January 22, 2007 eNotes - National Association of Conservation Districts

January 22, 2008
index to previous eNotes

1. Senate Returns to Washington
The United States Senate has returned to session today following the U.S. House of Representatives’ return last week. Both the House and Senate Agriculture Committee staffs have been hard at work preparing for conference on the Farm Bill. Chairmen of both committees have made several comments on expectations for a final bill and the need to resolve outstanding issues—the first of which are funding and potential taxes. Presidential advisors have recommended the President veto the legislation in its current forms (both the House and Senate versions) due to increased taxes, spending and insufficient reforms. These funding issues and policy differences between the House and Senate bills will need to be ironed out during a conference prior to March 15, 2008, when the current Farm Bill extension expires.

NACD Acting President Steve Robinson and Treasurer John Redding will be in Washington on Wednesday for key meetings with leadership of both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees to discuss the conservation title of the Farm Bill. Robinson and Redding will convey NACD’s priorities and the need to finalize a bill early in 2008 in order to provide consistent and dependable conservation programs for several years to come.

In other Senate business, the Senate Agriculture Committee will hold a confirmation hearing on Thursday for Agriculture Secretary nominee Ed Schaefer, the former governor of North Dakota.

2. USDA and Partners Celebrate the One Millionth CREP Acre
Last week NACD CEO Krysta Harden attended a ceremony to celebrate the enrollment of the one millionth acre in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). The millionth CREP acre was enrolled in Minnesota last fall; the first acre was enrolled in Maryland in 1997.

Acting U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Chuck Conner made the announcement at the celebration ceremony at USDA headquarters in Washington D.C. Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Teresa Lasseter and other USDA officials, Congressman Tim Holden (D-PA), Congressman Tim Walz (D-MN), landowners of the first and millionth CREP acre, CREP partners and others gathered to celebrate the achievement. Lasseter recognized NACD in her remarks for our partnership with FSA and our commitment to conservation.

3. Don’t Miss the Bus—NACD Annual Meeting Tours Filling Up
What better way to see Nevada’s rich history and natural resources than with conservation district employees and officials as your personal guides and hosts? These folks know the lay of the land like the back of their hands and are reaching out, inviting you to come along to see their beautiful state. Seats are limited on each of the tours. Don’t miss the bus: Reserve your seat today!

NTCD Sustainable Agriculture Tour
Tuesday, February 12, 2008 • 11:30 - 5:30 p.m. • $45.00
Contact: Doug Martin, (775) 586-1610 ext. 22

McCarran Ranch and Pyramid Lake Tour
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 • 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. • $90.00
Contact: Andi Grant, 775-762-2636

Virginia City Tour
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 • 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. • $90.00
Contact: Andi Grant, 775-762-2636

NCDEA Historic Nevada Tour
Sunday, February 10, 2008 • Noon - 5:00 p.m. • $49.00
Contact: Rich Duesterhaus, (202) 547-6223

4. USDA Announces Sign-up for Conservation Innovation Grants
The Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is requesting Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) proposals for fiscal year (FY) 2008. The CIG, funded through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, is designed to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Three CIG categories are available in FY 2008: Natural Resource Concerns, Technology and Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

Projects may be watershed, regional, multi-state or nationwide in scope. Click here for additional information about the grants. Click here to go to Grants.gov to apply electronically. Applications need to be received by NRCS National Headquarters by 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 20, 2008.

5. EPA Community Grants Available in 2008
Approximately $3 million will be available in 2008 through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help community-based partnerships reduce pollution at the local level through the Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program in two levels. Level I cooperative agreements range from $75,000 to $100,000 and will help establish community-based partnerships to develop local environmental priorities. Level II awards, ranging from $150,000 to $300,000 each, will support communities which have established broad-based partnerships; identified the priority toxic risks in the community; and are prepared to measure results, implement risk reduction activities and become self-sustaining.

In 2007, $3.4 million in cooperative agreements were made available to more than 20 communities through the CARE program. Examples of projects include addressing abandoned, contaminated industrial and residential properties in Gary, Ind., dealing with agriculture-related toxics in Yakima County, Wash. and reducing air emissions from diesel trucks and buses in Woonsocket, R.I. Applications are due March 17, 2008. Eligible applicants include county and local governments, tribes, non-profit organizations and universities. EPA will conduct conference calls February 11 and 27, for prospective applicants to ask questions about the application process. Additional information is available at http://www.epa.gov/care.

6. Free Conservation Publications Available through NRCS
NRCS provides conservation districts, farmers, ranchers and many other conservation customers with a variety of free publications about conserving our natural resources. These publications are distributed by the NRCS Landcare Publications Office, formally known as the National NRCS Publications and Forms Distribution Center. After recently completing an inventory, the center is now taking orders on a regular basis. Go to http://landcare.nrcs.usda.gov/ for a full list of available free publications and agency forms and to place orders online. Several publications are also available for download. If you have questions, call (888) LANDCARE or e-mail landcare@usda.gov.

7. Register Today for the Mitigation Banking Conference
The 11th Annual National Mitigation and Ecosystem Banking Conference will bring together regulators, users, bankers, environmentalists, suppliers and investors. Will you be there? The conference, scheduled for May 6-9, 2008 in Jacksonville, Fla., is themed “Banking on the Environment.” Participants will have the opportunity to participate in training and rules workshops, exhibits, interactive sessions and field trips. For more information and to register, go to http://www.mitigationbankingconference.com. Early bird registration closes January 25, 2008.

8. Report Shows Using Low Impact Development Practices Reduce Costs
Districts involved in stormwater management may be interested in EPA’s new report, "Reducing Stormwater Costs through Low Impact Development (LID) Strategies and Practices." The report contains 17 case studies from across North America that show using LID practices in construction projects can lower costs while improving environmental results. LID practices are innovative stormwater management practices used to manage urban stormwater runoff at its source. The goal of LID practices is to mimic the way water moves through an area before development occurs, which is achieved using design techniques that infiltrate, evapotranspirate and reuse runoff close to its source. Some common LID practices include rain gardens, grassed swales, cisterns, rain barrels, permeable pavements and green roofs. LID practices increasingly are used by communities across the country to help protect and restore water quality. For a copy of the report, go to www.epa.gov/owow/nps/lid/costs07.

9. NACD Calendar of Events
February 10-13, 2008, 2008 NACD Annual Meeting, Reno, NV
July 18-23, 2008, NACD Summer Board Meeting and Legislative Conference, Washington, D.C.
Aug. 3-5, 2008, Northeast Region Meeting, Portsmouth, NH

To subscribe to eNotes, simply send a email with the word "subscribe" in the subject field to enotes-request@email.nacdnet.org.

For queries about this newsletter or if you are unable to automatically subscribe, contact editor Lisa Lerwick, NACD Director of Communications, at Lisa-Lerwick@nacdnet.org or 202-547-6223.