In order to deliver these services locally, Resource Conservation Districts were formed under state law. These districts, governed by locally elected or appointed boards, were to develop and carry out local resource conservation programs with technical help from the SCS. A "Standard Act" was proposed in which formation and operation of conservation districts were outlined, from which states could develop their own legislation.
These early districts concentrated on soil and water conservation on private agricultural land, an emphasis resulting from the "Dust Bowl" disaster of the early 1930's. RCD's help landowners, groups, and public officials conserve soil and water through the proper management of those resources. They also help control water runoff, prevent erosion, stabilize soil on agricultural, urban and recreational lands, wildlife areas and watersheds.
Modern day RCD's are governed by the California Public Resources,
Division 9, which establishes the framework for conducting the business of
resource conservation districts in the State. California has 114 Resource
Conservation Districts covering approximately eighty percent of the state.
The role of RCDs as stated in Division 9 has expanded over the years from
assisting individual land users with erosion control and development
projects on agricultural land to a broader range of functions. These
functions include:
Community and land use
planning Agricultural land protection Watershed planning and
management Wetland preservation Water conservation and water
quality protection and enhancement Soil and water management on
nonagricultural lands Wildlife habitat enhancement Recreational land restoration Irrigation Management Conservation Education Economic Development Forest Stewardship
Assessments on real property fund some of the RCDs in California while other RCDs receive donations from the public and hold fund raising activities. The Coarsegold RCD has an annual tree sale as its primary fund raiser which is held in January each year and offers a variety of trees, shrubs and wildflower seed that is indigenous to this area
