Loup Basin RC&D Council

A Program for Nebraska’s Future

Loup Basin RC&D

Area Description:  The Loup Basin RC&D area was authorized in 1993. It includes 4.7 million acres in nine counties of central Nebraska. The 2000 census total population for the nine county area was almost 34,000. This is an average of five people per square mile. This area is all rural. There are a total of 44 towns. The two largest towns have a population between 2,500 – 4,000. Three towns have a population between 1,000 – 2,500. The other 39 towns and villages have populations less than 1,000. The Loup Basin RC&D sponsors represent Natural Resources Districts (NRD), counties, municipalities, chambers of commerce, booster clubs and other special interest groups and individuals.
 

Overview

The Resource Conservation and  Development Program (RC&D) is reauthorized in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. The purpose of the RC&D program is to encourage and improve the capability of volunteer local elected and civic leaders in designated RC&D areas 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. Such activities lead to sustainable communities, prudent land use, and the sound management and conservation of natural resources.
 

Benefits/Accomplishments

The RC&D program pulls together people, communities, Indian tribes, and grassroots groups that unite in shared purpose and pool resources to get work done. More than 20,000 volunteers are serving on and with RC&D councils. They are committed to revitalizing and sustaining their communities through the RC&D program. To date, 375 areas across the Nation (plus the Caribbean and Pacific Basins) have been designated by the Secretary of Agriculture as RC&D areas. They serve more  than 85 percent (2,709) of U.S. counties and over 80 percent of the U.S. population.

In fiscal year 2003, RC&Ds completed more than 4,200 projects. These resulted in 264 businesses created and 1,719 businesses expanded; 4,673 jobs created; 1,845 miles of streams and 585,901 acres of wildlife habitat improved. Over 742,000 people learned new job skills, and nearly 15 million people were served.
 

How RC&D Works

Assistance is provided, as authorized by the Secretary of Agriculture, to designated RC&D areas through their organized RC&D councils (comprised of local leaders). RC&D councils and their sponsors, in association with State, local, and Federal governments and nonprofit organizations, develop and implement local RC&D area plans. Councils also obtain assistance from other local, State, and Federal agencies; private organizations; and foundations. RC&D priorities are set by area residents to meet their needs.

Eligibility Technical assistance is available to RC&D areas designated by the Secretary of Agriculture. Technical assistance is available for planning and installing approved projects specified in RC&D area plans, for land conservation, water management, community development, and land management elements.