Economic Development Available to Mendocino County

PETALUMA, Calif., Nov. 5, 2004 - USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Chuck Bell has announced USDA approval for the expansion of the North Coast Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) area to include Mendocino County.

"Mendocino County residents will now have more opportunity to benefit from the RC&D's region-wide projects designed to spur conservation on private lands, economic growth, and community development," said RC&D Coordinator Kate Symonds. "This expansion will add 3,510 square miles, or 2,246,400 acres, to the area served by North Coast RC&D, which already includes Marin, Sonoma, and Lake Counties, as well as 22 tribal governments."

In 2003, with support from Congressman Mike Thompson and Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, the North Coast was designated by Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman as one of seven new areas to receive technical assistance for conservation and environmental enhancement as part of USDA's RC&D Program.

The expansion of the RC&D to include Mendocino County was strongly supported by Congressman Mike Thompson, Mendocino Resource Conservation District, and a partnership of Federal, state, and local agencies.

"The North Coast RC&D is currently working in partnership with others to diversify agricultural economies by exploring opportunities to promote agri-tourism and nature tourism, and biomass utilization projects in the area," said Symonds." "The North Coast area has become a nationwide tourist attraction with many resources, and we see the North Coast as an extremely rich and exciting area for developing such opportunities," she noted. "This year we also conducted a very successful and well received workshop on native plant education about preventing the spread of Sudden Oak Death, a disease affecting a wide host of trees and shrubs in our area. And several more workshops are planned for the coming year."

RC&D areas are locally led, grassroots councils made up of locally elected officials, community leaders, and volunteers. Currently there are twelve RC&D areas in California covering approximately 77 percent of the state.

Projects include creating jobs and businesses, protecting heritage sites, improving water quality, enhancing wildlife habitat, and reducing soil erosion. USDA, through NRCS, provides technical assistance in the form of a coordinator for the program. The coordinator serves as a point of access to USDA programs and services that help the RC&D council address locally identified issues and achieve its objectives.

For more information contact Kate Symonds at (707) 794-1242 x123.

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