Conservation Districts are political subdivisions of the State of Colorado –The authorities; powers and structure are contained in Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 35, Article 70.

To make available technical, financial and educational resources, whatever their source, and focus or coordinate them so that they meet the needs of the local land manager with conservation of soil, water and related natural resources.

To provide guidance and technical assistance to encourage and promote the wise use of all the natural resources within the district by private landowners and government land management agencies.

County Acres = 2,064,823; total population = 5986; median household income + $37,711; Farms = 245; land in farms/ranches = 376,509 acres; average size farm/ranch = 1,537 acres; 55,152 acres of cropland, 22,992 acres irrigated land, 308,388 private grazing acres, 218,398 private forest acres,  average age of farmer/rancher = 56.5 years old.

Based on the District’s 2014 – 2016 Long Range Plan, the District developed the Land and Natural Resource Plan and Policies for Rio Blanco County (Plan).  Below is the Introduction from the Plan to provide readers of this Long-Range Plan background and understanding of the value and impact the Plan can and will have if implemented as planned.

The White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts (Districts) are made up of locally elected landowners who provide leadership in the wise use of the natural resources within the Districts’ boundaries. Conservation districts in Colorado are defined as “local governments” thus have the ability to participate in government-to-government interactions with the federal agencies. The Districts joined with Rio Blanco County to develop a Land & Natural Resource Use Plan and Policy (Plan) to translate their statutory mandate (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 3570-108) into land management policy and direction guided by local landowners. One of the Districts’ responsibilities is: “To prepare a plan for the care, treatment, and operation of the lands within the district.” Colo. Rev. Stat. § 35-70-108(1)(k). Additionally, Colorado conservation districts were created by the state legislature to provide for constructive methods of land use providing for the conservation and preservation of natural resources, including adequate underground water reserves, the control of wind and water erosion, and the reduction of damage resulting from floods. The purposes of the conservation districts are to "insure the health, prosperity, and welfare of the state of Colorado and its people . . . ." Colo. Rev. Stat. § 35-70102.  

By state statute, Colorado county governments, like Rio Blanco County, have authority to (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 30-11-101(k)):  

Coordinate, pursuant to 43 U.S.C. sec. 1712, the “National Environmental Policy Act of 1969”, 42 U.S.C. sec. 4321 et seq., 40 U.S.C. sec. 3312, 16 U.S.C. sec. 530, 16 U.S.C. sec. 1604, and 40 CFR parts 1500 to 1508, with the United States secretary of the interior and the United States secretary of agriculture to develop land management plans that address hazardous fuel removal and other forest management practices, water development and conservation measures, watershed protection, the protection of air quality, public utilities protection, and private property protection on federal lands within such county's jurisdiction.  

Thus, based on these statutory authorities, the policies and powers of the Districts and Rio Blanco County encompass the obligation to protect the customs and culture of the local citizens, to provide for community stability, and to protect the natural environment and resources. The purpose of this land use plan is to be a guide to efficiently and effectively use the resources while protecting the environment. 

This Plan identifies the Districts’ and County’s (collectively “local governments”) policies to facilitate, protect, and preserve the utilization and conservation of natural resources on public lands. These policies will support access to and wise use of natural resources on federal land; protect private property rights; protect and enhance the customs, cultures, and the economy; protect the tax base; assure the well-being of the people; and provide for the public health, safety, and welfare of the County citizens.  

As required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), the National Forest Management Act (NFMA) and other federal statutes, this Plan will be applied to federal regulatory frameworks that govern the management of public land in regards to the rangeland, soil, water, wildlife, air, and energy resources. Federal law requires federal agencies to give meaningful consideration to policies asserted in plans developed by local governments, including counties and conservation districts. Adoption of this plan allows Rio Blanco County and the Districts to achieve Cooperating Agency status, coordinate with federal land management agencies, and will provide direction and policies for “consistency review purposes”. Cooperating agencies assist the lead federal agency in development of Environmental Assessments (EAs) or Environmental Impact Statements (EISs).

