Conservation Challenges Featured in Upcoming Usda Forums Release No. 0409.99 Media Contact: Andrew Kauders (202) 720-4623 andrew.kauders@usda.gov Public Contact: June Davidek (202) 720-3876 june.davidek@usda.gov CONSERVATION CHALLENGES FEATURED IN UPCOMING USDA FORUMS WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 1999 - Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will hold a series of regional forums in late October to discuss conservation issues affecting America's farms, forests, and ranch lands. "The loss of prime agricultural land to development, the restoration of salmon runs in the Pacific NW, the health of our watersheds, and the future of private forestlands are some of the challenges facing the Nation,"said Glickman. "The conservation and forestry programs in USDA can play a stronger role in addressing these and other issues affecting the health of our environment." "These forums will serve as a sounding board to assess what new directions USDA should take to improve the nation's environmental quality and the health of the American landscape." Regional forums are currently planned for Sacramento, Calif; Portland, Ore; Denver, CO; Syracuse N.Y; and Atlanta, Ga. A National Conservation Summit will be held in Ames, Iowa to discuss the need for new direction in USDA's conservation and forestry programs. In recent years, USDA has expanded its conservation efforts beyond curbing soil erosion to include farmland protection, improving water quality, restoring wetlands, protecting soil productivity, managing livestock manure, enhancing fish and wildlife habitat, and promoting conservation in the nation's cities and communities. Each forum will be hosted by a senior USDA official and will include a public comment session. Written comments from audience members will be welcomed as well. The sessions will center on a dialogue among Governors; members of Congress; farmers, ranchers, and foresters; and state and regional representatives from agricultural, environmental, consumer, and other groups and businesses regarding conservation challenges, farm bill issues, and future budget needs. "The health of the land is critical to the wealth of our Nation. The farmers, foresters, and ranchers who manage 70 percent of our landscape can contribute greatly to our nation 's environmental health, natural resource sustainability, and a sound economy," said Glickman. "We look forward to frank, public discussions on conservation issues that are important to us all." Locations, dates, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and USDA Forest Service contacts are listed below: Forums: Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Oct. 20 Portland Airport Holiday Inn 8439 NE Columbia Boulevard Portland, Ore. Contacts: Gayle Norman, NRCS, Portland, Ore., 503-414-3236, gayle.norman@or.nrcs.usda.gov; Denver, Colo., Thursday, Oct. 21 Radisson-Denver, Stapleton Plaza 3333 Quebec Street Denver, Colo. Contacts: Petra Barnes, NRCS, Denver, Colo., 303-236-2886 x216, pbarnes@co.nrcs.usda.gov; Sacramento, Calif., Friday, Oct .22 Sacramento Convention Center 13th and K Streets Sacramento, Calif. Contacts: J.R. Flores, NRCS, Sacramento, Calif., 530-792-5603, jr.flores@ca.usda.gov; Syracuse, N.Y., Tuesday, Oct. 26 Sheraton University Hotel 801 University Avenue Syracuse, N.Y. Contacts: Mark Buccowich, FS, Radnor, Pa., 610-975-4029, mbuccowich/na@fs.fed.us Atlanta, Ga., Wednesday, Oct. 27 JW Marriott at Lenox 3300 Lenox Road, NE Atlanta, Ga. Contacts: David Hoge, FS, Atlanta, Ga., 404-347-1649, dhoge/r8@fs.fed.us Summit: Ames, Iowa, Tuesday, Dec. 7 Memorial Union Iowa State University Ames, Iowa Contact: Lynn Betts, NRCS, Des Moines, IA, 515-284-4262, lbetts@terra.ia.nrcs.usda.gov National USDA contacts are: Scott Hoag, Jr., NRCS, 202-690-4979, scott.hoag@usda.gov; Steve Satterfield, FS, 202-205-1389, ssatterfield/wo@fs.fed.us #