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National Association of RC&D Councils
National Association
of
RC&D Councils, Inc.
444 N Capitol St. NW
Suite 345
Washington, DC 20001
202 434 - 4780
Fax 202 434 -4783
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What is RC&D?
RC&D stands for Resource Conservation and Development. The purpose
of the RC&D Program is to encourage and improve the capability of
volunteer local elected and civic leaders in designated RC&D Areas
to plan and carry out projects for resource conservation and
community development.
RC&D is a unique program that is led by local volunteer councils.
RC&D is a way for people to work together to plan and carry out
activities that will make their area a better place to live. Such
activities lead to sustainable communities, prudent land use and the
sound management and conservation of natural resources.
Program objectives focus on “the quality of life” improvements
achieved through natural resources conservation and community
development. An RC&D Area usually covers several counties.
How does the 2002 Farm Bill affect the RC&D Program?
The RC&D Program is reauthorized in the Farm Security and Rural
Investment Act of 2002 (The Farm Bill).
Significant changes to the Statute include:
Permanent authorization of the RC&D Program
More accurate description of the program as it currently operates
Additions of the role and definition of an RC&D Council
Acknowledgment of participation by Tribes in the program
A requirement that a program evaluation and report to the
Congressional committees of Jurisdiction be made by June 30, 2005
Have there been any changes in the number of designated RC&D
areas allowed by law?
The number of allowable designated areas remains 450. To date there
are 375 designated areas across the Nation, the Caribbean and the
Pacific Basin. The RC&D Areas serve more than 85 % of US Counties
and over 77% of the US population.
Is RC&D a federal program or a local one?
RC&D is a local program. The local RC&D council makes decisions. A
RC&D Council may have representatives from County Governments,
Municipalities, State Agencies, Comprehensive Planning Agencies,
local, non-profit organizations Conservation Districts and local
interested citizens. RC&D Councils do receive federal funds and
technical assistance. The Natural Resources Conservation Service
provides leadership within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
for the RC&D program.
Why the emphasis on natural resources?
Utilization of the resources at hand, both natural and human, is
central to the RC&D approach. Many resources are renewable - that
is, they continue to replenish themselves if managed properly.
Communities can acquire immediate benefits from developing such
resources, and continue to have the same or greater benefits year
after year by conserving the resources as they develop them.
How can resource development provide more jobs for area
residents?
RC&D can provide more jobs for area residents by expanding the
existing economy or by stimulating new economic growth. Irrigation,
for example, can add millions of dollars to farm income in some
areas. Developing a dependable water supply, or protection from
flooding, allows new industries to locate. The resultant factory
payroll supports additional jobs in the service industries. By
improving the economy, the environment, and the community
facilities, an RC&D Area becomes a place where people are able to
work and want to live.
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How do you start an RC&D Area? How are Area boundaries defined?
Suppose a conservation district and a county government want to
start an RC&D Area. They must convince other officials and citizens
from counties in the proposed area of the merit of the idea.
Together, they organize a multi-county steering committee.
The proposed area should be a natural unit in terms of physical and
economic conditions. Although the RC&D program is directed primarily
toward rural areas, it can include metropolitan counties in the
area. The RC&D approach can help any community where resources have
not been developed to their fullest. It is not limited to low-income
areas.
The counties included in a RC&D area should share enough similar
characteristics to make planning a reasonable undertaking, and the
boundaries should be compatible with those of sub-state planning
areas.
What does a steering committee do?
A typical steering committee includes representatives of potential
sponsoring public bodies and interested leaders. When a decision has
been reached to submit an application for RC&D program assistance,
the steering committee helps eligible sponsors organize an RC&D
Council and adopt organizational guidelines. Members of the council
may be representatives of the sponsoring public bodies and often
include a member at-large from each county.
What is a RC&D area application?
The application describes the proposed project area and presents
economic and social data. It describes problems and opportunities,
including economic problems, needed community facilities, recreation
needs, and environmental and conservation problems. Maps, tables,
graphs, and other data frequently supplement the text.
Help in preparing an application is available, if requested, from
local field offices of the Natural Resources Conservation Service
and other USDA, state, and local agencies. Help can also be provided
from state and regional planning agencies.
A copy of the application is submitted to the Governor (or an agency
designated by the Governor) for endorsement. Next, the application
is sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Annually as program
funding allows, the Secretary of Agriculture considers all
applications and authorizes new areas.
What can the RC&D Council do while waiting for the application
for assistance to be approved?
