News Release

PACD Applauds Senate Passage of SB 1020

(Harrisburg, PA) - The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) applauds the PA Senate for its unanimous passage of SB 1020. This legislation updates the Conservation District Law, which is the Pennsylvania statute that created the State Conservation Commission (SCC) and provided the authority for county governing bodies to create conservation districts.

Pennsylvania's conservation districts administer a wide array of delegated and contracted state programs with a number of funding sources. SB 1020 was introduced by Senator Rob Wonderling to update and strengthen Act 217, the law creating conservation districts, and continue to meet the conservation needs of the Commonwealth. The bill increases the capacity of districts to deliver locally led conservation, further defining and strengthening the State Conservation Commission. This legislation has been endorsed by PACD, the Rendell Administration, and many legislative leaders in the House and Senate.

Key points of the legislation include:

• Adding the President of PACD, the Secretary of Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the Secretary of Department of Community and Economic Development as associate, non-voting members of the SCC.
  
• Providing the farmer and public members of the Commission with a $150 per diem which will be adjusted every four years for inflation, plus reimbursement for expenses incurred as a result of their SCC duties. Additionally, the bill allows per diem payments to county directors if funding is available.
  
• Establishing a procedure for those members of the SCC and local directors who do not, or cannot perform their responsibilities.
  
• Offering appropriate training assistance and certification for directors, staff, and volunteers of the conservation districts.
  
• Requiring SCC approval of delegation and contracting for certain functions and powers of the districts, and to monitor district activities.
  
• Allowing the Commission to administer grant and loan programs for landowners to implement non-point source best management practices on their properties.
  
• Allowing the Commission to waive the requirement for two farmer members in first, second, and second class-A counties.
  
• Reducing the requirement to at least one eligible nominee for each director to be appointed.
  
• Allowing the county government body to require that directors of the conservation district be residents of the county.
  
• Requiring the county governing body to provide names and contact information of directors to the SCC.
  
• Delineating a list of activities conservation districts can engage in including any natural resource program approved by the Commission.
  
• Allowing districts to contract with state and local agencies for payment for services rendered.
  
• Allowing conservation districts to accept contributions from federal, state, and local government entities.
  
• Allowing any other state agency to delegate one or more of its regulator and enforcement functions to conservation districts.
  

Susan Marquart, PACD Executive Director stated, "We are thrilled with the Senate passage of SB 1020. The unanimous Senate vote confirms the bi-partisan effort and importance of this legislation to strengthen the Conservation District Law."

Larry Kehl, PACD President agreed. "We would like to thank the entire PA Senate for their support of SB 1020 and we are looking forward to working with PA House members for swift action on the legislation."

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