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September 29, 2009
NACD Supports NRE Nominee
Yesterday NACD sent a letter of support for Harris
Sherman to become the next USDA Under Secretary of Natural
Resources and the Environment (NRE). The Senate Agriculture
Committee will review Sherman’s nomination during a hearing
on Wednesday. If approved by the Senate Committee, his
nomination will proceed to the full Senate for a vote. In
the letter, NACD noted Sherman’s past work in Colorado on
natural resource, conservation and forestry issues, which
should serve him well if confirmed for the NRE position.
The Under Secretary position provides overall leadership
for both NRCS and the U.S. Forest Service.
Congress Prepares Continuing Resolution
Congress must pass a continuing resolution (CR) this week
to continue to fund the federal government beyond
September 30, the end of the federal fiscal year. At this
point, Congressional leaders have indicated that a
one-month CR will be necessary. The CR is included in the
final version of the fiscal year 2010 (FY10) Legislative
Branch Appropriations bill. The House passed the CR on
Friday while the Senate is scheduled to pass the CR by
tomorrow. The CR would continue to fund most federal
programs at fiscal year 2009 levels. Once a CR is passed,
Congress would have additional time to proceed with
conference deliberations on remaining appropriations bills,
including the Agriculture and the Interior bills.
NACD will continue to keep conservation districts posted on
developments pertaining to FY10 appropriations.
Senate Passes Interior Appropriations, FLAME Act
Provisions
Last week, the Senate passed the fiscal year 2010 (FY10)
Interior, Environment and Related Agencies appropriations
bill. NACD issued an action alert to members regarding
support of the Bingaman Flame Amendment, which was
unanimously approved by the Senate. The amended FY10
Interior bill includes provisions of the FLAME Act that
would establish a separate emergency wildfire suppression
fund. Land management agencies such as the U.S. Forest
Service and the Bureau of Land Management could utilize the
fund when regular wildfire funds expire.
The Interior bill funds many conservation programs,
including NACD’s priority programs under State and Private
Forestry and 319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Grants. From
here, the Interior Appropriations bill must go to
conference to resolve differences between the House- and
Senate-passed versions, including compatibility of FLAME
Act provisions.
Western Issues Highlighted at Joint Region Meeting
Conservation leaders from the states and territories in
NACD’s Southwest and Pacific regions gathered last week in
Dubois, Wyo. for a joint region meeting. Conference
participants delved into NACD business during general
sessions and regional board meetings, holding elections,
discussing policy issues and receiving updates on NACD
finances.
Diane Gelburd, the new NRCS Regional Conservationist for
the West, provided an update on NRCS and USDA activities.
Presentations and a tour on forest stewardship
partnerships; organic waste diversion and use; and wind
power issues provided attendees with ideas and inspiration
to duplicate the efforts of Wyoming conservation districts
and their partners in their own respective states. Finally,
the group had a record-setting auction that brought in more
than $5,000, which will benefit NACD’s 509 Capitol Court
Campaign and the Olin Sims Endowment Fund.
NACD Second Vice President Earl Garber, CEO Doug
Loudenslager, Western Issues Specialist Ralph Thier and
Director of Communications Lisa Lerwick all had a part
in the event. Thanks go to the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts, who hosted the event.
Conservation: An Investment That Pays
Conservation: An Investment That Pays is a white paper
available for free from the Trust for Public Land (TPL).
Its purpose is to help agency personnel and community
conservationists make the case for conservation as a
long-term economic investment. TPL states the argument is
often made that creating parks and conserving land is too
expensive, especially in hard economic times. They hope
the research and examples cited in Conservation: An
Investment That Pays will help promote conservation for
its many benefits, including the boost parks and open
space can give to a community's bottom line. Click here to download the paper.
NACD Spring Internship Deadline Approaching
Do you know a current college student or recent grad
looking to gain experience working in conservation policy
in Washington, D.C. next spring? If so, NACD’s internship
program might be just the opportunity. NACD interns can
gain first-hand experience working with national leaders on
a wide range of agricultural, conservation and
environmental policy issues both on Capitol Hill and with
federal agencies. NACD internships are paid positions and
complement a traditional 15-week semester.
NACD is accepting applications for the spring 2010 semester
until October 15. Additional information, including an
internship application, is available online at
http://www.nacdnet.org/about/intern_program/.
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