The Panhandle Lakes Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council, Inc. is an organization whose mission is to enhance the quality of life for the residents of north Idaho by maintaining and improving the economic, social and environmental conditions within this region.

The RC&D Program helps local people obtain and coordinate technical and financial assistance as needed from the private sector, corporations, foundations and all levels of government.

A provision of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1962 created the RC&D program. The Secretary of Agriculture delegated the responsibility for administering the program to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly known as the Soil Conservation Service). The Panhandle Lakes RC&D was originally established in 1964 as the Idaho-Washington RC&D, one of the first 10 areas in the United States authorized to receive assistance from USDA.

In order to operate effectively, the Natural Resources Conservation Service provides a staff to assist the Council with implementation of its Area Plan. The staff consists of a full-time coordinator and a full-time program assistant. The Council develops an area-wide plan, which includes long-range priorities, objectives and courses of action. Through the Area Plan, the Council acts to accomplish projects, which are carried out by sponsors with assistance from an RC&D coordinator.

Members of the Council are appointed annually by each sponsoring organization. Council members may serve as long as they remain duly chosen representatives of the organization they represent, and adhere to attendance policies. The Council consists of a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and one representative from each sponsoring organization. In addition to the representation by each sponsoring unit, at-large members may be appointed. These members are chosen to broaden the scope of the Council and have voting privileges equal to those of the sponsoring representative.

The Panhandle Lakes RC&D Council is a non-profit organization, with Internal Revenue Code section 501(c) 3 tax exemption. The Council is eligible to receive tax-free donations, or grants, from individuals, corporation or foundations. These donations are tax deductible for the grantor.

The Council meets bi-monthly. Action taken at meetings may include adopting the annual plan of work, reviewing bylaws, adopting a budget and reviewing project actions. The Council as a means of accomplishing Council objectives adopts an RC&D project. It requires a formal written plan.