News & Notes October 2001

Fall PACD Region Meetings Highlight Statewide Conservation Programs, PACD Engineering Assistance

The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc., has recently completed seven statewide region meetings, held throughout September and October. During these sessions conservation district directors and staff were provided an update on statewide conservation program activities.

Representatives of the PACD, State Conservation Commission (SCC) and Pennsylvania Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) were in attendance at each of the meetings to report on developments in their respected organizations. The meetings also provided an opportunity for conservation district personnel to network with other districts, as well as with state officials.

PACD Executive Director Susan Fox provided an update on PACD business, including the Association’s new Engineering Assistance Program. The presentation highlighted the procedure for applying for engineering assistance and the partnership between PACD and NRCS.

In addition, the region meetings featured:

• A presentation on the Pennsylvania Environmental Agricultural Conservation Certification of Excellence (PEACCE), provided by Amy Van Blarcom, of PennAg Industries. PEACCE is a three-county pilot program that promotes environmentally safe agricultural practices among livestock and poultry produces and provides recognition to producers who exceed standards established by PEACCE.
• A discussion centered on strategies for conducting a more efficient conservation district board meeting and the importance of strategic planning, facilitated by DEP Field Representatives Karl Dymond and Jay Braund.
• A Leadership Development Committee presentation, highlighting the draft publication of, “Operational BMPs for Pennsylvania’s Conservation Districts.” The document is a summary of the findings of the Leadership Development Committee through its “Team Visits” project, conducted during fiscal years 1999-2000 and 2000-2001.
• Election of PACD Region Directors were held at each region, with the exception of the Southcentral and Northcentral regions, where the elections were postponed until winter 2002. Robert Robinson (Wyoming County) was elected as the new Northeast PACD Region Director.
• A presentation by George Wolf during the Southcentral Region Meeting, which addressed Water Resources legislation.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA), in cooperation with several other co-sponsoring organizations and agencies, will present a Nutrient Management and Sediment Control Innovative Technology Forum Feb. 12 to 14, 2002, at the Holiday Inn in Grantville, Dauphin County.

The forum will help municipal and agricultural interests take advantage of new and innovative approaches to controlling discharges of nutrients and sediment to Pennsylvania streams and rivers, and also to the Chesapeake Bay.

The forum will provide an opportunity for technology users to interact with providers and to see and hear real life examples of how existing and new technology can help address these challenges.

The general goals of the forum will be to focus on practical, cost-effective solutions to nutrient and sediment control problems; to educate and build trust among those involved in implementing those solutions; to create partnerships and ongoing relationships in addressing areas of mutual interest; and to help break down real or perceived barriers to using new and innovative technology. Stay tuned for more information and registration details.

For more information, contact Peter Slack at 717-787-3481 or e-mail: pslack@state.pa.us.

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