News Release

Senator Wonderling Introduces Legislation to Benefit Conservation Districts

(Allentown, PA) - The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) joined Senator Robert Wonderling (R-Bucks) today to endorse draft legislation recodifying Act 217, the law creating Pennsylvania's conservation districts. Act 217, first enacted in 1945, was created to enhance conservation of Pennsylvania's natural resources. Since 1945 several revisions have maintained the focus and significance of the Act.

Since 1945 numerous environmental changes have occurred throughout the Commonwealth. During the last sixty years the conservation district role in local communities has evolved as well. Many natural resource programs have changed, others have been created, and still more have been expanded to meet our citizen's growing needs. Throughout the last half century, however, one constant has been the presence of conservation districts and their willingness to assist local communities and citizens with their environmental concerns.

Today, conservation districts are such an integral part of the local natural resource protection agenda that 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. Victor Cappucci, President of PACD, stated "This bill includes changes sought by PACD such as ensuring sufficient staff at the State Conservation Commission level, providing training and state assistance to conservation district staff, and updating the process for local conservation district board members to be appointed." He concluded, "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."

PACD, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization representing Pennsylvania's 66 conservation districts. For more information on the PACD visit www.pacd.org.

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