By Susan Fox Marquart, PA Association of Conservation Districts

In response to the devastating "dust bowl" days that gripped the country in the 1930s, the Pennsylvania General Assembly created the State Conservation Commission and county conservation districts to protect our natural resources, specifically soil and water, from destructive erosion.

Although those dust bowl days are over, our county conservation districts are busier than ever trying to manage land and water issues in the face of increased development and modern farming challenges.

But there is a greater strain on our conservation districts than their growing workloads - inadequate funding.

Recently, the state Legislative Budget and Finance Committee released a year-long study of Pennsylvania's 66 county conservation districts and determined that the state government wasn't meeting its fair share of the funding.

The legislative study noted that appropriation for the Conservation District Fund Allocation Program (CDFAP) is intended to cover 50 percent of certain personnel costs. However, the study determined that it covers less than 40 percent.

In the 2005-2006 budget recently signed by Gov. Rendell, the General Assembly approved $3.55 million in the DEP budget as its share for CDFAP - the same amount it had budgeted the previous year. However, the actual need for this program in 2005-2006 would be $5.3 million for DEP to meet its commitment to fund half the costs of the program.

The study also noted that DEP has stopped funding efforts of county conservation districts to assist applicants with permits under the Waterways and Encroachment Program. That left conservation districts with no alternative but to stop managing the program or pay for it themselves. The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts sought $825,000 for this program in the budget, but no money was appropriated.

The legislative study recommended one appropriation to the State Conservation Commission that would meet the state's 50 percent funding goal. Conservation districts would support that goal.

Conservation district officials plan to work with state lawmakers on other legislative recommendations designed to enhance the vital services of conservation districts and improve their stewardship of the environment.

After the study was released, state Sen. Robert Wonderling said in a press release, "In order to enhance the services of the conservation districts, the report recommends that we streamline and increase operating funds, better coordinate conservation efforts, provide uniform staff capabilities and establish fair review fees."

We support these recommendations and look forward to working with lawmakers and state government officials to implement them. We also urge the General Assembly to find the resources to properly fund conservation districts and support their efforts to protect our natural resources.

Susan Fox Marquart is Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, a non-profit organization that supports, enhances and promotes Pennsylvania Conservation Districts and their programs. You can contact her at: 717-238-7223 or by email to: susan-marquart@pacd.org .

7/29/2005