News & Notes October 2005

PACD Testifies at Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy Hearing

Susan Marquart, PACD Executive Director, testified before the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee at a joint hearing on September 20, 2005.

The hearing served as an opportunity to clarify the strategy for the public and to respond to concerns about the Department of Environmental Protection's Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy. 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.

In addition to PACD, the following organizations provided testimony:

• DEP
  
• PA Farm Bureau
  
• PennAg Industries Association
  
• The Ag Coalition
  
• PA Municipal Authorities Association
  
• Chesapeake Bay Foundation
  
• PA Delegation to the Chesapeake Bay Commission
  
• PA Builders Association

At the conclusion of the testimonies, Senator Waugh stated that the next step is unclear but they are taking the testimony into consideration. A similar hearing was held September 21 at the House of Representatives, although PACD did not participate in that hearing. PACD's testimony from the Senate hearing is available at http://www.pacd.org/districts/Trib-strategy.htm.

New PACD Committees Begin to Take Shape

In early September, the PACD Executive Board appointed six PACD members to chair PACD's six new committees. The next step in forming the committees will take place at the fall region meetings where districts will make nominations for committee membership. District directors, associate directors, and staff are all eligible for nomination. In November, the Executive Board will select members from the nominations they receive. The first committee meetings will take place at the PACD meeting in January 2006.

OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
Chair: Irvil Kear, Schuylkill CD, and PACD 2nd Vice President
Irvil is a native of Schuylkill County, though she has lived all over the country. She earned her bachelors degree from Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA, her Masters degree from the University of Maine, and moved to Idaho to complete her Doctorate. In Idaho, she worked as the Funding Project Director for the Idaho Association of Conservation Districts. Irvil has served on Conservation District Boards in both Oregon and Massachusetts, and served on the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Districts as Vice President and then President. She is currently Chairperson of the Pocono Northeast RC&D Council, a member of the Delaware River Water Resources Committee, and an officer of the Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation. Irvil also has an interest in NACD's District Operations Committee dating back to the early 1990's. She believes local districts play an important role in conservation, and having effective operations at the local level was essential in that role.

EDUCATION AND OUTREACH COMMITTEE
Chair: Heather Knupsky, Fayette CD
Heather has been the Environmental Education Coordinator at Fayette County Conservation District for five years. Heather completed her bachelor's degree in Environmental Science at California University of Pennsylvania. As Environmental Education Coordinator, she presents environmental programs for schools and other groups, organizes the Envirothon, maintains the district website and designs the newsletter. Heather also helps to organize an annual Children's Water Festival. She lives in Uniontown, PA with her husband John and their three year old daughter Paityn.

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
Chair: Larry Kehl, Berks CD, and PACD 1st Vice President
Larry has been involved with the Berks County Conservation District for fifteen years. Currently, Larry serves as chairman of the district board and PACD's 1st Vice President. In addition to these positions, Larry was appointed to chair the PACD Bylaws Committee. He also volunteers on the Reading Fair Board. When not volunteering, Larry raises beef cattle on his farm in Fleetwood, PA.

CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
Chair: Robert Ritchey, Cambria CD
Bob retired from the Department of Defense as the Director of Ammunitions Operations in 1988. He has been involved with the Cambria County Conservation District for six years and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board. Bob's other volunteer activities include PACD Central Region Director and Ohio Water Resources Committee member. Bob received PACD's 2003 Ann Rudd Saxman Conservation Award that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the conservation of Pennsylvania's natural resources. Bob resides in Cambria County with his wife. His three daughters live throughout the state.

WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE
Chair: Porter DuVall, Jefferson CD, and PACD Treasurer
Porter obtained a degree in metallurgical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and the Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University). He has been involved with districts since the 1960's. Porter joined the Jefferson County Conservation District Board ten years ago when he retired as a Conservation Officer for the State of Pennsylvania. Currently, he serves as Vice Chair at the district and as PACD North West Region Director. Porter has been the PACD Treasurer since 2001. Porter lives with his wife Kathy in Corsica, PA.

DISTRICT EMPLOYEES COMMITTEE
Chair: Don McNutt, Lancaster CD
Don grew-up on a dairy farm in Indiana County, earned a B.S. degree from Penn State in Agricultural Education. He taught Agricultural Science and Technology for 25 years at three high schools (Lower Dauphin, Dauphin Co., Cedar Crest, Lebanon Co. Conrad Weiser, Berks County) and also served as an advisor to FFA and Young Farmer Programs. Currently Don is the manager at Lancaster County Conservation District. He lives in Berks County with his wife. Don has three children (all Penn State graduates) and two grandchildren.

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