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sponsors record the actions and develop the RC&D plan. This process of evaluation and redefinition of goals and developing the plan of action is repeated each year in each area to obtain improvements in rural communities. Essential in the planning process are coordination and cooperation. USDA, through the Soil Conservation Service, provides a person known as an RC&D Coordinator to assist sponsors in coordinating activities to achieve the goals and actions recorded in the RC&D area plan. The typical RC&D area has 17 sponsors including six county governments, seven soil and water conservation districts, two cities, a substate district and one other organization. This group of sponsors organize by having each sponsor designate a representative to serve on the RC&D council. The council, with assistance from the RC&D Coordinator and other agency representatives, carries out the coordinating function to make effective use of all financial and manpower resources available in the area.

RC&D area planning focuses on natural resource programs through its local citizen leadership and participation. The planning process leads to an enhancement of the environment; an orderly approach to land use change; reduction of flooding and drainage problems; development of recreation facilities; protection of scenic and historic attractions; the development of local industry and the generation of other rural community developments. In fiscal year 1980, RC&D measures benefiting about 1,800 communities were completed. These measures are made up of a variety of activities carried out under the leadership of the RC&D council with assistance from Federal, State, and local cooperating agencies. The Soil Conservation Service and other cooperating USDA agencies provided technical assistance on about 335 of the total 1,226 measures. This technical assistance included providing soils information, farm market analysis, wood utilization studies, and that assistance needed by the sponsors to plan, layout and supervise installation of works of improvement and described below in "Financial Assistance." The assistance on the remaining 891 measures was provided through the RC&D Coordinator and consisted of identifying sources of assistance, determining probable impacts, and advising RC&D sponsors on actions to be taken.

Financial assistance: There were 126 measures installed with financial assistance in fiscal year 1980, bringing the total to 1,706 measures completed. Financial assistance is provided by the Soil Conservation Service for critical area treatment (erosion and sediment control), flood prevention, farm irrigation, land drainage, agriculture-related pollutant control, public water-based recreation, fish and wildlife developments, and water quality management measures.

Loan assistance: The Farmers Home Administration authorized 8 loans in fiscal year 1980 for a total of about $1,819.00. These loans were made to local sponsors to carry out RC&D measures. Approximately 135 active borrowers were serviced in fiscal year 1980 in addition to the new loans.

Program Assignments

Administrative leadership for this Program is assigned to the Soil Conservation Service. USDA area planning assistance as well as technical assistance for implementing the plan is provided by the Soil Conservation Service and Forest Service. With direction from the Science Education Administration arrangements are made for the State Cooperative Extension Service in selected RC&D areas to provide educational assistance to meet sponsors' special needs. The Farmers Home Administration is responsible for the loan provisions of the Program. The Economics Statistics Service aids in evaluating activities having impact in more than one RC&D area and in the evaluation of applications and RC&D plans. In addition, other agencies of the Department provide assistance in accordance with their Departmentally assigned functions.

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Before - Severe erosion resulted as people from a nearby campground sought access to water. Erosion control and improved camping facilities were needed.

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After The eroded area was shaped and vegetated and facilities improved for recreation of people in the Huron Pines RC&D Area in Michigan.

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Erosion and excessive runoff were damaging 12 schools in Etowah County in the Coosa Valley RC&D Area, Alabama. Classrooms were flooded and roads damaged.

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After conservation treatments were installed the problems of erosion and excessive runoffs were solved at 12 Etowah County schools. Several of the schools are using the treated areas for outdoor classroom activities where students can develop an appreciation for the environment.

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Other Federal agencies provide assistance to RC&D sponsors within their existing authorities and programs.
State and local units of government and their agencies also participate. Thus, RC&D activities are broader
than those created by assistance from this Department alone. An indication of the level of participation by
USDA agencies follows:

Direct funds obligated in 1980 and estimates of projected available funds and direct staff-years by agency for FY 1981 and FY 1982 follows:

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