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May 27, 2009
Congress Observes Memorial Day Recess
This week, Congress is in a week-long recess for Memorial
Day. While Members of Congress are at home, conservation
districts have an opportunity to weigh in on fiscal year
2010 (FY10) conservation funding. Last week, NACD issued an
action alert in response to deep cuts to Farm Bill
conservation spending in the Administration’s proposed
FY10 budget. Altogether, conservation programs would be
reduced by over $400 million under the proposed budget.
Conservation districts are encouraged to visit with Members
of Congress during the recess period in support of
maintaining full conservation funding.
More information is available on NACD’s website at
http://www.nacdnet.org/policy/action/alert_5-20-09.phtml.
Committee Passes Cap-and-Trade Climate Bill
Last week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed
the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) by a vote
of 33-25. The vote came after four days of review by the
Committee and discussion on over eighty amendments. The
bill increases energy efficiency standards for
transportation, appliances and buildings, sets greenhouse
gas reduction levels of 17 percent by 2020, 42 percent by
2030 and 83 percent by 2050 (compared to 2005 levels). The
legislation can now be reviewed by several other Committees
in the House of Representatives, including the Agriculture
Committee. The full House is expected to consider the bill
in July.
Prior to the start of the Committee action last week, NACD
joined 40 other forestry, conservation and energy
organizations and associations providing comments on the
domestic offset program in ACES. The compelling arguments
presented in this letter supporting the use of domestic
offsets are their cost effectiveness, timeliness,
availability and efficiency. The letter also stresses the
need for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to be involved
the development of agriculture and forestry offsets. Click here to view the
letter.
NACD Sends Transportation Letters to Congress
Legislation to reauthorize the Surface Transportation
Act—also known as SAFETEA—is slated for this year. Current
transportation laws expire this year, so a reauthorization
is necessary in the near future. NACD has been engaged with
coalitions to support the inclusion of a variety of
conservation provisions in the transportation bill.
Last week, NACD sent letters to key leaders on the House
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Senate
Environment and Public Works Committee, both of which have
jurisdiction over transportation. The letter urged support
of water quality and stormwater management practices
related to transportation project planning and construction
in the legislation. NACD also joined with a coalition of
conservation, environmental and wildlife organizations in a
separate letter supporting water quality, invasive species
control and wildlife habitat considerations for any
federally funded transportation project in proposed
legislation. The letters can be viewed on NACD’s website at
http://www.nacdnet.org/policy/input/letters/.
National Watershed Coalition Recognizes NACD, Franz
NACD Past President Bill Wilson and Director of Legislative
Affairs Keira Franz both traveled to Wichita, Kansas last
week to participate in the National Watershed Coalition’s
Annual Meeting. Franz briefed meeting attendees on NACD’s
efforts during the development of the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). NACD worked with the
National Watershed Coalition (NWC) on proposals for funding
of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
watershed programs, which received a total of $340 million
in the final stimulus bill.
During the meeting, NWC awarded NACD a Partnership in
Excellence Award, recognizing the Association’s efforts on
behalf of watershed project sponsors, as well as NACD’s
support for the revitalization of the NRCS watershed
programs through the ARRA. Franz was also awarded a
separate Extra Mile Award for her personal
energy and efforts on behalf of conservation districts watershed and project sponsors.
New Biomass Desk Guide Available from NACD
Communities today are challenged to develop effective
strategies that support forest ecosystem health, mitigate
the effects of climate change, satisfy growing energy needs
and provide local economic opportunities. For some
communities, woody biomass may be a viable option for
meeting these needs. Forests in the United States
represent an important potential energy and bio-based
product resource.
NACD—in collaboration with federal, state and local
partners—is working to raise awareness about the potential
for woody biomass as a primary feedstock for such products.
Together, these partners have made available a new Woody
Biomass Desk Guide and Toolkit. The Desk Guide provides an
overview of woody biomass production and utilization in
the U.S., tips for providing effective outreach to clientele
and educational handouts to share with audiences. The guide
will equip natural resource professionals and outreach
specialists with the information and tools needed to
increase awareness of the use of woody biomass for energy
in the U.S. Check it out on NACD’s website at http://nacdnet.org/resources/guides/biomass/.
Invite an NACD Officer to Participate in your Next Local
Board Meeting
Does your local conservation district board ever ask
questions during board meetings about where NACD stands on
certain conservation issues? Maybe they wonder how NACD’s
legislative and policy work impacts your local conservation
district. The NACD Officers and Executive Board Members are
willing to participate in your upcoming local conservation
district board meeting via conference call. States can also
join several districts together for a joint call with NACD
leadership. All you need to do is ask. For more information
or to schedule a call, please contact NACD Interim CEO Brad
Ross at brad-ross@nacdnet.org.
EPA Offers American Wetlands Month Webcast
In observance of American Wetlands Month, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency is offering a free webcast
tomorrow, May 28, entitled "Wetlands—Reconnecting Youth
with Nature.” The webcast will explore the issue of
societal distance from the natural world, efforts to
change these trends and the unique role wetlands can play
in reconnecting young people with nature. The webcast will
feature Richard Louv, distinguished author and Chairman of
the Children and Nature Network; Suzanne Pittenger-Slear,
President and CEO of Environmental Concern Inc.; and Davon
Kenneth Johnson, Earth Conservation Corps. The webcast will
be two hours long and begins at 1 PM EDT. To register,
please visit http://www.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts/.
Kodak Partnership Funds Greenway Projects
The Kodak American Greenways Award Program is a partnership
project of the Eastman Kodak Company, The Conservation Fund
and the National Geographic Society in which small grants
are awarded to assist in planning and designing greenways
across America.
Grant recipients are selected according to the following
criteria: importance of the project to local greenway
development efforts; demonstrated community support for the
project; extent to which the grant will result in matching
funds or other support from public or private sources;
likelihood of tangible results; and capacity of the
organization to complete the project.
The award amounts range from $500 to $2,500. Eligible
applicants include both non-profit organizations as well
as public agencies. Applications must be submitted
electronically by June 30, 2009. For more information,
please visit http://www.conservationfund.org/kodak_awards.
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