October 30, 2007 eNotes - National Association of Conservation Districts">

October 30, 2007
index to previous eNotes

1. Senate Committee Approves Farm Bill
Last Thursday, the Senate Agriculture Committee approved the Food and Energy Security Act of 2007. After weeks of negotiation, this bipartisan Farm Bill proposal passed the committee unanimously. The bill contains a strong conservation title, continues all current conservation programs, includes important provisions on technical assistance and maintains the locally-led conservation delivery system. The proposal expands eligible practices under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program to include forest management, fuels management and conservation planning.

The Forestry Title requires states to develop statewide forest resource assessments that address national conservation priorities. The priorities will be the basis for allocation of funds under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act. Additionally, the bill initiates a new “Community Forest and Open Space Program.” The new program authorizes funding to communities, tribes or non-profits to acquire land that is threatened by conversion to non-forest use (see related article below). The Title would also extend the Forest Legacy Program to Indian tribes.

The Farm Bill proposal also includes provisions addressing nutrition, energy, commodities, trade, livestock and rural development. Summaries of each of these provisions can be found on the Senate Agriculture Committee website at http://agriculture.senate.gov/.

NACD has prepared a comparison of the 2002 Farm Bill and the House and Senate 2007 Farm Bill proposals detailing conservation programs and funding levels. The document can be found on NACD’s 2007 Farm Bill page, or click here to download it directly.

The full Senate may begin deliberation to consider the Food and Energy Security Act late this week or early next week. Several amendments are expected and NACD will keep you up-to-date on issues impacting conservation and forestry.

2. Conservation Leaders Meet Across the Country
NACD representatives are bringing the national perspective to the local level at state association of conservation districts meetings across the country. The Association is providing legislative updates, addressing progress on the strategic plan goals and emphasizing the importance of an active grassroots base.

Last week, 650 conservation leaders descended on Waco, Texas, for the Texas Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts Annual Meeting. Tamara Daniel represented NACD at the meeting where she provided to-the-minute updates as the Farm Bill progressed through the Senate Agriculture Committee. She also discussed conservation program administration with the group.

At the same time, 150 conservationists gathered in Las Vegas, N.M., to discuss conservation issues in the Southwest at the New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts Annual Conference. NACD Western Issues Specialist Ralph Thier commended the group for their leadership on national issues and outlined NACD’s current efforts. Attendees addressed a range of natural resource issues from noxious weed projects to hazardous fuels mitigation and EPA 319 grants.

Today, NACD First Vice President Steve Robinson and Director of Member Services Brad Ross participated in the West Virginia Association of Conservation Districts quarterly meeting in Charleston, W.V. Robinson discussed issues of concern to West Virginia including watersheds and drought. He also recognized their standing record as the state with all districts paying full NACD membership for the most consecutive years.

3. NACD Presents Pollinators’ Award
NACD helped kick off the 7th Annual North American Pollinator Protection Campaign International Summit in Washington, D.C., last week. The summit brought in prominent scientists and experts to discuss current pollination issues. Krysta Harden presented the NACD/NAPPC Farmer/Rancher Pollinator Conservation Award to Mike Omeg from Oregon for his contributions to pollinator protection in his orchards. NACD is an active partner in the campaign to protect pollinators and we are proud to join NAPPC in recognizing those who commit to pollination across North America.

4. Ready for Reno? Speaker Line-Up Fills Up
If you haven’t already registered for NACD’s 2008 Annual Meeting scheduled for February 10-13, 2008 in Reno, Nevada, now is the time! We’re excited to announce two featured speakers for the Partners General Session. The session will feature NRCS Chief Arlen Lancaster and Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Alex Beehler.

For the past year, Chief Lancaster has guided NRCS through the final stages of strategic planning, led the agency’s Farm Bill efforts and been a key player in the Conservation Partnership. As the thirteenth Chief for the agency, he directs the work of 12,000 employees and manages a budget totaling nearly $3.2 billion. Lancaster is a true friend to conservation districts.

Deputy Under Secretary Beehler will bring a completely different perspective to the agenda with his work on environmental, safety and occupational health policies and programs in the Department of Defense. He has led the agency’s efforts this year to work with NACD leadership to define potential roles for conservation districts in land use and open space issues surrounding military installation maintenance and expansion.

Registration information and further details about NACD’s 62nd Annual Meeting are available at http://www.nacdnet.org/events/annualmeeting/.

5. House Passes Dam Repair Funding
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed legislation that would authorize funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to rehabilitate and repair publicly-owned dams.

The funds would be administered by FEMA and provide grants to states to rehabilitate or repair dams that fail to meet minimum safety standards and pose an unacceptable risk to the public. According to FEMA, one-third of the nation’s nearly 80,000 dams pose a “high” or “significant” hazard to life and property if there is dam failure. Similar legislation has been introduced in the Senate where it awaits action.

NACD applauds the efforts for funding to repair and rehabilitate our nations publicly owned dams. More information on FEMA’s National Dam Safety Program can be found at http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/damfailure/ndsp.shtm.

6. National Forests on the Edge Report Released
The USDA Forest Service recently released a report titled “National Forests on the Edge,” the second in a series of reports outlining the changing use of forestland. The report projects that 21.7 million acres (about 8 percent) of rural lands located within 10 miles of national forests and grasslands are projected to undergo increases in housing development by 2030. The possible impacts of this change in land use includes decreases in native fish and wildlife and their habitats; changes in forest health; reduced opportunities for outdoor recreation; diminished water quality; altered hydrology; greater loss of life and property to wildfire; changes in traditional uses of forests; and decreases in production of forest products. The full report can be downloaded at http://www.fs.fed.us/openspace/fote/index.html.

7. Check Out what’s New on nacdnet.org!
NACD works hard to provide districts with up-to-date, relevant information and useful tools. We are constantly adding new features and content to our website, www.nacdnet.org. The site’s newest features include a text size option for readers who need a larger font size, located in the upper left-hand corner of every page, and redesigned navigational sidebars to better help users find what they are looking for.

Several new resources are also available:

Board diversity guide and presentation
Southeast region meeting district showcase presentations
Two new wildlife reports
Conservation logos page
Education clip art
2008 Annual Meeting page
509 Capitol Court Campaign page
New content on the Wildlife page

These are just a few of the new items available at www.nacdnet.org. The site is updated daily, so check back regularly for new information.

8. NACD Calendar of Events
November 15, NACD at NAFB Trade Talk, Kansas City, MO
December 12-13, Tribal Conservation District Workshop, Las Vegas, NV

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