July 17, 2007
index to previous eNotes
- House Agriculture Committee Plans Farm Bill Action
- Conservation Leaders Head to Washington
- Congress Resumes Appropriations Mark Up
- Robinson Meets with EPA Administrator Johnson
- Sign-up Announced for Emergency Forestry Conservation Reserve Program
- 2008 NACD Stewardship Theme Announced
- July is Smart Irrigation Month
- Natural Capitalism: Green Partnerships with Business
- New NACD Website in Progress
- NACD Events---90-day outlook
1. House Agriculture Committee Plans Farm Bill Action
The House Agriculture Committee began action on the 2007 Farm Bill at 1 p.m. eastern today. Today is the first of three planned days of meetings. Amendments and changes to the bill can come any time during these meetings. NACD worked to remove a provision in the bill that would have changed conservation program administration from NRCS to FSA. This provision is not included in the latest (7/13/07) draft of the conservation title. NACD is continuing discussions with the Committee staff regarding provisions of the bill. To listen to this week’s activities in the committee, go to http://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/audio.html.
2. Conservation Leaders Head to Washington
The nation’s capitol is in a Farm Bill frenzy and conservation district leaders from across the country are headed to Washington, D.C. to be right in the thick of it. NACD’s Summer Board Meeting is planned for this weekend and the 2008 Legislative Conference will follow right on its heels. Conference participants will hear from Congressional leaders and a Hill Staff Panel, participate in an advocacy training session, meet with their respective delegations and attend NACD’s Congressional Reception at the Capitol.
On site registrations will be accepted for the conference. More information is available at http://nacdnet.org/events/legconference/.
In related news, the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts scored four seats to watch the National’s play next week as a reward for having the most conference attendees registered by the pre-registration deadline. Congratulation, Ohio, and enjoy the game!
3. Congress Resumes Appropriations Mark Up
Congress returned to Washington, D.C. from recess last week and continued work on Appropriations spending bills for Fiscal Year 2008.
On the House side, Agriculture Appropriations, which includes funding for Conservation Technical Assistance, was considered at the subcommittee level. The bill is scheduled for consideration by the full committee this Wednesday, July 18, at 9 a.m. The meeting will be webcast on the committee’s website at http://appropriations.house.gov.
The House Appropriations Committee also passed the Commerce, Justice and Science spending bill, which includes the Coastal Zone Management program. Specific spending levels from that bill have yet to be released.
The Senate is also considering Agriculture Appropriations this week. The Agriculture subcommittee met this morning to mark up their bill, and the full committee will consider agriculture appropriations this Thursday, July 19, at 2 p.m.
More on NACD’s Appropriations priorities can be found at http://nacdnet.org/policy/appropriations/fy08/.
4. Robinson Meets with EPA Administrator Johnson
In an effort to promote better collaboration between agricultural stakeholders and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the agency is conducting a series of agriculture and environment forums called the National Agricultural Dialogue.
As part of the series, EPA Administrator Steven Johnson hosted a meeting last week with agriculture leaders to discuss major environmental issues facing agriculture in the next 10 years; the changes to production agriculture and subsequent impact to the environment; and how EPA can more effectively work with producers and the agriculture community.
NACD First Vice President Steve Robinson represented conservation districts at the meeting. He expressed appreciation to Administrator Johnson for the agency’s efforts to improve its relationship with agriculture groups. Robinson commented on districts’ partnership with EPA through the use of 319 grants and emphasized the need for more education as land use and ownership change across the country. NACD is pleased to be engaged in this important discussion.
EPA's National Strategy for Agriculture is available at http://www.epa.gov/agriculture/agstrategy.html.
5. Sign-up Announced for Emergency Forestry Conservation Reserve Program
USDA announced this week that sign up for the Emergency Forestry Conservation Reserve Program (EFCRP) will resume August 6 and end December 31, 2007.
The program helps landowners and operators restore and enhance the approximate 5.6 million acres of forestland damaged by the hurricanes of 2005. This is the second time USDA has conducted sign-up for repairing forest damage.
Trees planted under this program help reduce flood effects, protect water sources, decrease soil erosion and improve wildlife habitat. A producer must have experienced at least a 35 percent loss to merchantable timber on private non-industrial forestland to be eligible for the program.
Tree losses in 261 counties located in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Texas are eligible for the program. A list of eligible counties is available in the "Counties Eligible for 2005 Crop and Livestock Hurricane Assistance Programs" fact sheet found online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/hurrcounties06.pdf.6. 2008 NACD Stewardship Theme Announced
NACD’s is pleased to announce “Water is Life” as the theme for the 2008 Stewardship program. The program will cover water as a resource used in everyday life, the water cycle, water quality, water quantity, watersheds, storm water runoff and more. Stewardship Week will be celebrated April 27 to May 4, 2008.
Materials will be available for purchase in early fall 2007. Student booklets and activities are being designed according to national education standards. Booklets will be created for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. Other products under development include placemat activity sheets, bookmarks, posters, program inserts, program blanks and a litany. Educator and Church Leaders’ guides will also be available.
Check NACD’s website regularly for updates on the theme and product availability.
7. July is Smart Irrigation Month
Did you know that one-third of the water Americans consume daily is used to irrigate lawns, water gardens, and maintain landscaping? More alarming, up to fifty percent of that water goes to waste is due to over watering, runoff and evaporation. With a few simple steps, homeowners can significantly reduce the amount of water used and wasted on lawns and gardens. To help address this issue, districts can encourage homeowners across the country to take a closer look at their outdoor water use. There are several simple steps to save water and money such as watering in the early morning to minimize evaporation, avoiding watering driveways and sidewalks, utilizing mirco-irrigation such as soaker hoses, and consulting a WaterSense irrigation partner for advice on in-ground sprinkler systems. For more information on watering efficiently and to locate a WaterSense irrigation partner in your area, visit www.epa.gov/watersense/pp/irrprof.htm.
8.Natural Capitalism: Green Partnerships with Business
The Alliance for Community Trees is sponsoring the Brown Bag Lunch Series, a monthly webcast held at the lunch hour for local urban and community forestry organizations and others who work directly with the public, volunteers or youth. The next session is 1:00-2:00pm eastern time on Thursday, July 19, and is on "Natural Capitalism.” Natural capitalism is about planned development. It takes into account the SmartGrowth model that development can be good, when it is well planned. By creating vibrant street life and a strong sense of community, green partnerships are part of the equation to creating healthier, safer and more livable neighborhoods. Together, community leaders, homebuilders, developers and businesses can promote this new way of thinking by ensuring that trees are a component of well-planned development. Districts can learn about the session and register at http://actrees.org/site/stories/brown_bag_lunch_series_july_19.php.
9. New NACD Website in Progress
NACD will be launching a new website this week. Users may experience a short time when the site will not be accessible on Thursday night. Be sure to check back on Friday for www.nacdnet.org’s new look!
10. NACD Events---90-day outlook
July 21-24, NACD Summer Board Meeting and Legislative Conference, Washington, D.C.
July 26-28, South Central Region Meeting, Catoosa/Tulsa, OK
August 2-4, Executive Directors’ Conference, Ithaca, NY
August 5-8, Northeast Region Meeting, Mystic, CT
August 6-8, NACD Forest Resources Committee, Show Low, AZ
August 26-28, Southeast Region Meeting, Williamsburg, VA
September 9-11, Southwest and Pacific Regions Meeting, Park City, UT
Editor’s Note: There will not be a regular issue of eNotes next week due to NACD’s Legislative Conference. The next issue will be published July 31, 2007.