United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service		 West Virginia Go to Accessibility Information
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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 mission of the RC&D program is to make available the total financial, administrative, educational and technical resources of USDA and other public and private partnerships to increase the ability of communities to meet their regionally identified resource conservation and development needs.

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

2006 Accomplishments

The RC&D program has 4 goals they are working on nationwide. 

  • Land Conservation
  • Land Management
  • Water Management
  • Community Development

Together the six RC&D Councils completed 636 projects during FY-06.

Fiscal Year 2006 Accomplishments Totals
Acres of Wildlife Habitat Improved 245
Acres of Water Bodies Improved 5
Feet Shoreline Protected 5,430
Acres of Watershed or Area-wide Conservation Plans developed 368,700
Acres Land Preserved or Protected 4,750
Business Financed - Monetary 1,000
Business Financially Assisted 11
Acres of Recreational Area Established, Improved, or Retained 462
Visitor Days Increased 5,745
People Developing New Skills through Workshops and Training Events 3,825
Workshops and Training Sessions 71
People Benefiting from New Technology 250
Economically or Socially Disadvantaged People Served 80,812
Citizens Served 873,003

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.

2006 Success Stories:
Success Story Service Center | RC&D Office Program
McMechen Outdoor Learning Center Northern Panhandle RC&D RC&D
Monroe County Vocational School Meat Processing Facility Mountain RC&D RC&D
Restoration and Redevelopment of B&O Roundhouse Complex Potomac Headwaters RC&D RC&D
DuPont Soccer Complex Green Parking Lot Potomac Headwaters RC&D RC&D
American Discovery Trail Information Kiosk Potomac Headwaters RC&D RC&D

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 2006 Annual Report