SEPTEMBER IS THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT AREAS (RC&DS)

September 24, 2009

For More Information:
Tim Ouellette, 406-587-6794

Bozeman--This week marks the anniversary of the creation of the Resource Conservation and Development Areas. There are presently 375 such areas throughout the nation. There are eight RC&Ds in Montana; the first was the Bitter Root RC&D created in 1965; the twelfth to be formed nationwide.

The purpose of the RC&D program is to encourage and improve the capability of volunteer, locally elected, and civic leaders in designated RC&Ds to plan and carry out projects for resource conservation and community development. Program objectives focus on “quality of life” improvements achieved through natural resources conservation and community development. Montana’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) budget allocations for 2009 RC&D projects total more than $1 million. The funds are used to support community projects under the direction of district councils comprised of local leaders. RC&D councils also obtain assistance from other local, state, and Federal agencies; private organizations; and foundations. NRCS technical assistance is available to RC&Ds for planning and installing approved projects specified in RC&D area plans.

The RC&D program pulls together people, communities, Indian tribes, and grassroots groups to unite in shared purpose and pool resources to get work done. Nationally, RC&Ds serve more than 85 percent of U.S. counties and over 80 percent of the U.S. population. Volunteers revitalize and sustain local communities throughout Montana through the RC&D program.

Last year, RC&Ds:
• completed more than 4,300 projects in the United States,
• created more than 800 new businesses,
• expanded 1,524 community businesses,
• created 5,200 new jobs,
• conserved 19,278 miles of streams,
• conserved 1.3 million acres of lakes and other water bodies,
• improved 2.42 million acres of wildlife habitat,
• developed new skills for nearly 932,000 people, and
• served more than 21.1 million citizens Nationwide.

For more information about Montana RC&Ds, visit your area RC&D office, your local USDA Service Center, or the Montana NRCS Web site at http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/partnerships/rcd.html.

--end--

"The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer."