|
September 28, 2010
"Early Birds" Save on Annual Meeting Registration
Have you registered for NACD’s 2011 Annual Meeting in
Nashville, TN? Register before November 30 and receive a
discounted “early bird” rate! Book a hotel room for the
discounted rate by Wednesday, January 5, 2011.
This year’s conference focuses on conservation “From the
Roots Up,” highlighting locally led conservation efforts.
Districts and individuals from across the nation will showcase
their commitment to conservation in general sessions, breakout
events, tours and activities.
For more information, visit NACD's Annual Meeting website.
NACD Weighs in on CRP Interim Rule
NACD recently submitted comments
to USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) regarding the agency’s
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Interim Rule.
NACD is pleased the interim rule both encourages the
development of habitat and conservation practices that
benefit pollinators and recognize biomass as a permissive
use of CRP land. However, NACD is requesting FSA include
additional provisions in the final rule to allow livestock
increased access to filter strips and buffers.
For years, districts have encouraged farmers and ranchers to
install grass filter-strips and buffers. Filter-strips and
buffers help protect water quality by removing nutrients,
pesticides and certain pathogens, and by providing habitat
for fish and wildlife. However, some landowners have been
unwilling to sign up under CRP, due to the burdensome expense
of installing fencing that protects buffers during cattle
grazing on crop residues—a common and valuable source of
feed supplement. NACD believes producers need greater
incentives to install filter strips and buffers; this would
have a positive impact on natural resources.
NACD looks forward to continuing work with USDA to ensure
the final rule successfully meets producer and landowner
needs, while providing valuable natural resource benefits.
Livable Communities Act Gains Momentum
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on
Financial Services held a hearing on HR 4690, the “Livable
Communities Act of 2010.” The hearing included testimony from
Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D- OR) and Albio Sires (D- NJ), as
well as a panel of local officials from across the country.
The Livable Communities Act, introduced earlier this year by
Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D- CO), seeks to develop sustainable
communities and smart-growth planning by offering competitive
grants and federal administrative assistance. The bill would
also establish an Interagency Council on Sustainable
Communities to work with the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development, U.S. Department of Transportation and
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Members from both sides of the aisle supported the Act’s
overall goals, but several Republicans questioned how
Congress planned to fund the legislation–which has an
estimated price tag of $4 billion.
NACD will continue to closely monitor the progress of this act.
Lincoln Questions EPA's Relationship with Landowners
During a September 23 hearing of the U.S Senate Agriculture
Committee, Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), called on the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide
America’s farmers and ranchers certainty and stability, not
additional burdensome and costly environmental regulations.
The hearing, set to examine the impacts of EPA regulation on
agriculture, quickly became a sounding board for complaints
about EPA’s relationship with landowners.
The agency has imposed at least 10 new requirements on farmers,
Lincoln said, "and most if not all of these regulations rely
on dubious rationales and, as a consequence, will be of
questionable benefit to the goal of conservation and
environmental protection."
Lincoln's sentiments were echoed by several other farm state
Senators, including Ranking Member Saxby Chambliss.
Lincoln also mentioned EPA's rules for pesticide spraying,
proposed restrictions on toxic emissions from biomass boilers
and the possibility that the agency will move to tighten the
national air quality standard for coarse particulate matter,
or dust. She also raised concerns that the agency's climate
program could soon be extended to farms.
Chesapeake Bay Standards Raise Concern
Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
released the draft Total Daily Maximum Load (TMDL) for the
Chesapeake Bay. EPA defines TMDL as “a calculation of the
maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive
and still safely meet water quality standards.” The draft
TMDL calls for a 25 percent reduction in nitrogen and
phosphorus and a 16 percent reduction in sediment by 2025.
The TMDL is a key component of President Obama’s Executive
Order to restore the Bay. The final TMDL will go into effect
December 31, 2010. Earlier this month, states submitted
Watershed Implementation Plans to EPA for review.
NACD is concerned by attempts to eliminate the important
leadership role currently played by states and local
government in water management. It is important that EPA
gives locally led efforts an opportunity to succeed. EPA’s
focus should be providing the resources and tools—including
financial and technical assistance—needed for state and
local efforts to succeed.
NACD encourages EPA to work collaboratively with local
communities and stakeholder, instead of relying solely on
regulatory and enforcement tools. The Chesapeake Bay watershed
should not be used as a model for watershed protection in
other parts of the country. A one-size-fits-all approach is
not the appropriate way to address watershed issues at the
regional and local levels.
The draft TMDL can be found online at www.epa.gov/chesapeakebaytmdl.
NCF Award Offers Dollars for Districts
The National Conservation Foundation (NCF) seeks to encourage
and facilitate the implementation of unique programs and
services by districts and other conservation organizations.
NCF wishes to honor programs that advance the conservation,
wise use and orderly development of our nation’s natural
resources.
In keeping with this mission, the Foundation is excited to
once again offer this $10,000 award for one winning conservation
district to carry out a project within their boundaries.
The Foundation is seeking “on-the-ground” projects that touch
local communities and can be completed by December 1, 2011.
Projects can use other funding in conjunction with NCF’s cash
award. Proposals must include a two-three minute video
outlining the proposed project.
Completed application forms and videos must be submitted to
the Foundation by December 3, 2010. Click here
to view more information and download an application form.
The award will be presented at the 2011 NACD Annual Meeting
in Nashville, TN. Please contact Rich Duesterhaus at
for questions or additional information.
Cape Cod Restoration Project Begins
The Cape Cod Restoration Project, a major effort to protect
shellfish beds and wildlife habitat throughout the region,
launched this week in Barnstable, Mass. In a special ceremony,
an agreement was signed between the federal government and
Cape Cod towns, marking the start of this watershed-wide
project.
Federal officials also announced another $1.5 million in
American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) funds for the
project, in addition to the $5 million in ARRA funding
previously announced.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS), in partnership with the Cape Cod
Conservation District and the Barnstable County Commissioners,
has begun an estimated $30 million project that will restore
1,500 acres of degraded salt marsh, improve fish access to
4,200 acres of spawning habitat, and improve water quality
for 7,300 acres of shellfish beds over 10 years.
For information and updates on the Cape Cod Water Resources
Restoration Project, click here.
Enjoy reading eNotes? Sign up your board today at http://nacdnet.org/news/publications/enotes/ or forward this link to a friend and encourage them to sign up too. Take advantage of helpful conservation news and resources arriving in your inbox every Tuesday at no charge.
|
