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In This Week’s Edition . . .
A Report from the Executive Director, Jennifer Boyle
District Exchange. Dearborn County SWCD is seeking applications from qualified candidates for the Tanners Creek and Hogan Creek Watershed Technician/Educator. Information on this position, as well as contact information can be found by clicking here.
2009 Annual Conference
The Power of Conservation: Building a Sustainable Future
2009 Conference Sponsors. We're pleased to announce a new silver conference sponsor: the Howe Insurance Agency. The IASWCD is grateful to the companies, individuals and organizations who are sponsors for the 2009 Annual Conference of Indiana SWCDs. Note our new bronze sponsors this week: Cain's Homelike Farms and Jim and Carol Droege. A complete list of sponsors is available by clicking here.
Hospitality Suite. A Hospitality Suite will be available on Sunday, January 11, from
6 p.m. till 10 p.m. and on Monday, January 12, from 7 p.m. till 11 p.m. The Hospitality Suite is located in Room 2007.
Business Meeting Agenda. The Business Meeting is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, January 14, at the Hyatt Regency Downtown in Indianapolis. It is important that the IASWCD adhere to the by-law policies for this meeting. These policies include:
- Delegates and alternates must be an official Supervisor (either elected or appointed)
- Only those names submitted by January 4, 2009, will be allowed to be seated at the Business Meeting on January 14.
- We will have a check-in table at the Business Meeting for all Delegates and Alternates.
- District Staff are not allowed to sit in for a Delegate or Alternate at the Business Meeting.
The agenda for the business meeting can be found by clicking here.
2009 IASWCD Officer Candidates. >>Click here for the slate of candidates for the 2009 election of officers. >>Click here for the candidates’ bios.
2009 Resolutions. >> Click here to review 2009 resolutions submitted for consideration at the SWCD Annual Business Meeting on Jan. 14, 2009.
>> Click here for more information on the 2009 Annual Conference of Indiana SWCDs.
>> Click here to register for the conference.
IASWCD Schedule Next Week. The office will be closed next week due to the annual conference. If you need to reach us Monday through Wednesday, you can contact us at:
- Jennifer: 317.502.7273
- DeeDee: 317.431.6098
- Hyatt Regency Downtown Indianapolis: 317.632-1234
This is the best way to reach us, rather than leave a message at our work numbers. We will have our cell phones with us at all times during the conference and will either answer the call immediately or retrieve the message and return the call in a timely fashion. Please reserve calls to emergencies only.
No Weekly Update Next Week. The next edition of the Weekly Update will be published on January 21. Look for a full photo recap of the Annual Conference then. In the meantime, visit the news page for a preview of awards to be presented at the upcoming conference > > >
Have a good week,
Jennifer
Office Rent and IT Support
From Jane Hardisty,
The purpose of this memo is to update the District Boards and staff on the current status of office space rent and IT Support, two areas where SWCDs and NRCS share resources. I shared this information during the Winter Region Meetings and I wanted to be sure the information got to those who were not able to attend.
Office Rent
USDA is going through a bit of turmoil regarding leasing. In FY 2008, U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) determined that FSA, NRCS and RD were not using the proper processes to lease space. Since USDA receives its authority for leasing from GSA, this basically means that USDA’s processes will change and there will be new rules, forms, etc. for us to use and follow. We are hoping that this will result in a better and smoother standardized process.
Due to the transition to this new process, which may take another couple of months; NRCS is not going to bill the Districts for rent for our FY 2009 first quarter (Oct. – Dec.). The Service Center Agencies of USDA are working together at the national level and with GSA to develop a process for leasing and paying for space for all USDA Service Centers across the country.
We will plan for now to bill the Districts for the second quarter. I hope this will not be a problem for you and the County Council dollars that were appropriated to you. I would ask that for those of you who have been sending in the form to confirm the work being done to support NRCS, please do send in that form for the first quarter.
