National Association of Conservation Districts

Action Alert

Action Requested

Date: September 13, 2007

Subject: Conservation Program Administration Changes in Senate
Contact your Senators to oppose any shift in conservation program administration in the Farm Bill. Let your Senator know how important the current delivery system is to locally led conservation.

Background
The Senate is preparing for action on the Farm Bill.  The Senate Agriculture Committee could begin work on the bill next week or the following week. 

NACD has learned this week that an effort is under way to convince members of the Senate that a change in conservation program administration is necessary in the 2007 Farm Bill. Similar to the effort in the House, the shift in program administration would move all conservation program administration from NRCS to FSA. We have serious concerns and questions regarding implementation of such a shift and feel that those concerns would not be fully considered if included in Farm Bill legislation.

NACD has submitted a letter to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin and Ranking Member Saxby Chambliss. A copy of that letter can be used as guidance as you contact your Senators and is available on our website at: http://www.nacdnet.org/policy/input/letters/farmbill_09-13-07.phtml

It is important that all Senators and especially those on the Senate Agriculture Committee understand there is opposition to including conservation program administration changes in the Farm Bill.

Talking Points
The Secretary of Agriculture currently has the authority to make changes in the administration of programs within the Department of Agriculture. USDA has not proposed to make shifts in conservation program administration, and it was not a part of the Administration’s Farm Bill Proposal.  If Congress takes action to legislate changes in program administration, it should be done in consultation with the Secretary with a review of the field office structure, an understanding of technology, operating systems, staffing needs and potential efficiencies to be gained.

NRCS’s administration of conservation programs includes a significant portion for the delivery of technical assistance, which includes technical expertise and individual field visits, working with landowners; and some costs associated with staff time, computers, technology requirements, etc.

Any shift in program administration does not address streamlining and workload issues, it just redistributes money and work.  NACD is ready and willing to look at efficiencies in delivering programs, and has Farm Bill recommendations in these areas, however shifting program administration does not automatically result in an efficiency but may result in the transfer of jobs from one agency to another. 

Some questions that we feel should be explored before directing a change in program administration are:

• What are the true costs, as identified by USDA, of program administration vs. costs of administration and delivering technical assistance? 
• What are the computer compatibility issues?  FSA has had a series of computer problems, including security breeches, and are working on improvements.  Clarification of computer systems and information technology requirements is essential. 
• What are the staffing needs and how would those be handled? 
• Are there areas where Conservation Districts can play a greater role? 
• Are there areas where this would adversely impact a local conservation district?

NACD is committed to the locally led process of conservation program delivery. A key element of this process is the work of the Local Work Groups to gain input and priorities from within local communities.  We know that USDA through regulation, and Congress through the legislative process can impact this process, and we will continue to work with USDA and Congress to ensure that the locally led process is maintained.

Contacts
Please make contacts to your Senators to oppose any shift in conservation program administration in the Farm Bill.

Telephone and electronic contact information on your Senators can be found by visiting: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

It is critically important to contact every member of the Senate to ensure they understand the implications of changing program administration. In the Senate, any member can bring forward an amendment to legislate such a change. Several members of the Senate, including Senator Conrad, Senator Chambliss, Senator Baucus and Senator Crapo have been actively creating alternatives to the Farm Bill, so it is important that program administration changes are not included in their alternatives.

Report Back
Keep us posted on the contacts you make and any responses you receive. Reports on contacts can be sent to NACD’s Grassroots Coordinator at jeremy-peters@nacdnet.org.