PACD Front Page 12.03.12

With the assistance of Impact Fee (Act 13) funds, districts are beginning to fill and create positions that will aid them with their everyday, on-the-ground conservation efforts.

In Elk County, District Manager Steve Putt, said "Without the Act 13-Impact Fee money, we could not have fully funded the Resource Conservation Technician position in the district. By adding this new position to the district, we will greatly improve our ability to complete projects and tasks more timely, support more individuals in need of technical assistance and better serve our overall community."

Read more here.

Reminder: 2013 Farm Show about a Month Away

The 2013 Pennsylvania Farm Show will run January 5-12, 2013 at the Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg.

Please send your informational materials such as brochures, fliers and cards to Brandi Hunter-Davenport by Dec. 15, 2012 so that your district's information can be placed on display during the week-long event.

There are also a few volunteer slots still available:

Saturday, January 5

8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. [two volunteers needed]
12:30 - 5 p.m. [two volunteers needed]

Sunday, January 6

8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. [two volunteers needed]
12:30 - 5 p.m. [two volunteers needed]

Monday, January 7

12:30 - 5 p.m. [one volunteer needed]

Tuesday, January 8

12:30 - 5 p.m. [two volunteers needed]

Wednesday, January 9

8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. [one volunteer needed]
12:30-5 p.m. [two volunteers needed]

Friday, January 11

12:30 - 5 p.m. [two volunteers needed]

If interested in volunteering, please contact Brandi at brandi-davenport@pacd.org. The yearly exhibition receives more than 400,000 visitors. For more information about the 97th Annual Farm Show, visit www.farmshow.state.pa.us.

NACD Urban and Community Conservation Webinar Set for December 20

The next NACD Urban and Community Conservation webinar is scheduled for 11 a.m. (EST) on Thursday, December 20.

This webinar will be a continuation of the NPDES Phase II Program discussion, focusing on four implementation requirements known as "minimum control measures." Rachel Herbert, of the U.S. EPA Office of Water Stormwater Team, will speak in more detail about these measures. Eric Kurtz, Stormwater Coordinator for the Elkhart County Soil and Water Conservation District in Indiana, will share about his district's active role in the construction runoff control measures, why other districts should consider similar roles, and how to make the case to the MS4 entities and others.

Held on the third Thursday of each month, these one-hour webinars cover various topics, with the discussions led by both district and non-district representatives. This webinar series is sponsored by the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company.

While there is no cost to participate, space is limited to 100 registrants on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, contact Debra Bogar at deb-bogar@nacdnet.org. Information on how to access the webinar will be sent by email.

Webinar to Cover Proposed Changes to Farm Bill Conservation Programs

Proposed changes to federal agricultural conservation programs being considered as part of the ongoing Farm Bill debate will be the focus of a web-based seminar at noon on Wednesday, December 5.

This webinar is appropriate for anyone interested in how changes to Farm Bill conservation programs might affect farmer willingness to participate. There is no charge to participate. The webinar can be viewed at http://connect.msu.edu/nardep. More details are available here.

USDA-NRCS News

NRCS Conservation Programs and the Farm Bill Update

Applications Due December 21 for Second Application Ranking

With no projections on when a new Farm Bill will be finalized, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is moving forward with farmers and landowners to complete contracts obligated in prior years, and to work with new applicants for conservation programs whose authorizations have not expired. Conservation programs accepting new applications include Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP), and Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP). WHIP funding is being targeted to the Bog Turtle and Golden-Winged Warbler in a continuation of the 2012 Working Lands for Wildlife. For 2013 funding consideration, Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) is currently being targeted to Adams and York counties because of anticipated limited funds.

All applications that were received by October 19 will be included in the first application evaluation and ranking cycle. December 21 is the due date to submit applications to be considered in the second application ranking cycle.

DEP to Revise Permit Review Public Participation Policy

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) notified the Citizens Advisory Council Tuesday that it is in the process of updating the agency's public participation policy on permit reviews.

DEP's permit review public participation policy guides when and how the public is involved in decision-making in the agency on individual permit applications. It was last updated in 2005. The policy addresses how and when public comment periods are held, when public information meetings and hearings are encouraged, how access to permit files is managed and requires the agency to respond to public comments.

The Council, as the primary body in DEP charged by statute to oversee public participation issues in the department, strongly requested DEP to make the Council its first stop for input in developing the new policy before it is published for public comment. DEP said they hope to have the new policy ready for comment by the end of the year. Click here to view the 2005 version of the policy.