The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts this week announced Sen. Roger Madigan (R-Bradford) and Sen. Michael Waugh (R-York) were this year’s winners of the PACD Legislator Recognition Award.

The PACD presents this award to legislators whose outstanding efforts have helped further the activities and accomplishments of the PACD or Pennsylvania's 66 county conservation districts.

Sen. Roger Madigan, who is retiring at the end of this year, has been a leader in the agricultural and environmental community all of his life. The Senator’s work representing conservation districts has had an enormous impact on conservation related issues throughout the Commonwealth.

He has hosted Stream Bank Erosion Roundtable discussions providing the opportunity for conservation district representatives to discuss local environmental issues with state and federal officials. He has sponsored hand-on tours of environmental issues including reclaimed mine land and acid mine drainage treatment facilities, and established the State’s Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance of Dirt and Gravel Roads Program.

The Sen. Madigan also proposed legislation to establish a task force studying renewal and management of Pennsylvania’s forests, and was a catalyst in starting a watershed initiative in his district.

Sen. Madigan is a strong supporter of agricultural and environmental youth programs and has earned the respect of his peers and his constituents through a lifetime of commitment to agriculture and the environment.

Sen. Michael Waugh has been a long-time ally to Conservation Districts and their programs to promote environmental stewardship throughout his legislative career. Especially active in promoting environmental education, Sen. Waugh hosted an environmental education forum for York County teachers, providing them with information and access to ecological resources for education programming.

Sen. Waugh is a Commissioner on the Chesapeake Bay Commission, whose goal is to clean up pollution, restore habitats and protect fish and wildlife in the Chesapeake Bay. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the future Farmers of America (FFA) Foundation, and the Farm Show Commission.

Sen. Waugh has sponsored or co-sponsored numerous legislative proposals to benefit the agricultural and environmental communities. His legislative initiatives include sponsorship of the REAP program – a tax credit program for conservation initiatives, promoting renewable alternative fuel funding, funding for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Program, promoting the Agriculture Education Loan Forgiveness Program, and co-sponsoring legislation to provide a single, non-lapsing fund to the state’s conservation districts. This legislation was part of a Farmers First Agenda promoted by Sen. Waugh.

Larry Kehl, PACD President stated, “I am honored to present Sen. Madigan and Sen. Waugh with the PACD Legislator Recognition Award. Their numerous contributions to agriculture and the environment over the years have benefited all Pennsylvania citizens.”

3/21/2008