$ JAN. 26. 2009 9: 36AM 43575521 17 
@ ~ t a h'~ssociation of 
Conservation Districts 
NO. 4600 P, 1 
1860 North 100 East 
I\forth Logan, UT 84341-1784 
Phone: 435-753-6029 
Fax: 435-755-211 7 
www.uacd.org 
January 26,2009 
Conservation Technical Assistance Programs Division FAXED 202-720-2998 
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service 
1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 601 5 9 
Washington, DC 20250-2890 
RE: Foderal Register Notice- November 25,2009 
7 CFR Part 610, RIN 0578-AA51, State Technical Committees 
The Utah Association of Conservation Districts represents Utah's 38 conservation districts that 
have assisted the federal NRCS with delivery of Farm Bill Programs to address agriculture and 
natural resource concerns. We support the National Association of Consswation Districts' 
resommendations in their letter dated December 16,2008 regarding the referenced Federal 
Register Notice. 
In addition, as we have participated in initial discussions with the Utah NRCS State 
Conservationist, regarding proposed changes in the organization of rhe State Technical Advisory 
Committee (STAC), we are concerned the process to obtain, evaluate, and implement 
recommendations of local workpoups may be overly complicated and burdensome to accomplish 
in a timely manner. We encourage simplification in the process and that significant weigh be 
given to local and state priorities in determining the allocation of NRCS Program finds. 
We encourage that state conservation districts be supported with additional resources, both staff 
and funding, so that they have the capacity to fuIfill their mandated responsibilities. The STAC 
process should encourage the participation of conservation district leaders and stakeholder 
involvement. When the local. input is given consideration in a fair process and local resource 
concerns are given weigh in the evaluation criteria for awarding project funding the Iocal 
conservation leaders and stakeholders are further encouraged to participate in the process and 
know then that their input is needed and helpful. 
Thank you in advance for your consideration. 
Cordially 
Bill Rasmussen 
President 
cc: UACD Presidency and Board of Directors 
Leonard Blackham, Commissioner of Agriculture 
Sylvia Gillen, State Conservationist 
CONSERVING NATURAL RESOURCES FOR OUR FUTURE