PACD President Victor Cappucci (R) presenting the Ann Rudd Saxman Conservation District Director Excellence Award to Malcolm Crooks.

The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts held their 59th annual meeting last week in State College honoring several members and partners with conservation awards and endorsed a series of position statements on the PA Resource Enhancement Tax Credit legislation, the federal Farm Bill and legacy sediments.

The PACD gathering was part of an 11 state meeting that attracted over 350 people. The State Conservation Commission also held its summer meeting at the same time.

The policy position statements adopted by PACD included:

· Endorsing the PA Resource Enhancement and Protection Tax Credit proposal (Senate Bill 1286 and House Bill 2878) that would give farmers and landowners tax credits for installing best management practices;

· Recommended additional funding for the Natural Resources and Conservation Service and conservation districts in the 2007 Farm Bill to assist landowners and land users with conservation practices;

· Opposed a mandatory matching requirement under the Growing Greener Program because it would prohibit a significant number of organizations from participating;

· PACD acknowledged the impact of legacy sediment on water quality in the Commonwealth and supported adequate funding to address legacy sediment removal and the restoration of streams; and

· Supported the Second Phase of the Farmers First Agenda for vocational agriculture education, centers for agricultural excellence and education, school nutrition programs, and funding for an agricultural consumptive water use project.

The Ann Rudd Saxman Conservation District Director Excellence Award was given this year to Malcolm Crooks, director at the Bucks County Conservation District. The Award is given to a conservation district director or associate director for his or her outstanding volunteer efforts that have furthered the activities and accomplishments of conservation districts on a statewide basis.

The Conservation District Employee Excellence Award was given to Dan Greig, manager of the Chester County Conservation District for his outstanding efforts furthering the activities and accomplishments of conservation districts on a statewide basis.

The PACD President’s Award, selected by PACD President Victor Cappucci, was presented to the Harrisburg office and technical center staff.

The Harrisburg Office includes Kathleen Banski, director of administration and education; Molly Burns, administrative assistant; Susan Marquart, executive director; Kim Mumper, education specialist; Brenda Shambaugh, government relations/policy specialist; Lisa Jo Suhr, office manager; and Shannon Wehinger, communication specialist.

PACD also employs six engineering staff in technical centers across the state. They include: Justin Griebel, conservation technician in the Clarion office; Eric Robertson, conservation engineer and Phillip Gardner, conservation technician in the Somerset office; John Coleman, conservation engineering specialist and Owen Hess, conservation technician in the Bloomsburg office; and Frank Harvatine, conservation technician in the Lebanon office.

The PACD President’s Award is given to an individual, organization, or agency for their outstanding efforts that have resulted in furthering the accomplishments of PACD.

Patricia Sueck, from York County, was re-elected as Chair of the National Association of Conservation Districts NE Region at the meeting and said “I’m thrilled to again represent Pennsylvania as chair of the NE region.”

Conference participants had the opportunity to attend a number of tours and workshops on various topics including legacy sediment which is sediment collected in stream beds over hundreds of years, environmentally sound maintenance of dirt and gravel roads, nutrient management, stormwater management, air quality/odors, and acid rock drainage.

The following PACD officers were re-elected for another term: Victor Cappucci (Wyoming) – President, Larry Kehl (Northampton) – 1st Vice-President, Irvil Kear (Schuylkill) – 2nd Vice-President, George Hildenbrandt (Centre) – Secretary, Porter Duvall (Jefferson) – Treasurer

For more information, visit the PACD website and look at more photos of the award winners online.

8/4/2006