August 28, 2007 eNotes - National Association of Conservation Districts">

August 28, 2007
index to previous eNotes

1. Congress to Return to Washington Next Week
As the August recess period wraps up, Congress plans to return to Washington, D.C. next week with what promises to be a busy legislative schedule.

While the House completed its work on the Farm Bill and appropriations bills prior to recess, the Senate has yet to begin work on these bills. The Farm Bill and all appropriations bills must be passed and signed into law by September 30. Otherwise, Congress must pass temporary extensions to allow for more time to complete work.

As Congress returns to Washington, NACD will be engaged in the action. NACD President Olin Sims has been invited to testify before the Senate Environment and Public Works committee. The committee will be holding a hearing on September 6 regarding Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs).

NACD staff continues to be involved in the policy debate regarding the Farm Bill and appropriations. As events unfold, NACD will keep you up to date on the latest news and information on Congress’ progress on these key legislative priorities.

2. Conservation Leaders Celebrate Conservation in Williamsburg
District showcases, national updates and training opportunities were just a few of the many items on the agenda at this week’s Southeast Region Meeting in Williamsburg, Va. A total of 350 conservation leaders from nine states gathered for the board meeting and conference hosted by the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. NACD CEO Krysta Harden addressed the group on Monday, emphasizing the need for districts to keep up with the times and to stay relevant in community decision-making processes. Today NACD Second Vice President Bob Cordova presented an update on national activities, detailing work on the 2007 Farm Bill, communications and member services. NACD Treasurer John Redding also attended the meeting.

3. Forest Service Publishes New NFS Planning and NEPA Rules for Comment
The USDA Forest Service is providing opportunity for comments on proposed rules for National Forest System land management planning and the Forest Service’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) procedures. Both proposals have 60-day comment periods.

The first proposed rule is the result of a March 30, 2007 court order regarding NEPA, the Endangered Species Act and the Administrative Procedure Act, which requires USDA to seek public comment on the 2005 planning rule before its implementation and use. The proposed planning rule is essentially identical to the 2005, only differing in the effective date and transition period. Key elements of the rule include a strengthened science role in land management planning; assurance that the public has access to planning information and is heard throughout the process; an assessment of environmental conditions and trends; and the requirement that the proposed desired conditions be sustainable. Comments on management planning must be received by October 22. Details are available at http://www.fs.fed.us/emc/nfma/2007_planning_rule.html.

The second proposed rule moves the Forest Service’s NEPA implementing procedures from the Forest Service Directive System to the Code of Federal Regulations. This move would allow for more public collaboration and responsiveness to new information and ideas. It updates and makes consistent procedures with other agencies and reflects guidance from the Council on Environmental Quality. Comments on NEPA implementing procedures must be received by October 15. Details are available at http://www.fs.fed.us/emc/nepa/index.htm.

4. EPA Publishes New Guidance on Watershed Permitting
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published new technical guidance to help integrate National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits into watershed management plans. The agency will accept comments on the guidance on a continuing basis.

The publication, "Watershed-Based NPDES Permitting Technical Guidance" follows up on the 2003 implementation guidance and leads interested parties through the analysis of watershed data and developing a framework for implementing an NPDES program.

The guidance focuses on helping NPDES authorities develop and issue permits that fit within a watershed based management approach with input from watershed stakeholders. The guidance includes case studies describing how watershed approaches involving NPDES permitting have been implemented across the country.

The guidance and information on submitting comments can be found on the EPA website at http://www.epa.gov/npdes/watersheds.

5. Western Bark Beetles Increase Wildfire Intensity
According to a report by the Council of Western State Foresters, western trees killed by bark beetles can increase wildfire severity and intensity. The report, titled Western Bark Beetle Assessment: A Framework for Cooperative Forest Stewardship, also finds that fire-damaged trees can be more susceptible to some types of bark beetle attacks.

The USDA Forest Service estimates that over the next 15 years, 22 million additional acres of western forests, on both federal and non-federal lands, could experience significant tree mortality from bark beetles. The Western Bark Beetle Assessment contains a map showing high risk areas—forested acres in the West where bark beetles, wildfire and people overlap. The report strategically identifies 2.4 million acres as the highest priority for treatments based on both high risk of bark beetle outbreaks and wildland fire risk to people and structures.

States can gain necessary resources to proactively work in the high-risk areas through various state and federal programs. For the complete report, see http://www.wflccenter.org/news_pdf/222_pdf.pdf.

6. August Edition of Forestry Notes Online
The August Edition of Forestry Notes is now available online at http://nacdnet.org/news/publications/forestrynotes/. This latest issue of Forestry Notes says farewell to editor Tom Quink in honor of his sixteen years of dedicated service and welcomes Doug Williams as the new editor of Forestry Notes. Also included in this issue are:

Additional copies of woody biomass comic book, The Hidden Treasure, are printed and ready for distribution;
Survey results reveal economic impacts of the Emerald Ash Borer in Ohio;
USDA awards $1 million in grants to encourage innovation and applied research in hardwood forest products and their markets; and
National woody biomass workshop to be held in Missoula, Mont. in October.

7. NACD Summer Sale Extended
Due to the successful response to our summer sale, additional items have been marked down. Visit the NACD Store and place your order soon. Many items have limited quantities and will not be available in the new store. New items will be available when the new NACD Marketplace opens later in the year. Take a minute to shop today—you’re guaranteed to find great deals!

8. NACD Events---90-day outlook
September 9-11, Southwest and Pacific Regions Meeting, Park City, UT

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: Due to the Labor Day Holiday, the next scheduled issue of eNotes will be published September 5, 2007.

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For queries about this newsletter or if you are unable to automatically subscribe, contact editor Lisa Lerwick, NACD Director of Communications, at Lisa-Lerwick@nacdnet.org or 202-547-6223.