News Release

Policy Decisions Adopted at Annual Meeting

(State College, PA) - Almost 350 conservationists from 11 states converged on July 24-27, 2006 to attend the 2006 National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Northeast Region meeting and the 59th Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD)/ State Conservation Commission (SCC) Joint Annual Conference in State College Pennsylvania.

At the conference entitled "Conservation - Keystone for Our Future" both the NACD Northeast Region and the PACD held their annual business meetings. Pat Sueck, chair of the Northeast Region, stated, "A report fostered from surveys held in the NE Districts was presented. The region's report, including 5 position statements, was adopted including a resolution stating that urban conservation should be classified as a Tier 1 priority." Elections were held re-electing Pat Sueck from Pennsylvania as Chair of the NACD NE Region and Steve Hobart of Maine as Vice Chair. "I'm thrilled to again represent Pennsylvania as chair of the NE region," Sueck stated.

At the PACD annual meeting several policy decisions were adopted. One policy position pertaining to sound conservation practices, focused on the need for significant funding increases in the 2007 Farm Bill for the Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS) and conservation districts to assist landowners and land users with technical assistance. Another new PACD policy opposes any mandatory match requirement for Growing Greener Grants that may prohibit a significant number of organizations from participation. PACD members also voted to endorse a PA Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Tax Credit Program which provides state tax credits to offset some or most of the costs of a number of environmental improvements. PACD will also support a legislative package entitled "The Second Phase of the Farmers First Agenda aimed at support for vocational agriculture education, centers for agricultural excellence and education, school nutrition programs, and funding for an agricultural consumptive water use project." Finally, PACD acknowledged the impact of legacy sediment on water quality in the Commonwealth and supported adequate funding to address legacy sediment removal and the restoration of streams.

Conference participants had the opportunity to attend a number of tours and workshops on various topics including legacy sediment which is sediment collected in stream beds over hundreds of years, environmentally sound maintenance of dirt and gravel roads, nutrient management, stormwater management, air quality/odors, and acid rock drainage.

Victor Cappucci, President of PACD stated, "It was a real honor to participate in the 2006 NACD Northeast Region meeting and the 59th PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference. Folks from the northeast region converged to further educate themselves on conservation issues, share ideas and solutions, and create sound conservation policies."

Susan Marquart, Executive Director concurred, "The information discussed and the field trips taken allowed our organization to create sound policy statement." Brenda Shambaugh, Government Relations/Policy specialist concluded, "The policy items our delegates passed will be forwarded to our elected leaders in Harrisburg and Washington DC so they understand the thoughts and concerns of conservation districts in Pennsylvania and the entire northeast."

The following PACD officers were re-elected for another term:

Victor Cappucci - President
Larry Kehl - 1st Vice-President
Irvil Kear - 2nd Vice-President
George Hildenbrandt - Secretary
Porter Duvall - Treasurer
Pat Sueck - NACD Director

PACD, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization representing Pennsylvania's 66 conservation districts. For more information on the PACD visit www.pacd.org.

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