October 23, 2007 eNotes - National Association of Conservation Districts">

October 23, 2007
index to previous eNotes

1. Senate Releases Farm Bill Proposal
Today, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) officially released the bi-partisan legislative proposal for the 2007 Farm Bill. Ranking Member Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) and Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) support the proposal after weeks of negotiations on the provisions. The Committee is scheduled to work on the legislative text tomorrow morning in a “mark-up” that allows Senators on the committee to amend or alter the proposal. The Conservation Title continues all current conservation programs and revises the Conservation Security Program into the Comprehensive Stewardship Program. Overall the proposal provides close to $4.5 billion in additional spending for conservation programs.

The proposal does not address administration of conservation programs, consistent with NACD requests. Additional information on the Farm Bill details can be found on the Committee website at http://agriculture.senate.gov/. Committee action is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday morning.

2. Sims Gets First Hand Look at Conservation in the Pacific Basin
NACD President Olin Sims traveled to Guam last week for the Pacific Basin Association of Conservation Districts Annual Meeting. Sims highlighted NACD’s current activities and stressed the importance of the Pacific Basin conservation districts’ participation in national efforts. He also explained conservation districts’ potential role as Cooperating Agencies when working with federal agencies on National Environmental Policy Act actions such as the military base expansion on Guam.

While on the island, Sims visited the Anderson Air Force Base where he met with the Keith Harris, the Base’s Chief of Conservation & Environmental Planning. Harris discussed possible base expansion plans with Sims, USDA Deputy Undersecretary Gary Mast, conservation district leaders and NRCS representatives.

Sims also was able to visit the U.S. Naval Station, see the conservation practices being implemented on the island and learn first-hand about the impact of invasive species such as the Brown Tree Snake.

3. NACD Participates in EPA Training on Water Quality Credit Trading
NACD staff recently participated in a training session on Water Quality Trading conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at its Washington, D.C. headquarters.

The training outlined the principles of water quality trading mechanisms and how trading fits within the framework of the Clean Water Act to maintain and improve water quality. Several states have already established water quality trading programs, and many more are in the process of developing programs for their states or watersheds within their states.

Water quality trading can present opportunities for conservation districts to work with a variety of stakeholders to establish and maintain trading programs. Districts can also serve as a third party intermediary in existing trading programs.

For more information on water quality trading and states with existing trading programs, visit the EPA website at http://www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/trading.htm.

4. Legislators Celebrate Clean Water Act’s 35th Anniversary
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held a hearing last week to celebrate 35 years of the Clean Water Act. The hearing celebrated the Act’s achievements, which included providing wastewater infrastructure and cleaning America’s waters. Only one-third of the nation’s waters met water quality goals in 1972, compared to two-thirds today. At the celebration hearing, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair James Oberstar (D-MN) shared his long history with the Act and announced a series of Great Lakes Water Quality hearings scheduled for later this year.

5. “Walk a Mile in My Boots” Venture Continues
Last week representatives from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, DOI Fish and Wildlife Service and NACD met to discuss the future of the “Walk a Mile in My Boots” work-exchange program. A 2006 memorandum of understanding between the participating agencies and associations established the work-exchange program to improve communications and understanding among partners.

If you are interested in participating in an exchange, hosting a program applicant or would like more information, please visit http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/volunteers/walkmile/walkamile.html.

6. President Bush Announces Conservation Proposals
Over the weekend President Bush discussed his plans for habitat conservation, improving migratory bird stopovers and guarding against over-fishing through cooperative conservation. The 2007 Farm Bill plays an important role in these efforts, reauthorizing conservation programs that improve habitat on private lands. The Senate Finance Committee has also approved tax incentives for landowners that donate conservation easements. This provision and other conservation tax-related issues are expected to be included in the Senate version of the 2007 Farm Bill.

This week the President is expected to announce a project on recovery credits that can be traded as part of a credit trading system to improve habitat, similar to water quality and carbon credit trading (see water quality trading story above). The President also signed an Executive Order to prohibit the sale of striped bass and red drum caught in federal waters.

The President’s full comments on all the actions related to improved habitat conservation are available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/10/20071020-2.html.

7. NACD Calendar of Events
November 15, NACD at NAFB Trade Talk, Kansas City, MO
December 12-13, Tribal Conservation District Workshop, Las Vegas, NV

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.