Del Norte RCD MSR SOI Commission Approved Oct 2025

Del Norte Resource Conservation District Municipal Service Review & Sphere of Influence Update Commission Approved –– November 24, 2025 Del Norte Local Agency Formation Commission Del Norte Local Agency Formation Commission Commissioners Lyle Armstrong Chair, Public Member Dean Wilson Vice Chair, County Member Darrin Short County Member Isaiah Wright City Member Jason Greenough City Member Valerie Starkey Alternate County Member Vacant Alternate City Member Donna DeWolf Alternate Public Member Staff George Williamson, AICP, Executive Officer Amber Chung, Administrator Jacqueline Roberts, Legal Counsel Emma Haskett, Analyst Louis Choy, GIS & Spatial Data Analyst Acknowledgements LAFCo staff would like to thank the contributors to this Municipal Service Review. Input instrumental in completing this report was provided by Resource Conservation District staff. DEL NORTE LOCAL AGENCY FORMATION COMMISSION 670 9th Street, Suite 202 Arcata, California 95521 TEL (707) 825-9301 FAX (707)825-9181 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................ 1 2.0 Agency profile .................................................................................................................. 3 3.0 District Services & infrastructure .................................................................................... 10 4.0 Financial Information ..................................................................................................... 12 5.0 MUNICIPAL SERVICE REVIEW DETERMINATIONS............................................................. 14 6.0 SPHERE OF INFLUENCE DETERMINATIONS ...................................................................... 15 7.0 REFERENCES................................................................................................................... 16 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: DNRCD Boundary & SOI ........................................................................................................ 5 Figure 2: DNRCD SOI ............................................................................................................................. 6 LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Del Norte RCD Agency Profile ................................................................................................ 3 Table 2: Del Norte RCD Board of Directors .......................................................................................... 7 Table 3: Del Norte RCD Revenues & Expenses .................................................................................. 13 Del Norte Resource MSR/ SOI Conservation District Commission Approved November 2025 1.0 INTRODUCTION The Del Norte Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) conducts municipal service reviews (“service reviews” or MSRs) to assess existing and future public service conditions for cities and special districts within Del Norte County. This service review allows LAFCo, local agencies, and the public to better understand how public services are provided by the Del Norte Resource Conservation District (DNRCD or District). This chapter provides a background of the service review requirements and an overview of the process and methodology of the review. Resource Conservation Districts & Principal Act Overview Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) are independent special districts under Public Resources Code §9151 et seq. RCDs manage a diversity of resource conservation projects, including soil and water conservation projects, wildlife habitat enhancement and restoration, control of exotic plant species, watershed restoration, conservation planning, education, and many others. RCDs are governed by a board of five, seven, or nine Directors, either elected by resident voters to 4-year terms or appointed by County Supervisors. RCDs were first founded in the 1930s to bring federal and state funding and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers so that they could voluntarily conserve water, soil, and wildlife habitat on their land with the help of a local and neutral partner.1 Today each RCD’s projects and programs are different, and their services often include habitat restoration, forest health, healthy soils, public education, landscape-scale conservation planning, climate resilience, and assisting municipalities and the state in managing water use and preparing for drought and fire. Municipal Service Review Determinations Government Code § 56430 requires LAFCo to conduct a review of municipal services provided in the county by region, sub-region or other designated geographic area, as appropriate, for the service or services to be reviewed, and prepare a written statement of determinations with respect to each of the following topics: 1. Growth and population projections for the affected area; 2. The location and characteristics of any disadvantaged unincorporated communities within or contiguous to the sphere of influence; 1 https://carcd.org/rcds/what-are-rcds/ Del Norte Resource 1 MSR/ SOI Conservation District Commission Approved November 2025 3. Present and planned capacity of public facilities, adequacy of public services, and infrastructure needs or deficiencies (including needs or deficiencies related to sewers, municipal and industrial water, and structural fire protection in any disadvantaged, unincorporated communities within or contiguous to the sphere of influence); 4. Financial ability of agencies to provide services; 5. Status of, and opportunities for, shared facilities; 6. Accountability for community service needs, including governmental structure and operational efficiencies; and 7. Any other matter affecting or related to effective or efficient service delivery, as required by Commission policy. 8. State Guidelines and Commission policies encourage stakeholder cooperation in the municipal service review process. It also provides a basis to evaluate, and make changes to Spheres of Influence, if appropriate. Sphere of Influence Determinations A Sphere of Influence (SOI) is a LAFCo-approved plan that designates an agency’s probable physical boundary and service area. Spheres are planning tools used to provide guidance for individual boundary change proposals and are intended to encourage efficient provision of organized community services, discourage urban sprawl and premature conversion of agricultural and open space lands, and prevent overlapping jurisdictions and duplication of services. LAFCo is required to establish SOIs for all local agencies and enact policies to promote the logical and orderly development of areas within the SOIs. Furthermore, LAFCo must update those SOIs every five years. For an SOI update, LAFCo is required to conduct a Municipal Services Review (MSR) and adopt related determinations. It must also make the following SOI determinations: 1. The present and planned land uses in the area, including agricultural and open-space lands; 2. The present and probable need for public facilities and services in the area; 3. The present capacity of public facilities and adequacy of public services that the agency provides or is authorized to provide; 4. The existence of any social or economic communities of interest in the area if the Commission determines that they are relevant to the agency; and 5. The present and probable need for public facilities and services related to sewers, municipal or industrial water, or structural fire protection of any disadvantaged unincorporated communities within the existing sphere of influence (effective July 1, 2012). Review Methods The following information was considered in the development of this service review: Agency-specific data: responses to LAFCo Requests for Information. o Del Norte Resource 2 MSR/ SOI Conservation District Commission Approved November 2025 Land Use and Del Norte County General Plan and Zoning data: Del Norte County Planning o Division and GIS webpage. Demographic data: U.S. Census Bureau; Department of Finance; CA Water Resources Board. o Finances: budgets, rates and fees. o Personal Communications with District staff. o Other Resources: California Association of Resource Conservation District website o Information gathered was analyzed and applied to make the required determinations. All information gathered for this report is filed by LAFCo for future reference. California Environmental Quality Act The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is contained in Public Resources Code § 21000 et seq. Public agencies are required to evaluate the potential environmental effects of their actions. MSRs are statutorily exempt from CEQA pursuant to § 15262 (feasibility or planning studies) and categorically exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines § 15306 (information collection). CEQA requirements are applicable to SOI Updates, with lead agency most often LAFCo. 2.0 AGENCY PROFILE Table 1: Del Norte RCD Agency Profile Formation Agency Name Del Norte Resource Conservation District Formation Date August 9,2005 Federal Standard State Conservation District Law of 1937 and Principal Act Division 9 of the California Public Resources Code Contact Contact (s) Becky Crockett District Manager E-mail delnorteRCD@yahoo.com Website none District Office 241 1st Street, Unit B Smith River, CA 95567 Mailing Address Same as above Phone (707) 487-7630 Governance Governing Body Seven-member Board of Directors Board Meetings Third Wednesday of every month at 10:00 AM Staffing District Manager, & contract staff as needed Services Del Norte Resource 3 MSR/ SOI Conservation District Commission Approved November 2025 Assistance for projects to benefit the land, water, and life of Del Services Provided Norte County Areas Served Lower Smith River and Lake Earl District Overview and Formation The Del Norte Resource Conservation District (DNRCD) was formed as an independent special district and board members were appointed by the Del Norte County Board of Supervisors on August 9, 2005. The purpose of the district is to provide local leadership to help people within the district conserve, improve, and sustain their natural resources and environment and improve the area’s economic viability. The District provides procurement and coordination of grant funds for resource conservation uses. “The mission of the DNRCD is to protect, enhance, nurture and conserve the natural resources of land owners (public and private) by providing technical & planning advice, education, financial aid, and assistance for projects to benefit and meet the needs of the land, water and life in Del Norte County.” RCDs have their origins in the Federal “Standard State Conservation District Law”; commonly known as the “Standard Act” of 1937 and a modified version adopted by the State of California in 1938. RCDs are legal, non-regulatory, political subdivisions of state government. Division 9 of the California Public Resources Code authorizes the formation of RCDs, defines the State of California’s framework for conducting the business of resource conservation within the State, and details the general