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September 15, 2009
EPA Releases Chesapeake Bay Draft Report
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the lead
on developing a draft strategy in response to President
Obama’s May 2009 Executive Order on the Chesapeake Bay.
Last week EPA, USDA, Interior, Defense and Commerce
departments released their recommendations for restoring
and protecting the Bay as directed in the Executive Order.
The draft reports focus on greater accountability and
requirements for states to meet water quality goals. EPA
proposes to expand regulated operations under the
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) regulations;
expand the regulations under the stormwater program; and
require new or expanding discharges be offset by reductions
from other sources. USDA recommends focusing on priority
watersheds, integrating federal and state programs,
coordinating between USDA and EPA and accelerating adoption
of conservation practices.
EPA will develop these reports into one integrated strategy
to be released for public comment in November. The final
strategy on the Chesapeake Bay is expected to have impacts
beyond just the six states and District of Columbia that
make up the Bay watershed. All of the reports can be viewed
at http://executiveorder.chesapeakebay.net/default.aspx.
Sherman Nominated for USDA Undersecretary
President Obama and Agriculture Secretary Vilsack recently
announced their intent to nominate Harris Sherman for the
position of Undersecretary for Natural Resources and
Environment (NRE). The NRE mission area includes NRCS and
the U.S. Forest Service.
Sherman is currently the executive director of the Colorado
Department of Natural Resources, a cabinet level position
under Colorado Governor Bill Ritter. As director, Sherman
oversees Colorado's energy, water, wildlife, parks,
forestry and state lands programs. He also serves as the
director of compact negotiations for the Colorado
Interbasin Compact Commission, chairman of the Colorado Oil
and Gas Conservation Commission, and co-chair of the
Governor's Forest Health Advisory Council. Sherman has also
been involved in conservation efforts through The Nature
Conservancy, Colorado Open Lands and the Trust for Public
Lands.
Sherman’s nomination requires Senate confirmation. More
information is available on USDA’s website.
National Conservation Partners Meet in West Virginia
The National Conservation Partnership held their quarterly
meeting this week preceding the NASCA annual meeting in
Charleston, W.Va. The leaders made an annual review and
signed the partnership statement. A considerable amount of
the meeting was spent on training discussions for national
state and local level leadership. The conservation partners
are planning for a national training session late in 2010
or early 2011. The group also discussed a number of current
issues including the new Conservation Stewardship Program
sign-up, conservation districts’ use of USDA computer
systems, status on the NRCS audit follow up, and progress
on stimulus funding. A number of future-oriented topics
were also addressed, such as streamlining conservation
delivery processes and working to address a growing base
of cooperators and customers.
NACD Sponsored Green Infrastructure Workshops
NACD, in cooperation with NRCS, sponsored five workshops
this summer for districts and their partners. "Conservation
Planning Using a Green Infrastructure Approach" was a
one-day overview conducted by The Conservation Fund,
nationally known for its training in this topic area. Green
infrastructure is described as "strategically planned and
managed networks of natural lands, working landscapes and
other open spaces that conserve ecosystem values and
functions and provide associated benefits to human
populations." The workshop covered the NACD broad
principles of green infrastructure, which—like districts—is
based on collaboration and science-based processes. NACD
will be reviewing the evaluations from the sessions held
in Indianapolis, Ind.; Solomon's Island, Md.;
Seattle, Wash.; Charleston, S.C.; and Denver, Colo. to
determine the value of future training on green
infrastructure. Information about green infrastructure,
including examples of initiatives nationwide, is available
at http://www.greeninfrastructure.net.
National Conservation Foundation Board of Trustees Meets
The National Conservation Foundation (NCF) Board of
Trustees recently met in Denver to begin work on a new
business plan, laying the groundwork for a more active
effort to carry out the Foundation objectives. The NCF
trustees increased their commitment to the 509 Capitol
Court Campaign by increasing their pledge and plan to
present a check at the NACD annual meeting in February
2010.
The NCF trustees also outlined a number of other
initiatives that they will undertake in the next few
months, including plans to present a special award to a
conservation district at the NACD annual meeting. Further
details regarding the NCF award will be provided in the
near future. For more information on the NCF, including a
listing of trustees and other background, visit the NACD
website.
NACD Joins Steering Committee for Coalition for
Conservation through Ranching
In mid-August, the final signatures were added to the
organizational document for the Coalition for Conservation
through Ranching. Six organizations, including NACD, will
comprise the steering committee for this Coalition—Public
Lands Council, Environmental Defense Fund, World Wildlife
Fund, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Family Farm
Alliance. Others who have joined the Coalition are American
Farmland Trust, American Forage and Grassland Council,
California Farm Bureau Federation, Society for Rangeland
Management, Wild Sheep Foundation and the Wilderness
Society. The goal of the Coalition is to support working
ranches and healthy and productive landscapes throughout
the West. Click here to view a news release announcing formation of the
Coalition.
NACD Annual Meeting Room Discounts Offered
Get it while the getting is good! NACD Annual Meeting
discounts are being offered for early-bird room
reservations. NACD has secured an early-bird rate of $155
per night. The early-bird rate requires a two-night stay
and a non-refundable deposit at the time the reservation is
confirmed. Early-bird reservations at the discounted rate
are valid until Monday, November 30, 2009.
Make your travel plans now so you don’t miss this great
opportunity! Additional information is available on the
NACD Annual Meeting website at http://nacdnet.org/events/annualmeeting/hotel/.
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