For the purposes of this Long Range Plan, the District will concentrate on and enforce the policies contained in Sections; 4.5 Livestock Grazing, 4.9 Candidate, Threatened, and Endangered Species; Critical Habitat Designations, and Species of Concern, 4.12 Water – Rights and Use; Wild and Scenic Designations,  4.13 Wild Horses, Burros, and Estray Livestock, and 4.14 Wildlife Management of the Land and Natural Resources Plan and Policies for Rio Blanco County.

Trends Impacting Conservation in the White River Conservation District 

• The federal government and agencies increasingly overreach into local government authorities as well as property owners’ rights. Regulations such as: Endangered Species Act (ESA), Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act (WFRHBA), and the Clean Water Act (CWA), etc. are making it more and more difficult to wisely utilize our natural resources while protecting the environment.  Private property rights are being more and more limited by the agencies and acts of Congress.
• Continually increasing demands on our public and private lands in addition to the arid climate and short growing seasons are creating the critical need for better management of the lands.  
• The public lands in the district are predominately BLM.  Local, state, and federal budgets are exceptionally tight and we will all need to work together and prioritize in order to address the most critical natural resources. 
• Over 5 million acres of Colorado forests have been killed by mountain pine beetles and spruce beetles since 1996.  Forests within Rio Blanco County have been heavily impacted.  Devastating forest die-offs that have affected watershed health through excessively hot fires in beetle killed timber that sterilizes the soils.  Forest management significantly impacts soil, water, air, plant, animal (SWAPA) health.  Therefore, proactive forest management is essential for the health of our watersheds.
• Wild/feral horse numbers increase at 20% per year.  As of March 2022, BLM estimates 64,604 horses on land that will sustain 27,000 in the ten western states where the horses are protected.  Congress continues to renew the Appropriations Rider that restricts sale and euthanasia of “wild” horses.  Therefore, the rangelands will continue to be even more significantly degraded due to excess horses on the range across the Western United States.  In Rio Blanco County the maximum appropriate management level (AML) of horses in the Piceance East Douglas Herd Management Area (PEDHMA) is 235.  As of summer of 2024, conservative numbers indicate that there are approximately 675 “wild” horses in Rio Blanco County, this does not include this year's foal crop.

Prioritized Natural Resource Issues & Goals

• Implement and enforce the District’s Land and Natural Resource Plan in local, state, and national land use and policy decisions.  Below are specific resource concerns addressed in the Plan.
  • Water quantity and quality is the “life blood” of our community.  Food and fiber production, drinking water, recreation, and the environment depend upon a healthy White River.  Water rights are the backbone of the agriculture industry feeding this world.  Drought contingency planning, demand management, Colorado Water Plan, Colorado River Compact, etc. will significantly impact the District’s constituents.
  • Rangeland health –Rio Blanco County is 74% public lands.  Public rangelands are relied upon for a multiple of uses including grazing, recreation, wildlife habitat, hunting, and “Wild” Horse areas.  Therefore, proactive rangeland management is critical due to the arid climate.    
  • Wildlife – Misuse of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is forcing single species management on public and private lands.  Private landowners and local entities working together are more successful at protecting all species in a balanced and scientific approach.  

Natural Resource Information /Education Priorities and Goals

• Provide accurate and timely information regarding the wise use of our natural resources.
  • Utilize the Land and Resource Plan and Policies for Rio Blanco County in all our communications.
  • Maintain an attractive and easily accessible website with natural resource information
  • Provide written comments and oral testimony on natural resource issues affecting our District
  • Publish semi-annual newsletters to landowners
  • Publish articles and letters to the editor in local and regional newspapers
  • Provide interviews on radio stations regarding natural resources and public lands management issues
  • Present natural resource presentations regarding natural resources and public lands management issues 
• Youth Education:
  • Promote the natural resource poster contest in Meeker and Rangely grade schools
  • Encourage and utilize FFA students to be involved in natural resource projects and management

Conservation District Operational Goals & Objectives

• Five board members who are committed to actively engaging in meetings and promoting the wise use of natural resources.
• Due to corrections in mill levy causing an 84% decrease in funding beginning January 1, 2017 the District continue to search for long term sustainable funding.  
• Retain quality staff to implement the long-range plan, Land and Natural Resource Plan, and implement the projects identified through the White River Integrated Water Initiative.