powers and operations of RCDs. RCDs across the nation focus attention on local land, water and related resource issues, then work to develop programs to address those issues. RCDs enlist and coordinate help from all public and private sources that can contribute to accomplishing the District’s goals. RCDs also work to further conservation education in the local community. Boundary and Sphere of Influence The current DNRCD location is between the communities of Crescent City and Smith River, west of Highway 101 in Del Norte County in the northwest corner of the State of California. The District covers approximately two percent of Del Norte County’s land area and lies in the alluvial plains of Smith River. The District’s boundary includes two main areas; Area One surrounds the lower Smith River and Area Two surrounds Lake Earl. The district covers approximately 18,093 acres (28 square miles). Countywide resource and agricultural lands that may benefit from District conservation and restoration programs are being analyzed as part of the SOI Amendment Application. Figure 1 shows the DNRCD boundary and Figure 2 shows the expanded SOI. Del Norte Resource 4 MSR/ SOI Conservation District Commission Approved November 2025 Figure 1: DNRCD Boundary & SOI Del Norte Resource 5 MSR/ SOI Conservation District Commission Approved November 2025 Figure 2: DNRCD SOI Del Norte Resource 6 MSR/ SOI Conservation District Commission Approved November 2025 Accountability and Governance The DNRCD is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors appointed by the Del Norte County Board of Supervisors to serve four-year terms. Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of every month at 10:00 AM and are noticed by posting notice and e-mail. The District office is open Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM and staffed through a partnership with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services. The District is available by e-mail and phone. Table 2: Del Norte RCD Board of Directors Board Member Title Term Expiration Matt Westbrook Chair of the Board January 11, 2026 Blake Alexandre Secretary-Treasurer January 11, 2026 Richard Wetherell Vice-chair January 11, 2026 Vanessa Nunes Board Member July 31, 2029 Rob Miller Board Member July 31, 2029 Steven Westbrook Board Member July 31, 2029 Robert Tedson Board Member July 31, 2029 DNRCD demonstrated full accountability and transparency in its disclosure of information and cooperation with Del Norte LAFCo during the MSR process. The District responded to the questionnaires and cooperated with the document requests. Public Outreach The District currently does not currently have a website. However, the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts maintains website at www.carcd.org that provides information regarding the District and links to other RCDs in the North Coast region, including Humboldt and Trinity RCDs. The Del Norte RCD is listed, and a phone number is provided but it is the only listed North Coast region RCD without a website link. The DNRCD is scheduled to have a website developed and online in the next 6-12 months. SB 929 (McGuire) was signed into law on September 14, 2018 requiring all independent special Districts to have and maintain a website by January 1, 2020. Hardship-based findings, identified in a board resolution approved at a regular meeting, would allow a District to be exempt from establishing or maintaining a website. The findings may include inadequate internet access; significantly limited financial resources; or insufficient staff resources. The District has met the criteria for a hardship exemption since 2018. Del Norte Resource 7 MSR/ SOI Conservation District Commission Approved November 2025 Population and Land Use Land Use The Del Norte County General Plan (2003) and Zoning Code guides land use decisions within the unincorporated area of the County. The Crescent City General Plan and Zoning guides land use decisions in the incorporated area of the County. Population and Growth According to the U.S. Census, the total Del Norte County population was 27,743 in 2020 and estimated at 27,293 in the 2019-2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimate, which is an approximately 1.6 % population decrease2. California Department of Finance projections also show similar population decreases throughout the MSR planning period. However, it should be noted that the County population has historically fluctuated. Disadvantaged Unincorporated Communities LAFCo is required to evaluate water service, sewer service, and structural fire protection within disadvantaged unincorporated communities as part of this service review, including the location and characteristics of any such communities. A disadvantaged unincorporated community (DUC) is defined as any area with 12 or more registered voters where the annual median household income is less than 80 percent of the statewide annual median household income (pursuant to Government Code Section 56033.5 and Water Code Section 79505.5). According to the 2019–2023 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, the California median household income (MHI) was $96,334. The Del Norte countywide MHI is $66,780 which places it at 69% of the California MHI. With only one incorporated city, Crescent City, most of the County's population exists in unincorporated communities that qualify as "disadvantaged". The California Department of Water Resources has mapped communities that are at or below 80% of the annual median household income using county census data. According to this data, the communities of Smith River, Hiouchi, Gasquet, Klamath, and parts of the incorporated City of Crescent City are classified as disadvantaged within Del Norte County. 