IT Support
I sent a letter to all the Districts on April 15, 2008, explaining the computer support NRCS is able to provide. I explained how NRCS will support the Districts on CCE computers co-located in the USDA Service Center and what support those not co-located would receive. I mentioned that NRCS would continue with this commitment in future years for as long as our budget allocations allow. I do plan to continue this support in FY 2009.
Again, thank you for your partnership with NRCS and the conservation efforts you are providing. Your work makes a difference and has positive impacts on the soil and water in Indiana.
Applications Being Accepted for 2009 CARE Grant
Around $3 million will be available in 2009 to support community-based partnerships to reduce pollution at the local level through the Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program.
U.S. EPA anticipates awarding CARE cooperative agreements in two levels. Level I cooperative agreements range from $75,000 to $100,000 and will help establish community-based partnerships to develop local environmental priorities. Level II awards, ranging from $150,000 to $300,000 each, will support communities which have established broad-based partnerships, have identified the priority toxic risks in the community, and are prepared to measure results, implement risk reduction activities, and become self-sustaining.
In 2008, $2.7 million in cooperative agreements were made available to more than 18 communities through the CARE program, a community-based, community-driven program that builds partnerships to help the public understand and reduce toxic risks from numerous sources. Examples of projects include addressing abandoned, contaminated industrial and residential properties in Gary, Ind., dealing with agriculture-related toxins in Yakima County, Wash., and reducing air emissions from diesel trucks and buses in Woonsocket, R.I. Since 2005, the grants to reduce toxics in the environment have reached over 60 communities in over 30 states.
Applications for the CARE grants are due March 16, 2009. Eligible applicants include county and local governments, tribes, non-profit organizations and universities. EPA will conduct three conference calls, Feb. 3, 24 and 27, for prospective applicants to ask questions about the application process. Additional information about the CARE program, previous cooperative agreement recipients, and applying for the 2009 grants is available at: http://www.epa.gov/care
The 2009 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency CARE Cooperative Agreement Request for Proposals (RFP) is now available on-line at: http://www.epa.gov/air/grants_funding.html#0902
CTIC Releases Publication About Wetlands On Working Land
The 2008 Farm Bill extended the Wetlands Reserve Program and boosted funding for cost-share programs that put conservation practices on working land, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). In short, the next few years could be a good time for farmers and ranchers to consider how a wetland project could fit their landscapes – and their operations.
“Wetlands: A Component of an Integrated Farming Operation” from the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) provides a thorough background on protecting, restoring and creating wetlands on working farm or ranch land.
Funded by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds, the 40-page booklet explores how wetlands function, and how a working wetland can complement or streamline some farm operations. The document addresses silting, planning, maintaining and assessing wetlands. It also discusses the ongoing management of wetland plants and wildlife – both desirable and invasive.
The full press release can be found by clicking here. “Wetlands: A Component of an Integrated Farming Operation” may be downloaded free at www.conservationinformation.org/pdf/CTIC_wetlands.pdf.
Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts
OFFICERS:
President: Jim Droege, Posey Co.
Vice President: Paula Baldwin, Marion Co.
Secretary: Ray McCormick: Knox Co.
Treasurer: Jeff Meinders, Ripley Co.
REGION DIRECTORS:
Board Roster / Region Map
North-Northwest: Larry Strole, Newton Co.
South-Northwest: Kenny Cain, Montgomery Co.
North-Northeast: Tom Crowe, Allen Co.
South-Northeast: Bobby Hettmansperger, Wabash Co.
North-Southwest: Bob Weaver, Johnson Co.
South-Southwest: Ray Chattin, Knox Co.
North-Southeast: Brad Dawson, Dearborn Co.
South-Southeast: Brad Ponsler, Jennings Co.
IASWCD STAFF:
Executive Director: Jennifer Boyle, 317.692.7519
Watershed Information Specialist: Elizabeth Trybula, 317.692.7514
Communications Manager: DeeDee Sigler, 317.692.7374
Project Assistant: Jaclyn Casale, 317.692.7325
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