November 27, 2007 eNotes - National Association of Conservation Districts">

November 27, 2007
index to previous eNotes

1. Congressional Recess Continues, Opportunity for Contacts
As Congress continues its Thanksgiving recess this week, conservation districts have an opportunity to contact their Senators to urge passage of the 2007 Farm Bill.

Prior to recess, the Senate voted on a cloture motion to decide whether or not to bring the Farm Bill up for consideration. The Senate voted down the cloture motion, but they could still bring the Farm Bill back up for consideration in December. With Senators at home for another week, NACD encourages conservation districts to continue to urge their Senators to support passage of the Farm Bill.

The 2002 Farm Bill expired on September 30, 2007. Failure to approve a new bill puts several programs in jeopardy. The Wetlands Reserve Program and the Grasslands Reserve Program would not continue and inaction results in uncertain funding for other conservation programs. Congress’ ability to pass a Farm Bill this year will impact conservation program delivery and districts’ ability to meet producer customer needs for technical and financial assistance. Details on the House and Senate Farm Bill proposals can be found on the NACD website at http://www.nacdnet.org/policy/agriculture/farmbill/2007.

Visit http://www.senate.gov for your Senator's contact information.

2. EPA requests nominations for Agriculture Advisory Committee
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is now accepting nominations for a recently announced federal advisory committee, the Farm, Ranch and Rural Communities Advisory Committee. The Committee is expected to meet twice a year and provide input to the EPA administrator on environmental issues that impact agriculture and rural communities. Sample issues the Committee would consider include Hypoxia, Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation regulations and water quality and credit trading, among others. Participants will be selected from representatives of conservation groups, farm groups, agricultural processors and retailers, citizen groups and tribal governments. NACD plans to submit a nominee to represent conservation districts.

Additional information can be found on EPA’s website at http://epa.gov/oecaagct/index.html.

3. Winter is on the Way, Support the Capitol Court Campaign Today!
Old Man Winter is about to rear his ugly head in Washington, D.C., blowing in blustery reminders of the need for progress on NACD’s 509 Capitol Court Campaign. The Campaign was launched in July 2007 to raise funds to repair, renovate and maintain NACD’s Headquarters office. The three-story office building, located at 509, Capitol Court, NE, in Washington, D.C., has not been updated since it was purchased by districts 20 years ago. As winter approaches, we are increasingly aware of specific needs such as more energy efficient windows and a connecting staircase between levels. Staff and visitors currently must exit and reenter the building to travel between floors, regardless of conditions.

Several conservation districts, state associations and generous individuals have already stepped up and donated just over $50,000 toward the Campaign’s $280,000 goal. We need your help to keep the number growing. Please invest in the future of conservation districts and donate to the 509 Capitol Court Campaign today. All contributions are tax deductible. Detailed information about renovation and repair plans as well as a full list of donors is available at http://www.nacdnet.org/events/509campaign/.

4. Urban Survey Deadline Extended
The NACD Urban and Community Conservation Inventory deadline has been extended until December 14 due to recent technical difficulties. NACD is gathering information from districts on their urban and community conservation activities to help NACD better assist their efforts. Responses will be used to showcase districts' work, identify their training and resource needs and seek additional federal resources and support. All districts are encouraged to participate. The Inventory form can be downloaded and submitted online at www.nacdnet.org/policy/urban/inventory.phtml.

5. Get Started in Washington through the NACD Internship
NACD offers an outstanding internship opportunity for college students to spend a semester in the Washington, D.C. office working with the legislative and communication staffs. This 10-15 week internship can be just the jumpstart you need to get your career started in Washington. Many of our interns have returned to work the nation’s capital upon graduation, thanks in large part to the contacts and experience they gained through their time in the NACD Office. For more information and to apply, go to http://www.nacdnet.org/about/intern_program/index.phtml. Applications will be accepted for the Spring 2007 position through next Friday, December 7.

6. FWS Requests Comments on Proposed Endangered Species “Recovery Crediting System”
The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) published draft guidance earlier this month requesting comments on a potential federal agency “recovery crediting system.”

The proposed system gives federal agencies flexibility to offset negative impacts to threatened and endangered species found on federal lands. Agencies would be able to compensate for the impacts by cooperatively undertaking conservation actions on non-federal lands, as long as the affected species receives a net conservation benefit.

As a result, the system would provide incentives for private landowners to conserve endangered species and foster environmental stewardship as part of a credit trading system. The draft guidance may be downloaded from the FWS web site at http://www.fws.gov/endangered/policy/oct.2007.html. Comments must be submitted by December 3.

7. Gulf Hypoxia Task Force Invites Public Comment on Revised Plan
The Environmental Protection Agency’s Gulf Hypoxia Task Force recently released its 2008 revised Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan. The plan identifies efforts to reduce nutrients flowing from 31 states into the Mississippi River, and improve scientific study, track progress and raise awareness of the issue. Current nutrient flow results in a dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico every year.

The EPA plan suggests dealing with the Gulf Hypoxic Zone through a better coordinated, multi-agency effort at the federal, state and local level. Plans include coordinating with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to adopt conservation practices to help reduce nutrient and soil loads in the Mississippi River watershed. Farm Bill programs could potentially be used to implement the conservation practices, but use of the programs to address issues with the Gulf Hypoxic Zone would depend on availability of adequate funding.

NACD, its Water Resources Committee, and many state associations have addressed issues surrounding the Gulf Hypoxia zone for several years, participating in workgroups and conferences. At the local level, conservation districts in the Mississippi watershed work with landowners to promote conservation practices, addressing resource issues that contribute to hypoxia.

To view the revised Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan and to submit comments, visit the EPA website at http://www.epa.gov/msbasin. The revised plan is open for public comment until January 4, 2008.

8. Seeking Districts to Showcase Activities in NPDES Minimum Measures
Many conservation districts are involved in helping communities achieve one or more of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Minimum Measures (http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/swfinal.cfm). NACD is looking for districts to share information about their work for use in a stormwater workshop at the 2008 NACD Annual Meeting in Reno. If your conservation district is active with NPDES and would like to participate, please send a brief description of your district’s services to deb-bogar@nacdnet.org.

The deadline for volunteering for this workshop is December 14.

9. Free Webcast Tomorrow on Smart Growth and Green Infrastructure
If you missed the ACT November 8th webcast on Smart Growth and Urban Forestry, plan to join this one by hosted by the EPA. On November 28, the EPA Watershed Academy will sponsor a two-hour webcast on Smart Growth and Green Infrastructure, beginning at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time. Speakers include Geoffrey Anderson, EPA Director of Development, Community and Environment Division; Nancy Stoner, Director of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) Clean Water Project; and Noelle Mackay, Executive Director of Smart Growth Vermont. They will discuss how various Smart Growth and Green Infrastructure tools are being used at the regional, watershed and site levels to preserve, enhance and protect our water resources, along with various approaches, including messaging, research and partnering. For more information, visit www.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts/.

10. NACD Calendar of Events
December 12-13, Tribal Conservation District Workshop, Las Vegas, NV
January 3-4, 2008, North Central Region Board Meeting, Schiller Park, IL
February 10-13, 2008, 2008 NACD Annual Meeting, Reno, NV

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