2 U.S. Census QuickFacts. Del Norte County, CA. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/delnortecountycalifornia/PST045218#PST045218 Del Norte Resource 8 MSR/ SOI Conservation District Commission Approved November 2025 The DNRCD does not provide any of the three basic services - water, sewer, or structural fire protection. Fire protection services are provided by the Smith River Fire Protection District (FPD), Fort Dick FPD and Crescent FPD. Water services are provided by Crescent City and Smith River CSD; many areas within the District boundaries are removed from water systems and rely on private water supply. There are no wastewater services in the DNRCD boundary. Del Norte Resource 9 MSR/ SOI Conservation District Commission Approved November 2025 3.0 DISTRICT SERVICES & INFRASTRUCTURE Services DNRCD provides resource management services to in-district public and private landowners including: Promoting voluntary action to resolve natural resource issues; o Focusing attention on local resource problems and opportunities; o Developing and implementing educational programs for landowner benefit; o Providing input for the development and implementation of government programs; and o Coordinating with federal, state, and local agencies as needed for technical assistance. o The DNRCD has identified five priority natural resource issues to focus their resource management services: Aleutian Geese Depredation: The District is working with state and federal agencies in developing an overall goose management plan through a comprehensive, region-wide hazing program with neighboring counties. This program will alleviate the Aleutian Geese’ impact on private lands by opening 500 acres of short grass habitat for the geese. Water Quality (Erosion and Runoff): The District aims to achieve erosion control on 50% of lily bulb fields in the district. The program includes development and implementation of nutrient management plans for dairies including soil sampling and manure sampling as part of a non- point source pollution prevention program. Noxious Weeds: The District is developing a County-wide Weed Management Program that includes a redemption program for tansy ragwort, reed canary grass, and scotch broom. Stream Enhancement: The District will continue working on stream bank and riparian enhancements. This includes fencing livestock, implementing demonstration projects, resolving gravel issues, improving channels, and monitoring fish populations on the lower Smith River and its tributaries. Gravel Extraction: The District provides technical and environmental assistance to rural gravel operators, including geomorphic and watershed studies. The DNRCD aims to provide the following services County-wide for the purpose of facilitating and actively participating in achieving an improvement in the balance between the natural environment and resource productivity within our county. Collaboration Lead: Lead, facilitate collaboration and participate as appropriate in projects within Del Norte County impacting agriculture, forestry, natural resources and land use. Del Norte Resource 10 MSR/ SOI Conservation District Commission Approved November 2025 Wildfire Resilience: Work closely with all entities engaged in wildfire management projects to prevent wildfires, increase resilience, maintain existing risk reduction efforts and reduce the risk of wildfires to communities, agriculture, forestry and resource lands. Evaluate opportunities for biomass utilization in agriculture, forestry, energy production, and carbon sequestration. Water Quality: Effectively manage agriculture, forestry and natural resources towards improving water quality including improving drainage, erosion control and productivity on agricultural lands; restoring riparian habitat by establishing native vegetation; advocating on-site nutrient management; establishing buffer areas between tilled agriculture and natural stream corridors; and restoring natural fluvial processes for sediment transport. Stream Restoration and Enhancement: Actively lead, advocate and provide financial support (grant applications) for stream restoration and riparian enhancements in support of aquatic and terrestrial species habitat; especially for the benefit of native fish populations. Agricultural Lands Restoration: Advocate and work with agricultural property owners and renters to restore compromised agricultural lands to increase productivity. Actions to include noxious weed abatement, grazing recommendations for Aleutian Goose and Rosevelt Elk management, coordination with the Natural Resource Conservation Service for education and financial assistance, and advocacy towards maintaining and preserving the utilization of historical agricultural lands in the county. Fish and Wildlife Adaptive Management: Advocate, lead and actively participate in fish and wildlife projects that provide a mutual benefit to agriculture, forestry production and species preservation. Examples include management of the Aleutian Goose and Rosevelt Elk populations. Infrastructure Needs and Deficiencies The District does not own or maintain equipment, vehicles, or buildings currently. Shared Services The DNRCD works in partnership with various government agencies including the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). The District is a member of the North Coast Resource Partnership