Legislative Committee Meeting Minutes
AISWCD Quarterly Board
March 3, 2008

Members Present:                                                                          Advisors Present:
Tom Anderson                                                                                            Troy Daniell, NRCS
Terry Bogner                                                                                                Sue Davis
John Beckhart                                                                                            Mike Hoffmann
Aaron Ferguson
Ken Kesler
Jake Klein
Larry Sterett
James Todd
Steve Stierwalt
John Maudlin
Don Beisiegel
Terry Davis

Chairman Jim Todd called the meeting to order.  A motion was made by Aaron Ferguson and seconded by Steve Stierwalt to approve the agenda as presented, motion carried.  A motion was made be Terry Bogner and seconded by John Beckhart to approve the minutes from the December 10, 2007 Quarterly Board meeting, motion carried.

NRCS Report-Troy Daniell, Assistant State Conservationist gave a report for NRCS.  He stated they have a budget but are not guaranteed to receive the final portion of CRP.  All FY08 EQIP has been obligated and more funds will be asked for. He explained a new way to use EWP funds for technical assistance money.

No update on Task Force.

Legislative Update-Mike Hoffmann handed out a report with the latest Legislative Update.  He has been in touch with the Governor’s office every day since last week.  It was reported a few RC’s have resigned.  Special thanks were given to Senators John Sullivan and Deanna Demuzio for taking this case to the Governor’s top people.  Mike commented that the FY09 budget for SWCD’s is level funding.  Mike also recommended contacting Federal Legislators about our lack of funding being released.  Both the IDNR and EPA directors have contacted the Governor.

Legislative Awards-Mike recommended Senator Emil Jones and Senator Frank Watson for Legislative Awards.  He stated that our budget has grown over the last three years and these two have made it a priority. 

NEW BUSINESS

Financial Situation-There was discussion about due to finances should the Legislative Breakfast be held?  It was discussed and decided by all that this is probably the most important time to hold this breakfast to talk to the Legislators about our ordeal.  A motion was made by Steve Stierwalt and seconded by Larry Sterett to approve holding the Legislative Breakfast and ask the full AISWCD Board to take a vote and approve it also, motion carried. (The vote was 7 -0).  A motion was made by John Beckhart and seconded by Steve Stierwalt to tentatively schedule a rally day prior to June 1 if no funding is released by the April 3rd Legislative Day, motion carried.  It was discussed a date could be set on April 3rd to hold this rally.

OLD BUSINESS

Reviewed Resolution:

• 2007-4-Proposed Resolution to Direct NPDES Permit Fees to the IEPA-Continuing to work with EPA and the 17 counties that this pertains to until the end of May.  EPA is supportive because they have no one else to monitor this.  EPA was reviewing proposals that were submitted.

House Bills to watch:

• HB 5940-Livestock in Cost Share programs
• HB 3463-Grants to SWCD’s for Watershed Planning
• SB0824-Work outside SWCD boundaries
• HB0987-Ohio/Wabash River Council

Land Use Council 7 Resolution-Steve Stierwalt presented a resolution from LUC 7 with a list of partners to work with.  A motion was made by Steve Stierwalt and seconded by John Beckhart to take this Resolution to the full Board tomorrow, motion carried.

Land Use Council 2 Resolution-Terry Bogner presented a resolution from LUC 2.  A motion was made by Terry Bogner and seconded by Aaron Ferguson to take this Resolution to the full Board tomorrow, motion carried.

A motion was made by Larry Sterett and seconded by Steve Stierwalt to adjourn, motion carried.

Submitted by:  Sue M. Davis
                            AC, Christian County