Date: 01/25/2006
Final
Soil Conservation Districts and Board
COMMITTEE ON JOINT AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
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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 current and past officers of the CACD. She commented on the history of the CACD and noted that the state Conservation Act was originally adopted in 1937. She pointed out that there are 77 districts with locally elected members in Colorado, protecting 10 watersheds. Larry Hoosey, President, CACD Board, commented on the concerns of the districts and their activities, including drought mitigation, fire restoration and education of the public and landowners regarding soil conservation. He noted the other state, local, and federal agencies that are involved in conservation efforts. Randy Loutzenhiser, Republican River Conservation District, commented on the importance of the conservation districts and efforts to battle wind and water erosion. Callie Hendrickson discussed the flow of funding for conservation 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 discussed the workload of the technicians. Mr. Neufeld commented on conservation district coordinators. Randy Loutzenhiser said that the National Association of Conservation Districts is meeting this week and discussed the federal Conservation Reserve Program.
08:50 AM
Recess.