September 5, 2007 eNotes - National Association of Conservation Districts">

September 5, 2007
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1. Sims to Testify in Senate Hearing
NACD President Olin Sims will testify tomorrow morning before the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) committee in a hearing focusing on Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) and their impact on human health and environmental quality.

NACD has provided comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on their CAFO regulations on several occasions and supported the action by EPA this summer to extend the compliance deadline for obtaining a comprehensive nutrient management plan to February 27, 2009. Sims will highlight the work of conservation districts from across the country in working with CAFOs to adopt conservation practices and maintain environmental compliance.

The hearing will begin at 10 a.m. EDT and will be located in 406 Dirksen Senate Office Building. A live broadcast of the hearing will be available on the EPW committee’s website at http://epw.senate.gov.

2. A Busy Fall Ahead for Congress
With the Labor Day weekend marking the end of August recess, Congress returned to Capitol Hill this week with a heavy workload ahead of them for the fall months.

Central to Congress’ work as they reconvene will be considering further spending and timetables for the war in Iraq, negotiating details of Senate and House-passed energy legislation in conference to pass a comprehensive energy bill and confirmation hearings in the Senate for the vacant Attorney General post.

This activity is all in addition to the tasks of completing all 12 appropriations bills and passing a new Farm Bill, both of which must be done by September 30. While the House passed all appropriations bills and a Farm Bill prior to the August recess, the Senate still has to complete work on these legislative priorities.

Looking at the long-term picture for Congress this fall, completing every task will prove to be challenging. There is a good possibility a continuing resolution will be necessary to fund federal agencies while Congress continues to work on appropriations bills and that an extension of current farm policy might be required to allow more time to complete the Farm Bill.

As leadership in both the House and Senate works through the tasks ahead, NACD continues to work with Congressional offices to facilitate passage of sound policy reflective of our legislative priorities, both in appropriations and the Farm Bill.

3. Sims Highlights NACD Action in “America’s Voice for Conservation”
America's Voice Logo NACD President Olin Sims brings to you the September issue of “America’s Voice for Conservation,” an audio clip highlighting the current priorities and actions of your national association. In this month’s address, Sims touches on new additions in Member Services, developments with the Department of Defense, youth outreach, Congressional activity and more. Be sure to play this clip at your next Board Meeting to let them know that their membership dollars are making a difference. Click here to listen today!

4. Nussle Confirmed by Senate as OMB Director
Former Congressman Jim Nussle of Iowa was confirmed this week by the Senate as the new director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The Senate approved Nussle’s confirmation by a vote of 69 to 24.

Nussle succeeds former OMB Director Rob Portman, who left his post in August. While in Congress, Nussle served as Chairman of the House Budget Committee from 2001 until 2006. Nussle will immediately get to work on negotiations with Congress as work continues on fiscal year 2008 appropriations. Nussle will also work with federal agencies in developing the President’s fiscal year 2009 budget proposal, which will be presented to Congress early next year.

Under the revised appropriations strategy adopted by the NACD Board in July, NACD will work with OMB as the budget proposal is developed.

5. Interior Department Launches New Grant Program under Water 2025
Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne recently announced a new grant opportunity under the Water 2025 initiative for System Optimization Review. These grants will enable water users to perform broad studies of water delivery systems’ efficiency. Water users must submit grant proposals to Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation by December 4, 2007.

To be eligible for a System Optimization Review grant, applicants must:

represent an irrigation or water district, tribal water authority, state governmental entity with water management authority, or organizations created under state law with water delivery authority;
be located in the seventeen western states;
provide a 50/50 cost-share;
request no more than $300,000 federal cost-share; and
be scheduled for completion in 24 months.

Increased funding for Water 2025 Challenge Grants have been supported by NACD in the Fiscal Year 2008 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill. To learn more about System Optimization Review Grants, the Challenge Grant Program or Water 2025, please visit http://www.doi.gov/water2025.

6. New Faces Among NACD Staff
NACD is pleased to officially welcome three new members to our team this week. Ralph Thier began yesterday as Western Issues Specialist and will serve as a liaison for NACD’s Southwest and Pacific Regions. He can be reached at Ralph-Thier@nacdnet.org. Brad Ross of Ohio will begin this week as the Director of Member Services. Ross will help improve and expand NACD’s interaction with our member districts. He can be reached at Brad-Ross@nacdnet.org. Finally, we welcome Sara Jane Smallwood from Oklahoma to the staff for a 16-week Legislative and Communications Internship. Sara Jane can be reached at SaraJane-Smallwood@nacdnet.org.

Welcome to the team!

7. District Excellence Award Nomination Deadline Approaches
Don't be modest...let us hear of your successes! Send in your nominations for the NACD District Excellence Awards today!

The District Excellence Awards recognize conservation districts that successfully achieve Program and Policy goals while incorporating effective initiatives to address Outreach and Diversity. The specific program/policy areas are: Agricultural Lands Resources; District Operations; Wildlife and Environment; Forest Resources; Grazing Lands and Public Lands Resources; Urban, Community and Coastal Resources; Water Resources; and Stewardship and Education.

Anyone can nominate a district in any one of these eight areas. There are eight awards in all. For more information on this and other awards, please go to http://www.nacdnet.org/news/awards/ and click on the award that interests you for the nomination form and further details. The deadline for nominations is September 28.

8. American Forest Foundation seeks NRCS State Conservationists for Forestry Award
The American Forest Foundation is seeking nominations for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Forest Stewardship Award. This award recognizes NRCS state conservationists and their staff for outstanding technical and financial assistance to private forestland owners on forest conservation activities. Anyone may nominate a State Conservationist for the award (e.g. forest landowner, forestry organization, or conservation district, etc). The awarded for the first time last year, it goes to a State Conservationist in each NRCS region – Dave White (Montana), Kalven Trice (Arkansas), and Tessa Chadwick (New Hampshire). Nominations are due October 1. More information can be found at http://www.stateforesters.org/news/NRCSAward.html.

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

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