Prescribed Burn Planned Near Tusayan
Fire managers with the Kaibab National Forest announce they are planning to implement the Tusayan East Prescribed Fire on the Tusayan Ranger District later this week if favorable conditions allow. The project covers 90 acres south and east of the Ranger Station on the east side of Highway 64.

Hobble Fire Update
Windy conditions over the weekend contributed to the growth of the Hobble Fire, 18 miles northeast of Williams. After today’s operations, managers mapped the fire at 947 acres. The projected movement for the fire is mostly north and east around the Hobble Mountains.

FOREST SERVICE OPENS CLOSED ROADS FOR OHV USE
The new Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for the Sitka Ranger District is now available, including several newly opened areas. This free, small and easy-to-pack map includes all the possible areas to ride OHVs on the Sitka Ranger District.

Hobble Fire Update
The Hobble Fire continues to grow 18 miles northeast of Williams and is 49 acres. Forest officials are managing the lightning-caused fire for resource objectives.

Tentative Prescribed Fire Plans for the Week of September 6 - UPDATED Sept 2 4:30 pm
Pending favorable conditions, fire specialists on the Coconino National Forest plan to conduct prescribed burns at two different project areas the week of September 6. No prescribed burns are planned for Monday, Labor Day.

Tentative Prescribed Fire Plans for the Week of September 6
Pending favorable conditions, fire specialists on the Coconino National Forest plan to conduct prescribed burns at two different project areas the week of September 6. No prescribed burns are planned for Monday, Labor Day.

Coconino National Forest Plans Fall and Winter Prescribed Burning
Coconino National Forest fire managers are preparing to continue prescribed burning as fall and winter conditions provide opportunities for applying low-intensity fire to the landscape.

USDA Announces Conservation Innovation Grants in Montana and 45 Other States
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the winning proposals for the 2010 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). CIG invests in innovative, on-the-ground conservation technologies and approaches, with the eventual goal of wide-scale adoption to address water quality and quantity, air quality, energy conservation, and environmental markets, among other natural resources issues.

California Receives $2.7 Million for Conservation Innovation Grants
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) California State Office received approximately $2.7 million to fund 11 projects through the National Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program.

USDA Announces Recipients of Conservation Innovation Grants in Arkansas
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the winning proposals for the 2010 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). Two Arkansas projects are receiving $388,865. Two other Arkansas projects are receiving funds shared with other states.

The Wilds receives USDA grant for demonstration project.
The Secretary of Agriculture’s recent announcement of Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) funding for 61 projects in 43 States included a $404,000 grant to the Wilds in Muskingum County.

WSU awarded $1.5 million for conservation innovation project studies
Washington State University will receive more than $1.5 million in funding through USDA’s Conservation Innovation Grants program (CIG), Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today.

Hobble Fire Northeast of Williams
The Hobble Fire continues to grow 18 miles northeast of Williams, now reported at 26 acres. Forest officials are managing the fire for resource objectives.

Van Slyke Family of Pike wins Agricultural Environmental Management Award
State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker recognized Van Slyke's Dairy Farm, LLC of Pike as the recipients of the New York State Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) Award. The Van Slykes, sponsored by the Wyoming County Soil and Water Conservation District, were honored during the Agricultural Leadership Luncheon ceremonies today at Empire Farm Days in Seneca Falls.

Science Report Advocates Using 'Disturbed' Land for Solar Plants
Just as the first wave of large-scale solar power plants proposed in the U.S. Southwest is about to arrive at a decision point, a new science report could throw cold water on some of the plans. A draft report of recommendations from the Independent Science Advisors for the California Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan urges that new renewable energy developments – whether solar, wind or geothermal – be located whenever possible on already disturbed land.

Utah Open Lands Receives Environmental Stewardship Award
Utah State University’s Utah Botanical Center recently presented its Environmental Stewardship Award to Utah Open Lands, a non-profit land trust conservation association that protects open space by helping landowners navigate the legal and business aspects of creating conservation easements or by outright purchase and ongoing care and resource management.

Brad Black: Tennessee’s farmer of the year
A pioneer in the biofuels industry, Bradley M. “Brad” Black of Vonore, Tenn., has focused his farm on growing native warm season perennial switchgrass, a crop he hopes will be used for making ethanol year after year.

Texas Agricultural Land Trust Hosts "Saving Family Lands" Seminars
San Antonio, TX, To help farmers and ranchers keep their land intact and pass it on to the next generation, the Texas Agricultural Land Trust (TALT) is hosting two "Saving Family Lands" Seminars.

