Contacts
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889 Lakeport Blvd, Lakeport, California 95453
Phone (707) 263 4180 lccarcd@yahoo.com Korinn Woodard, NRCS District Conservationist (707) 263-4180 x 104 korinn.woodard@ca.usda.gov Laurie Hutchison, Lake County Fire Safe Council firesafelc@gmail.com Greg Dills, Project Manager 707-262-7089 lakecountyrcds@gmail.com Lake County RCD agendas and minutes (and East Lake RCD agendas and minutes archives) can be downloaded from this site in pdf format. All other pertinent information is available to the public at our office in the Lake County Agricultural Center, 889 Lakeport Blvd in Lakeport. A nominal copying fee may apply. Download a complete list of software programs in use by the district webmaster |
Lake County RCD was formed by the consolidation of the West Lake and East Lake RCDs on July 1, 2016. The founding directors were appointed by the county Board of Supervisors on June 28, 2016, and officers elected at an organizational meeting on July 15, 2016. Directors:
Associate Directors:
download 2021 Annual Report to the Board of Supervisors |
Directors Merry Jo Velasquez, Harry Lyons, Victoria Brandon, the late Ron Yoder, Shula Shoup, Bill Lincoln, Jim Bridges
What is an RCD?
Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs), once known as Soil Conservation Districts, are “special districts” of the state of California, as locally governed agencies with their own locally appointed or elected independent boards of directors. RCDs help private landowners conserve soil and water and manage their resources sustainably. They also act as a focal point for local conservation efforts, function as leaders in the conservation community, and sponsor educational efforts to teach children and adults alike the importance of conserving natural resources. Activities include soil and water conservation programs, wildlife habitat enhancement and restoration projects, invasive species management, watershed restoration, conservation planning, demonstration of new technologies, education, etc.
A Bit of History
The federal government established the Soil Conservation Service in 1937, in response to the national “Dust Bowl” crisis of the 1930s. Local “Soil Conservation Districts” began forming in the late 1930s and quickly spread throughout the 48 states, where they began to perform the functions originally envisioned by the formation of the SCS.
In California, Soil Conservation Districts were originally empowered to manage soil and water resources for conservation, but these powers were expanded in the early 1970s to include “related resources,” including fish and wildlife habitat. This expansion of powers was reflected in the change of name from “Soil” Conservation Districts to “Resource” Conservation Districts in 1971.
How are RCDs organized?
At one time, RCD directors were usually elected, but most are now appointed by county boards of supervisors. Nonetheless, RCD boards are not county government entities, although they are subject to state law concerning elections, responsibilities, legal meetings, transparency and accountability. Boards meet publicly once a month to discuss local conservation issues, and make decisions or take actions. RCDs usually have little or no tax base and rely heavily on grants and other types of fundraising to stay in operation.
Board members , who always serve without pay, are appointed or elected on their strengths as active partners in the conservation community, and are almost always landowners within a district with interest in conserving resources on their own lands. Boards also frequently employ specialists and contractors to carry out board policies and projects, which may address a broad array of conservation issues.
What is the relationship between the RCD and NRCS?
RCDs were created to be the local implementing arm of the US Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). By law, an RCD must invite the NRCS into a county, with NRCS appointing a local district conservationist to provide technical assistance to districts, as well as acting as a liaison between the district and federal programs. Local offices of the NRCS also frequently employ other specialists, such as soil conservationists and engineers, to provide technical assistance to the district. As with other Resource Conservation Districts, Lake County Resource Conservation District works closely with NRCS staff.
Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs), once known as Soil Conservation Districts, are “special districts” of the state of California, as locally governed agencies with their own locally appointed or elected independent boards of directors. RCDs help private landowners conserve soil and water and manage their resources sustainably. They also act as a focal point for local conservation efforts, function as leaders in the conservation community, and sponsor educational efforts to teach children and adults alike the importance of conserving natural resources. Activities include soil and water conservation programs, wildlife habitat enhancement and restoration projects, invasive species management, watershed restoration, conservation planning, demonstration of new technologies, education, etc.
A Bit of History
The federal government established the Soil Conservation Service in 1937, in response to the national “Dust Bowl” crisis of the 1930s. Local “Soil Conservation Districts” began forming in the late 1930s and quickly spread throughout the 48 states, where they began to perform the functions originally envisioned by the formation of the SCS.
In California, Soil Conservation Districts were originally empowered to manage soil and water resources for conservation, but these powers were expanded in the early 1970s to include “related resources,” including fish and wildlife habitat. This expansion of powers was reflected in the change of name from “Soil” Conservation Districts to “Resource” Conservation Districts in 1971.
How are RCDs organized?
At one time, RCD directors were usually elected, but most are now appointed by county boards of supervisors. Nonetheless, RCD boards are not county government entities, although they are subject to state law concerning elections, responsibilities, legal meetings, transparency and accountability. Boards meet publicly once a month to discuss local conservation issues, and make decisions or take actions. RCDs usually have little or no tax base and rely heavily on grants and other types of fundraising to stay in operation.
Board members , who always serve without pay, are appointed or elected on their strengths as active partners in the conservation community, and are almost always landowners within a district with interest in conserving resources on their own lands. Boards also frequently employ specialists and contractors to carry out board policies and projects, which may address a broad array of conservation issues.
What is the relationship between the RCD and NRCS?
RCDs were created to be the local implementing arm of the US Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). By law, an RCD must invite the NRCS into a county, with NRCS appointing a local district conservationist to provide technical assistance to districts, as well as acting as a liaison between the district and federal programs. Local offices of the NRCS also frequently employ other specialists, such as soil conservationists and engineers, to provide technical assistance to the district. As with other Resource Conservation Districts, Lake County Resource Conservation District works closely with NRCS staff.
The East Lake Board meeting at Perini Ranch, August 2014.
From left: Dan Desmond, Charlotte Griswold, President Dwight Holford, Victoria Brandon, and Paul Aigner
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The final meeting of the East Lake RCD Board, Perini Ranch, June 9, 2016. From left, Paul Aigner, Charlotte Griswold, Victoria Brandon, Bill Lincoln, Dan Desmond
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