IV. LEGISLATIVE

A. State

1. PACD proposes amendments to Act 217 and will work with the PA General Assembly with the guidance of our Position Paper "Conservation District Law" to preserve and strengthen the conservation district system. The goal is to streamline the processes that conservation districts use to develop and administer local, state, and federal programs. PACD recommends enhancing the necessary structure of the SCC to include consistent leadership, expanded membership, and a more formal assignment of necessary staff from the associated state departments. Finally, PACD supports a special non-lapsing fund for conservation district support. This fund should allow for future changes in funding and programs and provide a framework for utilization of any dedicated funding should that become available. (2006)

2. PACD supports an increase in the threshold of the prevailing wage law. Following each twelve month period thereafter, the estimated cost threshold shall be increased by an annual cost adjustment calculated by applying the percentage change in the consumer price index. Because of the limited amount of funding available for conservation projects, this increase will allow conservation districts to work more effectively with the
agricultural and conservation community. (2008)

3. 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 and land users 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. (2006)

4. PACD supports legislation to exempt landowners from liability if they invite individuals onto their land for recreational purposes. (2007)

B. Federal

• PACD supports the "Resolution Urging the Reauthorization of Collection of Fees to the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Fund" provided in Appendix B. (2006)