July 31, 2007 eNotes - National Association of Conservation Districts">

July 31, 2007
index to previous eNotes

1. District Leaders Emphasize Conservation on Capitol Hill
More than 200 conservation leaders from 42 states and the Pacific Basin gathered in Washington, D.C., last week for NACD’s 2007 Summer Legislative Conference.

Meeting participants networked, heard from key Congressional and Administration leaders, participated in an interactive advocacy training session, met with lawmakers and attended NACD’s Congressional Reception. District leaders made a true impact as they spoke with one voice on Capitol Hill about conservation priorities.

Key speakers at the conference included Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Congressman Collin Peterson (D-MN), USDA Deputy Secretary Chuck Connor, DOI Deputy Secretary Lynn Scarlett, Forest Service Chief Gail Kimbell and USDA Assistant Deputy Undersecretary Gary Mast.

Additional conference details, photos and presentations are available on NACD’s post conference website at http://nacdnet.org/events/legconference/.

2. House Passes Farm Bill Proposal
On Friday, the House of Representatives voted 231-191 to pass the 2007 Farm Bill. The Bill was reported out of the House Agriculture Committee the previous week. The House voted down the Kind Amendment that would have fundamentally altered the committee-passed bill by a vote of 117-309. There were not substantial changes through amendments during the debate on Thursday and Friday. Many of the Republican members of the Agriculture Committee voted against the bill due to tax elements that were added to the bill to pay for increases in nutrition before the bill was brought up for debate on Thursday. NACD supported passage of the bill and believes it maintains a strong commitment to conservation programs and working lands conservation. The bill includes approximately a 35 percent increase in conservation funding. The bill also maintains the locally-led delivery system. The next step is for the Senate to work on their version of the Farm Bill, which is expected to begin in September.

A summary of the conservation provisions of the bill can be found on NACD’s Farm Bill 2007 webpage at http://nacdnet.org/policy/agriculture/farmbill/2007/.

3. Appropriations Bills Head to the Floor
With the majority of appropriations committee work completed in the House and Senate, FY 2008 appropriations bills are now moving to floor consideration in each chamber.

The House is considering the Agriculture Appropriations bill on the floor today. The Conservation Operations (CO) account under Agriculture Appropriations, which includes Conservation Technical Assistance, was set at $850.910 million by the House committee. Appropriations bills recently approved by the full House include Commerce, Justice and Science, Interior and the Environment, and Energy and Water. The Senate has yet to take up these appropriations bills on the floor. The Senate Appropriations Committee has complete action on their version of each of these bills, but the full Senate has not yet taken action to approve the bills. In the Agriculture Appropriations bill, CO is set at $862.996 million.

Congress must pass all appropriations bills before October 1. If work is not completed by that time, Congress must then pass a continuing resolution to fund the federal government until work on appropriations can be completed.

More information on NACD’s appropriations priorities can be found at http://nacdnet.org/policy/appropriations/fy08/.

4. States Discuss Work and Needs of Conservation Districts in Developing Areas
Conservation district representatives from 35 states met in Washington, D.C. on July 25 for a special workshop on emerging clientele. Key leaders from NACD and six federal agencies shared information about available resources for conservation work in developed and developing areas. Participants shared examples of conservation districts' current work in these areas, and provided valuable feedback to NACD on additional assistance needed. One example was the request for a national clearinghouse of information, which will be met as NACD gathers information about districts' activities for the updated website. The NACD Urban and Community Resource Policy Group will use the workshop input to continue to focus and enhance the Association's support. For more information on the workshop and materials, contact Debra Bogar at deb-bogar@nacdnet.org.

5. Water Issues Highlighted at South Central Region Meeting
Approximately 150 district leaders from Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and Missouri gathered in Tulsa, Okla., for the South Central Regional meeting last week. “Water: Don’t Gamble with you Future” was the theme of the meeting.

Key messages focused on water issues in the region. NACD President Olin Sims addressed the group, highlighting association priorities and Farm Bill activities. His update was very timely as the Farm Bill had just passed the U.S. House of Representatives a few hours earlier. Josh Bradley, Field Representative for Congressman Frank Lucas and Dr. Mike Dicks, Professor, Agriculture Economics, Oklahoma State University also addressed the recently passed Farm Bill.

The meeting concluded with a tour designed to teach participants about drinking water in Tulsa and the importance of Lakes Eucha and the Spavinaw Creek Watershed Demonstration Farm.

6. EPA Extends Clean Water Act Deadlines for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced a final rule extending two compliance deadlines from July 31, 2007 to February 27, 2009 regarding concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).

The rule extends the deadline for CAFOs to develop and implement nutrient management plans, as required under the modified 2003 CAFO regulation. Deadlines are also extended for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for facilities that EPA defined as CAFOs for the first time in 2003.

NACD had expressed concerns to EPA last year regarding the July 31, 2007 deadline and the ability of CAFO operators to receive technical assistance to develop nutrient management plans.

For more information, visit EPA's Animal Feeding Operations web page at http://www.epa.gov/npdes/caforulechanges.

7. Check out the New NACD Website!
Last Thursday, NACD launched our newly designed website in conjunction with our 2007 Summer Board Meeting and Legislative Conference. We invite you to take some time to look around as a few things have changed. The new site features a fresh design and structure as well as new content. One big change is the site’s primary navigation bar, which now appears across the top of every page and divides the site into five major sections:

Home, which gives visitors an overview of NACD and conservation districts and provides contact information;
News and Events, where you can find the most recent events and news items as well as information on upcoming events and award nominations along with archives of past news releases and publications;
District Resources, which houses information and useful district tools like guides, PowerPoint presentations, special reports, web hosting information and more;
Stewardship & Education, which contains information regarding Stewardship Week 2008, contests, NACD Marketplace and education resources; and
Conservation Policy, where information is available regarding all testimony and input NACD has submitted as well as information regarding natural resource policy issues with which NACD is involved, including the 2007 Farm Bill.

We hope you make use of the new www.nacdnet.org. Check back often; new items are added almost every day!

8. Reminder: NACD’s Summer Sale Ending Soon!
Don’t forget—NACD is hosting a summer sale on our Online Store. Now is a great time to pick up educational materials, wearables, mugs and more at deeply discounted prices! NACD is clearing off the shelves to make room for new items and materials. Shop today at http://63.111.49.162/nacd/welcome.asp. The discount prices will apply through August 31. The sale does not apply to 2007 Stewardship materials. Your business is appreciated.

9. NACD Events---90-day outlook
August 2-4, Executive Directors’ Conference, Ithaca, NY
August 5-8, Northeast Region Meeting, Mystic, CT
August 6-8, NACD Forest Resources Committee, Show Low, AZ
August 26-28, Southeast Region Meeting, Williamsburg, VA
September 9-11, Southwest and Pacific Regions Meeting, Park City, UT