A resource conservation district (RCD) acts as an independent local liaison between the federal government and landowners, working closely with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service ( NRCS—formerly the Soil Conservation Service).
RCDs address a wide variety of conservation issues such as forest fuel management, water and air quality, wildlife habitat restoration, soil erosion control, conservation education, and much more.
In California, RCDs are “special districts” organized under the state Public Resources Code, Division 9. Each district has a locally elected or appointed volunteer board of directors made up of landowners in that district.
There are 103 RCDs in the state, most of which are funded largely through grants. The Department of Conservation and the NRCS provide training and in-kind support, as well as a watershed grant program for RCDs. Today RCDs work in urban areas as well as with farmers and ranchers on agriculture-related concerns. California’s size and geographical diversity—along with an ever-growing population-make natural resources stewardship a great challenge in the Golden State.
The East Merced Resource Conservation District (EMRCD) was created to develop and further ongoing programs to conserve natural resources in Eastern Merced County. EMRCD's goals are to:
- Preserve & enhance the river and floodplain environment along the Lower Merced River (from the Merced Falls bridge to the San Joaquin River);
- Preserve & enhance rangelands/vernal pool grasslands in Eastern Merced County;
- Address water quality issues in the crop and dairy-land regions of Eastern Merced County;
- Preserve agricultural lands;
- Protect surface water and groundwater quality and quantity;
- Protect & enhance soil health and air quality;
- Develop positive relationships with local, state, and federal legislators;
- Promote awareness of natural resources issues unique to Merced County;
- Operate and maintain Mustang Creek Flood Control Project;
- Develop/distribute technical information on wetland resources and wildlife habitat;
- Support management and education efforts for noxious weed control; and
- Make district-owned equipment available to landowners for a nominal fee.
The East Merced Resource Conservation District (EMRCD) encompasses approximately 190,840 acres, with a total sphere of influence (which includes all of Merced County east of the San Joaquin River) encompassing more than 659,000 acres. Topography varies from rolling foothills in the east to gently sloping alluvial fans and terraces on the valley floor. Land use within EMRCD includes rangeland, dry farmed land, irrigated agriculture, wildlife habitat, rural, and urban.
EMRCD was formed on March 7, 1997, through the consolidation of five smaller districts; La Paloma RCD, Ballico RCD, El Nido RCD, Stevinson, RCD and Lone Tree RCD. As a legally constituted unit under the State of California, it was created to develop and further ongoing programs to conserve natural resources in eastern Merced County.
For more information on EMRCD and our programs, click on the links to the left or contact us at: