Overview
On an already baking-hot Wednesday morning at the end of May
2003, a diverse group of Butte County citizens gathered under
the cooling shade of majestic oaks surrounding Honey Run Covered
Bridge to celebrate two events that many thought they would
never see: The formation of a conservation district in Butte
County and the signing of an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
formalizing the relationship between the district and the USDA-Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The Department of Conservation
(DOC) and California Association of Conservation District (CARCD)
are also signatories of this MOU.
The district was formed after passage of a countywide ballot
measure in March 2002. The measure passed by a very slim margin–only
156 votes. Misconceptions about the intent of a conservation
district, including fears that cities might gain control of
its funding and authority, thwarted its formation in the past.
Two previous attempts to form a district in the county failed
to win support from farmers and large land interests and never
came before voters.
Representing NRCS, State Conservationist Chuck Bell
spoke about local leadership and empowerment that a district
can bring to producers and the technical assistance and
expertise NRCS can provide. |
"The same reason we weren't able to form a district for
years is the same reason we finally did," said Butte County
Supervisor Jane Dolan. "We are a diverse county. The people
want to know. They want information. And they want to have input.”
Sharing in the celebration were representatives from Cooperative
Extension, Water Commission, Department of Water & Resource
Conservation, Agricultural Commissioner, League of Women Voters,
LAFCO, Assemblyman Rick Keene’s office, California Department
of Forestry and Fire Protection, Cherokee Watershed Group, California
Women in Agriculture, Butte County Fire Safe Council, and neighboring
RCD’s from Tehama and Glenn counties. Among the speakers
were NRCS State Conservationist Chuck Bell, DOC Assistant Director
Eric Vink, Tom Wehri of CARCD, Butte County Farm Bureau President
Tod Kimmelshue, and Ed Chombeau of Butte County RCD.
Hue Dang, District Conservationist at the new NRCS office in
Oroville, was there as well. Dang and Pia Sevelius, County Watershed
Coordinator, helped setup the ceremony and both worked as hard
as anyone to get the district up and running.
The benefit of cooperation among the various interests was
a recurring theme during the presentations. "We must all
work together towards common goals to save rural California,"
said Kimmelshue, who offered the farmers’ perspective
on the MOU.
Honey Run Covered Bridge is located 8 miles east
of Chico in Butte County. Like each conservation district,
this bridge is unique. Honey Run Covered Bridge is the
only covered bridge in the country with three distinctive
rooflines.
Among several stories concerning how the Honey Run
got its name is a humorous one involving a young couple
who, while strolling near the bridge were confronted by
a bear. The young man was heard to shout, "Run, Honey!
Run!" And thus, the name. |
The picturesque bridge, built in 1894 at the confluence of
Big Butte and Little Butte Creeks and one of only 12 remaining
covered bridges remaining in California, served as the ideal
backdrop to the joyful event. Black cliffs formed by ancient
Cascade Range lava flows towering above the bridge only added
to the grandeur.
"The RCD is in a position to build bridges between rural
Butte County and urban Butte County," said Bell emphasizing
the symbolic setting.
Newspaper reporters were on hand, and a television crew captured
the occasion for posterity–and local news broadcasts.
That evening, the story aired on Chico's channels 12 and 24,
including after-event comments from Bell and Chombeau.
It was a fine beginning.
Annual and Strategic Plans are Available Online:
BC-RCD
2006 - 2007 Annual Plan (PDF)
BC-RCD
2006 to 2011 Strategic Plan (PDF)
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