May 15, 2007
index to previous eNotes
- NACD Issues Action Alerts
- NACD Executive Board Reaches out to Members
- NRCS Updates Conservation Partners
- House Natural Resources Committee Questions Administration on ESA Implementation
- Congress Tries Again on Fiscal Year 2007 Funding
- NACD Offers Group Tours for Legislative Conference Attendees
- EPA Awards $71 Million to Address Brownfields
- May is American Wetlands Month
1. NACD Issues Action Alerts
NACD is keeping a close watch on all the action on Capitol Hill. Among the issues at the top of the list are funding for fiscal year (FY) 2008 Agriculture Appropriations and the 2007 Farm Bill.
Last week, NACD issued an Action Alert urging contacts to the House Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee Chair Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), and Ranking Member Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA). The Conservation Operations account, which includes funding for Conservation Technical Assistance, falls under the subcommittee’s jurisdiction. NACD is recommending a funding level of $903 million for Conservation Operations in FY 2008.
NACD also issued an Action Alert and expected timeline for the upcoming Farm Bill. Agriculture committees in both the House and Senate are quickly developing legislation for the 2007 Farm Bill, with mark-ups expected next week in the House Conservation Subcommittee.
As the Subcommittees prepare legislation, it is important that Member of Congress hear from Districts on Appropriations priorities and Farm Bill priorities. More information on NACD’s legislative activities can be found at http://nacdnet.org/policy/.
2. NACD Executive Board Reaches out to Members
Based on the positive reception to last year's teleconferences with districts across the nation, the NACD Executive Board is now conducting the 2007 calls. They are working with state association leaders to schedule calls for districts in their states. The Executive Board's goal is to share what NACD is doing and, more importantly, to listen to members' ideas and concerns. Teleconferences have been held in all eight North Central states and some Northeastern states so far. Many districts have arranged to hold their monthly board meeting at the time of the call so that all board members and staff can participate. Check with your state association President or representative to find out when teleconference are scheduled for your state. The calls are voluntary. For more information, contact Sarah-Hickling@nacdnet.org.
3. NRCS Updates Conservation Partners
Last week, NACD participated in an NRCS briefing for conservation partner groups regarding administrative tools the agency has been developing.
NRCS has been refining information available in cost-lists in the field office technical guide to a program payment schedule. This will help the agency complete several economic goals, including international trade compliance and improving cost information for Farm Bill programs administered through ProTracts. More information can be found by viewing National Bulletin 300-7-15.
NRCS also previewed a merged soil and water quality tool, an assessment tool being developed to help identify soil and water quality management activities. Once fully developed, the tool will help producers to determine program eligibility related to their conservation management activities.
Both tools are efforts to further simplify conservation program delivery by minimizing administrative tasks and increasing staff time available for conservation planning and implementation.
4. House Natural Resources Committee Questions Administration on ESA Implementation
On May 9, 2007 the House Natural Resources Committee held an oversight hearing entitled, Endangered Species Act Implementation: Science or Politics. Some members of the committee, including the new Committee Chair, are accusing the Bush Administration of manipulating the implementation of the Act with politics rather than sound science. Specifically, controversy surrounds a Department of the Interior (DOI) draft of regulatory changes to the Act that were leaked to the public earlier this year. "The evidence of a systematic effort to undermine the law and species protection is quite clear," claimed Chairman Nick Rahall (WV), "[the Department of the Interior] seems focused on one goal...a sad and irresponsible mission to undercut species recovery."
DOI Deputy Secretary Lynn Scarlett defended the department and explained Secretary Kempthorne's commitment to improving endangered species implementation is backed by public comments received in a series of public listening sessions held in 2006. The leaked draft of ESA regulatory changes was not a formal proposal and "many of the draft concepts remain unresolved and under critical discussion," according to Deputy Secretary Scarlett.
Issues surrounding the Endangered Species Act reform legislation and implementation continue to be very controversial. NACD responded to the DOI request for comments on Cooperative Conservation and supported specific regulatory changes to the ESA.
5. Congress Tries Again on Fiscal Year 2007 Funding
Congress is working on round two of a supplemental appropriations bill which will provide additional funding for the current 2007 fiscal year. The President vetoed the last version, and Congress failed to override the veto, so they must write another bill.
In a new approach the House of Representatives passes two separate bills, one including funding for the war in Iraq, and one with agricultural disaster assistance and other funding. Of note in the agriculture package is $3.5 billion for disaster assistance; $20 million for the emergency conservation program, additional funding for the conservation security program, $500 million for wildfire management and $425 million for secure rural schools.
The Senate is still working on their version of the bill, and the various bills will need to be reconciled into one bill prior to being presented to the President for his signature. This final action may not happen until June, after Congress returns from the Memorial Day week-long recess.
6. NACD Offers Group Tours for Legislative Conference Attendees
It may not be the bayou, but you can have a great time, eat a lot of crabs and tip a few back on a boat on the Potomac if you hurry and sign up for the Crab Boat Dinner Cruise. The tour is one of several group events organized for NACD Legislative Conference attendees to enjoy. Maybe you want to join a guided tour of the National Botanic Gardens or walk the halls of the White House. If you haven’t seen the sights of D.C. by the light of the stars, the three-hour Illuminated Washington bus tour is the way to go.
To find out more about the following tours and to reserve your space, go to http://nacdnet.org. Sign up today, each tour has limited availability and spots are assigned on a first come, first served basis!
7. EPA Awards $71 Million to Address Brownfields
Communities in 38 states, two territories and five tribal nations will receive a total of $70.7 million in brownfields grants to help revitalize former industrial and commercial sites, turning them from problem properties to productive community use. Brownfields are sites where expansion, redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants. In addition to industrial and commercial redevelopment, brownfields approaches have included the conversion of industrial waterfronts to river-front parks, landfills to golf courses, rail corridors to recreational trails and gas stations to housing.
Conservation districts may want to check the list at www.epa.gov/brownfields for sites in their states and consider partnering opportunities on land rehabilitation efforts.
8. May is American Wetlands Month
This month marks the 17th anniversary of American Wetlands Month, a time when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and their partners in federal, state, tribal, local, non-profit and private sector organizations celebrate the vital importance of wetlands to the nation’s ecological, economic and social health. It is also a great opportunity for districts to remind others about the important role that wetlands play in our environment and the significant benefits they provide—improved water-quality, increased water storage and supply, reduced flood and storm surge risk, and critical habitat for plants, fish and wildlife.
Information on national, regional and local activities planned for the month of May will be updated and posted on the American Wetlands Month website at http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/awm/.
For queries about this newsletter or to subscribe, contact editor Lisa Lerwick, NACD Director of Communications, at Lisa-Lerwick@nacdnet.org or 202-547-6223.