National Association of Conservation Districts

Letters

Dear Mr. Sali:

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) represents the nation's 3,000 conservation districts and 17,000 men and women who serve on their governing boards. Conservation districts are local units of government established under state law to carry out natural resource management programs at the local level.

NACD strongly advocates the sustainable, multiple-use management of our public forest lands so that they can provide the full range of economic, environmental and societal benefits of whichthey are capable. Because of the risk fuels, disease, pests and invasive species on public landspresent to adjacent private landowners, NACD supports legislation that expedites the implementation of projects that reduces fuels and eliminates other negative impacts, and restores
forests, particularly in these high priority areas. Additionally NACD supports legislation that authorizes federal agencies to enter into long-term stewardship contracts with the private sector, nonprofit organizations and local communities, and to use “goods for services” authorities to compensate for the thinning of trees and brush, removal of dead wood, and other associated forest health practices. In these instances, we request that the required, intended, and explicit collaboration that comes with the stewardship contracting authorizing language and subsequent regulations be included in the proposed legislation along with the use of these authorities.

NACD believes that your proposed legislation, Saving American Lives and Investing in Protecting Land and Nature Act, is important in implementing these much needed fuels reduction and forest health projects. We look forward to working with you on passage of this legislation during the 110th Congress.

Sincerely,

Olin Sims
President

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