National Association of Conservation Districts

Resources Conservation Act (RCA)

Resources Conservation Act
The Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act (RCA) requires that USDA conservation programs be based on a comprehensive and continuing natural resource appraisal. The purpose of the Act is to ensure that USDA’s conservation programs are responsive to the long-term needs of the Nation.

Congress reauthorized RCA in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, expanding the scope of the appraisal and establishing a schedule of deliverables.

The RCA requires USDA to:

• Conduct a continuing appraisal of the status, conditions and trends of the Nation’s soil, water and related resources and assess their capability to meet present and future demand; and
• Evaluate current and needed programs, policies and authorities and develop a national program to provide guidance for all USDA conservation programs and activities.

Additional information on the RCA, the role of conservation districts, history and public participation is below.

Conservation Districts and the RCA

Public Participation

Additional Information

Conservation Districts and the RCA
Conservation districts are an integral part of the conservation delivery system. As a result, NACD and districts were heavily involved with developing the first RCA, beginning in the late 1970s. Many states developed conservation programs as part of those early efforts that continue to this day. Additional state and federal funds were also allocated to conservation programs as a result of the RCA.

Conservation districts carried out an historical public involvement process, gathering landowner input and conservation priorities from every district across America. NACD provided guidance throughout this nationwide process, and partnered with USDA to compile and publicize the results.

As part of the process, NACD also created a communication vehicle called RCA Notes. The ten-year series enabled the Association to update conservation districts and partners on a wide variety of delivery system matters, ranging from progress on state level planning to budget and program information.

NACD understands the importance and long-lasting implications of the RCA process. We encourage every conservation district and state association to utilize every avenue available to participate in the process and shape future conservation policies and programs.

Public Participation
Nationwide public stakeholder involvement is a critical component of the RCA process — providing valuable feedback on the effectiveness of existing programs and the need for new initiatives and programs to address changing conditions and natural resource needs.

Specifically, USDA is interested in your comments in the following areas:

• The most important natural resource concerns on private lands today and in the coming decade
• Effectiveness of current conservation program approaches (e.g., technical assistance, cost-share, easements, compliance, research, land retirement, locally led conservation) in addressing priority resource concerns
• Alternative program approaches (e.g., environmental service markets, tax credits) to address resource issues

Individuals or entities may submit RCA comments on or before August 30, 2009 using any of the following methods:

• Mail: Strategic and Performance Planning Division, Room 4237S, Attn. RCA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, P O Box 2890, Washington, DC 20013;
• Hand Delivery: Room 4237S, Attn. RCA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 14 th and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250, between 9AM and 4PM. Please ask the guard at the South Building entrance to call: (202) 690-0467, in order to be escorted into the building.
• E-mail:RCA@wdc.usda.gov; or
• Fax: (202) 720-3057.
• RCA Listening Sessions : Individuals or entities may also provide feedback to USDA at one or more of the RCA listening sessions currently scheduled for summer 2009. Click here for the Federal Register notice of public meetings.
  

Additional Information
Click here for a brief overview of RCA that includes historical results and specific deliverables.

Click here for a historical account from Neil Sampson’s book “With One Voice” that describes NACD and conservation districts involvement in the RCA.

For more information on RCA, visit the USDA website or contact:

Strategic and Performance Planning Division
Natural Resources Conservation Service
PO Box 2890
Washington, DC 20013
Phone: (202) 690-0467
Fax: (202) 720-3057
Email: RCA@wdc.usda.gov