Conservation Clips are a weekly collection of articles distributed by NACD that provides our members and partners with the latest news in what’s driving conservation. If you have a relevant submission, please contact your NACD Communications Team
AgNet West: USDA Investing Millions in Wildfire Mitigation and Water Quality Projects Through Joint Chiefs’ Partnership 01/11/18
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest nearly $32 million this year to mitigate wildfire risk, improve water quality and restore healthy forest ecosystems in 24 states and Puerto Rico.
The Seattle Times: Oregon wildfire costs up to $454 million in 2017 By Zach Urness 01/10/18
The cost of fighting wildfires in Oregon skyrocketed to $454 million in 2017, the most so far this century. The high cost was fueled by multiple large wildfires — and more than 2,000 total fires — that burned 665,000 acres statewide.
Drovers: Grazing Gold: A Win-Win By John Maday 01/08/18
Across the Corn Belt, crop-residue grazing has become increasingly popular as a low-cost option for wintering cattle and an income opportunity for crop farmers. The system also builds efficiency into beef production by converting a low-value byproduct—crop residue—into high-value protein.
The Washington Post: Extreme hurricanes and wildfires made 2017 the most costly U.S. disaster year on record By Chris Mooney and Brady Dennis 01/08/18
Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria combined with devastating Western wildfires and other natural catastrophes to make 2017 the most expensive year on record for disasters in the United States. The disasters caused $306 billion in total damage in 2017, with 16 events that caused more than $1 billion in damage each. The bulk of the damage, at $265 billion, came from hurricanes.
Reuters: Exclusive: Trump’s EPA aims to replace Obama-era climate, water regulations in 2018 By Reuters Staff 01/09/18
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will replace Obama-era carbon and clean water regulations and open up a national debate on climate change in 2018, part of a list of priorities for the year that also includes fighting lead contamination in public drinking water.
Upper Michigan Source: DNR awards nearly $2.8M in Land and Water Conservation Fund grants By WLUC 01/11/18
KTIC: Healthy fields and farm economies act to strengthen federal conservation programs By Reana Kovalcik 01/10/18
The Healthy Fields and Farm Economies Act, a bipartisan bill introduced on Wednesday in the House by Representatives John Faso (R-NY) and Marcia Fudge (D-OH), will improve USDA conservation programs for American farmers and ensure the most efficient and effective use of taxpayer dollars. Specifically, the bill strengthens federal conservation programs by authorizing and providing funding for the measurement, evaluation, and reporting of USDA conservation program outcomes.
Capitol Weekly: Amid rains and mudslides, drought concern remains By Jessica Hice 01/11/18
Despite the fierce rains and deadly mudslides that have struck California, water officials are concerned about the possibility of a renewed drought.
WIRED: How a mudslide becomes a deadly tsunami of rocks and sludge By Adam Roers 01/11/18
The mudslides earlier this week that killed 17 people—eight more remain missing—came as a terrifying surprise in the early morning to the enclaves of Montecito and Summerland. Fortunately, in recent years geologists have gotten better and better at predicting which slopes are likely to slide after fires, based on computer models using data from previous flows.
Fox News: Animal rights group presses Army on wild horse roundups By Janet McConnaughey 01/10/18