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October 6, 2009
Loudenslager Steps Down as NACD CEO
Today the National Association of Conservation Districts
announced that Doug Loudenslager has stepped down as the
Association’s Chief Executive Officer, effective
immediately. NACD President Steve Robinson expressed his
appreciation for Loudenslager’s commitment to conservation
and service to NACD. Loudenslager said he appreciated the
chance to serve NACD and its members but that it was in the
best interests of him, his family and NACD for him to seek
other opportunities at this time. Click here to view the full press release.
NACD leadership will announce a selection process for a new
Chief Executive Officer in the coming weeks. NACD Director
of Member Services Brad Ross will serve as Interim CEO
during the transition and can be reached at brad-ross@nacdnet.org.
FY10 Agriculture Appropriations Bill Nears Passage
Last week, House and Senate negotiators completed work on a
conference agreement on fiscal year 2010 (FY10) Agriculture
Appropriations. Under the conference agreement, the
Conservation Operations account, which includes
Conservation Technical Assistance, is funded at $887.629
million, an increase of $34 million over FY09. The question
regarding the manner in which Resource Conservation and
Development Councils (RC&D) are funded FY10 was resolved,
with RC&D funding maintained under its own line item. Farm
Bill conservation programs retained their full
authorization in the conference agreement, with the
exception of the Environmental Quality Incentives
Program (EQIP). Under the conference agreement, EQIP is
funded at $1.18 billion for FY10, which is $270 million below
authorized levels in the Farm Bill but an increase of over
$100 million above FY09.
The House and Senate are expected to approve the
Agriculture conference agreement as early as this week
before sending the final bill to the President for approval.
NACD Sends Letter to Interior Appropriations Conferees
NACD President Steve Robinson sent a letter this week to conferees for the fiscal year 2010 (FY10)
Interior and Environment Appropriations. In the letter, NACD
outlined continued support for U.S. Forest Service State and
Private Forestry Programs and U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency 319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Grants, both of which
are legislative priorities for the Association. The letter
also urged conferees to maintain language in the conference
report pertaining to wildfire funding and the creation of a
separate emergency fund known as the FLAME Fund.
Conferees for the FY10 Interior and Environment
Appropriations bill are expected to begin negotiations
soon to resolve differences between the House- and
Senate-passed versions. NACD continues to remain engaged
with Congressional leaders as negotiations progress.
House Agriculture Committee to Review Conservation
Programs
Tomorrow the Conservation Subcommittee of the House
Agriculture Committee will review the implementation of
the 2008 Farm Bill conservation programs. NRCS Chief Dave
White and FSA Administrator Jonathan Coppess are scheduled
to testify. NACD and other groups will not have a role
during this hearing as no non-governmental organizations
were invited to testify. The House Committee is in the
process of reviewing USDA’s work toward implementing all
titles of the Farm Bill. To view the hearing live
tomorrow, October 7, at 10 a.m. Eastern, go to
http://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/audio.html.
Climate Change Legislation Introduced in the Senate
Last week Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
Chair Barbara Boxer and Senator John Kerry (D-MA)
introduced their climate change bill, the Clean Energy
Jobs and American Power Act. The legislation places a cap
on carbon emissions, with reduction goals of 20 percent by
2020 and 80 percent by 2050 (based on 2005 levels), and
includes trading of emissions credits and offsets. Also
included are adaptation programs, provisions on clean
transportation, water efficiency and energy efficiency
and more. The Senate climate bill includes some
agriculture offset provisions, but does not include
specifications for USDA’s role.
The Senate Environment Committee is expected to hold
hearings regarding the climate bill later this month.
Senators from the Senate Agriculture Committee have been
working on separate agriculture provisions to be included
in any climate bill. Both Senator Boxer and Senator Kerry
have indicated their bill is a starting point and they
expect the legislation to undergo changes during the
legislative process. The NACD legislative committee will
be reviewing the legislation in more detail.
Click here to read the full text and summary information.
Conservation Leaders in Chesapeake Bay States to Meet
Conservation district leaders along with other state,
regional and national conservation leaders will meet
November 2-3, 2009 in Beltsville, Md., to address new
developments in the efforts to improve the Chesapeake Bay.
A grant from the Keith Campbell Foundation is helping NACD
conduct the conference. An initial invitation has been
extended to Chesapeake Bay state leaders including:
• Presidents of state associations of conservation districts
• Executive Directors of state associations of conservation
districts
• NRCS state conservationists
• State conservation agency directors
• Other national and regional stakeholders
Results and expected actions from the conference will be
shared soon after it is concluded.
Funding Proposals for Healthy Forest Reserve Program
Due November 1
NRCS is requesting funding proposals for the Healthy Forest
Reserve Program (HFRP). HFRP is a voluntary program
available to landowners to restore, enhance or protect
forest resources on private lands. The focus of HFRP has
been on recovery of threatened and endangered species,
biodiversity and carbon sequestration. Eight pilot states—Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi,
Oklahoma and Oregon—are eligible to submit proposals.
Funding is limited and will be awarded following a review
of proposals made by NRCS state conservationists. The
deadline to submit a proposal for funding in 2010 is
November 1, 2009. Click here for additional information.
NSTA Announces Nationwide Launch of Disney's Planet
Challenge
The Walt Disney Company and the National Science Teachers
Association (NSTA) recently announced the launch of a
national project-based environmental competition for fourth,
fifth and sixth grade students. The competition—a
collaboration between Disney and the NSTA—provides a fun
way for students to learn about science, conservation and
teamwork. The competition is a project-based learning
program that will empower students to positively impact
the world around them. Tools and resources are available
at no charge. For additional information on how students
in your area can participate or to register for the
competition, visit http://www.Disney.com/planetchallenge.
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