March 25, 2008 eNotes - National Association of Conservation Districts

March 25, 2008
index to previous eNotes

1. Congress Continues to Work during District Work Period
This week is the second week of the Spring District Work Period, or Congressional Recess, and many members of Congress are at home in their districts. However, that does not mean things are quiet in Washington, D.C., where negotiations continue on the 2008 Farm Bill. Congress has set a new April 18 deadline for completion of a Farm Bill proposal. Several Appropriations subcommittee deadlines also passed last week, which means the subcommittees have received final recommendations from members of Congress before beginning to write appropriations legislation.

Representatives from several South Dakota districts were in Washington D.C. last week to meet with their Congressional offices to discuss the Eastern South Dakota Soil and Water Research Farm and to visit with NACD staff. If your district is not able to make it to Washington, D.C. during the Congressional work period, is a great opportunity for districts to educate your members of Congress while they are at home. It is important for districts to share their great work with members of Congress so members can take that information back with them to Washington, D.C.

2. NACD Participates in District Board Member Training in Utah
Last week, the Utah Association of Conservation Districts (UACD), in partnership with the Utah Soil Conservation Commission, held its second annual District Officials Training Session. The training session was attended by 24 newly-elected and a few “seasoned” Utah board members. Training focused on the function of the conservation district and the powers, roles and responsibilities of the district board member as a public elected official. A panel of representatives of the various partnering conservation agencies and organizations facilitated good discussion among the participants. NACD Director of Member Services Brad Ross represented NACD at the event. UACD also highlighted the web-based District Officials Training program, which is available to all Utah conservation district board members and employees. Congratulations to the Utah Association for a successful training event.

3. Western Governors’ Association Land Use Working Group Addresses Wildlife Corridors
NACD Board Member Johnny Sundstrom joined members of the Western Governors’ Association Land Use Working Group last week in Portland, Oregon. The group met for the second time this year to prepare a report for governors and their staffs on policies to integrate information on wildlife habitat and corridors into land use planning decisions. The report is being prepared in response to a resolution from the Western Governors. View a copy of the resolution at http://www.westgov.org/wga/policy/07/wildlife-corridors07-01.pdf.

The final report, due to the governors by May 15, is currently in draft form and will be the subject of a consultative meeting in Washington, D.C. in April. The draft report provides a number of recommendations that address issues such as data availability, interagency cooperation and conflicting land use. Conservation districts may have a future role in the implementation of some of the final report’s recommendations.

4. Schafer Announces Conservation Security Program Sign-up
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Ed Schafer recently announced a new sign-up period for the Conservation Security Program (CSP). The new sign-up period will begin on April 18 and will continue through May 16. Approximately 64,000 additional farms and ranches in 51 watersheds will be eligible for the sign-up, potentially impacting more than 23.7 million acres of working lands. These new eligible acres will bring the number of watersheds enrolled to 331 across the nation, covering 247.7 million acres that have been eligible for the program since the first CSP sign-up in 2004.

For more information on CSP sign-up, a map of the eligible watersheds and specific program requirements, visit the USDA website at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp/.

5. EPA Revises Ozone Rule
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently revised its 8-hour ground-level ozone standards to a more stringent requirement for air quality. The revision was made to meet provisions of the Clean Air Act, which requires EPA to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards for six pollutants including ozone. The revised ozone standard sets a benchmark for states to recommend to EPA areas that are in attainment or non-attainment of the 8-hour standard. States would then be required to submit plans for pollution reduction in non-attainment areas.

Ground-level ozone is the primary component of smog and impacts vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly, and can also damage ecosystems and reduce crop yields. The more stringent ozone requirements reflect a growing emphasis on higher clean air standards to reduce air pollution nationwide. This emphasis is also seen in the increasing demand for production of biofuels such as ethanol and the reduction of airborne particulate matter such as carbon and soil.

More information on the revised standard can be found on the EPA website at http://www.epa.gov/groundlevelozone/actions.html#eac.

6. Volunteer Your Soils Knowledge at the Dig It! Exhibit
Who knows more about soil that conservation district officials and employees? Come share your knowledge with others at the “Dig It!” Smithsonian soils exhibit. The exhibit is scheduled to open July 19, 2008 at Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. Volunteers are needed to answer visitors’ questions, guide them through exhibits and introduce visitors to the layout and themes of the exhibit. Volunteers must possess good oral communications skills and be at least 18 years of age.

NACD is working with the Smithsonian Institution and the Soil Science Society of America to develop exhibit materials and resources. Many conservation districts have also provided financial support. For more details on how you can volunteer, see the Smithsonian volunteer website at http://www.mnh.si.edu/education/volunteer_opportunities/soils.htm.

7. Clean Watersheds Needs Survey 2004 Report Released
Every four years, EPA conducts a survey to determine what resources are needed by local and state governments in order to implement the Clean Water Act. The results of the 2004 Clean Watersheds Needs Survey (CWNS) were released in January 2008 and may be of interest to districts involved in water quality management. The report, available online at http://www.epa.gov/cwns/, includes information on stormwater management; wastewater treatment, collection and conveyance; water recycling; and small community needs. The 2008 survey is already underway. For more information about the 2008 survey and how your district can participate, go to http://www.epa.gov/cwns/cwns2008.htm or get in touch with your state CWNS coordinator at http://www.epa.gov/cwns/whereyoulive.htm.

8. NACD Calendar of Events
May 14-17, 2008 Executive Directors’ Conference, Saratoga, WY
June 8-10, NACD Northern Plains Region Leaders Meeting, Nebraska City, NE
July 18-23, NACD Summer Board Meeting and Legislative Conference, Washington, D.C.
August 3-5, Northeast Region Meeting, Portsmouth, NH
August 10-12, Southeast Region Meeting, Biloxi, MS
August 21-23, South Central Region Meeting, Hot Springs, AR

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