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News & Notes April 2003

PACD Legislative Conference, Advocating for PA's Districts

District Directors, managers and various state agency representatives from across the state gathered at the Holiday Inn in Grantville, PA, March 10-12, 2003 for the PACD Legislative Conference. Thirty-seven County Conservation Districts were represented at this year's conference. Meetings with state legislators were held, current issues were discussed, Bruce Holbrook was honored and the Executive Council meeting was held.

The first day of the conference included legislative training and talking points for the Capitol visits and PACD Issues Forum (see highlights).

A presentation was given by Eric Robertson, PACD Conservation Engineer in the Somerset office, on the PACD Technical Assistance Grants (TAG) program. The program is funded through Growing Greener and NRCS provides office space, technical assistance, services and supplies. "It is a true partnership," said PACD President Ron Rohall. For more information click on: www.pacd.org/products/
tech_asst.htm.

Also during the conference, a banquet to honor DEP's Bruce Holbrook in his retirement was held. Bruce and his family listened to the speakers who all expressed gratitude in knowing Bruce both personally and professionally. While some "roasting" occurred-specifically concerning Bruce's illegible handwriting and his early tries at hunting, the overall sentiment can be summed up with Don Robinson's words, "the districts thank you for all you've done, you will be missed."

After accepting a giant card signed by conference attendees, Bruce said, "my decision to retire was not an easy one for me. I have enjoyed working with you people tremendously. Keep up the good work."

On the second day, as part of the Capitol Day visits, attendees were invited to see the new PACD building. Several folks stopped by for coffee, cookies and a guided tour of the building where they enjoyed the beautiful view of the Susquehanna River. Then the SCC meeting was held in the afternoon.

On the last day, the PACD Executive Council met. Highlights of the meeting were:

  • President Ron Rohall reported that the PACD strategic plan will be revisited.
  • NACD Director, Pat Sueck, reported that next year's NACD conference will be in Hawaii. PACD will look into a package deal for the districts to go.

  • Those districts who paid full dues were awarded a certificate.

  • Joanne Nardone of DEP spoke about the "Teaming for Tomorrow" regional training. The feedback from participants was positive. Joanne will be sending a follow-up mailing in the near future.

  • SCC Executive Director, Karl Brown, announced that the SCC
    Annual Report is available. He also mentioned the upcoming dirt and gravel road training in State College, June 2-4, 2003.

  • Robin Heard, NRCS State Conservationist, gave a report.

  • PACD Auxiliary President Sarah Long encouraged attendees to bring a guest along to July's Joint Annual Conference in Altoona to participate in auxiliary activities.

This was the last legislative conference at the Holiday Inn in Grantville. Next year's conference will be held in Downtown Harrisburg at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. This will be more convenient for attendees since the hotel is within walking distance of the Capitol. It will also be within walking distance of the new PACD headquarters building.

The PACD Issues Forum Highlights:

Web-based Training - Foster Deodato and Michael Shoff, DEP
DEP is setting up an online university. They would like Conservation Districts to allow DEP to set up a laptop in their offices for anyone in the county to come and take the training on that machine. DEP would pay for the computer, cable, set-up, software, etc.

PennDOT Phase III E&S Program Update - Mark Burkhead, PennDOT; Rick Shannon, McCormick, Taylor & Associates
PennDOT is beginning Phase III of their E&S project which includes creating an erosion and sediment manual for designs to implement plans.

Introduction to PA Environmental Council - Tim Schaeffer, PEC
This organization is a partner in the PEACCE (Pennsylvania Environmental Agricultural Conservation Certificate of Excellence) Program. An informational overview of the organization was provided to familiarize attendants with this partner.

Update on PEACCE Program - Robb Meinen, Penn State University
This program provides recognition to farmers who go above and beyond to protect natural resources. PA Environmental Council, Penn State University and PACD are planning to create a nonprofit, 510(c)3 organization for the PEACCE Program in the next six months.

"We are working on the incorporation now to administer this program and provide this recognition to farmers. It is a new partnership to move this program forward. It's a first of it's kind in the nation. We're excited to see what will come out of it to give farmers recognition to go beyond what they need to do to protect the environment," said Susan Fox.

Update on CAFO Regulations - Hank Zygmunt, EPA; Bob Gibson, DEP
The concentrated animal feeding operations regulations were revised to address water quality problems. The twenty-five year old regulations were updated. They are also addressing the need to improve CAFO program implementation.

Update on Issues - Robin Heard, NRCS
CREP expansion to twenty-three counties in the Chesapeake Bay watershed has been approved. The program will continue until 2007. Robin also introduced TechReg, a national certification process. To be registered, you cannot be an employee of a federal, state or local agency.

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