RVCC 2009 Policy Platform

This document presents an overview of the RVCC vision and policy recommendations or "planks" of its working groups.

RVCC Working Group Updates

• Learn more about the 2010 working groups.
  
• Working groups met at the 2009 Annual Policy Meeting to develop their planks for 2010.
• Learn about the recent progress of the RVCC working groups (November, 2009).

Our Policy Priorities

The RVCC works on a range of natural resource and sustainable economic development issues. Below is a list of our policy priority areas; each section includes more information on the issues, RVCC's perspectives, and related materials. 

Restoration Funding and Accountability
Funding for natural resource restoration is a key element in creating and maintaining healthy ecosystems and communities. RVCC's work in this area includes advocating for restoration funding, Federal land managment agency performance measures, and multiparty monitoring.

Community and Workforce
Supporting collaboration, community capacity building, and improving the quality and quantity of employment opportunities for forest workers are essential elements of RVCC's work on community and workforce issues.  

Contracting on Public Lands
Stewardship contracting and best value contracting are important tools for completing restoration work and allowing rural communities to benefit from it.

Woody Biomass Utilization and Forest Restoration
Integrated woody biomass utilization supports forest restoration, hazardous fuels reduction and rural economic community development. RVCC's work on woody biomass focuses on appropriately scaled and supplied biomass facilities, as well as value added uses of woody biomass and the creation of rural jobs.

Private Lands
Private forests are rapidly being converted nationwide. RVCC's work on this issue includes creating and supporting incentives to maintain working forests including the idea of community owned and managed forests.  

Climate Change
Rural communities, landscapes and economies will be affected by climate change. RVCC has recently begun to investigate what these impacts will be and the role that rural communities can play in climate change policy and mitigation.

Ranching and Rangeland Restoration
Sustainable ranching practices are a key element in rangeland restoration and rural economic viability. RVCC has recently begun to explore policy-related opportunities supporting rangeland restoration and sustainable ranching.