November 6, 2007
index to previous eNotes
- Senate Begins Farm Bill Debate
- NACD Supports Proposed Legislation to Amend the Healthy Forests Restoration Act
- Water Resources Bill Receives Veto, Congressional Action Anticipated
- President Bush Nominates Former North Dakota Governor for Ag Secretary
- USDA Prepares CSP Contract Payments
- Has Your District Completed the Urban and Community Conservation Inventory?
- Webcast Available on SmartGrowth and Urban Forestry
- National Estuary Program Celebrates 20th Anniversary
- A Note from NACD…
- NACD Calendar of Events
1. Senate Begins Farm Bill Debate
On Monday, the Senate started debate on the Food and Energy Security Act of 2007, commonly know as the Farm Bill. The Senate is expected to continue to work on the Bill, considering various amendments over the next two weeks. The schedule on the Farm Bill debate could be delayed as the Senate takes other votes on Appropriations Bills and votes to override the President’s veto on the Water Resources Development Act and a children’s health care measure.
Today NACD sent a letter to Senate Agricultural Committee Chairman Harkin and Ranking Member Saxby Chambliss endorsing the conservation provisions of the Food and Energy Security Act. The Bill provides increased funding for conservation programs over the next five years. The proposal also includes important provisions on technical assistance, locally-led conservation and increasing accessibility for forest landowners.
Several amendments are expected over the course of the Farm Bill debate, including amendments that address program funding levels, commodity title reforms and payment limitations among others. Senator Feinstein (D-CA) stated late Monday that she would not offer her agriculture immigration amendment. NACD will oppose any action to alter conservation program administration from NRCS to FSA, should it be offered as an amendment.
This month, NACD President Olin Sims shares his views on the importance of NACD’s grassroots network as we enter into the full Senate debate on the Farm Bill. Click here to listen to the November edition of the “America’s Voice for Conservation.”
A summary of the conservation title of the Senate proposal is available for download on the NACD’s website at http://www.nacdnet.org/policy/agriculture/farmbill/2007/fb_proposals_sidebyside.pdf. Additional information will be provided to members as the Senate debate continues.
2. NACD Supports Proposed Legislation to Amend the Healthy Forests Restoration Act
NACD recently signed a letter of support for proposed legislation by Representative Bill Sali (R-ID) to amend the Healthy Forests Restoration Act. The legislation would provide for the exclusion of certain projects on federal lands that are located adjacent to non-federal lands. NACD supports legislation that expedites the implementation of projects that reduce fuels, eliminate other negative impacts and restore forests.
Should this legislation be passed into law, treatments for fuels, insects, diseases and invasive species on federal lands would proceed more rapidly, providing protection to adjacent non-federal landowners. The letter of support from NACD for this proposal can be found at http://www.nacdnet.org/policy/input/letters/forestry_11-02-07.phtml.
3. Water Resources Bill Receives Veto, Congressional Action Anticipated
The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) was vetoed by the President late last week, sending the bill back to Congress for more work. Leadership in both chambers of Congress has indicated they will have the necessary votes to override the veto, thereby establishing the bill as law.
The WRDA, which has not been reauthorized in the past seven years, would authorize over $23 billion in spending for more than 900 water infrastructure projects under the Army Corps of Engineers. The projects address a variety of resource issues around the country in which conservation districts partner, including stream navigation, ecosystem and environmental restoration, and flood control measures.
4. President Bush Nominates Former North Dakota Governor for Ag Secretary
President Bush nominated Ed Schafer, a former two-term governor of North Dakota, for Secretary of Agriculture last week. Schafer gained extensive experience with the agriculture industry while serving as governor. Agriculture is North Dakota's leading industry, with nearly 24 percent of North Dakota workers employed in farm-related jobs.
Schafer awaits confirmation in the Senate, but confirmation could be delayed due to the current Senate activity on the 2007 Farm Bill and President Bush’s Farm Bill veto threat. Schafer would replace former Secretary Mike Johanns, who resigned from his post to pursue a seat in the U.S. Senate. We look forward to continuing a strong relationship with the Department under Schafer’s leadership.
5. USDA Prepares CSP Contract Payments
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Acting Secretary Chuck Conner recently announced almost $257 million in Conservation Security Program (CSP) payments are being readied for those with current contracts.
Contract holders will receive payment in full for current Fiscal Year 2008 contract obligations and can choose to receive the payment for either calendar year 2007 or 2008. Because of previous reductions in funding levels, NACD has remained supportive of additional funding for CSP to further opportunities for districts and producers to continue their conservation efforts.
6. Has Your District Completed the Urban and Community Conservation Inventory?
NACD is in the midst of conducting a national inventory of districts' activities in urban and community areas. This information is being gathered as part of the national strategy to enhance NACD assistance to districts in this area of work. The results will be used to showcase districts, develop appropriate tools and enhance federal support. If your district has not yet completed the inventory, please do so by downloading it from http://nacdnet.org/policy/urban/inventory.phtml, filling it in and submitting it via email or fax. Due to recent technical difficulties and a regional office move, some districts may have experienced challenges in submitting the inventory by fax. We apologize if this has occurred. Contact Debra Bogar at deb-bogar@nacdnet.org with any questions.
7. Webcast Available on SmartGrowth and Urban Forestry
NACD has been educating member districts about the values of urban forestry and Smart Growth for a number of years. The Alliance for Community Trees, a member in the Sustainable Urban Forest Coalition of which NACD is also a member, is sponsoring a webcast on this subject on Thursday, November 8, 1:00-2:00 p.m. (EDT). The webcast is a great opportunity to learn more about how Smart Growth intersects with urban forestry. Trees are part of the natural infrastructure, and their beneficial effects on urban landscapes are becoming better-known. Understanding SmartGrowth trends can help you position your projects and programs to better integrate building and land use trends.
For more information or to register, go to http://actrees.org/site/stories/brown_bag_lunch_series_november_8.php.
8. National Estuary Program Celebrates 20th Anniversary
The National Estuary Program (NEP) has sustained and restored more than 1 million acres of habitat and wetlands in the past 20 years. The NEP was authorized under the 1987 Amendments to the Clean Water Act to improve estuarine waters, habitats and living resources by working with partners and the public. Conservation districts serve as valuable partners with the program’s 28 estuaries across the country by providing leadership, technical assistance and educational information. NACD is proud of the work accomplished through this collaborative conservation program. Click here for more information about the NEP.
9. A Note from NACD…
NACD has been dealing with a number of unrelated technology issues the past two weeks that have affected our email, challenging our ability to communicate with our members. We have tried to be as proactive as possible and use alternate forms of communication. Please contact us again if you are waiting on a response.
In addition, many of the districts whose websites we host have been affected by a server migration resulting from the sale of the company who managed the servers NACD leased. The migration ran into many unexpected complications, affecting 300,000 sites and customers world wide. NACD staff has been working with technicians from the new firm around the clock to resolve issues. Most sites are running again and we will continue to troubleshoot individual issues. Thank you for your patience in this matter.
FYI: Contact information has changed for two NACD staff members. New information is below.
Debra Bogar, NACD |
Beth Mason, NACD |
10. NACD Calendar of Events
November 15, NACD at NAFB Trade Talk, Kansas City, MO
December 12-13, Tribal Conservation District Workshop, Las Vegas, NV
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