National Conservation District Employees Association 2002 Committee Reports

SUBMITTED BY PAUL KALASS

Chairman Mike Mosel opened the meeting of the NACD Agricultural Land Resources Committee at 8:00 a.m. Friday, September 27th in Kansas City, MO. Members present were Paul, Kalass, NCDEA Representative, Jim Michael, Mike Mosel, Jeff Otto, and Jerry Snodgrass. NACD Staff-Rich Duesterhaus. Committee Advisors-Dick Amerman, Mark Berkland, Bill Berry, Dick Mayberry, Jackie Michael, Max Schnepf, Bob Stevenson, and Bruce Wight. NRCS-Sarah Fast.

COMMITTEE ADVISOR REPORTS

The committee had a very successful two days in Kansas City. An initial report and briefing from each of the committee advisors was the first item of business as follows:

Dick Amerman-USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Reviewed seven high priority issues included in his handout.

Dick Mayberry – USDI Bureau of Land Management (BLM): Provided a handout on Sustainable Rangelands Roundtable, reviewed the Rangelands Environmental Assessment Program (REAP), mentioned the Society of Range Management (SRM) certification of evaluators as a tool to help avoid mandated actions by regulatory agencies and as a help to management agencies like BLM.

Bob Stevenson – Reviewed the status of the Program Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) on CRP as a part of an effort to develop a new rule for CRP. Also note; in 2007, sixteen million acres are slated to come out of the program.

Mark Berkland – Farm Bill eliminated SIP and FIP forestry programs and he and Larry Payne are working on the transition of existing contracts to the Forest Service. They are looking for input on the Conservation Security Program (CSP) rules. A proposed rule for EQIP is planned for this fall. For EQIP there were 24,000 contracts, 78 of which exceeded $200,000.00.

Max Schnepf – Indicated that the SWCS will be conducting a series of workshops with producers (mock sign-ups) on CSP. He also reported on the “Seeking Common Ground” project and how they are working on the next phase to move forward.

Bill Wight – Reviewed several hot topics from the perspective of the Agricultural Forestry Center including tree-based research, AFO/CAFO air quality measures using trees and shrubs, potential incentives for agriforestry in farm bill implementation.

Sarah Fast – Reported on different approaches being used in states for State Technical Committees, local working groups, and ranking systems for program decisions.

NACD AND FARM BILL IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES
Rich Duesterhaus – Gave a brief overview of some of the NACD farm bill implementation activities including a review of the implementation committee efforts and an update on the technical assistance issue. He also reviewed how implementation of farm bill conservation programs relate to the Committee’s work.

AG LANDS FORM AT ANNUAL MEETING
The committee developed an approach to the forum with proposed topics and speakers. A short meeting of committee members will be held in Orlando to finalize the details.

CSP PRESENTATION
Mark Berkland reviewed the current issues involved in implementation of CSP.

2002 COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS STATUS
All committee resolutions have been transmitted to the respective parties.

MOU ON CARBON SEQUESTRATION WITH ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE
The committee reviewed the draft proposed agenda and provided recommendations to the Officers and Executive Board should they undertake to finalize a MOU.

EQIP BRIEFING
Mark Berkland reviewed the major issues regarding the implementation of the full authorities in the 2002 farm bill. He also reviewed the strengthening and improvement of State Technical Committees and local working groups and mentioned a recent national meeting held with all state conservationists to address these topics.

BUFFER BRIEFING
Max Schnepf and Bill Berry provided an update on the buffer project. An excellent written report was also provided.

CRP BRIEFING
Bob Stevenson provided an overall program briefing including issues they are dealing with.

2003 RESOLUTIONS
The Committee developed a dozen resolutions for consideration at the annual meeting in Orlando. A list will be available at a later date.

Respectfully submitted,

Paul Kalass
Technician – Goodhue SWCD
Goodhue, MN
Paul.Kalass@mn.usda.gov

NACD EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORT
SUBMITTED BY RICK MICKOWSKI

The NACD Education Committee is chaired by Pat Sueck, NACD Northeast Region Chair from Pennsylvania. The last full committee meeting was held in June 2002 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Since that meeting, NACD has gone through a reorganization process which resulted in the loss of Ron Francis, the NACD staff advisor to the committee. There is currently no funds budgeted for an education staff person at NACD.

The NACD Education Committee was involved in the review and selection process by email of the 2003, 2004, and 2005 Soil and Water Stewardship Week materials. The committee received draft documents via email from the consultant on a regular basis.

On October 12, 2004, the Committee held a teleconference which was organized by NACD staff person Laura McNichol. Present for the conference call from the Education Committee were Pat Sueck, Rick Mickowski (NCDEA), Sue Cummings (USDA - Forest Service), and Cheryl Butler (FSA). Also on the conference call from NACD were Krysta Harden, Eugene Lamb, and Laura McNichol.