and participates in regional planning activities. The District maintains Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with the Del Norte Weed Management Area (WMA) and North Coast Integrated Water Management Plan (NCIWMP). Del Norte RCD is a member of the Northwest California RC&D Area, which is sponsored by County Boards of Supervisors and RCDs representing Trinity, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. The Northwest California RC&D Area was established in 1994, covering only Trinity County. In 2006, the RCD Area was expanded from one to three counties and officially changed its name to “Northwest California RC&D”. The Northwest California RC&D Council is made up of 15 Board Del Norte Resource 11 MSR/ SOI Conservation District Commission Approved November 2025 members, five from each of the three counties. In addition to the two sponsoring members from each county that represent the RCDs and Board of Supervisors, nine “at-large” Council positions are available: three from each county. This local input and county representation make the RC&D program unique in its ability to solve problems at a regional level. In 1997, Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Siskiyou & Trinity Counties agreed to collaborate on a proactive, positive response to the federal listing of Coho salmon as a Threatened species by forming the Five Counties Salmonid Conservation Program (5C). Upon the acquisition of 5C in 2009, the Council executed MOUs with neighboring RCD Councils - North Coast and NorCal - to facilitate 5C work outside Northwest RCD Council boundaries (Mendocino and Siskiyou Counties). The primary 5C goal is to strive to protect the economic and social resources of Northwestern California by providing for the conservation and restoration of salmonid populations to healthy and sustainable levels and to base decisions on watersheds rather than county boundaries.3 According to the District, the District has a close working relationship with HRCD. There is an existing contract with HRCD for wildfire resilience work and a potential upcoming project with HRCD under the State Healthy Soils Program. 4.0 FINANCIAL INFORMATION Budget DNRCD’s primary revenue sources are state and federal grants with reimbursable administrative and indirect costs. The District has been particularly successful at procuring grant funding for its programs. In 2024, the District reported $34,285 in income from watershed restoration, invasive species removal and soil health management, and promotion. The District receives no property taxes, special assessments, or other local funding. Grants with reimbursable administrative and indirect costs are required. The district lacks a baseline funding source. It would be beneficial to the District to have a local funding source to maintain operations when grant funding is not available. Grant funding can be cyclical in nature. As a result, many RCDs in the State have faced challenges in ensuring sufficient funding to maintain staff and minimum service levels. The District does not have outstanding debt. Budget decisions are made annually. 3 http://northwestcarcdc.org/projects.html Del Norte Resource 12 MSR/ SOI Conservation District Commission Approved November 2025 Table 3: Del Norte RCD Revenues & Expenses Revenues Budget 2022 Budget 2023 Budget 2024 CASH 46,765 36,340 19,370 Cal Recycle 18,174 Middle Fork Smith River 4,000 440 440 (Invasive Plant Monitoring) CA RCD Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) 0 5,039 4,800 Carbon Farming Delilah Creek Plan Development 6,000 787 3,825 Total Revenues 56,765 60,780 28,435 Expenses Budget 2022 Budget 2023 Budget 2024 Project/Program Expenses SRA PM Carbon Farming 11,785 11,785 Cal Recycle 15,170 3,360 Smith River Middle Fork Partners 2,500 Subtotal 2,500 26,955 15,145 Rent $350 per month at 12 months 4200 4200 4200 District Manager/Bookkeeping/other 10,000 6,650 7,880 Office Supplies/postage 200 850 440 Dues CARCD/NCRCD 250 Professional Fees/Accounting/Audit 750 Prior year adjustment (2,889) Insurance – Liability 1,200 1,545 2,339 Internet 1,325 1,210 1,320 Subtotal 17,924 14,455 16,179 Total Expenses 20,425 41,410 31,324 Balance Forward 36,340 19,370 0 Audits DNRCD requested that the Del Norte County Board of Supervisors (BOS) approve a change from the annual audit required by Government Code 26909 for Special Districts to an audit covering a 5- year period. This request was pursued by the District as a substantial revenue saving procedure and was approved unanimously by the BOS on December 11, 2018. The District still undergoes annual financial review without receiving a formal audit and this represents a large cost saving for the District on the order of thousands of dollars annually. The 5-year audit window has been exceeded, an updated audit should be completed. Del Norte Resource 13 MSR/ SOI Conservation District Commission Approved November 2025 5.0 MUNICIPAL SERVICE REVIEW DETERMINATIONS This chapter addresses Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000 (California Government Code Section 56430) requirements. As part of the municipal service review process, LAFCo is required to make written statements of determinations in each of the categories listed below. 1) Growth and population projections The current DNRCD SOI has an approximate population of 1762, based on 2020 Census Block data. The District largely contains resource conservation area and prime agricultural lands and will likely continue to develop at or less than the current county-wide rates of 0.6 percent per year, putting the DNRCD population at approximately 1816 people in 2025. 