Resource Conservation and Development Program
federal program administered by the United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service
The Resource Conservation and Development Program (RC&D), initiated in 1962 under authority of Food and Agriculture Act of 1962 (P.L. 87-703), assists multi-county areas in enhancing conservation, water quality, wildlife habitat, recreation and rural development. Work in each area is coordinated by a council. At present, 375 areas have been approved encompassing more than 2,500 counties.
The RC&D Program is a nationwide USDA program administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The purpose of the 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. 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. Once the Area was designated by the Secretary of Agriculture, USDA provided until Fiscal Year 2011 a staff person, the RC&D Coordinator, to assist the local group in developing a Council and assist the Council in carrying out its objectives and goals by providing guidance, advice, and “technical assistance.” In general, the Coordinator was a facilitator, advisor, and coach to the RC&D Council. In addition to the Federal RC&D Coordinator, USDA also provided office space and appropriate basic support for program administration. However, in Fiscal Year 2011, Congress removed all funding from the budget for supporting the RC&D Council program, and such funding has never been restored since that time.
The public source identifies “Resource Conservation and Development Program” as federal program administered by the United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service. This brief keeps that definition visible, then builds a research path around Resource, Conservation and Development.
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