National Association of Conservation Districts

Letters

Dear Chairpersons and Ranking Members:

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) represents the nation’s 3,000 conservation districts. Conservation districts are local units of government established under state law to carry our natural resource management program at the local level. They work with state and federal partners on a daily basis to ensure local delivery of conservation programs.

Conservation districts have existed for more than 60 years. In that time they have worked on a variety of conservation programs, issues and special initiatives, all with the single goal of conserving our natural resources. One such program is the 319 program of the Clean Water Act administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Under this program, EPA awards funding to states that are then used by the states to address nonpoint source pollution problems. This program is of critical importance to many states and local conservation districts. The flexibility of this program is to be used to address resources concerns that many traditional United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation programs do not address, preventing potential problems from slipping through the cracks. NACD supports a funding level of $250-$300 million for this vital program.

Also under your committee’s jurisdiction are the State and Private Forestry programs funded through the U.S. Forest Service. With 262 million acres of the nation’s forest land being owned by families and individuals, these programs are critical to address the wise use and management of our private forested lands. From rural to urban forests, our nation’s private woodlands provide extensive water, air, energy, and health benefits to our nation’s growing population.

State and Private Forestry programs such as Forest Stewardship, Forest Health Management, Cooperative Fire, and Urban & Community Forestry are essential in providing technical and financial assistance to private landowners to continue their conservation efforts on the ground.

Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP) help at risk communities target fuels treatment priorities through a collaborative process involving community leaders, state, federal, and local government. Conservation districts actively participate and take leadership roles in developing CWPPs. Communities at risk from wildland fire depend on continued S&PF funding through the State Fire Assistance Program.

NACD supports an increase in funding for State and Private Forestry programs to a level of $283 million.

We hope you can support these important programs in the Interior Appropriations Bill.

Sincerely,

Olin Sims
NACD President



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