The purpose of the conference call was to work on the program for the education policy track session for the NACD meeting in Atlanta in February 2005. The group identified several organizations and speakers that could be potential speakers for the two-hour session. Some of the discussion will revolve around what can NACD do at the national level to promote conservation education? What new partnerships should NACD develop in this area? How can we better harness the educational expertise at the local district level? The group also discussed the possibility of having a hand-out that is a compilation of conservation district education programs. Laura McNichol was asked to review the current process of how publications are being kept or cancelled for the NACD online store. The Education Committee will have a short meeting in Atlanta.

There will be discussion in Atlanta about whether to combine the Education Committee and the Soil and Water Stewardship Committee into the Education and Stewardship committee.

Rick Mickowski
NCDEA Representative on Committee
New Castle County CD
Newark, DE
rmick@nccd.gov

The Forestry Resource Committee met August 4-6, 2002 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Committee Members present were Charles Holm, Chairperson, Bob Dixon, David Vertin, Wayne Maahs, Juanita Crawford, Ron Rohall, Gale Martin and Rick Reimer.

The Forestry Resources Committee addressed some priority items of the Farm Bill, it’s provisions and implementation of Forestry practices; National Fire Plan and the Forest Service Memorandum of Understanding; NASF Relationships; NACD Forestry Endowment, forestry funding opportunities for conservation districts; and communications with conservation districts.

The committee reviewed a report on the Sustainable Forestry Initiative by Brad Williams, of the Nature Service. He pointed out the changes and accomplishments in the SFI Standard, including the identification and protection of forests of exceptional conservation value, biodiversity, procurement and illegal logging.

One of the biggest issues this year was number of major forest fires in the nation. The committee stressed the importance of the National Fire Plan and the recovery that will be needed within forested watersheds. The erosion potential is very high, effecting water quality, soil stabilization and the regrowth prospects of the forests. Fuel reduction and clear zones were also addressed.

The Farm Bill will be offering incentive programs of 75% cost-share through EQIP. NRCS is eliminating the SIP and FIP program and will be replacing it with the Forest Land Enhancement Program (FLEP), which will benefit those forested areas as well as the community and urban forestry areas. I would like to encourage as many of you to get on a state committee and help shape these programs in your Conservation District and State to better serve your conservation participants.

The Forest Service will maintain funding to keep Forestry Notes in publication. Thanks to Tom Quink who put the publication together.

The committee reviewed a Forestry Activity Survey, by Bill Berry, that showed the involvement of Conservation Districts in forestry throughout the nation.

Gale Gordon, of BLM, reported that he wanted to bring BLM to Conservation Districts by developing relationships with State Directors and State Associations. This relationship will be primarily in the western United States, covering 13 states.

This is a hard working committee addressing a wide array of issues. I really enjoy working with them and coming up with policy that will be used to keep building a national framework for the future through visionary thinking and professional planning and application.

Rick Reimer
NCDEA Representative on Forestry Committee
Kandihoyi SWCD
Willmar, MN
rlr@mn.usda.gov

NACD GREAT LAKES COMMITTEE

Dundee, Michigan
July 11 - 12, 2002

SUBMITTED BY R. C. BOHEIM

Names of other members of Committee: Joe Newberg, Chairperson; H. Merrill Loy, Mn; Edgar Corns, IN; LeRoy Gross, PA; Virginia Hayter, IL; and Rebecca Baumann, WI.

Agenda Items Discussed:

SWCD Survey/Brochure Distribution
Survey sent to Great Lakes conservation districts to assess local needs. Of the 209 districts surveyed, 148 responded. Distribution of survey results and pamphlet discussed in detail.

NOAA Costal Zone Management Act Discussion
John King, Chief, Coastal Programs Division, NOAA presented information. 34 states participate in CZMP. Main issue, non-point source pollution, emphasis on planning efforts and vegetation efforts, not hard structure constructions such as breakwaters. Focus on public use/public benefits, not on privately own property. General discussion of use of federal funds on private property – there are some models, including use of conservation easements or non-profit grant recipients on private lands being able to use the funding. It is currently difficult to use CZM funds to install conservation practices on private land.

Members Round Table
Members discussed current projects and issues in member states.

Farm Bill Assessment for the Great Lakes Region
Al Herceg, Assistant State Conservationist, USDA-NRCS, Michigan

Changes under EQIP (potential increases in funding) are key to Great Lakes Area. No specifics about how cooperative agreements will work with districts. Committee agreed that strong districts will find a way to benefit from the Farm Bill.

Wet Weather/Storm water Management/Combined Sewer Overflow
Discussed letter to Joseph Newberg from Larry Smith, Chair, NACD, Water Resources Policy Committee. Letter states NACD Water Resources Committee did not feel that NACD’s policy should support enforcement provisions of original resolution submitted. Rebecca Bauman, Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association, noted that the North Central Board was concerned that NACD would choose to keep away from an issue because it was a regulatory issue and was not satisfied that this was the NACD policy. The Committee would like to see the issue pursued since CSOs are a serious, nation-wide issue. Peter Swenson, US EPA, Region 5, available as resource person in question and answer discussion with committee on this issue. 350 communities in Region 5 have combined sewer systems, causing storm water overflow problems. Swenson suggested the committee could show which municipalities’ sewer systems in the basin area are meeting goals, which are not, etc. to publicize the message of the scope of problem.

