August 14, 2007 eNotes - National Association of Conservation Districts">

August 14, 2007
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1. Nation’s First District Celebrates 70 Years of Conservation
The North Carolina Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts held a week-long celebration to recognize the 70th Anniversary of the Brown Creek Soil and Water Conservation District. The district, located in Anson County, N.C., was the first conservation district in the nation. Fifty conservation leaders from across the state, including NACD Southeast Region Representative Phylis Vandevere, participated in a four-day bus tour showcasing community conservation projects and environmental and resource challenges and successes.

The week-long event concluded with a birthday celebration at the Hugh Hammond Bennett home site. NACD President Olin Sims was the keynote speaker at the event, addressing a crowd of over 1,000. Sims’ remarks celebrated the progress of districts over the past 70 years and outlined his vision for the future of conservation. NACD CEO Krysta Harden was on hand for the birthday celebration, as well as NRCS Regional Assistant Chief - East Richard Coombes, North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary William G. Ross, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Steve Troxler, North Carolina Division of Soil and Water Conservation Director Manly Wilder and North Carolina NRCS State Conservationist Mary Combs.

2. Forestry Leaders Address Timely Issues in Arizona
NACD’s Forestry Resource Policy Group held a successful joint meeting with the National Association of State Foresters Forest Resource Management Committee last week in Show Low, Ariz. The meeting’s 45 attendees included members of both committees, representatives from local, state and federal agencies, and industry and partner organizations.

The three-day meeting covered timely topics ranging from energy and carbon trading to successful examples of community involvement in forest restoration projects. Conference attendees also participated in an informative field tour showcasing hazardous fuel reduction projects on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, forest management work on White Mountain Apache tribal lands and Forest Energy Corporation, a wood pellet facility.

3. District Official Testifies Before House Insular Affairs Subcommittee in Guam
The Insular Affairs Subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee held a field hearing covering U.S. Military buildup on Guam and the challenges facing the community on Monday, August 13 at the University of Guam.

Benny San Nicholas, Chairman of the Southern Guam Soil and Water Conservation District, testified before the subcommittee on behalf of the Guam Soil and Water Conservation Districts. San Nicholas stressed the sensitivity of the island’s water resources as the most critical issue related to the military buildup. San Nicholas identified accessibility and supply of water available to farmers for irrigation and livestock as a primary concern. He also highlighted opportunities for development of alternative energy sources, including bioenergy, ocean wave energy and wind energy. He also explained how local farmers and the military benefit from the purchase of locally-grown produce.

NACD is actively seeking more opportunities to address natural resource conservation issues at military bases. In July, NACD officers met with Pentagon officials to discuss conservation opportunities and to encourage partnerships with conservation districts.

The complete hearing testimony can be found on the House Natural Resources Committee website at http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/index.php?option=com_jcalpro&Itemid=56&extmode=view&extid=88.

4. Northeast Region Meeting a Success
Two hundred participants attended the Northeast Regional meeting in Mystic, Conn. last week. NACD President Olin Sims provided an update on the Association’s activities at both the regional and national levels. CEO Krysta Harden also addressed meeting participants, discussing opportunities and challenges facing conservation districts. In addition, Urban Resource Policy Group Chair Cliff Lundin presented an update on the progress of NACD’s Urban Community and Coastal Strategy.

Another highlight session was a panel of six speakers who presented several new and innovative initiatives in northeast states such as Agricultural Emergency Preparation and Phase II stormwater work involving districts. Several excellent concurrent sessions as well as field tours rounded out the three-day meeting.

Meeting registrants will receive a follow-up message with information about available presentations. Check the News and Events section of http://www.nacdnet.org for post meeting resources soon!

5. Additional CSP Funds Available
USDA Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns recently announced the release of additional funding for Conservation Security Program (CSP) implementation. The additional CSP funding is granted through a supplemental appropriations bill Congress passed on May 25, 2007. These funds will be made available for both the completion of payments on fiscal year 2007 CSP contracts as well as to prepare for a future program signup.

Specifically, $35 million has been made available to complete payments to producers who received only partial funding for their FY 2007 payment. In addition, $2.93 million will be available to help producers and Natural Resources Conservation Service field staff prepare for a future program signup in the 51 watersheds that had been identified for FY 2007. These 51 watersheds represent more than 64,500 of the nation's potentially eligible farms and ranches, covering nearly 24 million acres of cropland and grazing land in all 50 states.

To view the USDA press release, go to http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=2007/08/0210.xml.

6. EPA Publishes First-Ever Water Quality Trading ‘How-To’ Manual
The Water Quality Trading Toolkit for Permit Writers is a new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publication aimed to help the regulated community design and implement voluntary water quality trading programs consistent with EPA's 2003 National Water Quality Trading Policy. This new guide provides stakeholders with detailed guidance on the fundamental concepts of trading which can accelerate water quality improvement and reduce compliance costs. The Toolkit discusses fundamental concepts of designing and implementing trading programs, such as relevant geographic scope, effluent limitations and other factors involved in defining a credit. The document also contains case studies of actual trading programs.

The guide is available on the EPA's Water Quality Trading website at http://www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/trading/WQTToolkit.html.

7. NACD’s Collaborative Conservation Award – Nomination Deadline Approaches!
Do you know a district that is creatively partnering with other organizations, agencies, corporations or groups to accomplish their conservation goals? Help us give recognition to all of those districts working for conservation—building bridges, coalitions and alliances with groups in their areas. Any person or any group can nominate a district; you can even do a bit of bragging about the wonderful work your district is doing by nominating your own district. The ultimate goal is to reward and highlight these creative and successful districts so others can learn from their examples and be challenged and inspired by their collaborative conservation success stories.

Please send in your nominations today. The deadline for all regions to submit nominations to NACD is August 31. For the details on all NACD awards, visit http://www.nacdnet.org/news/awards/.

8. Region Meeting Circuit Wrapping Up – Register Today!
The final two region meetings are coming soon. If you haven’t already registered, be sure to do so today! The Utah Association of Conservation Districts will host the 2007 Pacific/Southwest Region Meeting September 8-11 in beautiful Park City, Utah. Meeting details are available at http://nacdnet.org/events/calendar/meetings/southwest/. The Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts will host the Southeast Region Meeting August 26-28 in historic Williamsburg, Va. Find out more at http://vaswcd.org/senacd.htm.

9. Last Chance to Take Advantage of NACD’s Summer Sale
NACD’s Online Store summer sale ends August 31. We’re clearing our shelves to make room for new items and materials. Don’t miss this chance to get some great items at deeply discounted prices. Sale items include educational materials, wearables, mugs and more. Place your order at http://63.111.49.162/nacd/welcome.asp today, before it’s too late. Your business is appreciated.

The summer sale does not apply to 2007 Stewardship materials. Keep an eye out this fall for our new store and inventory.

10. NACD Events---90-day outlook
August 26-28, Southeast Region Meeting, Williamsburg, VA
September 9-11, Southwest and Pacific Regions Meeting, Park City, UT

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