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In the 1930's -The Dust Bowl Era - Congress recognized soil erosion as the #1 priority if the country's agricultural industry were to continue to prosper. The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) formerly known as the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) was formed to address the crisis of the Dust Bowl. Congress realized that a centrally governed federal agency in Washington could not be responsive to local needs, so they authorized states to form "Soil Conservation Districts," the local counterpart of NRCS, to provide local assistance to landowners, farmers and ranchers. In 1938 California recognized Soil Conservation Districts (now known as "Resource Conservation Districts") and authorized their formation in the state. Currently 80% of the state is located in a Resource Conservation District (RCD). Since that time, the NRCS and RCDs have had a close working relationship.