September 18, 2007 eNotes - National Association of Conservation Districts">

September 18, 2007
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1. NACD Expresses Concerns Regarding Program Administration Changes
Last week, NACD sent a letter to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin and Ranking Member Saxby Chambliss opposing potential conservation program administration changes in Farm Bill legislation.

Action on the Farm Bill is still needed in the Senate. NACD expressed concerns about any potential change in program administration in the Farm Bill, and that such a change would simply redistribute workload and funding instead of addressing efficiency and customer needs. Any potential change to program administration should be carefully considered with a thorough assessment by Congress and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in consultation with field offices to fully understand the impact of such a change.

NACD’s letter to the Senate Agriculture Committee leadership and an Action Alert are available on our website at http://www.nacdnet.org/policy/action/alert_09-13-07.phtml.

2. President Signs Lobbying Reform Bill
Just prior to the August Recess, the House and the Senate passed final lobbying reform legislation. The President signed it into law last week. The bill adds new requirements on lobbying disclosure, increasing the required reporting by interest groups from twice a year to quarterly reports. Restrictions are also placed on former members of Congress regarding a waiting period before lobbying. Also included in the legislation is a requirement specific to the Senate for the disclosure of earmark sponsors. Senate sponsors of earmarks must be made publicly available 48 hours before a bill is considered. Lobbying reform was one of the Democrat’s top priorities when they gained control of both the House and the Senate earlier this year.

3. New Funding Available for Bee Health and Protection
The USDA has announced the availability of $4 million for a four-year Coordinated Agricultural Project (CAP) to research ways to improve the health and protection of honeybees. The honeybee population is currently facing serious threats that have the potential to heavily impact the nation's food supply.

The money will fund research that addresses genomics, breeding, pathology, immunology and applied ecology that explain the cause behind dwindling bee populations. A unique feature of this CAP program is that the researchers will work closely with the extension community and stakeholders to develop mitigation strategies for Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) and other significant problems that threaten the bee industry and U.S. agriculture. More information about the Protection of Managed Bees CAP funding opportunity is available at http://www.csrees.usda.gov/newsroom/news/2007news/pollinatorcap.html.

4. USDA Launches New 2007 Census of Agriculture Website
This year for the first time ever, producers will have the option of filling out their forms for the 2007 Census of Agriculture online. This option has been made possible by the newly launched Census of Agriculture website, created by the USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS). In addition to the online form feature, the Census of Agriculture website contains the latest news and information about the upcoming Census, as well as frequently asked questions and data from previous counts dating back to 1840.

NASS will mail out Census forms in December to collect data for the 2007 calendar year. This mailing will include instructions on how to log in and respond to the Census online. Whether submitting online or by mail, the deadline for producers to return completed forms is February 4, 2008. Information on the 2007 Census of Agriculture and a draft of the Census form are available online at the new Census of Agriculture website, www.agcensus.usda.gov. To read the full USDA press release, go to http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Newsroom/2007/09_10_2007.asp.

5. BLM Purchases Western Land Parcels with High Conservation Values
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced earlier this month that, in an effort to promote conservation while helping ensure efficient and effective public lands management, it and three other Federal land-management agencies—Forest Service, National Park Service and Fish and Wildlife Service—are in the process of acquiring 19 parcels of land in seven Western states. The purchase, totaling about 9,000 acres, is funded with $18 million from a special land conservation fund.

The fund, established by Congress under the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act (FLTFA) passed in 2000, authorizes the purchase of private “inholdings” from willing sellers in the Western states whose acreage is surrounded by or located next to certain lands under the management of the BLM, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service.

For more details, see the full DOI press release at http://www.doi.gov/news/07_News_Releases/070904a.html.

6. NACD to Honor Major Contributors to Conservation
Please help us uncover the next NACD Friend of Conservation and NACD Distinguished Service Award winners.

The NACD Friend of Conservation Award recognizes an individual, business, organization or agency outside the association for their hard work and outstanding contributions to conserving our nation's natural resources. Who have you been working with in the recent past that deserves the thanks and recognition this award provides? Let's encourage those we work with to continue doing their part in conservation, and to continue working with conservation districts to further their efforts. Please visit http://www.nacdnet.org/news/awards/friendofconservation.phtml to get more information on this award and how to submit a nomination.

The NACD Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual within the association who has made significant contributions to the conservation and proper management of our nation's natural resources. Do you know an individual who has gone above and beyond for the sake of conserving our natural resources and made an impact in their community and their circle of influence? Let's take this opportunity to recognize them for their passion and dedication to conservation. Please visit http://www.nacdnet.org/news/awards/distinguishedservice.phtml for more information on this award and how to submit a nomination.

For more information and for a complete list of awards, visit the NACD website at http://www.nacdnet.org/news/awards/. The deadline for nominations is September 28.

7. Farmer-Rancher Pollinator Conservation Award Deadline Approaches
The NACD/NAPPC Farmer-Rancher Pollinator Conservation Award deadline is Friday, September 21. The award recognizes an individual or family in the farm and ranch community in the U.S. who has contributed significantly to pollinator species protection and conservation on working and wild lands. Take time today to nominate a deserving individual or family.

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