Farmers seek fairness at ag workshop
Ranchers and farmers from around the country gathered Friday morning in Fort Collins to express growing concern over the consolidation of the cattle industry that has left many family farmers struggling to survive. The gathering of an estimated 1,700 farmers was the fourth of five public workshops the United States Department of Justice and Department of Agriculture are putting on across the country. Friday's session focused on regulation and competition issues in agriculture.

The Law of Unintended Consequences and Impact to Sustainable Farming in Pennsylvania
John Lynch of Trilogy Investments, LLC asserts that the decision issued by Judge George Miller in May 2008, and pending regulation by Pennsylvania DEP’s Southeast Region to model stream degradation from nitrogen, suffers from the laws of unintended consequences. As result, proven models to set aside open space and farm land in EV and HQ watersheds using limited development proposals, as has been successfully done by non-profit conservation entities for years, is now threatened. DEP needs to chan

Summer program gives Portland-area kids chance to connect with nature
This summer, approximately 350 children from Portland, Ore., and Vancouver, Wash., took part in “Forests Inside Out!”, a program that provides outdoor education opportunities to students from underserved communities. The program, which ran from August 2 through 31, was partially funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Stop planting corn river bank to river bank
Iowa farmers take great pride in our state's conservation ethic and lead the nation in the planting of buffers along rivers and streams. But that conservation ethic may no longer be sufficient to counter the economic incentives for many farmers to plant every available acre to crops - including our vulnerable river banks.

State and Federal Government Join to Announce Conservation Program
Lt. Governor Becky Skillman today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted an expansion of Indiana’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), nearly quadrupling the number of acres eligible for conservation.

Federal program hurting farms - Unintended results in Black Dirt include weeds and high land rents
GOSHEN — Perhaps the most dramatic evidence of the weed problem afflicting the fertile farmland of Orange County's Black Dirt Region came last month, when countless, feathery white seeds from the hated Canadian thistle took flight in the summer breeze.

Wild boars may be declared invasive by state
BY TINA LAM FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Federal Subsistence Board Closes Female Deer Hunting on Federal Lands in a Portion of Unit 4 in Southeast Alaska
The Hoonah and Sitka District Rangers, under authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, are taking action to prohibit the taking of female deer (does) in the Northeast Chichagof Controlled Use Area (NECCUA) of Unit 4 to allow recovery of the deer population.

North Dakota NRCS proposes designating Major Land Resource Areas 53A and 53B for the Reserved Rights Pilot .
The Reserved Rights Pilot, allows landowners to enroll lands in the Wetland Reserve Program that meet basic program eligibility requirements. Producers retain grazing rights with an NRCS approved grazing system on the property during the 30 years easement period.

Community Meetings Planned
The Williams Ranger District will host two community meetings to discuss prescribed burning planned this fall. Fire managers will present information and answer questions about prescribed burning projects located near Williams and Parks. Community members are encouraged to attend.

New Fire on Williams Ranger District
Fire crews responded to a new fire on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest, Monday August 30. The lightning-caused Hobble Fire is growing slowly 18 miles northeast of Williams, near the Hobble Mountains. The fire is approximately one acre.

Special edition journal provides new perspectives and guidance for managing white pine blister rust
The August 2010 journal issue provides a synthesis of knowledge on C. ribicola, identifies policy and management actions to mitigate disease impacts, and reviews future issues facing white pine management such as climate change and new pathogen introductions. Through this comprehensive and scholarly review of the literature, Shaw, Geils, and thirty-three contributing authors provide a scientific basis for protecting and sustaining white pine ecosystems.

Alaska Region Forest Service Selects New Deputy Regional Forester
Alaska Forest Service Regional Forester Beth Pendleton recently announced that Ruth Monahan has been selected as Alaska Region Deputy Regional Forester. Monahan has been the Region’s Recreation, Lands & Minerals Director since 2006 and recently served as acting regional forester prior to the arrival of Beth Pendleton.

Fuel treatments reduce wildfire severity, tree mortality in Washington forests
A study conducted by U.S. Forest Service and University of Washington (UW) scientists has found that fuel treatments—even of only a few acres—can reduce fire severity and protect older trees desirable for their timber, wildlife, and carbon-storage value. The finding is part of a three-year study of the 175,000-acre Tripod Fire and is published in the August issue of Canadian Journal of Forest Research.

NCAT Releases Whole Farm Insurance Assessment Tool - Seeks Farmer Evaluators
Kathleen Hadley, Executive Director of the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), announced the release of a new tool for farmers to assess the usefulness of a federally subsidized whole farm insurance product called Adjusted Gross Revenue Lite (AGR-Lite).

USDA Forest Service Remaining Fee Waiver Dates
Continuing to get folks to visit the great outdoors, Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell is offering his agency's second fee waiver weekend this summer on August 14-15.