While waiting for approval, the RC&D Council is in an excellent
position to push actions that help meet local objectives. Assistance
can be provided by state, local, or private funds, or by federal
funds other than RC&D program funds.
What happens after the Secretary designates the Area for
planning?
After designation, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
assigns one of its employees as the Coordinator to assist the RC&D
Council. RC&D Coordinators are NRCS professionals with a broad
background in conservation and natural resource management. At this
point the council begins to develop its plan for the RC&D Area.
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How does the RC&D Council develop the Area plan?
The RC&D Council establishes resource committees to inventory and
evaluate special areas of interest. One committee may deal solely
with problems and opportunities in forestry; another may inventory
community facilities and decide what additional facilities are
needed; yet another may look at the area's wildlife, finding ways to
improve the area for fish and game. There may also be committees for
human resources, industry, transportation, and other areas that the
council decides are needed.
The Council requests advisory assistance from local, state, and
federal agencies, private organizations and individuals. Upon
request, USDA agencies provide technical advisors to assist the
council and its resource committees. The council develops a plan
that includes background information on the area and an explanation
of problems and opportunities.
RC&D efforts are coordinated with those of other planning agencies.
In some areas, regional planning commissions already exist. Basic
planning data, available from commissions, often helps to speed RC&D
planning. In some areas, RC&D Councils have provided leadership for
the organization of multi-county, comprehensive planning agencies.
What agencies provide technical assistance?
Technical assistance is available from USDA agencies to RC&D areas
designated by the Secretary of Agriculture. Technical assistance is
available for the planning and installation of approved projects
specified in RC&D area plan for land conservation, water management,
community development and environmental enhancement elements.
Any agency may provide technical assistance. USDA agencies usually
include:
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service (CSREES)
Economic Research Service (ERS)
Farm Services Agency (FSA)
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
Forest Service (FS)
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Rural Development (RD) Agencies
Other USDA agencies may participate in the RC&D Program. At the
state level, the Cooperative Extension Service, State Departments,
including those dealing with agriculture, natural resources,
commerce, planning, and transportation usually assist. Many RC&D
Areas have received technical assistance from universities, colleges
and corporations.
Often, agencies assist by providing technical advisors to the
council's resource committees. The usual procedure is for the RC&D
Council to ask all concerned agencies to attend a meeting. At the
meeting, the council explains what it expects to accomplish through
the RC&D project and asks agencies to designate representatives to
serve as advisors to appropriate resource committees.
Technical assistance is available to RC&D Councils for the planning
and installation of approved projects identified in RC&D area plans.
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How do citizens contribute to Area planning?
The resource committees are composed of area citizens. Often,
resource committees are set up on a county basis. Whether or not
private citizens are members of one of these committees, they can
contribute their knowledge and opinions. Local citizens can explain
what they see as their problems and opportunities and what they want
to do about their community's future. Newspapers and radio stations,
service clubs, farm organizations, forestry associations, youth
groups, chambers of commerce, historical societies, garden clubs,
schools--anyone with something to contribute can become involved.
Local residents know best what they need, want, and can achieve.
It's their community!
What projects can be included in an RC&D Annual plan?
Some projects deal with problems most areas face. Other projects
reflect the character and needs of a specific area. An RC&D Council
can support a project of some other agency or group. For example, if
a county historical society wants to declare a location as a
historical site, the RC&D Council can adopt a resolution supporting
the historical society's proposal. Projects like these reflect the
individual character of that area. They also reflect participation
of local leaders and citizens in RC&D planning.
When is the RC&D Area plan submitted?
A draft plan is prepared first and circulated for review. The final
plan is based on comments and suggestions received from the review.
The RC&D Council then presents the final plan to the governor and
requests his/her endorsement. Finally, the plan is submitted to the
Secretary of Agriculture in order to authorize agencies of USDA to
proceed in helping local sponsors in carrying out their plan of
action.
Can changes be made in the Area plan after authorization for
operations?
Change in an area plan is reflected as new opportunities become
apparent, and new problems arise. RC&D projects can be added or
dropped after the Area is authorized for operations. Priorities can
be adjusted, and objectives can be expanded or revised. The RC&D
approach is flexible. Planning is continuous and plans are
open-ended.
What is USDA's objective in assisting RC&D projects?
RC&D Areas fit into the US Department of Agriculture's main
objectives. By helping local residents conserve, develop, and better
utilize their natural resources, USDA helps bring about:
Quality in the natural resource base for sustained use
Quality in the environment
Quality in the standard of living, based on community improvement
and adequate income
Achievement of these three goals for all Americans is a mission of
NRCS.
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National Association of RC&D
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