Legislative Update
Jan Miller, USACE reported that the Great Lakes Tributary Modeling Project is in the Administration’s budget for $1 million. Also updated the Committee on efforts to introduce language into the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) to expand the authority under Section 506(e) to include the chance to develop three demonstration projects linked to the models.

Gary Overmier, Great Lakes Commission, gave an update on the Great Lakes Basin Program for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control. The Basin Program has been authorized for five years in the Farm Bill at $5 million per year.

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Grant Update
Dan Towery, Conservation Technology Information Center, Purdue University

Outlined the No Till/Buffer project that had been underway to examine the synergy when the two BMPs are used together. The project has determined that the most environmental benefits accrue when no-till and buffers are used together

Training Needs for Buffer-No-Till
Bill Ebert, Duane DeVerney and Carrie Housner, Golden Sands RC&D Council, Inc., Stevens Point, WI. Inventoried the conservation buffer and no-till training needs of all NRCS and SWCD and other technical employees from ten states. Top choices for training elements included: No-Till Marketing Elements; No-Till Benefits; Buffer Benefits; Buffer Design; Buffer Training Elements; Buffer Marketing Elements; Land Management Elements.

Monitoring Coordination and Conservation Districts
Ric Lawson, Great Lakes Commission. Outlined the Lake Michigan Monitoring Coordinating Council efforts. Discussed SWCD and NACD role in monitoring

Great Lakes Commission Staff Updates
This year, the Basin Program will support 34 new small projects of $25,000 or less and one large-scale project of approximately $200,000.

Actions and Recommendations of the Committee

SWCD Survey/Brochure Distribution
GLC staff will ensure that all suggested recipients of the SWCD Survey Executive Summary and brochure receive one.

NOAA Costal Zone Management Act Discussion
Committee will work with John King, NOAA to explore the option of developing easements as a means to use Coastal Zone Management Act monies on private lands.

Farm Bill Assessment for the Great Lakes Region
This meeting did not present any new information about the Farm Bill. Districts will need to continue to work with partners to ensure cooperative agreements with districts and other aspects of the Farm Bill are favorable to districts as the rules are developed.

Wet Weather/Storm water Management/Combined Sewer Overflow
The wet-weather sub-committee will work with Peter Swenson, USEPA Region 5, to look into a possible role in the CSO/wet-weather/stormwater issue related to raising visibility and education efforts and report out at the fall meeting. Peter Swenson, USEPA Region 5, will provide GLC staff with a copy of the EPA’s report to Congress on the CSO issue.

Respectfully submitted by:
R.C. Boheim
NCDEA Representative on Great Lakes Committee
South St. Louis Soil & Water Conservation District
215 North 1st Ave East, Room 110
Duluth MN 55802
R.Boheim@southstlouisswcd.org
Phone: 218.723.4629

NACD SOIL AND WATER STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE
SUBMITTED BY CONNIE RICHMEIER

The NACD Soil and Water Stewardship Advisory Committee met in Minneapolis, Minnesota, April 30 through May 1, 2002. Chairman Owen Knutson presided over the meeting with the following committee members in attendance: Rudy Rice, Marie Bunting, Pastor O.M. Gunderson, Robert Gronski, Neil Sampson, Ann Loose, Connie Richmeier, Larry Holmes, Rev. Terri Morgan and Ron Francis.

Ron Francis reported on the 2002 “The Gift of Trees” campaign. Orders for stewardship material had increased. Discussion was held on the successful endeavors NACD in promoting the Soil and Water Stewardship Material this past year. The majority of the stewardship material will remain available through the NACD Service Center.

Work began on the 2003 stewardship program “Food for the Future”. The committee is very excited about this theme, as food is the one thing that connects us with the environment everyday. Discussion was held on the involvement of new partners such as Project Food Land & People, USDA Environmental Education Council, and American Farmland Trust. The group discussed and reviewed the following stewardship material:

Due to material content and time restraints, some reviews will be ongoing through email. The deadline for comments was set for August 15, 2003.

The 2003 Soil and Water Stewardship Manuscript and Essays were read and edited by the group. Neil Sampson has done an outstanding job of carrying out the theme on “Food for the Future” in each essay.

Preliminary plans for the 2003 Inspirational Program at the NACD Annual Meeting in Orlando were outlined. The committee will finalize their plans for the Inspiration Program and the unveiling of the 2003 Stewardship Material at the NACD Annual Meeting in Orlando next February.

The committee also discussed the future plans for 2004 Stewardship material. We will meet again in League City, TX on April 29-30, 2003.

Connie Richmeier

NCDEA Representative to NACD Soil & Water Stewardship Committee
District Manager
Finney County Conservation District
2106 E. Spruce
Garden City, Kansas 67846
620-275-0211 ext. 24
620-275-4903 fax
connie-richmeier@ks.nacdnet.org