Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission

What Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission does

The Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC) is a state government agency of Georgia, founded in 1937 and headquartered in Athens, operating under statutory authority granted by the Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act (O.C.G.A. 12-7-1). Its mission is to protect, conserve, and improve the state's soil and water resources through education, technical assistance, and oversight. The agency coordinates 40 local Soil and Water Conservation Districts organized across five regions, supported by a state headquarters and five regional offices (Calhoun, Soperton, Milledgeville, Albany), and oversees 357 watershed flood control dams across the state.

GSWCC's core offerings consist of a portfolio of regulatory, certification, and conservation programs rather than commercial products. Its flagship technical asset is the Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control in Georgia (2016 Edition), which codifies design and BMP standards for all land-disturbing activities subject to NPDES permits, supplemented by the Equivalent Best Management Practice List and structured application pathways (Paths A, B, C) requiring field validation, bench testing, and Board approval. The Erosion & Sediment Certification Program trains and certifies professionals at multiple levels (IA Fundamentals, IB Advanced Fundamentals, II Introduction to Design, Subcontractor Awareness). Additional programs include agricultural conservation initiatives (BMPs, USDA-NRCS EQIP, Longleaf Pine Range Critical Conservation Area, Cogongrass Initiative, Soil Health), watershed and water quality projects (Section 319 cost-share at 60% reimbursement), GIS mapping services via ArcGIS, and online recertification courses delivered through the UGA Georgia Center.

GSWCC's business model is that of a state agency: it does not generate commercial revenue, and core regulatory and educational services are provided without charge. Funding flows from Georgia state appropriations and federal sources (EPA Section 319 grants, USDA-NRCS programs), with cost-share programs disbursing 60% reimbursements to agricultural producers upon contract completion. Its customer base spans conservation districts, local governments, certified contractors and developers, agricultural producers, and private landowners, with distribution executed through direct state services, district networks, and online self-service certification portals.

Name

Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission

Legal name

Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission

Website

https://gaswcc.georgia.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1937

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission is a state agency founded in 1937 that protects Georgia's soil and water resources by coordinating 40 conservation districts, certifying erosion and sediment control professionals, administering agricultural cost-share programs, and overseeing 357 watershed dams across five regions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Conservation Services

NAICS

Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (924110), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924)

akta.pro primary industry

State/Provincial Environmental Protection & Natural Resources Administration (BPAIABAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water Resources Administration (Watersheds, Rivers, Groundwater) (BPAIAMAE), Conservation, Restoration & Biodiversity Services (Habitat, Wetlands, Riparian) (IMAMAJAH), Ex-Situ Treatment & Soil Washing / Stabilization (BPALAKAE)

Keywords

• Soil conservation services
• Water resource management
• Erosion sediment control
• Agricultural conservation programs
• Watershed dam safety

Headquarters

HQ city

Athens

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Appropriations: State-funded agency operating under Georgia government, supported by state budget appropriations to fulfill statutory mission of soil and water conservation.
2. Federal Grant Programs: Funding from federal sources including EPA Section 319 grants for water quality projects and USDA-NRCS programs for agricultural conservation.
3. Cost-Share Programs: Agricultural Best Management Practice implementation programs where farmers receive 60% cost reimbursement upon contract completion for water quality improvements.

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission is a state government agency that protects, conserves, and improves Georgia's soil and water resources through erosion and sediment control certification programs, technical guidance (including the Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control in Georgia), agricultural conservation cost-share programs, watershed dam management of 357 flood control structures, water quality monitoring, and coordination of 40 local Soil and Water Conservation Districts across five regions.

Product overview

The Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC) is a state government agency that does not operate a traditional software product. Rather, it provides conservation services through a portfolio of programs including: the Erosion & Sediment Certification Program for training and certifying professionals; Technical Guidance offerings (Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control, Equivalent BMP List, CAD files); Agricultural Conservation Programs (BMP guidance, USDA-NRCS programs, Longleaf Pine Initiative, Soil Health); Watershed & Water Resources Programs (Watershed Dams, Section 319 Cost-Share Projects, Water Supply Assessments); GIS Mapping Services; and support for 40 Soil and Water Conservation Districts across 5 regions. The agency also offers an online recertification course through the UGA Georgia Center partnership.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Erosion & Sediment Certification Program
• Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control in Georgia (2016 Edition)
• Agricultural Conservation Cost-Share Programs
• Watershed Dams Management Program
• Water Quality Cost-Share Projects (Section 319)
• GIS Mapping Services
• Soil & Water Conservation Districts Coordination
• Online Recertification Courses (Level II)

Quantifiable outcome

• 357 watershed dams providing flood control and water quality benefits across Georgia
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and regional.

• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency providing technical and financial assistance for agricultural conservation. Partners on Longleaf Pine Range Critical Conservation Area, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Innovation Grants, and watershed dam rehabilitation. GSWCC coordinates with NRCS on conservation district programs and BMP implementation across Georgia.
• Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState environmental agency that approves impaired streams lists and watershed plans. Collaborates on Section 319 water quality cost-share projects and administers NPDES permits under the Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act.
• Local Soil and Water Conservation DistrictscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner40 local conservation districts serve as the primary delivery mechanism for conservation programs. Districts are sponsored by local governments and coordinate conservation activities at the local level.
• EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency providing funding through Section 319 grants for nonpoint source pollution control and watershed restoration. GSWCC implements agricultural BMP projects funded through EPA grants.
• Stakeholder Advisory BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvisory board working with GSWCC and GA EPD to establish education and training programs for erosion and sedimentation professionals. Includes representatives from development community, environmental community, construction, engineering, DOT, municipal government, and conservation districts.
• Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommittee appointed by GSWCC State Board to provide technical expertise and evaluate potential changes to the Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control. Includes professionals from various stakeholder groups representing urban erosion control interests.
• Oconee River Soil and Water Conservation DistrictregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal conservation district partnering with GSWCC and NRCS to sponsor Conservation Easement Informational Workshops and longleaf pine restoration initiatives.
• University of GeorgiamajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides soil testing kits and information services. UGA Georgia Center delivers online recertification courses for Level II erosion and sediment control certification on behalf of GSWCC.
• Georgia Department of TransportationmajorTechnology or IntegrationDOT Qualified Products List (QPL) is recognized in the Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control. GSWCC and GDOT coordinated on development of the Equivalent BMP List based on GDOT's Qualified Products List.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS): Federal agency that partners with GSWCC on agricultural conservation programs including EQIP and the Longleaf Pine initiative. Operates at national scale with broader jurisdiction, larger budget, and additional program scope.
• Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD): Georgia's state environmental regulatory agency that administers NPDES permits and approves impaired streams lists. Core GSWCC partner agency with overlapping water quality jurisdiction but much broader environmental scope.

Direct peers

• North Carolina Soil and Water Conservation Commission: North Carolina state commission that oversees local soil and water conservation districts, agricultural cost-share programs, and erosion control initiatives statewide. Direct functional counterpart to GSWCC operating in a neighboring southeastern state.
• Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board: Virginia state board that coordinates soil and water conservation districts and dam safety programs. Operates with the same state-level mandate and conservation district structure as GSWCC.
• Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission: Mississippi state commission with the same general mandate as GSWCC—administering soil and water conservation, erosion control, and watershed protection programs through local conservation districts.
• Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board: Texas state agency with the same mandate as GSWCC—administering soil and water conservation programs, providing technical assistance, and coordinating local conservation districts within Texas. Direct functional equivalent at similar scale.
• Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Office of Agricultural Water Policy: Florida state office administering agricultural water quality and BMP programs including cost-share initiatives. Southeastern peer with overlapping agricultural water quality mandate and program structure.
• Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee: Alabama state-level body overseeing soil and water conservation districts and agricultural best management practices. Southeastern regional peer with directly comparable programs and mandate.

Regional players

• Tennessee Department of Agriculture - Soil and Water Conservation: Tennessee state agricultural agency division that coordinates soil and water conservation districts and conservation programs. Regional peer operating in an adjacent southeastern state with similar scope.
• South Carolina Department of Natural Resources - Land Resources Division: South Carolina state division managing land and water resources including erosion control and conservation programs. Regional southeastern peer with adjacent but not identical mandate to GSWCC.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gasoilandwater
• Facebookfacebook.com/GaSoilandWater

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission