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July 2006 Meeting Minutes
PACD Executive Council Annual Meeting
Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel
State College, PA
July 27, 2006
Call to Order
PACD President Victor Cappucci called the meeting to order and welcomed
everyone to the meeting. Victor introduced Kenneth Meck as the parliamentarian
for the meeting.
Roll Call
PACD Secretary George Hildenbrandt called the roll. There were 39 counties
present, which constituted a quorum. Porter Duvall presented dues certificates
to all counties in good standing for FY 2005-2006.
Minutes of the Preceding Meeting
PACD Secretary George Hildenbrandt presented the minutes from the January
20, 2006 meeting for approval.
It was moved by Bob Robinson (Wyoming) and seconded by David Collura
(Allegheny) to approve the minutes of the January 20, 2006 meeting.
Motion carried.
Reports of Officers:
President's Report
PACD President Victor Cappucci presented the following report:
- Victor noted that this has been an exciting and fruitful year.
- He thanked a number of individuals and organizations for their various
contributions, including:
- The PACD North Central Region for hosting the conference
- The conference sponsors, whom Victor individually listed and
thanked for their generous contributions to the meeting.
- The agencies, organizations, and individuals who participated
in the meeting.
- Pennsylvania's districts and district directors, PACD committee
chairs and members, the PACD Executive Council, Pennsylvania's
legislators, and the PACD staff for their hard work for conservation
and a successful conference.
- Victor also thanked Molly Burns, PACD Administrative Assistant,
for her hard work on the meeting, and presented her with a Starbucks
gift card as a token of appreciation.
- Victor also complimented the conference planning committee for the
chosen theme for the meeting "Conservation: Keystone for our
Future."
- Victor noted that the legislature passing the non-lapsing fund via
SB 1224, now Act 110, was perhaps the greatest accomplishment of the
past year.
NACD Director's Report
NACD Director Patricia Sueck presented the NACD Director's report.
- On behalf of NACD, Pat thanked everyone who attended the meeting,
and everyone who helped to plan the meeting for making the event such
a success.
- She noted that, with eleven states represented, the recent NACD
Board meeting may be the best attended one she has ever participated
in. The NACD Board signed an MOU with the USDA Forest Service during
the meeting, and NACD is looking forward to working with the Forest
Service on future projects and activities.
- Pat noted that fifteen NACD committee representatives presented
reports during the Monday's session entitled Building the Northeastern
Legacy: Your Region Leaders. She said it was unfortunate that
this session was not better attended, and charged anyone with questions,
input, or an interest in participating with NACD committee activities
to contact the appropriate committee chair.
- The NACD Board passed the Northeast region work plan and budget.
The work plan will be released and distributed when it is in final
form.
- Pat reported that the regulations requiring security checks for
district employees who are using the NRCS computer network have been
handed down as part of Homeland Security, and do not originate from
NRCS. She asked that everyone do their best to be patient and cooperate
with the new regulations.
- Pat announced that NACD has two new awards:
1. The District Excellence Award will recognize eight districts,
one in each of NACD's policy areas with national committees, namely:
Agricultural Lands Resources; District Operations; Wildlife and
Environment; Forest Resources; Grazing Lands and Public Lands Resources;
Urban, Community, and Coastal Resources; Water Resources; and Stewardship
and Education. The eight awards will be selected by the NACD National
Policy Committee for each category.
2. The Collaborative Conservation Award recognizes conservation
districts that are carrying out, with their partners, outstanding
community and collaborative conservation projects that have a significant
positive impact on the community resource base. Seven regional winners
will be selected in regional meetings held at the August 2006 NACD
board meeting. One of the seven regional winners will be selected
as the national winner by a committee made up of representatives
from each of the involved partners.
- Pat announced that responses from the survey that was sent out to
each district in each northeastern state have been made into a booklet.
Pat asked any district who has not received a copy to please let her
know.
- Pat announced that the 2007 NACD Northeast Region Meeting will be
held August 5-8, 2007, at the Mohigan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut,
near New London. New Hampshire is scheduled to host the meeting in
2008.
- Pat reported that the NACD Board will meet Aug 10-13, 2006 in Columbus
Ohio.
- Pat announced that 2007 NACD Stewardship Week will take place April
29 to May 6, 2007 with the theme Today is the Day to be Part of
Conservation Power. Pat said that Susan Schultz is working for
NACD on a contract basis to support this and other programs and is
doing a wonderful job.
- Pat thanked everyone for the opportunity to represent Pennsylvania
and noted that she was re-elected to continue to serve as the Northeastern
Board Chair.
Executive Director's Report
PACD Executive Director Susan Marquart presented the following highlights
from her written report:
- Susan thanked Victor for awarding the first President's award to
the PACD staff.
- She reported that we now have seven employees (five full time and
two part time) in the Harrisburg office, and six employees (five full
time and one part time) for the Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) Program.
Susan also reported that PACD is currently seeking to fill an engineering
vacancy in the Lebanon TAG office, as we were able to obtain additional
funding for the program.
- Susan noted that PACD has been very successful in obtaining grant
income to allow the association to maintain and increase its staff,
and reminded the Council that it is the non-restricted income, like
that from district dues, that allows the staff to work on non-grant
related activities that benefit districts, such as lobbying and government
relations. The more non-restricted income we can put toward the staff,
the more work PACD can do for districts. Susan pointed out that, while
our budget totals nearly $6,000,000, less than $200,000 of that is
unrestricted money. Susan said that the PACD staff works hard to provide
as many services as they can to the districts with the time and resources
they have available.
- Brenda Shambaugh has been on board with PACD since December and
has been able to help the organization work on many legislative issues,
and was instrumental in passing SB 1224, now Act 110. Susan highlighted
the fact that SB 1224 passed the House and the Senate with no dissenting
votes. She noted that she and Brenda Shambaugh have been working with
Senator Wonderling on additional amendments to Act 217 legislation.
- Capitol Day is scheduled to take place again next year. Overall
it was very successful this year.
- Susan said that she and Brenda Shambaugh worked hard to get the
$900,000, which the Governor initially removed, put back into the
budget, and that they were also able to get $190,000 in additional
funds.
- Susan related that PACD staff and others represent the districts
at many meetings and as a part of many committees throughout the year.
- PACD continues to manage the 319 and Chesapeake Bay grants, which
include the Mini-Grant program, which our members are very pleased
with. PACD also offers educational displays and other educational
materials that are available online at the PACD website (www.pacd.org).
- PACD exhibits on behalf of districts at events such as PSATS and
Ag Progress Days.
- Susan noted that the PACD Front Page has facilitated communication
between the office and the districts, and helps keep everyone abreast
of developments.
- Susan reminded attendees that the PACD website is an excellent resource
and is updated regularly. A number of county implementation plans
are posted on the PACD website (www.pacd.org).
There is also a new search feature and a new section for PACD forms
that districts might find useful.
- PACD has drafted and distributed a number of press releases recently,
and has been developing templates for districts to send out releases
locally.
- Susan remarked that PACD is also continuing its Awards program.
Treasurer's Report
PACD Treasurer Porter Duvall reviewed highlights from his written report.
It was moved by Porter Duvall (Jefferson) and seconded by Harold
Kulp (Chester) to approve the treasurer's report. Motion carried.
Question from the floor: Where to the proceeds from the silent auction
and raffle go?
Response: Proceeds from the silent auction and raffle go toward the
PACD Capital Fund.
Reports of PACD Committees:
Question from the floor: Will NRCS be helping districts to cover
the costs related to the clearances required to use NRCS computers?
Craig Derickson, State Conservationist for NRCS in Pennsylvania replied
that NRCS has created a tiered process. They have agreements in place
with some districts. If an agreement has the capacity to cover the
costs of the background checks, NRCS would like to use those agreements
first. If there are district employees who are not covered by an existing
agreement, NRCS may be able to cost share the expenses. This will
have to be examined on a case-by-case basis.
- Operations
Phyllis Hoople, Acting Chair for the PACD Operations Committee, reported
that the Operations Committee approved a number or resolutions that
will come before the Council under new business. Phyllis also reported
that Irvil Kear, PACD Operations Committee Chair, will be gathering
a subcommittee to discuss updates to the PACD bylaws. Phyllis asked
that anyone interested in taking part in the process please contact
Irvil Kear or Susan Marquart.
Old and Unfinished Business
No old or unfinished business was presented.
New Business:
Motions and Resolutions from PACD Committees:
A copy of the PACD Operations Committee minutes, which included the
motions and resolutions from PACD Committees to be considered by the
Council, were provided to the Council.
- PACD Education and Outreach Committee
No motions or resolutions were presented.
