Legislative Committee Meeting Minutes
AISWCD Quarterly Board
September 10, 2007

Members Present:                                                                           Advisors Present:
Lee Bunting                                                                                       Rich Nichols
Aaron Ferguson                                                                                              Sue Davis
Ken Kesler                                                                                         Hal Pyle
Larry Sterett
Jim Todd

Chairman Jim Todd called the meeting to order.  The following were added to the agenda under NEW BUSINESS-Friend of Ag Award, Karen Steele, Memo of Understanding with ICCI, Dick Breckenridge proposal, assignment of carbon credits, a motion was made by Lee Bunting and seconded by Larry Sterett to add to the agenda, motion carried.  A motion was made by Aaron Ferguson and seconded by Larry Sterett to approve the June 2007 minutes with John Beckhart’s name being corrected, motion carried.
Reviewed Resolutions:

• 2007-3-Farmland & Open Space Protection-Formed a Task Force with Steve Black, Madison County Director, to chair the Task Force.  Rich Nichols and Lee Bunting will be on Task Force.
• 2007-4-Proposed Resolution to Direct NPDES Permit Fees to the IEPA-Formed a Task Force with Shannon Allen to possibly be the chairman.  Rich Nichols and Jim Todd will serve on this Task Force.

NRCS Report-Hal Pyle gave this report.  He explained EQIP and upcoming deadlines for FY07 EQIP.  Discussed FY08 EQIP.  He has Shawn Wilken detailed to Sangamon County for 120 days to help out with workload.  He discussed the special projects area for Nutrient Management in the Lake Springfield area.  Sangamon County has a new field office that is to be completed by November 12th.
There was no Task Force Update

Legislative Update-A report from Mike Hoffmann was passed out.  Mike told Rich Nichols to commend the directors on the local contacts with their legislators to keep our money in the budget, so far!

NEW BUSINESS

Legislative Day 2008-We plan to do this again.  The Task Force will work on this and make recommendations at the December Quarterly Board meeting.

Friend of Ag Award-Will let Mike Hoffmann make this decision and decide in December.

Legislator of Year-Rich Nichols recommended Senator Frank Watson.

ICCI Memo-This was drafted to head off problems for the AISWCD per their auditor.  This memo makes clear that the AISWCD is working with the Districts not employees and timelines for getting the verifications done.  A motion was made by Larry Sterett and seconded by Aaron Ferguson to take the Memorandum of Agreement to the full AISWCD Board, motion carried.

Per request from Lee Bunting, Rich Nichols is going to look into working with the Attorney General’s office and state and local District Attorneys to see if they could represent Soil and Water Conservation Districts.  Lee suggested having a legislator pursue this issue with the Legislative Reference Bureau-Rich will address this in December.

Karen Steele-Aaron Ferguson made a motion, seconded by Larry Sterett to hire Karen Steele at $60 an hour with no retainer to represent Districts through the AISWCD, motion carried.  This is in response to Resolution 2007-5.

Dick Breckenridge-ICCI Proposal of Assignment of Carbon Credits-Dick would like to see if owners of small tracts of land might give the money from ICCI to the AISWCD or to the Envirothon.  Dick has the IEPA attorneys working of a draft agreement to be in effect thru December 31, 2010.  A motion was made by Lee Bunting and seconded by Larry Sterett to take this to the full AISWCD Board, motion carried.  It was stated that Delta Institute was positive about this.

OLD BUSINESS

Terry Davis commended the Legislative Committee for their good work the past year.
He stated commodity groups are questioning access to EQIP funds. 

A motion was made by Larry Sterett and seconded by Lee Bunting to adjourn, motion carried.

Submitted by:  Sue M. Davis
                         AC, Christian County