Eastern Region gets grant to bolster farmlands
The Military Growth Task Force and farmland preservation efforts may seem like an unlikely match but not according to the latest round of grant funds from the N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund.

Peterson Lake Trail in Juneau Under Repair
Significant repairs to the first 1/4 mile of the Peterson Lake Trail will impact Juneau-area hikers starting July 19. Repair work will continue through the middle of August.

Kaibab National Forest Releases Decision on Williams Ranger District Travel Management Analysis
Based on public comments and the analysis done by resource specialists, Kaibab National Forest Supervisor Mike Williams has selected Alternative 3 as the alternative to implement. It will allow travel on approximately 1,114 miles of roads on the Williams Ranger District.

Study shows forestry best management practices prevent erosion
John Tuttle and David Gwaze were prepared for bad news when they launched a seven-year study of how controlled logging to achieve forest-management objectives affects erosion and water quality in Missouri’s Ozark forests. Instead, they got a pleasant surprise.

USDA Announces Effort to Improve Access to Private Land for Recreation
New Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program Will Expand Recreation Opportunities Through State and Tribal Programs

Dan Moller Cabin closed for replacement
U.S. Forest Service officials at the Juneau Ranger District would like to alert recreationists that the Dan Moller Cabin is now administratively closed in preparation for its replacement later this month.

USDA Releases New Data on Soil Erosion and Development of Private Lands
Latest National Resource Inventory for Non-Federal Lands shows significant reduction in soil erosion on cropland and dramatic increase in developed acreage

New Forest Service Economic Recovery Act-funded Hoonah cabin ready for guests
Residents and visitors of Hoonah can now reserve the newly constructed Forest Service cabin at Eight Fathom Bight. This cabin, funded with stimulus dollars from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, provided much needed jobs to the local community.

Kaibab National Forest Smoke Information
Fuelwood Season To Begin May 3 on Williams and Tusayan Districts

Texas Launches New Front in War on Invasive Species
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department today launched a public awareness campaign asking people to help control one of the most dangerous invasive aquatic species the state has ever known — giant salvinia.

USDA Forest Service Continues Discounts at Campgrounds
USDA Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell announced today his decision not to implement proposed changes to fees charged to holders of passes at Forest Service campgrounds operated by private businesses.

New Mexico Governor Signs Natural Heritage Conservation Act
Governor Bill Richardson today signed the Natural Heritage Conservation Act, a bill to protect land, water, wildlife, and working farms and ranches across New Mexico.

Working Lands Initiative (WLI) includes a new program effective Jan. 1
The state hopes a new initiative to preserve farmland can "cluster farms together" and encourage farmers, businesses and local governments to invest in agriculture.

Tongass Motor Vehicle Use Maps available now
Ketchikan, AK—Users of motor vehicles on the Tongass National Forest should stop by their local ranger district to pick up the current copy of the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM), available now. There is a separate MVUM for each district or unit.

POC for Logjam Project Law Suit Info Named
The Department of Justice has named Andrew Ames as the spokesperson for the Tongass Conservation Society v. USFS

Montana Participates in High Tunnel Pilot Study
Montana is participating in a 3-year, 38 state study designed to verify if high tunnels, also known as hoop houses, are effective in reducing pesticide use, keeping vital nutrients in the soil, extending the growing season, increasing yields, and providing other benefits to growers.

Donated Conservation Easements Protect 21,000 Acres Along Critical Georgia Waterways
Governor Sonny Perdue announced 13 conservation easement donations from private landowners to the state of Georgia as part of the Georgia Land Conservation Program (GLCP).

Unique Partnership Promotes Conservation through Ranching
A group of ranching and conservation organizations have formed a broad-based coalition to enhance ranching practices that consider important conservation issues throughout the West.

$1.4 Million Awarded to Public/private Partnerships for Land Conservation
47 Land Trust Organizations and Communities Across New York to Benefit

MAJORITY OF BOTH PARTIES BACK LAND CONSERVATION BILL
Majorities of both Democratic and Republican house members have co-sponsored Conservation Easement Incentive Act, H.R. 1831

Program matches aging farmers with their replacements
It's an increasingly popular idea across the country as a growing number of states try to pump fresh blood into graying fields. The job is to connect fresh-faced wannabes from all over the country with Iowa farmers preparing for retirement — or merely pondering it. This is farm matchmaking, a down payment on the future of rural America.

Counties hold key to Williamson Act's future
The loss of Williamson Act protection could mean that some of the land that gets farmed in California "won't be worth farming any longer."

