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News & Notes September 2006

Senator Wonderling Presents Legislation to Benefit Conservation Districts

PACD representatives joined Senator Robert Wonderling (R-Bucks) on August 10 at the Lehigh County Conservation District office to endorse draft legislation recodifying Act 217, the law creating Pennsylvania's conservation districts. Since it was first enacted in 1945, several revisions have maintained the focus and significance of the Act. Amendments were last made in 1995.

Senator Wonderling discusses draft legislation recodifying Act 217, the law creating Pennsylvania's conservation districts.

Recently, Senator Wonderling and the PACD have realized the need to again update Act 217, matching the growing responsibilities of conservation districts with the implementing law. This bill includes the following changes sought by PACD:

Ensuring sufficient staff at the State Conservation Commission (SCC) level. The legislation includes changing the SCC to an interdepartmental office to allow for additional Commission staff. Also, the bill adds the Secretary of Community and Economic Development and the Secretary of Conservation and Natural Resources as voting members of the SCC. The PACD president would become a non-voting member of the Commission.
Providing training for district directors, conservation district staff, and appropriate county employees.
Updating the process for local conservation district board members to be appointed. The composition of the board will be defined by the county governing body and approved by SCC.
Addressing the per diems and payments to SCC members and conservation district board members
Allowing for Philadelphia County to create a conservation district

After Senator Wonderling announced these changes, PACD President Victor Cappucci said, "It is an honor to stand here today with Senator Wonderling and support his proposed legislation allowing conservation districts to make even greater strides toward conservation stewardship. I would like to publicly thank Senator Wonderling for his leadership and willingness to make the Conservation District Law a legislative priority."

What is the next step for this draft legislation? Senator Wonderling is currently working to obtain co-sponsors for the legislation. After that a bill number will need to be assigned then the bill will be given to a committee after the Senate's return in September. PACD will continue to keep conservation districts informed on the legislation's progress.

PACD Promoting State Appropriation Request

PACD's appropriation request for conservation districts for fiscal year 2007-08 was approved by the PACD Executive Council in July. PACD staff is meeting with Secretary of Agriculture Dennis Wolff and Secretary of Environmental Protection Kathleen McGinty to explain the importance of this budget request.

Conservation district directors and staff can support this funding request by sending letters emphasizing the need for these funds in their county to Governor Edward Rendell, 225 Main Capitol Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120.

The appropriation request can be viewed on the PACD website at http://www.pacd.org/about/state%20funding%20requests/2007-08.htm.

PACD Policy Handbook Available Online

The PACD Policy Handbook was approved with revisions at the July meeting of the PACD Executive Council. The final version of the Handbook is available on the PACD website at http://www.pacd.org/about/policies.htm. Please note this document will not be mailed to the conservation districts since it is available in its entirety online.

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