Fiscal Year 2008

NACD's mission is to serve conservation districts by providing national leadership and a unified voice for natural resource conservation.

At the February 2007 Board of Directors meeting, NACD adopted a more streamlined and focused approach for the federal appropriations process. As a result, NACD is focusing on one program in each federal agency that has jurisdiction over conservation programs. NACD is asking districts to make supporting calls and requests to members of the appropriate appropriations subcommittees as well as their members of the House and Senate.

Districts will need to follow the appropriations process all the way to completion. Each step in the appropriations process represents an opportunity for more funding, but also threatens to cut funding. Congressional decision-makers must hear from NACD and conservation districts across the country every step of the way.

Below are NACD's appropriations priorities for each committee of jurisdiction:

Agriculture

NACD Request for Conservation Operations (Conservation Technical Assistance): $903 million
Conservation Technical Assistance Issue Paper
Agriculture Appropriations Funding Request Letter, March 5, 2007, House and Senate Appropriations Committees, Subcommittees on Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA | HTML |

Interior

NACD Request for EPA 319 Nonpoint Source Program: $250-$300 million
319 Non-Point Source Program Issue Paper
NACD Request for USFS State and Private Forestry $283
State and Private Forestry Issue Paper
319 Program and State and Private Forestry Appropriations Funding Request Letter, House and Senate Appropriations Committees, Subcommittees on Interior and Environment, March 30, 2007 | HTML |

Commerce, State and Justice

NACD Request for Coastal Zone Management Program: $75 million
Coastal Zone Management Program Issue Paper
Coastal Zone Management Appropriations Funding Request Letter, House and Senate Appropriations Committees, Subcommittees on Commerce, Science and Justice, March 27, 2007 | HTML |

Energy and Water Development

NACD Request: $23 million
Water 2025 Challenge Grants Issue Paper
Energy and Water Development Appropriations Funding Request Letter, House and Senate Appropriations Committees, Subcommittees on Energy and Water Development, March 27, 2007 | HTML|