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The Northeast Nebraska RC&D has five main priority areas. They are:
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 Community Development
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Outlaw Trail Scenic Byway - Highway 12
Historic, cultural, and scenic attributes will bring benefit to the rural area from outside tourist dollars. This Nebraska state byway board operates with all volunteers working together from Valentine to Sioux City. This group is trying to develop a lookout for Old Baldy (listed as the Tower in the Lewis and Clark Journals), preserve and conserve it because of it's national Lewis and Clark significance and get interpretive signs for other area Lewis and Clark sites.Through the group's spring conferences they seek to inform and educate citizens about all the wonderful things to see and do along the Trail. The byway organization is considering applying for national designation and has decided to seek non-profit status.
Outlaw Trail
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Medicine Wheel Cultural Garden
The Medicine Wheel built at Niobrara State Park, in cooperation with local Indian tribes and many partners, serves as a resource to instruct people in cultural beliefs. Each tribe has its own specific interpretation of various aspects of Medicine Wheels, but plants shown in the garden are common to both the Santee and Ponca tribes. Plans are being made to produce a brochure to further educate visitors.
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Drug Awareness
Teenage binge drinking is leading to increased use of methamphetamine according to Congressman Osborne's staff and the Nebraska State Patrol. The Northeast Nebraska RC&D Council is providing resources to improve the health and safety of all residents to help decrease the trafficking, manufacturing, and abuse of drugs and alcohol. Through speakers, workshops, information/education materials, the RC&D Council hopes to reach teachers, parents, students and community members.
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Shannon Trail
Fifteen towns are cooperating in an effort to cultivate economic development through tourism in towns close to the Lewis and Clark Trail. The Lewis and Clark journals state that Pvt. George Shannon was lost for 12-15 days near Sioux City and was found half starved west of Niobrara in 1804. Each town has a life-sized wooden chainsaw carving made to represent Pvt. Shannon. A festival and play plus the hunt for the statues are all part of the fun things offered to visitors.
This spring 16 permanent interpretive signs will be put up in each of the communities thanks to generous sponsors and the National Park Service.
Shannon Trail in Northeast Nebraska
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