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NRCS <br /> <br />Natural Resources Conservation Service <br />United States Department of Agriculture <br /> <br />Fact Sheet <br /> <br />May 2002 <br /> <br />Overview <br />The Resource Conservation and Development <br />Program (RC&D) is reauthorized in the Farm <br />Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 <br />(Farm Bill). The purpose of the RC&D <br />program is to encourage and improve the <br />capability of volunteer local elected and civic <br />leaders in designated RC&D areas to plan and <br />carry out projects for resource conservation <br />and community development. Program <br />objectives focus on "quality of life" <br />improvements achieved through natural <br />resources conservation and community <br />development. Such activities lead to <br />sustainable communities, prudent land use, <br />and the sound management and conservation <br />of natural resources. <br /> <br />B enefits/A cco mplishments <br />The RC&D program pulis together people, <br />communities, Indian tribes, and grassroots <br />groups that unite in shared purpose and pool <br />resources to get work done. More than 20,000 <br />volunteers are serving on and with RC&D <br />councils. They are committed to revitalizing <br />and sustaining their communities through the <br />RC&D program. To date, 368 areas across the <br />Nation (plus the Caribbean and 'l~cific Basins) <br />have been designated by the Secretary of <br />Agriculture as RC&D areas. They serve more <br />than 85 percent (2,614) of U.S. counties and <br />over 77 percent of the U.S. population. NRCS' <br />goal is to have nationwide coverage by 2005. <br /> <br />Farm Bill 2002 <br /> <br />Resource Conservation and <br />Development Program <br /> <br />In fiscal year 2001, RC&Ds completed more <br />than3,000 projects. These resulted in 500 <br />businesses created and 1,800 businesses <br />expanded; 7,500 jobs created; 5,000 miles <br />of streams and 880,000 acres of wildlife <br />habitat improved. Over 283,000 people <br />learned new job skills, and nearly 780,000 <br />economically and socially disadvantaged <br />people were served. <br /> <br />How RC&D Works <br />Assistance is provided, as authorized by the <br />Secretary of Agriculture, to designated RC&D <br />areas through their organized RC&D councils <br />(comprised of local leaders). RC&D councils <br />and their sponsors, in association with State, <br />local, and Federal governments and non-profit <br />organizations, develop and implement local <br />RC&D area plans. Councils also obtain <br />assistance from other local, State, and Federal <br />agencies; private organizations; and <br />foundations. RC&D priorities are set by area <br />residents to meet their needs. <br /> <br />Eligibility <br />Technical assistance is available to RC&D <br />areas designated by the Secretary of <br />Agriculture. Technical assistance is available <br />for the planning and installation of approved <br />projects specified in RC&D area plans, for <br />land conservation, water management, <br />community development, and environmental <br />enhancement elements. <br /> <br /> E-II <br />The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people <br /> conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment. <br /> <br />An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer <br /> <br /> <br />