News & Notes March 2004

CONSERVATION DISTRICTS DESERVE INCREASED FUNDING FROM GOVERNOR'S 2004-05 BUDGET

State support has been and continues to be the foundation of Pennsylvania's strong conservation district movement. The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) is very concerned that there has been no increase in the level of funding for conservation districts in the Commonwealth's budget for the past five years and that there is a lack of funding for certain programs (Chapter 105). The costs of administering programs has been steadily increasing and county government has had to increase their level of support to maintain programs. Inadequate state funding could put at risk the very foundation for the local conservation and environmental problem solving efforts and could make the wisdom of administering programs on behalf of the State highly questionable.

The PACD priorities for funding conservation districts are outlined below. PACD asks legislators to support:

• increased funding for the conservation district line item in the budget of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP);
• increased funding for the conservation district line item in the budget of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA);
• an increased allocation to the Nutrient Management Fund; and
• increased funding for the Dirt and Gravel Roads Program.

The Administrative Assistance Grant helps defray documented district administrative expenses that are required by the Conservation District Law or the State Conservation Commission. It is important that the State assume a major portion of these expenses since these expenses are required by state law or state government.

The US Environmental Protection Agency's new NPDES Phase II storm water regulations that reduced the permit requirement for construction activities to one acre became effective on December 8, 2002. A PACD survey of conservation districts indicated that approximately 40 additional resource conservationists are needed to meet the new requirements. It is extremely important that a minimum of 50% state funding be available for this additional staff so that obligations for funding from the county or fees on applicants can be minimized.

Many districts believe that it is in the best interests of the residents of their county for the district to administer resource management programs in their county, rather than state agencies. They have accepted delegated authorities to administer these programs on behalf of the state, however, one major void remains. There is currently no reimbursement of the overhead costs associated with this line item such as automotive expenses, telephone, office rent, utilities, clerical assistance, etc. It is requested that the state reimburse districts 20% of the value of the state's share of the salaries and benefits to cover a portion of the overhead associated with this line item.

As conservation district programs grow, the challenge and responsibility of developing, planning and managing an effective, locally led natural resource program increases dramatically. The long-term success of a conservation district and its programs is dependent on having competent, well-trained directors and staff. District directors must develop and hone the skills necessary to envision, develop and oversee an effective natural resource program designed to meet the needs of the local community. It is critical that both district managers and directors receive formal ongoing training and leadership development. PDA has supported this program and the PACD requests that DEP also provide funding to support this program.

Below is a summary of the requested DEP Funding for Conservation District Programs:

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