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Conservation Districts in the News
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| Upcoming Events |
PACD/SCC Winter Meeting
January 28-29, 2014
Ramada Conference Center, State College, PA
Intro to Conservation Planning
March 4-6, 2014
Holiday Inn Harrisburg-Hershey, Grantville, PA
Chesapeake Bay Program Conservation District and PA Agency Staff Meeting
March 10
(snow date March 13)
Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA
PACD South Central Region Meeting
March 12, 2014
Cumberland County Conservation District, Carlisle, PA
Agricultural Conservation Technical Training - Basic Level
March 31-April 4, 2014
Ft. Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA (Lebanon County)
PACD North Central Region Meeting
April 2, 2014
Clinton County Conservation District, Mill Hall, PA
PACD South East Region Meeting
April 3, 2014
Location: TBA
PACD North East Region Meeting
April 4, 2014
DEP Northeast Regional Office, Wilkes-Barre, PA
PACD North West Region Meeting
April 10, 2014
Forest County Conservation District, Tionesta, PA
PACD South West Region Meeting
April 11, 2014
Westmoreland Conservation District, Greensburg, PA
Agricultural Conservation Technical Training - Level II
April 28-May 2, 2014
Ft. Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA (Lebanon County)
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Growing Greener Grants Totaling over $5.1 million Awarded to 23 Conservation Districts
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 Governor Tom Corbett announced that the Department of Environmental Protection will invest more than $20.65 million in watershed protection projects to improve watersheds, reduce stormwater runoff and acid mine drainage (AMD), and support educational programs, among other environmental efforts. This year, the Growing Greener program, funded by the Environmental Stewardship Fund, will award $15,120,608 for 97 projects around the state.
"Thank you Governor Corbett and Secretary Abruzzo for your investment in the environment," said Robert Maiden, PACD Executive Director. "Conservation district projects are receiving one-third of these funds, each project just another example of the work districts are doing to prevent pollution, improve water quality and create jobs in their local communities."
The following conservation districts were awarded $5.1 million in funding:
| Armstrong | Beaver | | Bradford | Bucks | | Chester | Clearfield | | Crawford | Fayette | | Fulton | Huntingdon | | Lancaster | Lehigh | | Luzerne | Mifflin | | Montour | Northumberland | | Potter | Schuylkill | | Susquehanna | Tioga | | Union | Venango | | Westmoreland |
To see the complete list of grant recipients, click here.
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Nominate a Farmer for the Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Farm Award
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 The Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Farm Award Program recognizes Pennsylvania farmers with operations within the Susquehanna and Potomac River Basins, whose exemplary farm management practices result in improved local and downstream water quality.
Nominations must be received at the PACD office no later than Feb. 28, 2014. Click here for more information.
The Clean Water Farm Award Program is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay Education Office (administered by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc.). Contact Shannon Wehinger with questions.
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Farmers, Developers Now Eligible to Apply Directly for PENNVEST Funding
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 As a result of legislative changes in 2013, private-for-profit entities (such as farmers and developers) and not-for-profit organizations are now able to directly apply for PENNVEST funding. Prior to this update, these groups would have had to work through their local conservation district, as only conservation districts and other government units were eligible to apply.
Taking advantage of this new opportunity was the Benuel Petersheim King Farm in Lancaster County. During PENNVEST's January board meeting, the farm was approved for a $327,147 grant to fund construction of a manure storage facility, animal trails, stream crossings and to make other improvements. This nonpoint source project will eliminate nutrient runoff into a tributary of the Little Beaver Creek, which flows into the Susquehanna River.
PENNVEST's Nonpoint Source Program is a source for low-interest loans and grants for qualifying Ag Best Management Practices (BMPs), Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD) and Urban Stormwater projects.
 | | This photo illustrates a discussion on the construction of a manure storage tank on a dairy farm. Photo courtesy of USDA NRCS. |
Another recent change to the eligibility requirements was the elimination of the Act 167 requirement. While projects will still need to comply with local stormwater management plans or ordinances, they will no longer need a county-wide Act 167 Plan included as a part of their nonpoint source application package. Projects that were previously disqualified from applying because of the previous stipulation are now eligible to apply.
For information about the PENNVEST program, contact Terry L. Fisher at terry-fisher@pacd.org or call 717-238-7223 x11.
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Delaware Conservation District Educates Municipal Officials on Stormwater Requirements
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 | | Photo provided by Delaware County Conservation District. |
Ed Magargee, District Manager at the Delaware County Conservation District (DCCD), co-led a session to help local municipalities navigate the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Permit (MS-4). The session was part of the "Small Scale Stormwater Plan" training held in Gradyville on Dec. 19, 2013. Due to high demand, a second event was added December 18 to accommodate more attendees.
Magargee, who also serves as the coordinator for the Delaware County MS-4 permit program, was asked to speak at the training. His session addressed regulatory updates including the simplified approach for smaller homeowner projects.
"This was truly a partnership effort to help municipalities in Delaware County comply with new regulations. I was pleased to participate in this effort which furthers DCCD's mission of ensuring the wise use of Delaware County's natural resources and to protect and restore the natural environment through the conservation of its soil, water, and related resources," said Magargee.
Forty-eight municipal employees from Chester and Delaware Counties attended. The training was a joint effort with the Chester Ridley Crum Watershed Association and the Delaware County Consortium of Governments.
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NRCS Cultural Resources Training Set for April 16 - 17, 2014
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 | | Photo courtesy of USDA NRCS. |
The purpose of the Cultural Resources (Modules 7 & 8) Training is to increase awareness and knowledge of Section 106 of the National Historic Act of 1966, as amended, NRCS's Cultural Resources Policy, and NRCS-Pennsylvania's Cultural Resources Review Worksheet.
Completion of this training is a requirement for certification under the NRCS Conservation Planning Certification Training Program. The training may also be needed by others whose job duties include planning, conducting excavation activities, or other activities that may result in changes to the landscape.
There is no charge to attend the training, however, a registration form must be submitted by March 3, 2014. Click here for the registration form and here for the training flyer.
Questions about the training session should be directed to John Metrick, NRCS Cultural Resources Coordinator, Harrisburg, PA john.metrick@pa.usda.gov, 717-237-2214.
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Natural Resources Conservation Service Migrating to CUSTOMER SERVICE TOOLKIT 7
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 NRCS, Conservation Districts, TSPs, and other partner users of Customer Service Toolkit should expect a new version of the software starting February 4th. From January 29 through February 3, Customer Service Toolkit will be shutdown. Customer folders must all be checked into the system by the end of the business day on January 28th or work will be lost and will not be retrievable when CST 7 comes online February 4th.
Click here to read the entire announcement.
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