High Country
Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council
High Country
Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council
I. PROTECT AND IMPROVE THE NATURAL RESOURCE BASE WITHIN THE RC&D AREA.
Objective 1: Promote Invasive Species Awareness
Goal 1: Assist Sponsors to develop comprehensive invasive species program.
Goal 2: Assist Cooperative Weed Management Area's within the RC&D Area
Goal 3: Assist intrastate and interstate coordination for invasive species control.
Objective 2: Promote Management of Forested Lands within the RC&D Area
Goal 1: Assist sponsors with implementation of Healthy Forests Initiative
Goal 2: Assist sponsors to implement county level Wild Lands Fire Mitigation Plans and National Fire Plan.
Goal 3: Support and expand the RC&D community forestry program
Goal 4: Encourage demonstration projects that utilize small diameter wood products, slash, and other by-products.
Goal 5: Promote and preserve open access to public and private forest lands.
Objective 3: Provide Access to Natural Resource Data and Information
Goal 1: Assess regional natural resource education needs and develop education plans to address needs.
Goal 2: Provide training, workshops, tours that improve public access to natural resources information and data.
Goal 3: Develop education materials related to the regions natural resources.
Goal 4: Support sponsors to develop outdoor conservation classrooms.
Goal 5: Coordinate efforts to develop natural resource education curriculum for use in schools.
Objective 4: Promote Conservation of Soil and Land Resources
Goal 1: Support sponsor's efforts to plan and implement land conservation projects.
Goal 2: provide services to acquire funding for land conservation projects.
Goal 3: Support field trials to demonstrate new techniques and technology.
Goal 4: Explore, develop and implement new strategies for mitigation and enhancement of land resources.
Objective 1: Encourage the Proper Use of the Regions Water Resources
Goal 1: Assist sponsors to identify and assess watershed issues, concerns, problems, opportunities and solutions.
Goal 2: Assist sponsors efforts to improve or maintain water quality in the areas lakes, rivers, streams, or aquifers.
Goal 3: Assist sponsors to develop appropriate strategies in flood prone areas.
Goal 4: Support sponsors to improve irrigation systems and water distribution systems while protecting natural resources values.
Goal 5: Provide means to protect or enhance water supply and natural resource values within identified watersheds.
Objective 1: Achieve Better Resource use on all Lands and Reduce Land Use Conflicts.
Goal 1: Assist sponsors to retain prime and unique lands in current uses.
Goal 2: Encourage and facilitate efforts to minimize conflicts between users on private, federal and state lands.
Goal 3: Assist sponsors to develop coordinated resource planning and management.
Objective 2: Enhance Wildlife Resources and Management
Goal 1: Develop projects to control noxious weeds on CWMAs, riparian corridors, and winter range.
Goal 2: Promote development of water based wildlife areas on private, city, county or state owned land.
Goal 3: Support wildlife managing agencies to evaluate area wildlife resources and potential endangered species.
Goal 4: support existing wildlife programs to include social and resource needs.
Goal 5: Develop and/or assist with public information programs on wildlife management.
Goal 6: Work with agencies to promote a balance between predators and non-game and game wildlife management.
II. IMPROVE COMMUNITY ASSETS WITHIN THE RC&D AREA.
Objective 1: Develop or enhance recreation opportunities.
Goal 1: Assist local government and agencies identify area needs for new or improved recreational facilities and services.
Goal 2: Assist local sponsors to develop new, or improve existing recreational facilities and services.
Goal 3: Assist sponsors to develop parks and other recreation areas close to population centers.
Goal 4: Support historic and archeological preservation activities within the area.
Goal 5: Assist area tourism industry to develop and implement tourism plans.
Objective 2: Enhance the Quality of Life within the RC&D Area.
Goal 1: Support sponsors efforts to develop and implement "all hazard mitigation plans" (AHMP) and Homeland Security plans.
Goal 2: Assist community's to assess needs to develop or improve infrastructure, enhance facilities and services.
Goal 3: Assist communities to assess needs to develop, or improve, and protect natural resources.
III. PROTECT AND IMPROVE THE ECONOMIC RESOURCES WITHIN THE RC&D AREA
Objective 1: Support the Area's Agriculture Business and Natural Resource Industry
Goal 1: Promote sustainable agriculture and value added initiatives.
Goal 2: Assess opportunities for alternative agriculture business or industry.
Goal 3: Assist in the development of alternative energy sources including wind, solar, bio-mass fuels, geo-thermal etc.
Goal 4: Promote better communication and cooperation between agriculture industry and business.
Goal 5: Assist sponsors to develop mineral resources where the economic, social, and ecological results would be favorable.
IV. IMPROVE HCRC&D COUNCIL OPERATIONS
Objective 1: Enhance the capacity of the RC&D Council
Goal 1: Evaluate organization strengths and weaknesses. Implement policies, procedures and practices as needed.
Goal 2: Provide annual training to Board of Directors
Goal 3: Develop and implement an internal and external communications plan.
Goal 4: Provide opportunities for sponsors to develop and/or enhance their organizations capacity.