- PACD Legislative Committee
1. 2007 Farm Bill
It was moved by Larry Kehl (Berks) and seconded by Porter Duvall
(Jefferson) to approve the following policy statement regarding the
2007 Farm Bill:
Conservation programs are going to be an integral part of the
2007 Farm Bill. Overall, PACD has been pleased with most of the
conservation programs instituted in the current Farm Bill, but have
found that the existing funding levels for a number of programs
have hindered conservation progress. Most notably, EQIP, CSP, CRP,
CREP and FLEP have been successful programs and should have increased
funding.
Since technical assistance is the key component to implementing
sound conservation practices, PACD supports significant funding
increases for NRCS and Conservation Districts to provide landowners
with technical assistance. Additionally, PA farmers do not receive
their fair share of federal farm bill funding. Farmers across the
country should receive the same percentage of available agricultural
production and conservation dollars. A more equitable distribution
of funds per producer is needed so all farmers nationwide have an
equal opportunity to participate in voluntary government conservation
programs.
Motion carried.
It was moved by Ron Rohall (Westmoreland) and seconded by David
Collura (Allegheny) to amend the policy statement so that the first
sentence of the second paragraph reads "Since technical assistance
is the key component to implementing sound conservation practices,
PACD supports significant funding increases for NRCS and Conservation
Districts to provide landowners and land users with technical
assistance." Motion carried.
Victor Cappucci called for the vote on the original motion as
amended. Motion carried.
2. Annual Legislative Program
It was moved by Larry Kehl (Berks) and seconded by George Hildenbrandt
(Centre) to approve the proposed PACD Annual Legislative Program.
Motion carried.
3. Preliminary Draft of Act 217 Amendments
It was moved by Larry Kehl (Berks) and seconded by Harold Kulp
(Chester) to approve the following resolution:
That PACD supports the July 19, 2006 preliminary draft of Act
217 amendments, with the understanding that PACD will be working with
Senator Wonderling's office to make some changes and adjustments for
the sake of clarity and consistency throughout the document.
Motion carried.
Point from the floor: Regarding the make-up of the commission, these
amendments add more appointed representatives. Response: Public members
still outnumber the appointed members. Second point from the floor:
In an even numbered commission, who will break a tie?
- PACD Conservation Committee
1. Required Match for Growing Greener Grants
It was moved by Bob Ritchey (Cambria) and seconded by LeRoy Gross
(Erie) to approve the following policy statement regarding mandatory
matches for Growing Greener Grants:
PACD opposes any mandatory match requirement for Growing Greener
Grants. We believe that many organizations, including local conservation
districts, will not be able to achieve a cash or in kind match,
prohibiting them from successfully obtaining a Growing Greener grant
regardless of the proposed project's merits.
Motion carried.
It was moved by George Hildenbrandt (Centre) and seconded by David
Collura (Allegheny) to amend the motion to specify opposition to a
cash match and to remove opposition to an in kind match. Motion failed
(13 in favor; 18 against).
2. REAP Tax Credit Program
It was moved by Bob Ritchey (Cambria) and seconded by Don Bowser
(Fayette) to approve the following policy statement regarding the
PA Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) program:
The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD)
endorses a PA Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Tax Credit
Program which provides state tax credits to offset some or most
of the costs of environmental improvements on barnyards, pastures
and riparian corridors, development of nutrient management plans,
remediation of legacy sediments, and other best management practices.
Landowners and businesses may receive tax credits or the tax credits
may be sold to other entities having significant tax liability.
In the event that conservation districts agree to be the technical
advisor in these projects, adequate compensation must be provided
for conservation district services through contracts, fees, or other
means of reimbursement.
Motion carried.
3. Second Phase of the Farmers First Agenda
It was moved by Bob Ritchey (Cambria) and seconded by Mike Kennis
(Clearfield) to approve the following policy statement regarding the
Second Phase of the Farmers First Agenda:
The PACD supports the legislative package entitled "The
Second Phase of the Farmers First Agenda," specifically: the
passage of legislation providing adequate funding to implement alternatives
that would provide water releases during low-flow periods without
having to impose consumptive use fees on farmers; the creation of
"The Centers for Agriculture Excellence and Education"
to serve as a central clearing house of programs and information
for current and new farmers; legislation to ensure the continuation
of vocational agriculture and FFA programs operated by school districts
and area vocational-technical schools; the creation of a Healthy
Farms and Healthy Schools Program to promote both good health and
farm profitability by encouraging nutritional and agricultural education
in schools.
