September 25, 2007 eNotes - National Association of Conservation Districts">

September 25, 2007
index to previous eNotes

1. Senate Farm Bill Schedule Remains Uncertain
Next week the Senate Finance Committee will begin their work on Farm Bill provisions. The focus of this committee will be on tax provisions and areas within their committee where they can “find” money. It is expected that the committee will work on a $5 billion permanent disaster program for the Farm Bill, but additional funding for agriculture spending remains uncertain. The Senate Agriculture Committee has not yet scheduled work for their committee, but it could happen next week. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Harkin (D-IA) released several drafts of a conservation title and continues to make revisions. NACD has been meeting with Senate Agriculture Committee staff regarding these proposals, and remains engaged in Farm Bill discussions. An alternative farm bill proposal developed by members of the Senate Agriculture Committee was leaked to the press and these two versions of farm bill proposals are the focal point of the policy discussion.

The issue of changes to conservation programs administration is being discussed in the Senate and NACD stressed to Chairman Harkin and Ranking Member Chambliss that the Farm Bill is not the appropriate time to make such changes. NACD encourages states and districts to make similar contact to their senators, as this issue may come up during any Farm Bill discussions. NACD’s letter and Action Alert on the topic can be found at http://nacdnet.org/policy/action/.

2. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns Resigns
President Bush announced the resignation of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns on Thursday. Several state officials said Johanns, a former Nebraska governor, is expected to seek the Senate seat which will be vacated at the end of next year by Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE).

"If it's Mike's decision and Nebraska's choice, he would make an outstanding member of the United States Senate," President Bush said Thursday, while announcing that Johanns had resigned as head of the Agriculture Department. Secretary Johanns was a great friend of conservation, and a NACD appreciates his dedication to the Farm Bill.

Deputy Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner has been named acting secretary. Conner became deputy agriculture secretary in 2005. Prior to that, he was a White House farm adviser and president of the Corn Refiners Association. Deputy Secretary Conner’s remarks from NACD’s Legislative Conference in July are available at http://nacdnet.org/events/legconference/connor_remarks.phtml.

3. Appropriations Headed for Continuing Resolution
With all of the twelve annual appropriations bills incomplete in the final week of the federal fiscal year, Congress will be required to pass a continuing resolution this week to continue to fund federal agencies until appropriations can be approved.

As in the past several years, Congress will likely approve appropriations spending in one omnibus bill, which will encompass all twelve areas of jurisdiction. Because of the size of such legislation, securing adequate funding for a single program can be challenging. As Congress enters this phase of the appropriations process, NACD will continue to advance our appropriations priorities and keep you updated on their progress.

More information on NACD’s appropriations priorities can be found on our website at http://www.nacdnet.org/policy/appropriations.

4. Endangered Species Recovery Act Gets a Boost
The Endangered Species Recovery Act (S. 700) received bipartisan support as it cleared the Senate Finance Committee on Friday as part of a larger measure, the Habitat and Land Conservation Act. The bill provides tax incentives for private landowners to improve habitat for endangered and threatened species and will reward landowners for their conservation work, rather than imposing more government regulation. NACD contributed to the legislative effort and sent a letter of support for the legislation earlier this year. For more information on the bill, see http://finance.senate.gov/press/Bpress/2007press/prb092107b.pdf.

5. Congress Assesses Wildfire Activity and Climate Change
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing yesterday to consider scientific assessments of the impacts of global climate change on wildfire activity in the United States.

This hearing, which was the first to specifically target climate change affects on wildfire activity, called in a panel of witnesses that included Forest Service officials and university researchers. In his opening statement, Committee Chair Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), noted on the increase in acres burned and the likelihood of worse conditions in years to come.

NACD is committed to this issue and supports policies and programs that prevent the buildup of hazardous fuels and promote rehabilitation for lands damaged by wildfire. NACD submitted testimony for the record for yesterday’s hearing and it is available at http://www.nacdnet.org/policy/input/testimony/wildfire_09-24-07.phtml.

