Area Plan 2009-2014

C:\Documents and Settings\User\Desktop\Holt Lake 08\STA75938.JPG

Holt Lake Cleanup – Over 100 area volunteers worked to remove more than 20 tons of trash from this portion of the Warrior River

Area Plan 2009-2014

 Tombigbee Resource Conservation & Development Council
2501 7th Street
Suite 300
Tuscaloosa, AL. 35401
Serving Bibb, Hale, Greene, Sumter, Pickens, Lamar, Fayette and Tuscaloosa Counties in West Central Alabama.

With Assistance From:
UNITED STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service

And cooperating federal, state and local governments and entities. 
Prepared under the authority of  the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture under the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981,
 Public Law 97-98, 16 U.S.C. 3451-3461 as amended by Public Law 101-624, section 1452

Nondiscrimination Statement
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (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 USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W,Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW,Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD).
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer

ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCILS:

Compliance with the Civil Rights Act
The Tombigbee RC & D program is conducted in compliance with the non discrimination provisions as contained in Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and amended, The Civil Rights restoration Act of 1987 (Pub. Law 100-259) and other nondiscrimination statutes; namely, Section 504, of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and in accordance with regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture (7CFR-15, Subparts A & B) which provide that no person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, marital status, or handicap/disability be excluded from participation in, or be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial (or technical) assistance from the Department of Agriculture or any agency thereof.


Table of Contents


Introduction

 

  • RC&D Background

1

Part 1

 

Organizational Overview

 

  • Vision and Mission Statement

2

  • Tombigbee RC&D Background

2

  • Council Structure

3

  • Overview of the Tombigbee Area

4

  • Demographics

4

  • Natural Resources

5

  • Agriculture

5

  • County Land Use Data

6

  • Socio-Economic Information

7

  • Climate

11

  • Soils, Topography, and Water Resources

11

Part 2

 

Public Participation

 

  • Public Participation Activities

12

  • Identified Problems & Opportunities

13

  • Summary of Finding

14

Part 3

 

Goals and Strategies

 

  • Element - Land Conservation

15

  • Element - Community Development

18

  • Element – Water Management

20

  • Element - Land Management

22

Part 4

 

List of Current and Potential Partners

24

Part 5

 

Linkages to USDA/NRCS Strategic Plan

 

  • Brief Summary of Linkages

26

  • Required Clauses and Signatures

28

APPEDIX

29

Introduction

This document is the long-range plan of the Tombigbee Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council, of West Central Alabama.  It was developed by soliciting public input through a survey of citizens, organizations and stakeholders in the eight county area served by Tombigbee RC&D. In addition to the survey results, a web poll was conducted, and Council members provided guidance in the development of this plan. The counties served by this area plan include the following: Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Pickens, Sumter and Tuscaloosa.
The Resource Conservation and Development Program was developed based on the premise that local people, working together, can identify and solve problems and realize opportunities that will enhance the quality of life in their area.  Plans are designed to direct Federal, State, and local resources toward accomplishing the purpose of the RC&D Program and are consistent with needs identified in the RC&D planning process.
The purpose of this plan is to provide strategic direction for the organization. The organization is stronger than ever before, yet more efforts are needed to ensure a strong sustainable organization that serves the communities in our area.

RC&D Background    

In 1962, Congress passed the Food and Agricultural Act, which authorized Resource Conservation and Development areas.  The purpose of the act was to expand opportunities for conservation districts, local units of governments, and individuals to improve their communities in multi-county areas.  This included assistance in enhancing the economic, environmental and social well being of the RC&D Areas. Currently, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in conjunction with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers the Federal RC&D Program. This document serves as an agreement between NRCS and the Tombigbee RC&D Council, Inc.

The purpose, as stated in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 - Subtitle H, of the RC&D Program is:

  • To develop and carry out area plans and projects in designated areas in order to conserve, develop, and improve the use of land.

  • To develop natural resources

  • To improve and enhance the social, economic, and environmental conditions in primarily rural areas of the United States.

  • To encourage and improve the capability of State and local units of government, Indian tribes, nonprofit organizations, and councils.

Vision:
 “To promote and provide leadership in resource management and economic growth in the Tombigbee RC&D area”

Mission:
 Provide leadership in organizing regional needs and concerns as they relate to the economy, environment, and society and to enhance local leadership by forming coalition and partnership with federal, state, and local agencies, groups, and organizations to assist in solving these needs and concerns.
Carry out activities that accelerate the development, conservation and wise use of human, financial and natural resources in order to improve the standard of living within the area.

Tombigbee RC&D Background

 Tombigbee RC&D takes its name from the major river within its area. The Tombigbee River is valuable assets, with the Ten-Tom waterway connecting the Midwest with the Gulf Coast. The Black Warrior River is a navigable 426-mile transportation route from Birmingham to the Gulf of Mexico and the Cahaba River provides scenic tourism opportunities.
The original sponsors of Tombigbee RC&D were County Commissioners and members of Soil & Water Conservation Districts. In 1971, they asked for help from the US Department of Agriculture to improve the economy through orderly development and conservation of resources by establishing an RC&D area. After the USDA approved the request, the Tombigbee RC&D service area was established in 1974. The Tombigbee RC&D later applied for and received its 501(c) (3) non-profit status.

The goals and objectives at the time of incorporation were to “provide local leadership needed for developing, making necessary amendments to and carrying out a plan for the orderly development, conservation improvement, and wise use of the area’s natural resources, and to educate, collect, coordinate and disseminate information for development of human resources, thereby improving the economic opportunities for the people within the Tombigbee Resource Conservation and Development Area.”  Tombigbee RC&D was organized exclusively for charitable, educational, or scientific purposes.

Today, Tombigbee RC&D plans and implements activities that increase conservation of natural resources, supports economic development, enhances the environment, and improves the standard of living in its Council area. Many of these projects develop into partnerships between local businesses, governmental agencies and citizen volunteers. Aggressive grant management has enabled the Council to do a wide array of projects, including:

  • Watershed Management

  • Education

  • Quality of Life Enhancements

  • Land Management           

 

C:\Documents and Settings\User\My Documents\NRCS\mapw-counties\rcd-tombigbee.jpg

 

Tombigbee RC&D Council structure

A 24 member citizen Board of Directors serves as trustees representing the diversity of interest in communities. No less than one third of the Board represents At-Large Members from the communities served and no more than two thirds may be public officials. Board members govern the policy, direction and activities of the RC&D Council.

To provide optimal input to the Staff regarding direction and goals of the Council, members of the Board of Directors serve on working committees, which include Finance, Personnel, and Executive Committee. Working Committees meet as necessary to conduct business. The Executive Committee meets quarterly to discuss the status of projects and programs and identify opportunities for cooperative projects.

Tombigbee is part of the Alabama Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils. Tombigbee Council members and staff attend mid-year and annual meetings of the Alabama Association of RC&D Councils, as well meetings of the Southeastern Association of RC&D Councils/National RC&D. Tombigbee council members and staff attend Special Meetings, Resource Committee meetings and County Rural Development Committee Meetings—as called.

OVERVIEW OF THE TOMBIGBEE AREA

The Tombigbee Area is located in west central Alabama. It includes Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Pickens, Sumter and Tuscaloosa Counties. The area encompasses 6,255.88 square miles, as indicated:

  • Bibb County- 623.03 square miles

  • Fayette County- 627.66 square miles

  • Greene County- 645.87 square miles

  • Hale County- 643.74 square miles

  • Lamar County- 604.85 square miles

  • Pickens County- 881.42 square miles

  • Sumter County- 904.94 square miles

  • Tuscaloosa County- 1,324.37 square miles

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