Motion carried.
4. Commendation for Senators Waugh and Wenger
It was moved by Bob Ritchey (Cambria) and seconded by Sam Worley
(Franklin) to approve the following resolution:
PACD commends Senators Waugh and Wenger for including legislation
in the "Farmers First Agenda" that created a combined
conservation district fund to be administered by the State Conservation
Commission, which has already become law.
It was moved by Harold Kulp (Chester) and seconded by David Collura
(Allegheny) to amend the resolution to include Representative Hershey
for commendation. Motion carried.
Victor Cappucci called for a vote on the original motion as amended.
Motion carried.
5. Legacy Sediment
It was moved by Bob Ritchey (Cambria) and seconded by Sandy Thompson
(McKean) to adopt the following policy statement regarding legacy
sediment:
PACD acknowledges the impact of legacy sediment on water quality
in the Commonwealth. PACD supports adequate funding to address legacy
sediment removal and the restoration of streams.
Motion carried.
It was moved by Bob Ritchey (Cambria) and seconded by Bob Robinson
(Wyoming) to approve the following policy statement regarding legacy
sediment:
As legacy sediment has been found to be a significant contributor
to nutrient and sediment pollution in the Chesapeake Bay and other
Pennsylvania watersheds outside of the Chesapeake Bay, PACD recommends
that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the PA DEP update
the Chesapeake Bay Model to include and quantify the nutrient and
sediment load due to legacy sediment. PACD also recommends that
the PA DEP update the Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy to account
for the nutrient and sediment load due to legacy sediment.
Motion carried.
- PACD Ways and Means Committee
No resolutions were presented.
- PACD District Employees Committee
1. District Employees Committee Policy Change
It was moved by Larry Kehl (Berks) and seconded by Drew Gilchrist
(Montgomery) to forward the following proposal to PACD Executive
Council for approval:
That PACD District Employees policy number six, regarding
reimbursement for district employee representatives to NACD committees,
be stricken from the PACD Policy Manual, as it is no longer relevant.
Motion carried.
- PACD Operations Committee
1. Strategic Planning Process
A copy of the Proposed PACD Strategic Planning Process was provided
to the Council.
It was moved by Phyllis Hoople (Crawford) and seconded by Bob
Ritchey (Cambria) to approve the proposed strategic planning process.
Motion carried.
2. Envirothon Cooperative Working Agreement
A copy of the Envirothon Cooperative Working Agreement was provided
to the Council.
It was moved by Phyllis Hoople (Crawford) and seconded by Bob
Ritchey (Cambria) to approve the Envirothon Cooperative Working
Agreement. Motion carried.
3. PACD Appropriation Request for Conservation Districts 2007/08
Fiscal Year
A copy of the Appropriation Request for Conservation Districts was
provided to the Council.
It was moved by Phyllis Hoople (Crawford) and seconded by Porter
Duvall (Jefferson) to approve the PACD appropriation request.
Susan Marquart pointed out that she will be revising the document
to include updated numbers as approved by the State Conservation
Commission on July 26, 2006. Susan verbally reviewed the changes
that will be made for the Council.
It was moved by Porter Duvall (Jefferson) and seconded by Harold
Kulp (Chester) to amend the motion to allow the PACD Executive Director
to update the document as necessary to include updated numbers for
allocations and to make any grammatical changes as necessary. Motion
carried.
Victor Cappucci called for a vote on the original motion as
amended. Motion carried.
Question from the floor: Will updates to the SCC Statement of Policy
impact this document?
Response: Susan Marquart replied that we may not have information
on the updates to the statement of policy before we submit the request
to the Departments. Any necessary changes can be made to next year's
request, and we may be able to make amendments or additions to this
year's request at the 2006 PACD Winter Meeting in January.
Point from the floor: The $1,000,000 included in this request for
Chapter 105 may not be enough to cover Chapter 105 implementation
for districts.
Response: Susan Marquart responded that this is a starting point,
and represents an estimate of what it would take to get started.
PACD Budget and Dues for July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007
A copy of the PACD Budget and Dues for July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007
was provided to the Council for their review. PACD Treasurer Porter
Duvall reviewed the budget for fiscal year 2006-2007.
