September 11, 2007 eNotes - National Association of Conservation Districts">

September 11, 2007
index to previous eNotes

1. Conservation beyond Boundaries: 2008 Annual Meeting Registration Opens
Reno, here we come! Conservation leaders from across the nation will head to Reno February 10-13, 2008 for NACD’s 62nd Annual Meeting. The meeting, themed “Conservation beyond Boundaries” will be held at John Ascuaga’s Nugget Hotel and Resort. General Sessions will feature leading conservationists; breakout sessions and workshops will focus on emerging issues; and networking opportunities will abound. The Annual Live Auction is sure to be a party with NACD President Olin Sims at the mic. Be there or be square! Check out the details and register today at http://www.nacdnet.org/events/annualmeeting/.

2. NACD President Makes the Rounds in D.C.
NACD President Olin Sims participated in a number of partner meetings while he was in Washington, D.C., last week to testify before Congress (see article below). Sims and NACD CEO Krysta Harden met with NRCS Chief Arlen Lancaster to discuss issues impacting conservation districts and the local delivery system. They also met with USFS State and Private Forestry (S&PF) Director Larry Payne to discuss the S&PF budget and to welcome NACD Western Issues Specialist Ralph Their to his new role.

In addition, Sims and NACD staff met with a number of Congressional leadership staff from the Senate Agriculture Committee and member offices to discuss the 2007 Farm Bill. Sims’ meetings with partner agencies and organizations are critical to maintaining the relationships that allow NACD to best serve our member districts.

3. EPW Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer Criticizes CAFOs
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, had harsh words regarding Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) during last week’s hearing. The hearing, where NACD President Olin Sims testified, focused on the potential human health and water quality impacts of CAFOs. In her opening statement, Senator Boxer stated, “I want to ensure that there is a clear picture of the significant environmental and health issues that stem from these facilities.”

Senator Boxer focused on legislation that has been introduced to exempt CAFOs from certain reporting requirements under the Superfund law. S. 807, introduced by Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) with 28 co-sponsors, would exempt manure from the Superfund law. Senator Lincoln and supporters of the legislation cite an exemption provided in the Superfund law for agriculture and normal application of fertilizer. Recent lawsuits have brought into question the Superfund exemption for manure. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has jurisdiction over Superfund and S. 807 and they will continue to work on this issue.

4. Draft Assessment on Climate Change and Agriculture Released
The U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) released for public comment “The effects of climate change on agriculture, land resources, water resources and biodiversity.” This draft document, prepared in coordination with USDA, is one of 21 synthesis and assessment documents that are being completed by the CCSP. The report includes findings related to impact on yield for certain crops, animal agriculture, forest productivity and potential adverse impacts of fires and insect outbreaks, water quantity and quality and species diversity.

The CCSP works with 13 federal departments and agencies to prepare information resources that promote climate-related discussions and decisions. NACD will prepare comments during the open comment period that ends October 26, 2007. Go to http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap4-3/public-review-draft/default.htm for additional details or to comment.

5. Utah Hosts Western Conservationists
Approximately 110 participants attended the combined Southwest and Pacific Region Meeting in beautiful Park City, Utah. The joint meeting, hosted by the Utah Association of Conservation Districts, provided participants the opportunity to hear from several guest speakers, attend breakout sessions and conduct business for their respective regions.

NACD Second Vice President Steve Robinson addressed the crowd, emphasizing the need for conservation districts across the country to speak with “one voice, one message” when talking with members of Congress. USDA Deputy Undersecretary for Natural Resources and the Environment Gary Mast gave a historical perspective of the nation’s soil conservation movement and the importance of partnerships. Leonard Blackham, Utah Commissioner of Agriculture and Food discussed Utah’s Grazing Improvement Program and influencing federal policy.

Elections for Region chairs were held with Skip Cowell (Hawaii) and Mike McCauley (AZ) being elected as chairs of the Pacific and Southwest Regions respectively.

6. NACD Advancing Information on Woody Biomass Utilization
NACD representatives have been actively participating in biomass activities, attending conferences and training sessions in West Virginia and Georgia. NACD Consulting Forester Doug Williams attended “Woody Biomass to Ethanol” last week, sponsored by West Virginia State University. The conference brought together experts on processing woody biomass to energy, forest resource sustainability and new market development.

This week NACD Forestry Programs Coordinator Fred Deneke is keynoting a Woody Biomass Outreach Training session in Atlanta, Ga. The ‘train-the-trainer’ session is intended to gear up training of forestry personnel on biomass utilization for energy.

7. Report Projects Renewable Energy Efforts will Reduce Emissions
A report released today by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) concluded that the proposal to meet 25 percent of U.S. energy needs with renewable energy sources by 2025 would significantly reduce carbon emissions. The report compared the projected effect of a '25 x 25' policy to projections made in EIA’s annual energy outlook. The projections in the report are not statements of what will happen but of what might happen, given the assumptions and methodologies used. NACD is a member of the 25x25 coalition. Jack Majeres, NACD Board member and President of the South Dakota Association of Conservation Districts, represents conservation districts on this initiative.

The full report is available at http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/servicerpt/eeim/pdf/sroiaf(2007)05.pdf.

8. Campaigning for Your D.C. Home
The push has begun and the 509 Capitol Court Campaign is starting to get legs under it. The Campaign was launched this summer in an effort to raise $280,000 to renovate and maintain NACD’s Washington headquarters. The 20-year-old investment is in need of updates and repairs and we need your help in our fundraising. Check out the details at http://www.nacdnet.org/events/509campaign/.

Thanks to the attendees at the Pacific/Southwest Region Meeting; they donated half of the proceeds from this week’s live auction to NACD’s 509 Capitol Campaign.

9. NACD Seeks District Success Stories
Districts are addressing communities’ natural resource challenges and opportunities across the country and we want to hear about it! Have you implemented a Community Wildfire Protection Plan, successfully implemented fuel-load reduction practices or utilized woody biomass in a new way? Your successes can be shared with other districts through NACD’s communication tools. Tell us about your district’s work by sending your story to forestrynotes@email.nacdnet.org today!

10. Award Offers Cash for Communicating
Calling all district communicators! Are you implementing an effective communication plan to spread your district's message in your community? NACD and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers have teamed up to offer the AEM/NACD Excellence in Communications Awards to recognize your efforts. We want to know what you are doing in your district to expand your reach and connect with your audience. The top winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize and the honorable mention winner will receive $500. Details are available at http://www.nacdnet.org/news/awards/communication.phtml. Send in your nomination today--entries must be postmarked by September 28, 2007!

11. Firewise Communities Chat Session Tomorrow
Join the Firewise Communities for a one-hour chat session on Wednesday, September 12, at 1:00 p.m. EDT. Guest speaker will be Patrick Mahoney who is a wildfire mitigation specialist with the Florida Division of Forestry. He will talk about the interesting---and very effective---projects in which he has engaged residents in several communities in his district. To participate, go to http://www.firewise.org/chat. Select Enter the Chat and input your name at the prompt. At the password prompt, enter chatfirewise. You will be placed into the chat room.

To subscribe to eNotes, simply send a email with the word "subscribe" in the subject field to enotes-request@email.nacdnet.org.

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.