About RC&D
The purpose of the Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) program is to accelerate the conservation, development and utilization of natural resources, improve the general level of economic activity, and to enhance the environment and standard of living in designated RC&D areas. It improves the capability of State, tribal and local units of government and local nonprofit organizations in rural areas to plan, develop and carry out programs for resource conservation and development. The program also establishes or improves coordination systems in rural areas. Current program objectives focus on improvement of quality of life achieved through natural resources conservation and community development which leads to sustainable communities, prudent use (development), and the management and conservation of natural resources. RC&D areas are locally sponsored areas designated by the Secretary of Agriculture for RC&D technical and financial assistance program funds.
The RC&D program is available in all 50
states, the Caribbean (Puerto Rico and the
Virgin Islands), and the Pacific Basin (Guam,
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands, and American Samoa). Currently, 375
RC&D areas, designated by the Secretary of
Agriculture, serve 2,709 counties across the
Nation. The 1990 Food, Agriculture,
Conservation and Trade Act limited assistance
to not more than 450 active designated areas.
Designated areas now serve approximately 85
percent of U.S. counties and 80 percent of the
U.S. population. To participate, locally formed
RC&D councils submit an application for
designation through their NRCS State
Conservationist to the Secretary of
Agriculture.The RC&D program pulls together people, communities, Indian tribes, and grassroots groups that unite in shared purpose and pool resources to get work done. Volunteers are committed to revitalizing and sustaining their communities through the RC&D program.
An RC&D area covers several counties. Assistance is provided, as authorized by the Secretary of Agriculture, to designated RC&D areas through their organized RC&D councils (comprised of local leaders). RC&D councils and their sponsors, in association with State, local, and Federal governments and nonprofit organizations, develop and implement local RC&D area plans. It is locally defined and directed by a council that consists of public and private sector sponsors and other local organizations that represent a diverse cross section of community interests. Sponsors include county and city governments, conservation districts, sub-state planning or economic districts, Tribal governments, and interested private organizations in the area. This grassroots involvement is highly valuable in shaping decision making at the local level. RC&D councils provide a way for people to plan and implement projects that will make their communities better places to live. RC&D priorities are set by area residents to meet their needs.
NRCS provides program administration.
Funds appropriated to NRCS by Congress
provide for technical assistance in the form of
a USDA RC&D coordinator to the council.
Coordinators work closely with councils to
develop and implement their area plans. The
coordinator acts as a team coach, facilitator,
liaison, and technical consultant to assist the
council in its activities. The coordinator is a
vital link between USDA and the RC&D
council and its other partners. The goal is an
empowered council that has the capacity to
build effective public-private partnerships that
result in strong rural community leadership
and accomplishments.
Other USDA agencies also provide technical
and financial assistance to RC&D councils.
The RC&D councils rely on the USDA
assistance to ensure that their efforts are
technically sound and to leverage support from
other sources. Councils also obtain the
assistance of other local, State, and Federal
agencies; private organizations; and
foundations to carry out their projects. Thus,
RC&D activities are broader than those
created by assistance from USDA alone.
RC&D councils implement their area plans
through projects that may include natural
resource improvement, community
improvement, forestry, education, economic
development, water quantity and quality,
recreation and tourism, marketing and
merchandising, fish and wildlife habitat
enhancement, and waste management and
utilization.
In fiscal year 2007, RC&Ds completed more than 4,278 projects. These resulted in 855 businesses created and 1,503 businesses expanded; 6,762 jobs created; 5,265 miles of streams; 370,463 acres of lakes and 1.64 million acres of wildlife habitat improved. Nearly 837,000 people developed new skills and served over 22 million citizens nationwide.
Natural resource improvement projects include basic protection, such as soil erosion control, noxious plant and pest control, streambank improvement, preservation of prime farmland, composting, and mine reclamation; resource studies involving soil, water, plants, and wildlife; energy conservation and alternative sources of energy, such as biomass other than wood; and recycling of glass, metals, paper, and wood.
Community improvement projects address
improving community infrastructure;
performing studies on zoning and ordinances,
facilities, or services needed; constructing and
improving public trails; and installing public
resources. These can include building
community centers; improving old community
buildings; constructing, improving, or
repairing subsidized housing (apartments,
single family homes, halfway houses,
retirement homes); improving roads;
improving and restoring parks and walking
and bike trails; and installing dry fire hydrants.
Forestry projects include performing
environmental improvements on forested
areas; improving management of forests
through such measures as land treatment for
production; providing education on safety or
harvesting techniques; developing or
expanding forest related industries; developing
energy sources, such as wood waste for
energy; developing or improving value added
forestry related products; applying agroforestry practices; establishing
cooperatives; performing studies, such as
forest, species, or forest products inventories;
and improving rural road infrastructure with
timber bridges.
Education projects cover environmental
education, conservation studies, and RC&D
council awareness. Projects include outdoor
classrooms; public school programs; job
training programs; community awareness
activities; agriculture and forestry
demonstrations; equipment and technique
demonstrations for such products as no-till drills or specialized tree planters; organizing
community events such as fairs or rallies;
preparing brochures, videos, or displays; and
disseminating information about the RC&D
program.
Economic development projects include
studies, such as producer surveys, marketing
surveys, or feasibility studies; assisting with
grants, loans, or other financing; assisting in
the formation or expansion of agriculture or
natural resource related businesses, such as
farm equipment or other agriculture related
suppliers, manufacturing, bed and
breakfast/motel, or other businesses involved
with value-added products. Projects can
include improvement of agricultural
production, such as diversifying farm incomes
and developing alternative markets for
products.
Water projects are aimed at the improvement
of surface and groundwater quality and
quantity. Many deal with pollution control and
dispersing water. Projects include watershed
management; construction or rehabilitation of
irrigation, flood control, and water drainage
systems; construction or rehabilitation of
aquaculture, wastewater treatment, and
purification operations; installation of buffer
strips; and efficient use of aquifers.
Recreation and tourism projects include
feasibility studies; establishment or
improvement of water-based recreational areas
for swimming, boating, canoeing, and boat
launching; establishment or improvement of
non-water-based recreational areas, such as
golf courses, rodeo arenas, trails, and ball
parks; historic site preservation; establishment
or upgrades of tourist attractions; and
development of promotional materials, such as
brochures, place mats, or commercials, for
local tourist attractions.
Marketing and merchandising projects include
studies, formation of cooperatives or
associations, development of business or
marketing plans, and development of advertising and promotional materials for
businesses.
Fish and wildlife projects concentrate on the protection, improvement, or development of fish and wildlife habitat.
Waste and waste utilization projects include
efficient and environmentally sound disposal
of animal waste, development or improvement
of a landfill, waste collection, solid waste
disposal, and composting.
If you need more information about RC&D, please contact your local USDA Service Center, listed in the telephone book under U.S. Department of Agriculture, or your local conservation district.
Information also is available on the World Wide Web at: www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/rcd/
