises. Nichols holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Texas A&M University.
The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board administers Texas’ soil and water conservation law and delivers coordinated natural resource conservation programs through the State’s 216 soil and water conservation districts. The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board is the lead agency for planning, implementing, and managing programs for preventing and abating agricultural and silvicultural nonpoint sources of water pollution. The agency also administers a water supply enhancement program to increase available surface and ground water through the targeted control of water-depleting brush; works to ensure the State’s network of 2,000 flood control dams are protecting lives and property; and facilitates the Texas Invasive Species Coordinating Committee.