Pembina Trail RC&D Council - A Public Non-Profit Organization

RC&D Councils direct the program at the local level as a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. Councils are composed of local representatives of all the sponsors of the RC&D area. The program provides a way for local residents to work together and plan how they can actively solve environmental, economic, and social problems facing their communities.  The council selects projects that meet the needs of the area.

The Pembina Trail Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Association, Inc. is a non-profit organization operating under IRS 501(c)(3) regulations.  The Pembina Trail RC&D Association was authorized in February 1992.  Our geographic area covers the seven counties of Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau in northwestern Minnesota.  Local sponsors are the Board of County Commissioners and the Soil and Water Conservation Districts from each county served. Each sponsor appoints a member to serve as their representative on the RC&D Board of Directors which is commonly referred to as the council. The County Board and the SWCD also jointly select one person to serve as Member-at-Large from their respective county.  Sponsor expenses include $500.00 for annual dues, plus per diem for representatives to attend meetings.  Representatives volunteer their time to the RC&D council in order to identify and prioritize local needs and opportunities.  The council works in partnership to seek out resources necessary to implement projects addressing local concerns.

The Pembina Trail RC&D office opened July 1, 1992 in Red Lake Falls, Minnesota. The USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) supports this program by supplying staff, a vehicle and an office to the RC&D Association. 

The Pembina Trail RC&D Board meets six times a year. Board members are encouraged to participate in state, regional and national activities.

The Pembina Trail RC&D is one of eight federally designated RC&D areas in Minnesota and is a member of the Minnesota Association of RC&D Councils (MARC&D).  There are currently 375 RC&D areas throughout the United States and its territories.  The National Association of RC&D Councils also has a website for more information please visit http://www.rcdnet.org.

2009 - 2010 Council Members

The "Pembina Trail" RC&D Name

The Pembina Trail, sometimes called the Woods Trail, played a significant role in the settlement of Northwestern Minnesota.  Established in the early 1800’s, the settlers and trappers used this oxcart trail as a major overland thoroughfare for commerce and immigration, linking Winnipeg to St. Paul.  The trail followed the eastern beach ridges of Glacial Lake Agassiz and then wound through central Minnesota to St. Paul.  Usually drawn by one ox, the oxcarts traveled approximately 1,000 miles each year.  The carts would carry between 800-1,000 pounds of supplies up to twenty miles in a ten-hour day.  They often traveled in trains of 300-500 carts, starting their journey south in June and returning in September.  The trail and/or its tributary War Road, winds through all seven counties, which the Pembina Trail RC&D serves; thus, the name “Pembina Trail RC&D.”  The oxcart logo is used to help us remember the history of our area.

Resource Conservation & Development - A Program

USDA's Resource Conservation and Development Program, created by the Agriculture Act of 1962 (PL 87-703), authorizes local citizens to organize RC&D Councils. These Councils provide leadership and help people care for and protect their natural resources to improve an area's economy, environment, and living standards.  The Secretary of Agriculture has delegated administrative authority to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), although several USDA agencies contribute to the program. A national policy board composed of USDA agency administrators, as well as a national working group of agency staff help the Secretary oversee the program. Each Council is assisted by a full-time coordinator, who is an USDA employee (usually NRCS) funded by federal RC&D appropriations.

The RC&D program helps people in rural areas plan and carry out activities that increase conservation of natural resources, support economic development, and enhance the environment and standard of living in local communities.  The premise of the RC&D program is that local people know what is best for their communities.  Because of this, local people create and organize their own RC&D areas, define their own goals, and work with a broad range of public and private entities to achieve their objectives.  People in the community make the choices for the community – whether they work on land conservation, water management, environmental enhancement, community development, or something unique to their particular area.  In every case, local people are the decision-makers. 

RC&D Councils are effective, efficient and have a proven track record. They have successfully leveraged the RC&D appropriation 5:1 to directly support conservation and economic development in local communities across the nation.  The Councils are successful because they provide people with the means to solve natural resource problems and promote sustainable use of natural resources at the local level.

RC&D has four primary purposes:

1. Land Conservation - By encouraging land conservation, the Council will improve soil tilth, reduce soil erosion and help keep sediment out of the water
2. Land Management - Environmental projects improve natural resources for agricultural and other uses, such as tourism, fish and wildlife habitat, and environmental education.  Projects may also promote and preserve historical, scenic sites, energy conservation, and producing energy crops.
3. Water Management - Provide for the conservation, use and quality of water, flood mitigation, agricultural water management, and improved water quality.
4. Community Development - The Council will help create jobs and sponsor job training along with skills development.  The Council will help improve or acquire needed community facilities, such as recreation structures, sewage treatment plants, solid waste disposal systems, water systems and roads.

Each RC&D council has goals to address any one or all of these purposes.

The Pembina Trail (RC&D ) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Send mail to pembina@yahoo.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 09/16/09