News & Notes August 2000

Conservationists from Near and Far Assemble for
PACD Summer Meeting

The PACD summer meeting, held in Monroeville, during the week of July 25, was attended by hundreds of conservation leaders from across Pennsylvania. Included in this group were many familiar faces, such as long-time friends of conservation Dick VanNoy and Lynn Hoffman, who were inducted into the Conservation Hall of Fame.

Also in attendance for a portion of the meeting were a group of visitors who came all the way from Eastern Europe to observe conservation practices in Pennsylvania.

On the closing day of activites, the PACD Executive Council passed two important actions, approving the PACD budget for 2000-2001 and a new dues structure for the conservation districts.

Another featured event was a special general session, conducted between conservation district staff and DEP Region Directors.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for districts to sharpen their financial management skills, via the Leadership Development Program's training on Financial Planning and Internal Control for Conservation Districts.

The Eastern European group in attendance, who observed several of the PACD committee meetings, hail from Donetsk, Ukraine, and were visiting Pittsburgh as part of the Sister City Program. The group included environmental scientists, teachers and university officials, who share an interest in environmental education.

The purpose of their visit to Pennsylvania was to study environmental practices, and to learn more about the structure of the state's environmental organizations. An interpreter for the group explained that the city of Donetsk is facing pollution problems similar to those suffered in Pittsburgh during the 1960s and 1970s and that their region is geographically similar to Pennsylvania.

During their stay they toured a variety of sites in Pittsburgh, and visited with staff from the Westmoreland County Conservation District.

Meanwhile, many of the attendants at the meeting took advantage of an opportunity to take in a Pittsburgh Pirates game and unwind from the hectic meeting schedule.

While most meeting-goers found some time to unwind, the four days of the PACD meeting proved to be extremely full and productive. The PACD Committees each conducted sessions (see page 2), the Executive Council Meeting was held, and the two special sessions: the financial training workshop (see page 3), and the forum discussion between the DEP Region Directors and conservation districts.

During the General Session between the DEP Region Directors and the districts, each of the two groups shared their expectations of one another. Results of this session are listed below.

DEP Expectations:
1. Achieving environmental results
2. Timeliness of response and actions taken on complaints
3. Comprehensive record keeping
4. a) Routine communications with central office program staff and DEP Field Representatives b) Participation in DEP roundtables
5. When a case is referred for action, there is a documented chronology of actions taken, with detailed information
6. Conservation districts should identify training needs that DEP should provide
7. Conservation districts need to participate in DEP regional watershed teams

Conservation District Expectations:
1. Good communications: Communication between central office and regions must be strengthened, and regional offices should improve their understanding of the districts
2. Consistency between regions: Consistency from the central office and between the regions will filter down to strengthen the districts
3. Enforcement support: Districts believe enforcement begins after all efforts to obtain voluntary compliance have been exhausted. Enforcement must be swift, fair and consistent
4. Supportive, knowledgeable field reps: Improved communication, training and definition of roles is vital to effectiveness of field reps
5. Respect and mutual understanding of our organizations: This includes recognizing the methods of operation for each entity within the partnership and exercising professional courtesy at all times
6. Efficient complaint handling: Districts expect to be kept informed about the progress of complaints
7. Clearly defined succession of the chain of command: This will make it easier for districts to know who is the proper person to contact
8. Adequate legal support: Support has been excellent, but improved communication will help to maintain consistency
9. Opportunity to help resolve policy conflict: Inter-region and central office policies must be consistent with each other for districts to have a clear understanding
10. Be supportive to the delegation of local decision making: Be supportive and consider their judgment when reviewing the district.