District Size: 1,765,000 acres Year Formed: 1953 Projects: The district includes portions of the Middle Klamath Sub-Basin, McCloud River Sub-Basin, Upper Sacramento Sub-Basin, and the entirety of the Shasta River Sub-Basin (see map). The District watersheds are described in detail in the Long Range Plan covering these four hydrologic areas.
Highest priority for district activities is placed on those portions of the Middle Klamath Sub-Basin which are within the boundaries of the SVRCD. People in this area are affected by endangered species issues and currently lack a watershed council or partnership that adequately represents their needs. The SVRCD puts high priority on projects in this area.
Lower priority will be placed on the Shasta River Sub-Basin. Though very significant in terms of Klamath Basin Fisheries, the Shasta River Coordinated Resources Management and Planning (CRMP) Council has been working to restore anadromous fish production for the last 10 years. Though the Shasta CRMP is "under the umbrella" of the SVRCD, its staff and accounts are handled through a private nonprofit group, Great Northern Corporation. Functionally speaking, the Shasta CRMP is doing just fine on its own, and the SVRCD would be most effective by placing priority on other parts of the District.
The Upper Sacramento and McCloud portions of the District present a different climate in terms of resource conservation issues. Neither are accessible to anadromous fish, and issues revolve mostly around timber harvest. This will be a change for the SVRCD, which has, to date, dealt primarily in issues relating to agriculture. The SVRCD must place priority on educating directors and staff in timber harvest issues to understand more about what these areas are facing, and establish a dialogue with private and public entities who are seeking similar goals. Overview: The Shasta Valley Resource Conservation District's mission is to enhance the conservation and economic stability of natural resources by coordinating and supporting landowner activities, both public and private, and by providing information, education, and project implementation to residents within all watersheds in the district boundaries.
The RCD has historically worked to benefit agriculture. The SVRCD is managed by volunteer directors who are landowners in their district and who have an understanding of local concerns. In addition, the SVRCD hires staff members to oversee district operations and coordinate projects.
More recently, the SVRCD has expanded its focus to benefit not only agricultural land users, but all residents of the district. In addition, SVRCD activities will not only benefit agricultural needs, but also those of fish, wildlife, plants, and other valuable resources found within its boundaries.