2) The location and characteristics of any disadvantaged unincorporated communities within or contiguous to the Sphere of Influence The community of Smith River is adjacent to District boundaries and has been identified as a disadvantaged unincorporated community. Because the DNRCD does not provide water, sewer or structural fire protection services, the District is not responsible for assuring that these services are adequately provided to communities that meet the DUC thresholds. 3) Present and planned capacity of public facilities and adequacy of public services, including infrastructure needs or deficiencies The District provides valuable resource conservation services to landowners and collaborates with several other agencies. Countywide growth may increase pressure to convert resource lands; therefore, demand for services may increase due to this and other regulatory requirements. The District currently does not own or maintain any facilities and consequently does not have any infrastructure needs or deficiencies associated with District-owned infrastructure. 4) Financial ability of agencies to provide services The District relies on grant funding for its programs and does not receive a constant, reliable funding source. DNRCD has been successful at procuring grant funding as shown by the increase in revenue from 2018 to 2020. The District is saving money currently by only undergoing a full audit every five years upon approval by the Del Norte County Board of Supervisors December 11, 2018. An updated 5-year audit should be scheduled. 5) Status of, and opportunities for, shared facilities Del Norte Resource 14 MSR/ SOI Conservation District Commission Approved November 2025 According to the District, there are no current projects with Humboldt RCD. However, there are potential opportunities for shared services in the future as Humboldt RCD manages California Department of Fish and Wildlife contracts that could service the DNRCD. Opportunities for shared projects with other organizations (including tribal governments) in Del Norte County and Crescent City should be considered. 6) Accountability for community service needs, including governmental structure and operational efficiencies The DNRCD is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors appointed by the County Board of Supervisors. The District holds public meetings in accordance with the Brown Act. District staff is best reached by email. 7) Any other matter related to effective or efficient service delivery, as required by commission policy Other RCDs in California cover larger portions of the Counties that they serve; for instance, the Humboldt County RCD boundary includes the entire County. As part of the MSR/SOI Update expanding the SOI to include more of Del Norte County’s northern agricultural lands has been considered. 6.0 SPHERE OF INFLUENCE DETERMINATIONS The Del Norte Resource Conservation District SOI amendment included within the Municipal Service Review encompasses the entire County, including extensive resource and agricultural lands that may benefit from District conservation and restoration programs. 1) Present and planned land uses in the area, including agricultural and open-space lands. The County contains resource conservation areas and prime agricultural lands. Little change in actual or designated land uses within the District is anticipated over the next 20 years. 2) Present and probable need for public facilities and services in the area. The District appears to have experienced a fluctuation in demand for its services over the last few years, subject to grant funding for specific projects. An expanded SOI may increase opportunities for RCD services countywide. 3) Present capacity of public facilities and adequacy of public services that the agency provides or is authorized to provide. Del Norte Resource 15 MSR/ SOI Conservation District Commission Approved November 2025 4) The District provides valuable resource conservation services to landowners and collaborates with several other agencies. RCD’s generally are constrained by available funding sources; DNRCD has been successful in receiving grant funds to continue providing services. 5) Existence of any social or economic communities of interest in the area if the commission determines that they are relevant to the agency. The District includes resource and agricultural lands. The communities of Smith River and Fort Dick are adjacent to District boundaries. 6) For an update of a sphere of influence of a city or special District that provides public facilities or services related to sewers, municipal and industrial water, or structural fire protection, the present and probable need for those public facilities and services of any disadvantaged unincorporated communities within the existing sphere. The RCD does not provide facilities or services related to sewers, municipal and industrial water, or structural fire protection. 7.0 REFERENCES California Association of Resource Conservation Districts. https://carcd.org/ US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov Del Norte Resource Conservation District Municipal Service Review, January 2015. Del Norte Local Agency Formation Commission. Del Norte Resource Conservation District Municipal Service Review Questionnaire. Northwest California RC&D Area http://northwestcarcdc.org/projects.html Personal communication with RCD General Manager, July 2025. Del Norte Resource 16 MSR/ SOI Conservation District Commission Approved November 2025