May 20, 2008 eNotes - National Association of Conservation Districts

May 20, 2008
index to previous eNotes

1. House and Senate Pass Final Farm Bill
Last week the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate passed the 2008 Farm Bill by a veto-proof margin. The White House has released a statement that the President will veto the bill. Congress is expected to officially transmit the bill to the White House today, and the President will have 10 working days to veto the bill. If the President does veto, both the House and the Senate will need to vote to override the veto before the bill can become law.

NACD President John Redding has expressed support for the Farm Bill proposal, recognizing the need for stability through a long-term Farm Bill with a commitment to locally led conservation programs. The final proposal that was passed last week includes $4 billion in new funding for conservation programs and redirects $2.5 billion from the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) to working lands programs.

The bill includes funding increases for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and the Farmland Protection Program. The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) and the Grassland Reserve Program are continued at similar levels to the 2002 Farm Bill. The lowering of the CRP cap to 32 million acres reflects rising commodity prices, reduced enrollments and re-enrollments through the general sign-ups. Continuous sign-ups will continue.

The legislation also includes important provisions on technical assistance, technical service providers and the locally-led conservation delivery system. Provisions are also included to correct the WRP appraisal system, re-write the CSP into a nationwide acreage based program and address RC&Ds, Watersheds and the Great Lakes Basin Program.

NACD will post more specific details regarding the 2008 Farm Bill on our website (www.nacdnet.org) soon.

2. Wyoming Hosts State Execs Conference
Twenty states and territories were represented at the 6th Annual State Executive Directors Conference last week in Saratoga, Wyoming. An unwritten theme of the power of relationships emerged from the meeting, as participants heard from speakers from Wyoming’s legislature and various partners about the importance of developing lasting, meaningful relationships that serve state associations during both difficult times and good. Speakers from the state legislature and from the county commissioners association stressed the importance of getting to know your elected officials on a first-name basis. They indicated that when elected officials are faced with decision-making on environmental and conservation issues, they want and need a contact that they can count on. State Executives also heard about fundraising and foundations and engaged in sharing information on successful programs within their respective states that others might gain from.

Hats off to the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts, who pulled out all the stops planning for the outstanding event. Bobbie Frank, her staff and board, and the conservation districts provided a tremendous learning opportunity as well as a great time for all in attendance!

3. Leaders Meet to Discuss Western Forestry Issues
NACD Western Issues Specialist Ralph Thier represented NACD last week at the annual meeting of the Council of Western State Foresters and the Western Forestry Leadership Coalition (WFLC) in Manhattan, Kansas. The meeting’s keynote speaker was Ray Vaughan, executive director of an environmental law group called WildLaw. Vaughan presented a compelling case for federal land mangers to be working closely with conservation districts. He also shared many examples of ways federal land managers could gain trust and effectively manage lands through collaborative dialog with organizations, like districts, that are interested in the fate of federal lands.

A major theme of the meeting was the challenge and opportunity for implementation of landscape-level projects that involve entire watersheds, states or regions. An example given of such work was the Great Plains Tree and Forest Invasives Initiative, which involves nearly 2,000 communities and 2.2 million acres. Conservation districts are directly involved in many of these kinds of cooperative projects. Additional topics discussed include the Roundtable on Sustainable Forests, the future of cellulosic ethanol and activities regarding carbon markets and climate change.

To learn more about the WFLC, visit http://www.wflccenter.org/. For additional details regarding the meeting, contact NACD’s Ralph Thier at Ralph-Thier@nacdnet.org.

4. Ohio SWCDs Pedal for NACD
Not only is the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts one of the leading states in fundraising efforts for NACD’s 509 Capitol Court Campaign, they are also organizing a local ride to raise additional funds for NACD’s Renovation Ride. The Federation will host a 53-mile ride on Saturday, July 5, 2008 in Ohio, with stops planned at Price Organics and at the Robinson Farm, home of NACD President Elect Steve Robinson. The tour will include beautiful scenery and offer a showcase of conservation and farming practices in both Union and Delaware counties. Several of NACD’s Renovation Riders plan to join in on the ride.

To join Team509 for all or part of the Ohio tour on July 5, or to sponsor, contribute funding or provide assistance during the event, please contact Mindy Bankey at (614) 784-1900 or mindybankey@ofswcd.org. NACD extends a big thank you to Ohio’s conservation districts for their support!

The Ohio ride is one of many ongoing efforts to raise money for needed repairs and renovations to NACD’s Headquarters office in Washington, D.C. To date, conservation district leaders across the country have raised over $120,000 toward the cause. We need to keep up the momentum to reach our goal of $280,000 by the time construction begins in August. To learn more about the cause and fundraising efforts, call (202) 547-6223 or go to http://www.nacdnet.org/events/509campaign/.

5. Former NACD Officer Bill Lange Passes Away
A well-known and loved conservationist, Bill Lange, passed away last week in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. Many NACD members remember his love of the land, commitment to conservation districts' work in urban areas and his always-ready smile. Bill served as NACD Treasurer from 1989 to 1993 and was one of the leaders of the successful campaign to purchase the national NACD office building in Washington D.C. He was a member of the Lackawanna County Conservation District for 25 years, a past Pennsylvania Association President and State Commission member. In recent years, Bill gave much of his time to the Presidents Association and National Envirothon. Click here for additional information, including where to send condolences or how to make memorial contributions.

6. NACD Survey Determines Activities in BLM Partnership
In cooperation with NACD, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is looking to expand the work being done in partnership with conservation districts and state associations in western states. To aid the BLM effort, NACD sent a survey to western associations in late April to determine what cooperative agreements and projects are currently in place, as well as to look for future opportunities. BLM hopes to focus future projects on forest and woodland restoration; fuels reduction; watershed and wetlands protection and restoration; and invasive species management.

If any western state associations have not yet responded to NACD’s survey regarding this issue, please do so. Contact NACD Western Issues Specialist Ralph Thier at ralph-thier@nacdnet.org with any questions or concerns.

7. 2008 National Wetlands Awards Program Recognizes Seven Wetland Stewards
Seven individuals were nationally recognized last week in Washington D.C. at the 2008 National Wetlands Awards ceremony. The National Wetlands Awards Program recognizes individuals who share a dedication to protecting the nation’s wetlands, educating people and agencies about the value of wetlands; and working with an array of organizations and interests to advance wetland protection.

The seven 2008 winners were selected by a committee of wetland experts from the conservation and business communities, federal and state governments and nonprofit organizations. The National Wetlands Award Program is co-sponsored by the Environmental Law Institute and by EPA, Federal Highway Administration, USFWS, USDA Forest Service, NRCS, NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. For more information on the National Wetlands Awards Program or the 2008 awardees, go to http://www.nationalwetlandsawards.org/.

8. NACD Calendar of Events
June 8-10, NACD Northern Plains Region Leaders Meeting, Nebraska City, NE
July 18-23, NACD Summer Board Meeting and Legislative Conference, Washington, D.C.
August 3-5, Northeast Region Meeting, Portsmouth, NH
August 10-12, Southeast Region Meeting, Biloxi, MS
August 21-23, South Central Region Meeting, Hot Springs, AR

Note from the Editor: Due to the Memorial Day holiday, next week’s eNotes will be published on Wednesday, May 28.

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