High Country

Resource Conservation and Development  (RC&D) Council

What is RC&D?

Communities, all levels of government and grassroots organizations work together as an RC&D Council to develop opportunities that sustain and improve our communities, local economies and natural resources. Over 40 years ago, Congress established a program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture that empowered people in rural areas to help themselves.  The USDA focus was to assist local people by providing tools and technical support to stabilize and grow their own communities  while protecting and developing natural resources. To carry out the RC&D concept, diverse groups of local volunteers  (The RC&D Council) are brought together to find solutions to their problems. Local people are best able to determine needs and create solutions for their community. The focus on local direction and control has made RC&D one of the most successful rural development programs of the Federal Government.

 

High Country RC&D Area:

The High Country RC&D Area, one of nine RC&D's in Idaho,  was authorized in August 1979 and now serves over 185,000 people.  The Area covers over 12.5 million acres encompassing nine counties in East- Central Idaho (Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Custer, Fremont , Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison, Teton) and a portion of Teton County, Wyoming.  Seventy-six percent of the land is federally owned. 

The High Country RC&D Area is sponsored by counties, cities and conservation districts in the region.  An Area-Wide Council of elected members and appointed officials represents our sponsors and acts as the policy-making body for the RC&D Area.  One member from each county serves on our Board of  Directors. The Council has developed an area-wide  plan which includes long-range priorities, objectives, and courses of action. 

 

 

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For an overview of this years 2008 annual tour click below: