RC&D Legislative Update – April 7, 2008
Last Thursday a hearing was held in the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee on the budget proposal for the Natural Resources and Environment function areas. Testifying were Mark Rey, Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment and Arlen Lancaster Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service and USDA budget staff. Following is a report on questions related to RC&D that came up at the hearing.
Members of the Subcommittee present were Chair Rosa DeLauro (CT), Sanford Bishop (GA), Allen Boyd (FL), Sam Farr (CA), Marcy Kaptur (OH), Ranking Member Jack Kingston (GA), Tom Latham (IA), Joanne Emerson (MO), Rodney Alexander (LA).
The written testimony submitted by NRCS included the following statement. “The Administration proposes to terminate funding for the Resource Conservation and Development in FY2009 to enable NRCS to focus limited resources to other higher priority conservation program activities of national interest. It is expected that the RC&D areas have the capacity to identify, plan and address their identified priorities without federal support.”
The hearing was wide ranging lasting for about two hours and covered a variety of programs administered by NRCS and included a discussion of the effect of the Farm bill on conservation. The report below focuses only on the discussions that took place related to RC&D at the hearing. Members of Congress are clearly concerned about the proposal to eliminate funding for the program.
Chairman DeLauro led off the questioning and expressed
concern that the Administration’
In response Undersecretary Rey stressed that the FY09 proposed budget for NRCS should be viewed in combination with the farm bill’s planned budget. When the two budgets and work plans are combined, one can see that overall funding for conservation will increase. There was additional discussion by DeLauro about whether in fact this will be the case as the Farm bill will be a compromise in terms of budget and policy issues.
In other discussions Rep. Allen Boyd expressed concern about the cut to the RC&D program and other programs and asked if we are losing sight of the importance of conservation.
Rep. Jack Kingston expressed concern about the staffing cuts in the budget for Farm Service Agency, Conservation Technical Assistance and RC&D.
Rep. Latham mentioned the customer service satisfaction survey performed by the NRCS on the RC&D program and the high public perception of the program. He asked, why eliminate the program? Who will do the work that’s being done?
In response to Rep. Latham’s question, Undersecretary Rey said that one needs to distinguish between the utility of the program and the role that the federal government should play. He went on to say that at this point, funding the RC&D program is not the best use of federal money. RC&D councils can continue without federal dollars, because they can raise money themselves, although they would obviously prefer to continue receiving their annual allocation.
Near the close of the hearing Chairman DeLauro brought up RC&D again asking if federal support is eliminated, what happens to the councils? What will they do? Has the NRCS surveyed council effectiveness? Undersecretary Rey responded by saying that NRCS has spoken with councils, and the councils are understandably concerned. Federal funding was originally conceived as a catalyst to stimulate the development of the program, but the councils no longer view the money as a catalyst but as an entitlement. The work that the councils do is important and is being done well, but the federal government should reallocate the funds. Councils will be able to find other sources of funding and will become self-sustaining.
DeLauro then asked “Will some councils disappear?” and Rey responded that they won’t disappear they’ll merge with each other. The hearing concluded shortly thereafter.
I hope this information is helpful for you. Other questions on RC&D were submitted for the hearing record and will be available in about a month. There is clearly support for RC&D on the committee however the budget the subcommittee will have to work with is expected to be significantly less than this year, placing pressure on the need for budget cuts. We need to continue to work together make sure that $56 million is provided to RC&D.
We will keep you updated on our efforts. Please continue your education efforts locally and be frank with your Members of Congress and their staff about the impact of the budget request locally. If this budget goes through RC&D will end on October 1, 2008. RC&Ds need the coordinators and support they receive from the federal investment to deliver programs and services for their communities. Volunteers do great work in their communities, but RC&D is a partnership effort and the investment in RC&D cannot be one-sided by volunteers alone. The investment needs to be made by both the federal government and the volunteers. We must remind our legislators that for every dollar the federal government invests, RC&D returns $7.50 to our communities. NARCDC will continue to our efforts to secure $56 million for RC&D in FY09. Please continue to make the case locally – together we can “Make Things Happen.”
Join the Partnership Alliance! Every Councilperson and Coordinator should join this group of supporters of the RC&D Program - it's as little as $25.
RC&D Legislative Alert - Council Member Update – March 30, 2008
Congress is back in session today after a two week District work period. Legislative issues of interest to RC&D are the Appropriations Bills and the Farm bill. The final version of the Farm bill is still in negotiations. The current Farm bill was extended until April 18, 2008.
The Appropriations Committees are continuing their hearings this week. The House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) Budget request on Thursday. Undersecretary for NRE Mark Rey and Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Arlen Lancaster will testify.
Final signers of the House of Representatives Dear Colleague in support of $56 million for RC&D are: Tim Holden, Frank Lucas, Collin Peterson, Bob Goodlatte, Leonard Boswell, Timothy J. Walz, Kirsten E. Gillibrand, Zachary Space, Mike Ross, Wayne T. Gilchrest, Christopher P. Carney, Phil English, Nick J. Rahall, Sander M. Levin, Michael H. Michaud, Shelley Moore Capito, Mazie K. Hirono, Earl Blumenauer, Mike Rogers, Rick Boucher, Tammy Baldwin, Christopher S. Murphy, John Shimkus, Eni F. Faleomavaega, Jim Costa, John R. Kuhl, Jr., John Barrow, Wally Herger, James R. Langevin, Barbara Cubin, Frank A. LoBiondo, Russ Carnahan, Mike McIntyre, Earl Pomeroy, Neil Abercrombie, Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, Dave Loebsack, Timothy V. Johnson, Ruben Hinojosa, Geoff Davis, David Davis, Adrian Smith, Brad Miller, Michael R. McNulty, Bart Gordon, Heath Schuler, Bruce L. Braley, Bob Filner.
Final signers of the Senate Dear Colleague in support of $56 million for RC&D are: Senators Robert Menenedez, Susan M. Collins, Jeff Bingaman, Edward M. Kennedy, Richard J. Durbin, Benjamin L. Cardin, Daniel K. Akaka, John D. Rockefeller IV, Ken Salazar, Gordon H. Smith, Debbie Stabenow, Barack Obama, Joseph I. Lieberman, Bernard Sanders, Blanche L. Lincoln, Jack Reed, Elizabeth Dole, Mary L. Landrieu, Russell D. Feingold, Norm Coleman, Chuck Hagel, John F. Kerry, Richard Lugar, Jim Webb, Olympia J. Snowe, Bob Corker, Charles E. Schumer.
If your Members of Congress don’t appear on these letters, and you haven’t gotten a response to your letters or phone calls - please follow-up and ask them if they sent in an individual program level funding request for the RC&D program to the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. We need to continue to tie down their support for the RC&D program. Remember without a strong show of support, the RC&D program will end on October 1, 2008.
Stay tuned - we’ll give you an update on the hearing on Friday. Please contact us if you have any questions or we can be of assistance.
RC&D Legislative Alert - March 17, 2008 - for council members only
A Dear Colleague letter is circulating in the Senate that calls for $56 million for the RC&D program. The letter is circulated by Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME). The deadline for signatures is tomorrow Tuesday March 18. Please call your Senator or their staff and ask them if they will Contact Senator Menendez or Collins and sign on this letter. Stress the urgency of your request - the President has proposed the elimination of the RC&D program on October 1, 2008.
The House letter is no longer accepting signatures, however Members of Congress can still submit program level funding requests to the Appropriations Committee through March 19.
Please call or email me if you have questions. Thanks for all your help! The Senate letter follows:
March 14, 2008
Support the Resource Conservation and Development Program!
Dear Colleague:
We are writing to urge you to join us in a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture requesting that U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provide the Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Program $56 million in Fiscal Year 2009 to move the existing Councils toward full funding.
The RC&D program advances conservation and economic activity by providing the opportunity for rural communities to develop and execute resource conservation and development. By leveraging federal dollars, the RC&D program promotes local economies, enhances the environment, improves the standard of living, and is the only local public/private partnership program that returns a positive investment on dollars spent.
The work of the RC&D Councils and the federally funded coordinators is especially important in the most rural areas of the country where we have tried to cultivate local leadership to help them address the economic development and resource challenges facing their communities. The federal RC&D program helps these local volunteers, who are already stretched thin in many cases, to identify, plan, and address resource and development issues facing their areas.
If you would like to join us on the attached letter, or if you have any questions, please have members of your staff contact Hal Connolly (Sen. Menendez 4-5843) or Shaw Sprague (Sen. Collins 4-2270). The deadline for signatures is Tuesday, March 18.
Sincerely,
ROBERT MENENDEZ SUSAN M. COLLINS
United States Senator United States Senator
The Honorable Herbert Kohl, Chairman The Honorable Robert Bennett, Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Agriculture Subcommittee on Agriculture
Senate Committee on Appropriations Senate Committee on Appropriations
Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510
Dear Chairman Kohl and Ranking Member Bennett:
We write to request that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provide the Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Program $56 million in Fiscal Year 2009 to move the existing Councils toward full funding. The President’s Fiscal Year 2009 Budget proposes to eliminate funding for the RC&D program. We appreciate your previous support for this program, and we hope that you will continue to support the RC&D Program this year as well.
One of the main benefits of the RC&D program is the promotion of local economies through the leveraging of federal dollars. For every dollar appropriated by Congress for RC&D conservation and economic development projects, local Councils have leveraged an average of eight dollars from other sources. This program is the only local public/private partnership program that returns a positive investment on dollars spent.
USDA has indicated that on average it takes about $207,500 to fully fund an RC&D Council. Currently, 375 Councils exist in the US. In addition, 38 additional areas seek admittance to the program. The work of the RC&D Councils and the federally funded coordinators is especially important in the most rural areas of the country where we have tried to cultivate local leadership to help them address the economic development and resource challenges facing their communities. We also know that those involved in RC&D are the leaders who are already involved in multiple roles in local government, school boards, church and other civic activities. The federal RC&D program helps these local volunteers, who are already stretched thin in many cases, to identify, plan, and address resource and development issues facing their areas.
We encourage you to provide $56 million for this economically and environmentally beneficial program.
RC&D Legislative Alert – March 10, 2008
“Dear Colleague” Letters are circulating in the House of Representatives and the Senate, urging Members of Congress to sign on a letter that supports $56 million for RC&D. The letter in the House is circulated by Rep. Tim Holden (D-PA) and Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK). Holden and Lucas are Chair and Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy and Research. The letter in the Senate is circulated by Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ).
“Dear Colleague” letters are used by Members of Congress to indicate their support for an issue. Keep in mind, that some Members of Congress may have already communicated their support for RC&D by writing the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee and sending in a program funding level request form. For those that have not, the Dear Colleague letter presents another opportunity to indicate support for a program. As you make follow-up calls on your letter or Hill visit, ask if your Member of Congress plans to write an individual letter of support for RC&D or to sign on this letter.
For your information, the contact names and numbers for the House Dear Colleague letter are: Liz Hermsen 5-5546 (Rep. Holden) and Nicole Scott 5-5565 (Rep. Lucas). Deadline to get signers for the House letter is this Friday, March 14. The current signers are Holden, Lucas, Boswell (IA), Walz (MN), Gillibrand (NY), Space (OH), Ross (AR), Gilchrest (MD), Carney (PA).
The contact name and number for the Senate Dear Colleague is: Hal Connally 4-5843 (Sen. Menendez.)
Just a reminder – RC&D members should not call the staff numbers listed above – this is the number that Members of Congress or their staff to call and sign on the Dear Colleague letter.
Click for The House Dear Colleague letter.
If you have questions or need more information please contact the national association office.
February 4, 2008
The President released his proposed Fiscal Year 2009 budget. The request for the RC&D program is zero. The justification stated in the budget is that funds are needed for higher priority programs and that the program duplicates other Department of Agriculture economic development programs that encourage State and local governments to plan and implement projects, including those for resource protection, community zoning and infrastructure and economic development.
The National Association of Resource Conservation and Development is deeply disappointed with this budget request. The national board will meet this evening to discuss legislative strategy to restore funds through the Congressional budget process. A teleconference will be held tomorrow with state Presidents and a legislative alert will be published on our website tomorrow.
The RC&D program is a critical tool for economic growth and conservation in communities across this nation. RC&D volunteers return $7.50 for every dollar the federal government invests in the program. Because RC&D areas are locally organized, sponsored, and led, the program provides an ideal way for residents to join together to decide what is best for their community.
We need to request $56 Million for FY09 - please get those cards and letters to your Senators & Representatives by March 3rd. See you at the Forum.
Council Member Update from NARCDC - January 3, 2008
NARC&DC Leadership Forum, Washington DC - Feb 25-27, 2008 Please register now. There are a limited number of discounted hotel rooms available. The deadline for registration for these rooms is January 22, 2008. Early Registration deadline for the forum is February 1, 2008. (see link below)
Legislative Activity - Legislative activity seems to go year round now. Congress completed activity on the federal appropriations bills prior to the Christmas holiday. RC&D will be funded at $51,088,000 through September 30, 2008. The Farm bill will go to conference committee in January.
Our next legislative task is to begin our effort on FY09 funding for RC&D when the President’s budget proposal comes out on February 4, 2008. The NARC&DC will put out information on the President’s budget request and our funding request for RC&D on February 5, 2008. We will provide this information via our website and to State Presidents in a teleconference.
Council members attending our Leadership Forum should begin calling for appointments with Members of Congress and/or their staff. The best time to meet will be Noon to 5PM on Tuesday Feb 26 and 10:00 AM to 5PM on Wednesday Feb 27. NARCDC will have handouts on national RC&D accomplishments and our funding requests for FY09. Attendees are also encouraged to bring accomplishments for the state and your local RC&D council.
As a former congressional staffer, my advice is to have very concise handouts that show your location and contact information, Council accomplishments, and leverage or return on investment. The average Member of Congress and their staff will meet with many people on a given day. Those that are most effective can deliver a message of what they do and what they need in a five minute conversation with one page handouts. It is very helpful for states to create a handout that can be utilized by all Councils, especially for use with your Senators. The most effective handouts I have seen have a map of the state with the RC&D designated and applicant areas. A short narrative about each council is included that includes council contact info and accomplishments. Statistics on statewide accomplishments help to tell the story of what RC&D has done with the federal investment. Key indicators we use on the National handout include: businesses created expanded or retained; jobs created or retained; businesses financially assisted; acres of habitat and lakes improved and miles of streams improved; people trained; number of economically or socially disadvantaged people helped; and return on the RC&D investment/leverage. Be sure to include any energy projects you have worked on.
Key Legislative Dates- Jan/Feb 08
House of Representatives is out of session until January 15
Senate returns to session January 22
President's State of the Union Speech is January 28
President's proposed budget for FY09 is released on February 4
Council Dues invoices were mailed in mid-December. The NARC&DC held the line on dues at $450.00. We encourage all councils to pay dues by Feb. 1, 2008.
Updated Guidebook for RC&D Directors -
NARC&DC sent 5 copies of the new Guidebook for RC&D Directors to all RC&D councils. Additional copies of the new guidebook are available at shipping cost for a limited time.
At-large nominees
The National Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils is seeking candidates for an open at-large National board position to reflect diversity. The candidate will serve a three year term, is expected to attend 3 NARC&DC National board meetings a year, and be an active member of the under-represented task force. Qualifications include knowledge of the RC&D program and service on a RC&D council. To be considered for this position, the candidate should submit a resume and cover letter outlining their qualifications. In addition, candidates need to submit a letter of support from their local RC&D council. Please forward cover letter outlining qualifications, resume, and council letter of support to NARC&DC, 444 North Capitol Street NW, Suite 345, Washington, DC 20001 by January 15, 2008.
NARC&DC calendar- Jan/Feb 08
At-large board nominations due January 15
Hotel deadline for discounted rooms for Leadership Forum Jan. 22
Early registration deadline for Leadership Forum Feb. 1
NARCDC full board teleconference Feb. 4 8PM eastern time
State Association President's teleconference Tuesday February 5-3PM eastern time
NARCDC Board Meeting, Washington DC Feb. 23, 24
Leadership Forum, Washington DC Feb. 25-27
Federal Grant Opportunities-
Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program - To meet the food needs of low-income people and increase self-reliance of communities in providing for their own food needs. Deadline Feb 25, 2008 http://www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/communityfoodprojects.cfm
Conservation Innovation Grants - To stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Deadline Feb. 20, 2008
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/news/
Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) Program - To help communities build self-sustaining, community based partnerships that will continue to improve human health and local environments into the future. Deadline March 17, 2008
http://www.epa.gov/care/
URGENT RC&D LEGISLATIVE ALERT!
RC&D Legislative Update – Farm bill and Appropriations – December 18, 2007
Late last night the House of Representatives passed a scaled back omnibus appropriations bill which included $51,088,000 for the RC&D program. The Senate is expected to take action on their bill as early as today. The current Senate bill also includes $51,088,000 for the RC&D program.
If you have not already done so, please call your Senator and encourage them to keep the Senate level of funding, $53,150,000, in the Senate omnibus appropriations bill. In your call, make it clear that we need this funding level to keep full time coordinators in each of our RC&D areas.
On December 14, 2007 the Senate completed action on the
Farm bill. The Senate Farm bill includes legislative language on our RC&D
recommendations similar to the House bill. Specifically, the bill:
1) Calls for an area planning process, for the RC&D program, which is locally
led;
2) Calls on the Secretary of Agriculture to designate a Coordinator for each
Council to provide and assist in providing technical assistance;
3) Adds to the technical assistance definition - providing assistance for the
implementation of area plans and projects; and
4) Adds to the technical assistance definition – providing services which bring
to bear the resources of Department of Agriculture programs in a local community
as defined in the locally led planning process.
The Senate and House will work on a conference version of the Farm bill when they return from the holiday congressional recess.
RC&D Legislative Update -- December 17, 2007
Congress is finishing work on an omnibus appropriations bill this week. The Congress made a decision to bring spending back down to the President’s overall level of funding which meant cutting approximately $22 billion from the House and Senate versions of their appropriations bills.
The House version of the omnibus includes $51,088,000 for the RC&D program. This will be voted on in the House tomorrow. The Senate version will be voted on Thursday. The Senate is considering making across the board cuts in funding in their version of the bill.
If you have not already done so, please call your Senator and encourage them to keep the Senate level of funding, $53,150,000, in the Senate omnibus appropriations bill. In your call, make it clear that we need this funding level to keep full time coordinators in each of our RC&D areas.
How can I be most effective in reinforcing our need for an RC&D funding increase?
Call today and ask your Senators to contact the Senate Democratic Leadership Harry Reid and Dick Durbin and Chair, Herb Kohl (D-Wisconsin) and Senate Republican Leadership Mitch McConnell, Trent Lott and Ranking Member, Robert Bennett (R-Utah) of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee and urge them to support the Senate level of funding $53,150,000 in any final version of the appropriations bill.
For your reference
FY07 funding level $51,088,000
President’s Budget request for RC&D for FY08 $14.6 million (provides one coordinator per state)
House (HR 3161) passed funding level for FY08 $52,370,000
Senate Appropriations Committee funding level for FY08 $53,150,000
If you have questions, please call 202 434-4780 or email robertaj@sso.org
Thank you for your help!
DECEMBER 4, 2007
Congress is working on an omnibus appropriations bill this week. The omnibus bill may cut funding from programs because it must reduce overall domestic spending by $11 billion. In order to keep RC&D off the chopping block, it is critical that RC&D council members call their Members of Congress as soon as possible and ask for the Senate level of funding, $53,150,000, in the final version of the appropriations bill. In your call, make it clear that we need this funding level to keep full time coordinators in each of our RC&D areas.
How can I be most effective in reinforcing our need for an RC&D funding increase?
Call today and ask your Senators to contact the Senate Democratic Leadership Harry Reid and Dick Durbin and Chair, Herb Kohl (D-Wisconsin) and Senate Republican Leadership Mitch McConnell, Trent Lott and Ranking Member, Robert Bennett (R-Utah) of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee and urge them to support the Senate level of funding $53,150,000 in any final version of the appropriations bill.
Call today and ask your Member of Congress to contact the House Leadership, Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, and James Clyburn and Chair, Rosa DeLauro (D-Connecticut) and Ranking Member, Jack Kingston (R-Georgia) of the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee and urge them to support the Senate level of funding, $53,150,000 in any final version of the appropriations bill.
For your reference
FY07 funding level $51,088,000
President’s Budget request for RC&D for FY08 $14.6 million (provides one coordinator per state)
House (HR 3161) passed funding level for FY08 $52,370,000
Senate Appropriations Committee funding level for FY08 $53,150,000
If you have questions, please call 202 434-4780 or email robertaj@sso.org
Thank you for your help!
Legislative Update – October 15, 2007
Congress Temporarily Continues Programs at Last Year’s Level
On September 29, Congress passed a continuing resolution that will fund federal programs at FY07 levels through November 17. The conference agreements (final version of legislation which works out differences between House and Senate versions of funding) on the appropriations bills will be completed in the coming weeks.
RC&D has pending increases in both the Senate and House bills, however we need to continue to reinforce our messages with Congress to let them know that this increase is critical. At present $52,370,000 was provided by the House of Representatives for the RC&D program and the Senate Appropriations Committee also increased funding to $53,150,000 for RC&D. The FY07 funding level was $50,787,000.
The national association has been meeting with Members of Congress on this issue throughout the spring and summer to reinforce the messages local council members have sent to Congress. It is critical that council members keep up the pressure on their local Members of Congress and make phone calls to both House and Senate Members asking for the Senate level of funding, $53,150,000, when the agriculture appropriations bill goes to conference.
How can I be most effective in reinforcing our need for an RC&D funding increase?
Call today and ask your Member of Congress to contact the Chair, Rosa DeLauro (D-Connecticut) and Ranking Member, Jack Kingston (R-Georgia) of the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee and urge them to support the Senate level of funding, $53,150,000 when the agriculture appropriations bill goes to conference.
Call today and ask your Senators to contact the Chair, Herb Kohl (D-Wisconsin) and Ranking Member, Robert Bennett (R-Utah) of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee and urge them to support the Senate level of funding $53,150,000 when the agriculture appropriations bill goes to conference.
For your reference
FY07 funding level $51,088,000
President’s Budget request for RC&D for FY08 $14.6 million
House (HR 3161) passed funding level for FY08 $52,370,000
Senate Appropriations Committee funding level for FY08 $53,150,000
The appropriations process will be a rocky one as the President has threatened to veto bills that are over his spending requests – this includes the agriculture appropriations bill. A veto can be overridden but only if there are sufficient votes. It remains critical that every Member of Congress understand how important it is to increase RC&D funding.
On a similar track in Congress is the Farm bill. The House of Representatives passed a Farm bill that includes RC&D recommendations suggested by your National Association. Those recommendations will help us maintain a locally led planning process; provide a coordinator for each council; and help bring to bear all Department of Agriculture programs in a community. The Senate is expected to act on their version of the Farm bill in late October and then both bills will need to be reconciled into a conference agreement. Our recommendations on RC&D are also in the Senate draft Farm bill. In addition, your National Association of RC&D Councils has been active in working with coalitions of groups in Washington, DC to provide increases to conservation funding in the Farm bill.
Program Operations during a continuing resolution
Another important item to note for RC&D is that when a continuing resolution is in place as it is currently, programs operate on only partial year funding and agencies do not enter into cooperative agreements until final action is completed on the funding legislation. In addition, travel for federal employees is also significantly cut back.