Jackie Byars (left) talks with Wanda Robertson about community services.

January 6, 2009

The US Department of Agriculture pays her salary, but Jackie Byars works for a council of 27 directors of the Great Kanawha Resource Conservation & Development Council. They represent ten county commissions from Clay and Mason in the north to Mingo in the south, five cities (including Hurricane and Nitro), four soil conservation districts, and two park boards.

The council is one of six in the state and one of 375 across the country.

The RC&D councils had their start after the US Department of Agriculture set up the Soil Conservation Service to reduce and prevent soil erosion in the dust bowls of the Great Depression.

The conservation idea worked so well that the SCS organized the RC&D program to assist civic and community groups with local programs.

The GK RC&D Council service area

The Great Kanawha council has held a "nonprofit" status since its organization in 1979. "We will step up to the plate," Byars told the group," to assist with grant search and application. We will take care of the paperwork and administration."

The program concentrates on four major areas -- land management, water management, soil conservation and community development.

This includes support of school programs for outdoor classrooms, seminars, environment clubs and student competitions.

In its 30-year history the council has completed over 300 projects, including flood prevention and rural fire protection.

Byers cited some innovative projects where discarded Christmas trees were used for stream bank stabalization, and porous concrete alabs are used in parking areas to cut rainwater runoff.

Fire protection, making for lower insurance costs for homeowners, has been provided in rural areas by installation of "dry hydrants." Pipes connect the hydrants to local farm ponds from which water may be pumped in an emergency.

Putnam County is represented on the GK RD&D council by Judith Grady (Western Soil Conservation District), Brenda Campbell (City of Hurricane), and Scott Williamson (Putnam Parks & Recreation). The County Commission seat is vacant.