AACD 2006 Resolutions
December 13, 2006
1. Resolutions which originate at area meetings, then
are
subsequently passed at the AACD State Meeting are important and of great interest to AACD
members. The approved resolutions do not always get the
attention they deserve. AACD resolves to correct this oversight and:
1)
to publish the resolutions in a media where all members
can see them;
2)
to pursue action to accomplish the goals and;
3) to report accomplishments and or failures at the annual meeting.
(Approved)
2. AACD
urges ANRC to improve communications with the districts to obtain
district input on all important matters, and to reassure districts of
the equal partner basis of the relationship.
(Approved)
3. AACD opposes the
formation of Districts based upon watershed. It is believed
that watershed based Districts would result in larger districts,
increased cost and reduced attention in distant areas of the
watershed. Further it would interfere with working relationships
which now exist between county employees and local citizens.
(Motion was made to table resolution – Motion passed)
4.
Monies collected in fines by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission are turned back
to the counties for the purpose of fish and wildlife conservation
education. AACD urges all districts to be involved in the
utilization of these funds to assure that the funds are spent for their
intended purpose.
(Approved)
5. AACD supports the “NOAH” bio-refinery research project utilizing chicken litter to produce energy, and urges further studies to develop and
demonstrate the efficiency of the “NOAH” process using waste wood as fuel.
(Approved as amended)
6. AACD supports the Arkansas Grazing Land Initiative Coalition and recognizes the need for considering all grazing species in the effort. We resolve to
hold a grazing land workshop at the Annual Meeting utilizing experts from surrounding
states as well as those within the state.
(Approved)
7. AACD urges the Arkansas Grazing Land Coalition to coordinate with Conservation Districts when expending funds for field days
to demonstrate grazing system, watering systems, herd health and
other livestock related activities.
(Approved)
8. AACD supports legislation
authorizing the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission to issue up to
$300 million in State of Arkansas General Obligation Bonds for water;
wastewater and Pollution Abatement
Projects.
(Approved)
9. AACD resolves to support Farm Bill
Programs which provide adequate technical
assistance to implement priorities for farmers and ranchers.
(Approved)
10. It is resolved that AACD support
ADEQ’s efforts to establish a procedure
governing the addition and/or deletion and permissible uses of
Extraordinary Resource Waters, but before a new ERW can be designated the
proponent should be required to obtain the approval of the
Conservation Districts and the county governments in each county
where the relevant stream and watershed are located.
(Approved)
11. Among all states, Arkansas ranks
number two in the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP)
with over 240,000 acres. AACD supports the WRP in its
objective to restore marginal cropland to wetlands. The decision by NRCS to
utilize the “Yellowbook process” for appraisals has reduced
the number of farmers who enroll in WRP as appraisals have reduced
from $700 per acre to a low of $129 per acre. AACD urges NRCS to
resume using the previous process for appraisals.
(Approved)
12. Resolution supporting Farm Credit System Horizons Project –
support is given to regulatory and legislative changes that would
provide agricultural producers, commercial fishermen, farm and
fishing-related, and other rural businesses, rural homeowners, and
others in rural America with broader access to financing by the
cooperative Farm Credit system.
(Approved)
13. Regulations should be established which would provide distribution of
Conservation Security Program (CSP) funding between the landlord and
tenant/producer in a manner similar to other conservation programs.
(Approved as amended)
14. AACD supports comprehensive bioenergy legislation during the 2007
Arkansas Legislative Session.
(Approved)
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