|
January 13, 2009
Economic Stimulus Gains Momentum in Congress
Congress continues to prepare for a massive economic
stimulus package for passage in the coming weeks. Draft
legislation is expected to begin circulating sometime late
this week, with the potential for mark-up in the
appropriations committees next week. Congressional leaders
and the incoming administration of President-Elect Obama
have indicated the need for quick action in passing a
stimulus.
NACD continues to focus on the economic stimulus, renewing
calls for conservation districts to voice support for
Congressional investment in natural resource conservation
in the stimulus. NACD submitted an economic stimulus
proposal to Congress last month and joined with a broad
coalition of conservation and wildlife groups to call on
Congressional leaders to include conservation and green
infrastructure funding in the stimulus package.
Both letters can be viewed on NACD’s website at
http://nacdnet.org/policy/input/letters/.
Conservation Districts Will Have Access to Producer Data
According to an NRCS directive signed December 30, 2008,
conservation district employees and other partners such as
technical service providers (TSPs) will be able to have
official access to producer data at the local level.
NRCS is currently implementing the details of the
directive. The process will initially require a district
employee to sign a “Cooperator Certification” letter to
assure that the information will only be used for official
purposes and that it will not be disseminated to other
parties. Eventually a Memorandum of Understanding, which is
currently under development by USDA, will be used to
provide for the sharing of routine information as necessary
for the implementation of conservation programs at the
district level. These steps are being used to address a 2008
Farm Bill requirement that prohibits the release of producer
information that is potentially private or sensitive.
To read a copy of the NRCS directive, go to
http://directives.sc.egov.usda.gov/22467.wba. NACD will
provide more details as they are released.
Final Week to Pre-register for NACD’s 2009 Annual Meeting
This Friday, January 16, is your last day to pre-register
for the NACD 2009 Annual Meeting in February 1-4, 2009, in
New Orleans, La. The meeting is themed “Building a Better
Tomorrow.” We have a great balance of speakers, activities
and breakout sessions lined up, not to mention the perfect
location! Whether you choose to drive, fly, or take the
train, make your way down to New Orleans for the 63rd
annual NACD conference.
Don’t miss your chance to lock in the discounted
pre-registration rate! But if you miss the registration
date, don’t worry. On-site registration will be available
at the meeting, but at a higher cost. For additional
details regarding the meeting including information on
registration, hotel, speakers, breakout sessions,
activities and more, go to http://nacdnet.org/events/annualmeeting/.
See you in New Orleans!
NACD Officers Start the Year out on the Road
NACD President John Redding traveled to Durham, N.C., last
week for the state’s 60th Annual Meeting. Redding provided
an NACD update to over 400 conservation district leaders in
attendance, outlining the national association’s progress
in 2008, showcasing new tools available for members, and
encouraging their attendance at NACD’s 2009 Annual Meeting.
He also met with the state’s conservation district
employees association to discuss ways the group could work
with NACD. Leaders in North Carolina also committed to
raising another $2,750 for the Capitol Court Campaign in
addition to the $9,030 they have already contributed.
NACD Secretary/Treasurer Gene Schmidt participated in the
Louisiana Association of Conservation District’s Annual
Meeting last week in Lafayette, La. Schmidt met with the
board, addressed the full group and discussed conservation
issues with leaders from state government. Schmidt also
thanked the group for their work in preparing for NACD’s
Annual Meeting, which will be held in their state next week.
Schmidt also joins fellow Indianans at their state meeting
in Indianapolis this week, where he and NACD Stewardship
and Education Coordinator Susan Schultz are making a number
of presentations regarding NACD activities, policy updates,
and the Association’s education efforts.
Sage-Grouse Endangered Species Decision Possibly Delayed
The May 2009 deadline for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (FWS) decision on whether to list sage-grouse under
the Endangered Species Act may be delayed until new
research findings are publicized. A federal court issued
the spring deadline following a lawsuit that challenged the
FWS’s 2005 decision not to list the species.
An FWS decision on sage-grouse was expected in 2008, but
publication of new sage-grouse research findings that could
provide information that would affect the listing decision
will not be published until summer 2009. When FWS makes a
recommendation for a threatened or endangered listing, an
additional year could pass before the process would be
finalized. According to the agency, the possible delay is
unlikely to affect the long-term survival of the
sage-grouse.
NACD provided comments to FWS last summer during the status
review to determine if listing the sage-grouse was warranted.
Click here to read the full text of the comments.
NACD will continue to follow this issue.
NACD North Central Region Board Meets in Chicago
Representatives from eight north central states gathered in
Chicago last week for the NACD North Central Region Board
of Directors Meeting. The meeting’s focus was to prepare
for the upcoming NACD 2009 Annual Meeting, February 1-4,
2009, in New Orleans, La. The group identified two main
areas of focus: NACD Policy Development and NACD
Legislative Priorities for 2009.
They also held elections for region leadership,
re-electing Jerry Snodgrass (IL) as the NACD Executive
Board Member, Ken Pederson (MN) as the North Central Region
Chair, and Rick Juchems (IA) as the North Central Region
Vice Chair.
As part of future meeting planning, the North Central
Board of Directors also selected dates, location and goals
for their 2010 meeting. The Conservation Districts of Iowa
will host the January 2010 board meeting as part of the
North Central Region Conference. The two main goals for the
2010 conference will be to train new leadership from the
local and state level, as well as showcase the host state’s
conservation efforts.
Renovated NACD Office Stands the Test of Winter
As the weather turns colder, the renovations to the NACD
office building were completed just in time! The building
renovations were completed in September and some of the
repairs have made a huge difference this winter. For
example, the new heating and cooling system and double-pane
windows have helped keep the office efficiently and
sufficiently heated.
The renovations have improved the functionality, safety and
appearance of your national office, making it a place NACD
can invite partners and a place districts can be proud to
call their own. Our current fundraising total is $184,960.
While we have not reached our fundraising goal of $320,000,
donations continue to come in. Thank you for your continued
support. With your help, we are confident we can meet our
goal and bring the 509 Capitol Court Campaign to a successful
close. If you would find out more about the campaign or make
a donation, go to http://nacdnet.org/events/509campaign/.
Editor’s Note
The NACD office will be closed next Monday, January 19 for
Martin Luther King Day and Tuesday, January 20 for the
Inauguration. The next issue of eNotes will be sent
Wednesday, January 21, 2009.
|
