Joint Committee Committee on Joint Agriculture and Natural Resources (01/25/2006)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

COMMITTEE ON JOINT AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Date:	01/25/2006	ATTENDANCE

Time:	08:05 AM to 08:50 AM	Brophy	X
		Entz	X
Place:	HCR 0112	Gallegos	X
		Gardner	A
This Meeting was called to order by		Groff	A
	Senator Isgar	Grossman	A
		Harvey	A
This Report was prepared by		Hodge	X
	Geoff Johnson	Hoppe	X
		McFadyen	A
		McKinley	A
		Rose	X
		Solano	A
		Taylor	X
		Tochtrop	A
		White	A
		Curry	X
		Isgar	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
Soil Conservation Districts and Board		-

08:05 AM -- Department of Agriculture

Sheldon Jones, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Agriculture, commented on the ground water protection program, the weed program, and the insectory. He commented on redistribution of some employees within these programs. He discussed the federal Farm Bill and noted that the Department of Agriculture has just completed development of a strategic plan (available at the offices of the Legislative Council Staff.)

08:11 AM -- Colorado Association of Conservation Districts

Callie Hendrickson, Executive Vice President, Colorado Association of Conservation Districts (CACD), introduced past officers of the CACD. She commented on the history of the CACD. The Conservation Act was enacted in 1937. There are 77 districts with locally elected members, protecting 10 watersheds. Larry Hoosey, President, CACD Board, commented on the concerns of the districts and the activities of the districts, including drought mitigation, and fire restoration and education of the public and landowners. He noted the other state, local, and federal agencies that are involved in conservation. Randy Loutzenhiser, Republican River Conservation District, commented on the importance of the conservation districts. He commented on wind and water erosion. Callie Hendrickson discussed the flow of funding for the district activities. She commented on the proposed reinstatement of conservation programs that have existed in the past, including the matching grant program. Larry Hoosey commented on the role of conservation district coordinators and farm bill technicians.

08:33 AM -- Colorado Conservation Board

Veryl Eschen, President, Colorado Conservation Board, Lower South Platte and Republican River Watersheds, and Chairman, CACD Board, commented on Board activities for the coming year. He emphasized the need for matching grants. Mr. Hoosey provided examples of matching grant utilization. Danny Neufeld, CACD Board, commented on the need for conservation education, including education of the General Assembly on conservation efforts. In regard to farm bill technicians he mentioned the potential for the state to lose federal matching grants, and the workload of the technicians. Mr. Neufeld spoke in regard to conservation district coordinators. Randy Loutzenhiser said that the National Association of Conservation Districts is meeting this week. He discussed the federal Conservation Reserve Program.

08:50 AM

Recess.