National Association of Conservation Districts

National Association of Conservation Districts

NACD's mission is to serve conservation districts by providing national leadership and a unified voice for natural resource conservation.

Action Alert

Action Requested

Date: December 17, 2008

Subject: State Technical Committee/Local Work Group Interim Final Rules


Action Requested
NACD is encouraging conservation districts and state associations to provide comments to USDA-NRCS regarding formal interim final rulemaking on State Technical Committees and Local Work Groups.


Background
NACD issued an alert in August encouraging districts and states to submit preliminary comments to USDA on the State Technical Committee and Local Work Group process. USDA-NRCS recently released the first 2008 Farm Bill regulation regarding State Technical Committees, beginning the formal rulemaking process for State Technical Committees and Local Work Groups.
 
This rulemaking for State Technical Committees and Local Work Groups will determine how the local decision-making process will work for implementation of the 2008 Farm Bill programs. Conservation Districts are strongly encouraged to provide feedback to USDA-NRCS on the locally led process, feedback on operation of the State Technical Committee and Local Work Group, how this process can work best to ensure sound management of natural resources.
 
Specific areas in which USDA-NRCS is seeking comment include:
 

NACD has provided comments to USDA-NRCS in each of these areas, including improved communication and reporting between Local Work Groups, State Technical Committees and State Conservationists, recommendations that conservation districts convene Local Work Groups, and a variety of options for publicizing meetings of Local Work Groups.

NACD’s comments can be used as a model for developing your own comments and can be viewed here: http://nacdnet.org/policy/input/comments/lwg_12-16-08.pdf

The deadline to comment is January 26, 2009. Comments should be identified by Docket Number NRCS-IFR- 08010 and can be submitted by the following methods:


(Please remember when contacting USDA regarding policy matters, the use of federally owned equipment is prohibited. This includes fax machines, computers, email or any other method which involves federal property)


Questions and Feedback
Please let me know if you have questions regarding commenting to USDA, and keep us posted if your state association or conservation district provides comments. I can be reached via email at jeremy-peters@nacdnet.org