It was moved by Porter Duvall (Jefferson) and seconded by Don Koontz
(Mercer) to approve the proposed budget for July 1, 2006 to June 30,
2007. Motion carried.
PACD Policy Handbook
A copy of the PACD Policy Handbook and a sheet outlining the corrections
and additions to the handbook were provided to the Council. Susan also
reminded the Council that they voted to strike the District Employees
policy number six earlier in the meeting.
It was moved by Bob Robinson (Wyoming) and seconded by Malcolm Crooks
(Bucks) to approve the PACD Policy Handbook as corrected and amended.
Motion carried.
Election of Officers
Nomination Committee Chair Ron Rohall presented the following slate
of candidates:
President: Victor Cappucci
First Vice President: Larry Kehl
Second Vice President: Irvil Kear
Secretary: George Hildenbrandt
Treasurer: Porter Duvall
NACD Director: Patricia Sueck
It was moved by Bob Ritchey (Cambria) and seconded by Gerald Breininger
(Lehigh) to close nominations. Motion carried.
Ron Rohall called for a vote on the proposed slate of candidates.
Motion carried.
State Conservation Commission Report
SCC Executive Secretary Karl Brown presented the following report:
- Karl noted that we have a lot of good things going on in Pennsylvania.
Districts are working with many important programs and projects.
- Karl encouraged everyone to make contacts with new legislators in
the Fall and to work with the legislature.
- He noted that biosecurity is very important and asked everyone to
please practice good biosecurity. He said that there are some challenges
and concerns but we will continue to work to address those.
- Karl thanked everyone for all that they do for agriculture in Pennsylvania
and reminded everyone to thank their legislators for passing SB 1224
and to thank all those who work hard for PA agriculture.
NRCS Report
Craig Derickson, State Conservationist for NRCS, presented the following
report:
- Craig reported that NRCS is over three quarters through the federal
fiscal year and noted that NRCS staff has done a great job in obligating
funds for the various programs, and have obligated about $14,500,000
in Farm Bill programs, including approximately:
- $10.4 million for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program
(EQIP)
- $970,000 for Agricultural Management Assistance Act (AMA)
- $193,000 for the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)
- $2.7 million for the Farm and Ranchland Protection Program
- $277,000 for the Wetlands Reserve Program
- Craig also reported that NRCS just closed the first easement for
the Grasslands Reserve Program.
- He said that he and other NRCS representatives at the meeting would
be taking information on legacy sediments back with them and will
work to make sure that they are doing everything they can to appropriately
address the issue.
- NRCS has several energy initiatives this year, including a recently
released energy calculator on their website, which compares how much
changes practices can reduce costs to farmers.
- Craig thanked everyone in attendance and said that he enjoyed his
time at the meeting.
Victor Cappucci welcomed Craig to the conservation partnership.
PACD Auxiliary Report - Sharon Sweitzer, President, PACD Auxiliary
Sharon Sweitzer, PACD Auxiliary President, presented the following report:
- The Auxiliary met on Monday, July 24, 2006 and completed the following
business:
- Identified volunteers to help with checking name badges and
to help work the Silent Auction.
- Discussed how to attract new membership, as membership numbers
are low.
- Discussed projects to raise money for the Auxiliary scholarship
fund. These ideas will be presented to the PACD membership during
the PACD Winter Meeting in January.
- Elected Sandy Dehoff as Auxiliary Treasurer and Linda Thomas
as Auxiliary Secretary
- In July Sharon helped to select five winning posters to be entered
into the NACD poster contest. The Auxiliary awarded $25 to each of
the five winners.
- Sharon reported that the Auxiliary was very pleased that Auxiliary
Scholarship winner Ryan Clark was able to accept his scholarship in
person at the PACD Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, July 26.
- She also note that Pennsylvania will be included in the NACD quilt
project during the NACD Annual Meeting in California.
- Sharon concluded her report by thanking Molly Burns and Brenda Shambaugh
with PACD for helping with the breakfast. She also thanked Pennsylvania's
districts for providing information on those who were remembered during
the recent Memorial Breakfast and thanked all the states who responded
to make the service complete.
Pennsylvania Envirothon Winner
Victor Cappucci congratulated Delaware County for taking first place
in the Pennsylvania Envirothon.
NACD National Meeting
Pat Sueck announced that the NACD Annual Meeting will be held February
3-8, 2006 at the Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles, California.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11:42 a.m.
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