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December 27, 2011
NACD Welcomes New Western Issues Specialist
NACD is pleased to announce a new addition to its staff in Washington, D.C.! As the new
Western Issues Specialist, Mark Truax will work directly with states and territories in the
Southwest and Pacific Regions.
Mark has extensive experience working on natural resource issues, including his work
with Pac/West in D.C. as well as in Oregon. Having grown up in Colorado, and served
as an Eagle Scout and Unit Commissioner of the Boy Scouts of America, Mark puts into
practice the values of the West.
Mark is already hitting the ground running, working on conservation, resource development
and implement of the Association’s policies related to federal lands, forestry, grazing, and
endangered species. Mark comes to NACD with a background in government affairs and
a degree in political science. He can be reached at Mark-Truax@nacdnet.org.
Welcome to NACD, Mark!
NACD President Discusses Conservation on RFD Today
Last week, NACD President Gene Schmidt was a guest on RFD Today
on the RRD Radio Network. Schmidt discussed the work of conservation districts to
improve the health of the Gulf Coast. The work is part of a new NRCS initiative
which will, over three years, focus up to $50 million in conservation assistance to farmers
and ranchers in priority areas along seven major rivers that drain to the Gulf.
In addition to the Gulf of Mexico Initiative, Schmidt stressed that “every acre counts” – no
matter where you live, everyone can make a difference for conservation. He also
highlighted the importance of the locally-led process, installation of best management
practices in the Gulf and beyond, and the importance of building partnerships at the local,
state and federal level to get the best conservation impact for the dollars available.
To listen to the full interview on RFD, visit www.farmweeknow.com/radio.aspx and
click on the “Live! Streaming Audio” link on the left side of the page. Then click on RFD
Today (Tues. December 20). Schmidt is up shortly after the 25-minute mark.
2012 Appropriations Update
NRCS conservation programs received funding through the “minibus” signed by President
Obama on November 18. The minibus contained the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 Agriculture
Appropriations bill, combined with a Continuing Resolution (CR) that temporarily funded
the government through Dec. 16, 2011.
Upon the expiration of the CR, Congress debated specific spending measures for the rest
of the departments of government, including Energy and Water Development Appropriations
and the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations. These bills passed as
part of a “megabus” omnibus spending bill of $1 trillion that will fund the remaining government
operations for FY 2012.
After much debate, on Friday, Dec. 23, Congress passed a last-minute, two-month extension
of the payroll tax cut, including an extension of long-term unemployment insurance. With the
two-month extension passed in both houses, the U.S. House will be in recess until January
17 and the U.S. Senate until January 23.
While members of Congress are home on recess, be sure to reach out to their offices and
educate them on the great conservation projects going on in their district!
Funding Available for Water-Efficient Projects
The fifth annual Intelligent Use of Water Awards program is now underway. Under the
program, Rain Bird is providing more than $50,000 in grants to water-efficient projects.
To submit a project for consideration, visit www.iuowawards.com. This interactive
website allows grant-seekers to submit descriptions, photos and videos about their projects.
Anyone can anonymously vote on these projects until March 15, 2012. The projects with
the most votes in their funding category ($1,500, $5,000, or $10,000) will receive funding.
Winners will be announced on World Water Day: March 22, 2012.
Districts to Engage in Development of State-Level Nutrient Management Standards
Recently, NRCS unveiled a revised national nutrient management standard to help
producers better manage the application of nutrients on agricultural land.
NRCS is directing state conservationists to engage partners and other stakeholders during
the next year in the development of state-level standards under the auspices of the national
standard. NACD encourages state associations and local districts to take an active role in
this process. As a reminder, NRCS state offices will have until Jan. 1, 2013 to develop erosion,
nitrogen and phosphorus criteria for their state nutrient management standard. States will
use their existing state nutrient management standard in the interim.
NRCS uses the nutrient management conservation practice to help farmers and ranchers
apply their nutrients more efficiently. The nutrient management standard provides a roadmap
to help producers apply available nutrient sources in the right amount, from the right source,
in the right place, at the right time for maximum agricultural and environmental benefits. For
more information, click here.
Las Vegas Children’s Choir, Others to Participate in Inspirational Program
The Sunday morning Inspirational Program, part of NACD’s 2012 Annual Meeting,
will entertain a special musical guest this year.
Attendees will have an opportunity to hear a performance by the Clark County Children’s
choir of Las Vegas. Also during the program, Gina DeMarco of the Northern Rhode Island
Conservation District will present a reading for NACD Soil and Water Stewardship week.
Winners of the NACD Poster and Photo contest will also be announced.
Sponsored by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, the Inspirational Program will take place
Sunday, Jan. 29 at 8:30 a.m.
Help Promote Groundwater Awareness
The National Ground Water Association (NGWA) is encouraging conservation districts to
promote groundwater stewardship during the upcoming National Ground Water Awareness
Week, March 11-17, 2012.
According to NGWA, all people by their living habits can protect or harm groundwater.
Forty-four percent of the population depends on groundwater for its drinking water supply,
and contaminated groundwater can harm the environment, including the ecosystems that
depend on it.
Districts are free to borrow from, or link to, NGWA’s Ground Water Awareness Week web
page. Questions?
Contact NGWA Public Awareness Director Cliff Treyens at ctreyens@ngwa.org or 800-551-7379,
ext. 554.
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