United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service		 West Virginia Go to Accessibility Information
Skip to Page Content

 

 

Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D)

Overview
The Resource Conservation and Development program was created so local citizens could develop and carry out an action-oriented plan for the social, economic, and environmental betterment of their communities. The RC&D program was given permanent authorization in the 2002 Farm Bill.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers the program and provides a coordinator and administrative support to RC&D councils. West Virginia has six councils that cover all 55 counties. These councils are made up of local citizens, which generally represent counties, cities, and conservation districts. The councils set priorities for the RC&D area.

The six RC&D Areas in West Virginia are:

  • Great Kanawha RC&D
  • Little Kanawha RC&D
  • Mountain RC&D
  • Northern Panhandle RC&D
  • Potomac Headwaters RC&D
  • Wes-Mon-Ty RC&D

Map of RCD districts

2004 Accomplishments

Each RC&D has its own goals, but together the six RC&D Councils completed 115 projects during FY-04. The estimated value of these projects was 4.3 million dollars. Most of the wide variety of projects fit into four categories:

  • Recreational development— parks and trails
  • Infrastructure—water supply and flood control
  • Sustainable agriculture—marketing and educational
  • Tourism—Historical and scenic site development

RC&D is a mix of conservation, economic development, environmental enhancement, and community development. The key to success is local leadership. RC&D places heavy emphasis on natural resources. Developing and using human resources is the single most important factor to RC&D success.

2004 RC&D accomplishments

2004 Success Stories:

Going Batty Wheeling Service Center
"Hands-on" Natural Resource Learning Glenville Service Center
Jefferson County Hires first Ag Development Officer Potomac Headwaters RC&D Office
On the Trail to Success Mountain RC&D Office
Wetland Classroom Little Kanawha RC&D Office

Regional and National

Nationally, West Virginia is recognized as having strong RC&D Councils with a track record of successes. The West Virginia Councils strongly support the national and regional RC&D Associations. A member of the Northern Panhandle RC&D Council, Howard Coffield, currently serves on the board of the National Association of RC&D Councils, and as the President of the Mid-Atlantic RC&D Association.

< Back to 2004 Annual Report