California state budget cuts have suspended a land conservation program that has been hailed as a key to preventing sprawl and easing economic pressure on farmers and ranchers.
The 44-year-old Williamson Act provides tax breaks to agricultural landowners who sign 10-year contracts (renewed annually) not to develop their property.

2010 Woodland Steward Series
Forest Conservation Education intended for the general public, landowners and other professionals and students.

Program Helps Farmers Protect Land
Any landowner in the county who wants to do the right thing for local streams, neighbors' well water, and the health of the Chesapeake Bay can get a lot of help from the government.

NRCS Announces Farm Bill Ranking Period
NRCS offers voluntary conservation program opportunities through the Farm Bill. Applications for the EQIP, CBWI, WHIP, and AMA programs are accepted at any time. The first ranking cut-off is October 29, 2010. Applications will be evaluated and ranked following this date based on funding.

USDA Announces Conservation Innovation Grants in Montana and 45 Other States
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the winning proposals for the 2010 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). CIG invests in innovative, on-the-ground conservation technologies and approaches, with the eventual goal of wide-scale adoption to address water quality and quantity, air quality, energy conservation, and environmental markets, among other natural resources issues.

California Receives $2.7 Million for Conservation Innovation Grants
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) California State Office received approximately $2.7 million to fund 11 projects through the National Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program.

USDA Announces Recipients of Conservation Innovation Grants in Arkansas
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the winning proposals for the 2010 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). Two Arkansas projects are receiving $388,865. Two other Arkansas projects are receiving funds shared with other states.

The Wilds receives USDA grant for demonstration project.
The Secretary of Agriculture’s recent announcement of Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) funding for 61 projects in 43 States included a $404,000 grant to the Wilds in Muskingum County.

State and Federal Government Join to Announce Conservation Program
Lt. Governor Becky Skillman today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted an expansion of Indiana’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), nearly quadrupling the number of acres eligible for conservation.

North Dakota NRCS proposes designating Major Land Resource Areas 53A and 53B for the Reserved Rights Pilot .
The Reserved Rights Pilot, allows landowners to enroll lands in the Wetland Reserve Program that meet basic program eligibility requirements. Producers retain grazing rights with an NRCS approved grazing system on the property during the 30 years easement period.

USDA Announces Effort to Improve Access to Private Land for Recreation
New Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program Will Expand Recreation Opportunities Through State and Tribal Programs

Working Lands Initiative (WLI) includes a new program effective Jan. 1
The state hopes a new initiative to preserve farmland can "cluster farms together" and encourage farmers, businesses and local governments to invest in agriculture.

USDA, IRS partner to reduce farm fraud
The USDA is partnering with the Internal Revenue Service to reduce fraud in farm programs and streamline payment limits for family farmers.

USDA to launch high tunnel pilot study to increase availability of locally grown foods
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced a new pilot project under the 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative for farmers to establish high tunnels - also known as hoop houses - to increase the availability of locally grown produce in a conservation-friendly way.

USDA to launch high tunnel pilot study to increase availability of locally grown foods
Funding available for producers to participate in 3-year project. USDA’s NRCS recently announced a new pilot project under the “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” initiative for farmers to establish high tunnels – also known as hoop houses – to increase the availability of locally grown produce in a conservation-friendly way.

USDA Launches High Tunnel Pilot Study To Increase Availability of Locally Grown Foods
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced a new pilot project under the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative for farmers to establish high tunnels–also known as hoop houses–to increase the availability of locally grown produce in a conservation-friendly way.

USDA Works With South Dakota To Improve James River Water Quality
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack joined South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds in signing an agreement that will improve water quality, reduce soil erosion, aid flood control and enhance wildlife habitat in the state’s James River Watershed.

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces $1.7 Billion in Conservation Reserve Program Rental Payments
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA will distribute approximately $1.7 billion in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) rental payments to participants across the country in fiscal year 2010.

NRCS ANNOUNCES STRONG INTEREST IN NEW CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM (CSP)
Chief Dave White today announced that NRCS has received nearly 21,300 applications to participate in the new Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). These applications cover more than 33 million acres, nationwide.

MAJORITY OF BOTH PARTIES BACK LAND CONSERVATION BILL
Majorities of both Democratic and Republican house members have co-sponsored Conservation Easement Incentive Act, H.R. 1831

AMERICAN JOBS AND CLOSING TAX LOOPHOLES ACT OF 2010 TECHNICAL EXPLANATION
TECHNICAL EXPLANATION OF THE REVENUE PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THE "AMERICAN JOBS AND CLOSING TAX LOOPHOLES ACT OF 2010," FOR CONSIDERATION ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Prepared by the Staff of the JOINT COMMITTEE ON TAXATION May 28, 2010

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