News Release

November 30, 2006	Contact: Brenda Shambaugh
For Immediate Release	(717) 238-7223 x19

PACD Pleased with Two Year Legislative Session

The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) is pleased with the actions of the Pennsylvania General Assembly during the recently ended two year legislative session which concluded on November 30, 2006. In this two year session, a number of bills became law and events were held assisting conservation districts in accomplishing their mission of working with citizens, businesses, industry, and governments to ensure a stable natural resource base.

Of notable importance was the passage of legislation creating a non-lapsing fund within the State Conservation Commission to streamline district allocations and reduce administrative costs. As a result the sixty-six local districts were able to spend more time and money helping their community and less time filling out forms and other paperwork. This fund also allows for future changes and provides for the utilization of any dedicated financial support that may become available. Conservation districts may be the most efficient and locally acceptable means of managing state programs, but the administrative burdens created by uncertain and/or complicated funding sources can hinder progress.

PACD is also pleased that the PA General Assembly allocated additional funding for district programs over the last two years. Added state funding is allowing the local districts to implement and expand programs affecting PA citizens such as watershed protection and other environmental programs to better serve our Commonwealth's residents. Additionally, the Senate Agriculture Committee held a hearing on conservation district programs and funding to prepare for future appropriation allocations.

The PA General Assembly also passed legislation allowing voters to decide on support of a $625 million bond issue for the maintenance and protection of the environment, open space and farmland preservation, watershed protection, abandoned mine reclamation, acid mine drainage remediation, and other environmental initiatives. This bond initiative provided the much needed infusion of conservation dollars in Pennsylvania.

The General Assembly passed a resolution asking for a Legislative Budget and Finance Committee report on conservation districts, including a review of how districts are funded and managed. The Committee's in-depth report confirmed what conservation districts have been saying for years…that Pennsylvania's conservation districts are under-funded.

PACD also notes that the PA General Assembly held a joint hearing on the Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy giving districts an opportunity to clarify the strategy for the public and respond to concerns. The strategy, designed to improve the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and its tributaries, is primarily focused on reducing nutrient and sediment loading into the watershed.

Victor Cappucci, PACD President stated, "We believe that Pennsylvania's elected leaders have a clear understanding of district operations and programs, and the need for additional state funding to meet district goals. PA citizens count on the services we provide to our community. Hopefully conservation districts will be granted the additional funding needed to continue their mission of working with communities to protect our county's natural resources."

PACD, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization representing Pennsylvania's sixty-six conservation districts. For more information on the PACD visit www.pacd.org.

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