6. Water Resources Development Act Heads to the President
This week, Congress reauthorized the Water Resources Development Act, approving the bill’s conference report with a vote of 81-12 in the Senate and sending the bill to the President. While the $23.2 billion bill is likely to be vetoed, both chambers of Congress appear to have the votes necessary to override such a measure.

The WRDA authorizes funding for projects across the country under the Army Corps of Engineers for conservation and development of water resources. The bill includes projects related to navigation in the nation’s ports and rivers, ecosystem restoration including wetland and estuary management and flood control measures including maintenance of levees and reservoirs.

7. GAO Study Analyzes Landowners’ Decisions to Convert Grasslands to Croplands
A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) study requested by the chairmen of both the House and Senate agriculture committees found that access to commodity programs and crop insurance is a key factor in producers’ decisions to plow up range land.

The report found crop insurance in particular motivates conversion by greatly limiting the risk of producing crops in marginal cropland. For example, in the 16 South Dakota counties with the highest rate of conversion, the average net crop insurance payment was more than $13 per acre, nearly twice the payments received in all other counties in the state.

Both the House-passed version of the 2007 Farm Bill and Senator Harkin’s proposed bill include provisions that address the conversion of grasslands.

To see the full GAO report titled ‘Farm Program Payments Are an Important Factor in Landowners’ Decisions to Convert Grassland to Cropland,’ please click here.

8. NUCFAC Grant Deadline Extended
The National Urban and Community Forestry Council conducts an annual challenge cost-share program, soliciting pre-proposals in the fall. The deadline for this year has been extended to October 12, 2007. Approximately $1 million in grant funds will be awarded through the 2008 Challenge Cost-Share Grant Program to fund urban and community forestry projects that have a national or widespread impact and application. Grants of any dollar amount up to the $1 million dollar limit will be considered. Information and the Request for Proposal are available at www.treelink.org/nucfac/general_info.html.

9. Deadline Quickly Approaching for 2008 NACD Awards Nominations
Don’t forget to send in your nominations today for the 2008 NACD Awards. Nominations are due Friday, September 28, 2007. Use this opportunity to thank your partners, local district, co-workers, district staff or board member and tell them what a great job they're doing. We need to let them know their commitment to conservation doesn't go unnoticed! For more information, please go to http://www.nacdnet.org/news/awards/.

The following awards are still open for nominations: NACD Friend of Conservation, NACD Distinguished Service, Excellence in Communications and District Excellence Awards.

10. Call for Presentations: Banking on the Environment
The 11th Annual National Mitigation & Conservation Banking Conference is schedule for May 6-9, 2008, at the Hyatt Regency in Jacksonville, Florida. The conference will maintain its focus on mitigation and conservation banking while expanding into the ecosystem markets. Conference opportunities include Regulator, Banker or User Forums; Banking Primer & Stream Banking Primer Workshops; Corps IRT (MBRT) Training; Updates on Regulations, Rules & Courts and more. Presentation ideas must be submitted by October 4. Conference registration fees are waived for presenters. Go to www.mitigationbankingconference.com to learn more or to submit your presentation.

11. September Issue of Forestry Notes Available Online
The September issue of Forestry Notes is now online at http://nacdnet.org/news/publications/forestrynotes/. Check it out for more information on:

Roundtable discussions on the importance of forests to people and resilience of forest-dependent communities;
How the an NACD press release is helping the RC&D spread the word about Firewise;
A recent conference themed “Woody Biomass to Ethanol” hosted by West Virginia University; and more!

12. NACD Calendar of Events
October 11-12, Great Lakes Committee Meeting, Ann Arbor, MI
November 15, NACD at NAFB Trade Talk, Kansas City, MO
December 12-13, Tribal Conservation District Workshop, Las Vegas, NV

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