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Resource Conservation District seeks countywide boundary to unlock state and federal funds
Summary
Becky Crockett, RCD district manager, told the board the Del Norte Resource Conservation District seeks countywide annexation (no new taxes) to access block grants and federal/state programs for fuels management, water quality and agriculture; annexation is scheduled for May 18.
Becky Crockett, District Manager for the Del Norte Resource Conservation District, briefed the Board of Supervisors on a planned countywide expansion of the RCD's boundary and an annexation process slated for May 18.
Crockett said the expansion would not impose new taxes; California RCDs are primarily funded by grants and gifts. She described the countywide boundary as a way to make Del Norte County more competitive for state and federal block grants that increasingly require applicants to be part of broader collaborative entities.
Crockett cited specific proposals and recent awards: a submitted $3 million Cal Fire shaded-fuel-breaks grant to protect communities from wildfire; a $1.5 million U.S. Department of Agriculture application for support to farms; a $250,000 block grant through the State Coastal Conservancy; and smaller NRCS cooperative-agreement awards, including a recent $75,000 award and an additional $50,000 for a Smith River Basin water-quality plan. She said expansion would help other special districts and local entities partner on and access these funds.
Board members asked about governance and whether the RCD would expand its board. Crockett said the RCD intends to remain collaborative and is open to adding representatives (for example, from Green Diamond) but emphasized its track record of delivering projects on time and on budget.
What's next: The annexation process and related LAFCO actions continue; the RCD and county staff will coordinate outreach to other special districts and prospective grant partners.
