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FOIA Number: 2013-0661-F (3) FOIA MARKER This is not a textual record. This is used as an administrative marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff. Collection/Record Group: Clinton Presidential Records Subgroup/Office of Origin: Americorps Series/Staff Member: General Files Subseries: OA/ID Number: 24229 FolderID: Folder Title: USDA/Americorps Progress Reports 1995-1996 [1] Stack: Row: Section: Shelf: Position: S 66 1 5 2 Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet Clinton Library DOCUMENT NO. SUBJECT/TITLE DATE RESTRICTION AND TYPE 001. list re: non-selection (1 page) 09/02/1994 b(6) COLLECTION: Clinton Presidential Records AmeriCrops General Files OA/Box Number: 24229 FOLDER TITLE: USDA [Department of Agriculture]/AmeriCorps Progress Reports, 1995-1996 [1] 2013-0661-F rc3052 RESTRICTION CODES Presidential Records Act - [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)] Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)] P1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA] b(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA] P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA] b(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of P3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA] an agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA] P4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or b(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA] financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA] b(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial P5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President information [(b)(4) of the FOIA] and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA] b(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA] personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA] b(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA] C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed b(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of of gift. financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA] PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C. b(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information 2201(3). concerning wells [(b)(9) of the FOIA] RR. Document will be reviewed upon request. STATES DEPARTMENT OP CORRECTURE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250 February 3, 1997 MEMORANDUM FROM THE SECRETARY TO: USDA Program Managers for Projects Utilizing AmeriCorps Members SUBJECT: The Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Role in AmeriCorps I regret to inform you that we have been unable to reach an agreement with Congress that will allow us to continue directly running service projects that utilize AmeriCorps members. Therefore, we have no choice but to cancel those projects planned for this year. I want to thank you for your tremendous effort and patience in implementing previous projects utilizing AmeriCorps members--and in working towards a possible implementation of similar projects this year. You have exemplified the best of public service through your efforts to reinvent government by creating service projects that achieved concrete, measurable results fighting hunger, protecting the environment, and boosting rural communities. In just 2 years of operation, these projects directly aided over 1 million citizens and improved over 400,000 acres of land. Last summer alone, a handful of AmeriCorps members aided by USDA recovered over 1,000 tons of excess food--enough to provide over 1.3 million meals. You should be forever proud of these achievements. It is important to note that, while projects sponsored directly by USDA will not continue this year, growing bipartisan support for the overall AmeriCorps program has allowed the program as a whole to thrive. This year, the overall program will enable 25,000 citizens to earn money for post-secondary education by serving their nation. Your past efforts in pioneering high-quality projects throughout the nation played a significant role in building public support for the overall program. I believe history will show that USDA's early involvement in AmeriCorps played a major role in making national service a permanent fixture in American life. In the months and years ahead, USDA and the Corporation for National Service will work closely together to find alternative ways to continue the important work you and your projects have started. We will work hard to guarantee that rural America is fully served by AmeriCorps, and that community service projects focused on fighting hunger, boosting community development, protecting the environment, and preserving public lands will continue. Although I must again state my regret that we are forced to cancel our projects, I am confident that your energy and expertise will, in the future, continue to be focused on positive ways to engage citizens in improving our nation. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AMERICORPS CHRISTOPHER AULD SPONSORED BY: USDA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE EAST & WEST LAKE RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICTS 883 LAKEPORT BLVD. LAKEPORT, CA 95453 (707) 263-4180 FAX: 263-0912 THE UPPER PUTAH STEWARDSHIP The Upper Putah Stewardship (UPS) is a new organization that is dedicated to the preservation and education on the Upper Putah Creek Watershed. It is a group of concerned citizens, a county supervisor and technical agencies that have taken a watershed approach to improve the conditions of the geographical area within southeastern Lake County. Since its first meeting on January 18, 1996, the stewardship has already organized a restoration project that initiated one mile of debris clean-up, the planting of 11 willow baffles, and one 100 ft. Willow mattress along St. Helena Creek. The willows planted are hoped to protect Middletown resident Andy Pedro's house from slipping into the creek. Currently his house is only 10ft. away from the vertical bank! Currently the UPS is working on an education workshop that will take place in cooperation with the Middletown Clean Up Day. The workshop will include soil erosion, wildlife and plant identification, watershed management, habitat improvement, flood prevention techniques, and other issues that anyone would like to present relating to the watershed. The event will take place Friday, May 31 for student and teachers. On Saturday, June 1 there will be a table top informational display. Technical agencies are currently surveying the creek to help the UPS design a restoration plan that can improve the condition of the creek in Middletown. Once the design is completed, it will then be up to the volunteers of the UPS to obtain funds, resources, and manpower to put the design into action. UPS is also interested in addressing issues in Hidden Valley, Dry Creek, Dry Creek Dam, further work on St. Helena Creek, upper watershed importance, education, water quality, erosion, flooding, and other issues relating to the watershed. The UPS is growing in support and in power, but to complete its objectives and continue its improvement in the watershed, the UPS needs volunteers. Volunteering can consist of as little as attending meetings or donations of used equipment to the local schools. It can also consist of active participation or donation of large equipment used in stream bank protection. Every little bit counts, so if you would like to volunteer or would like to obtain more information, just sign your name, address, phone number, and interest to the attached sheet. Thank you so much for your time. THE NEXT MEETING FOR THE UPS IS ON JUNE 3, 6PM, AT THE MIDDLETOWN FIREHOUSE. CLEAR LAKE 20 53 KELSEYVILLE 29 LOWER LAKE Sodo 16 Big 175 Conyon Creek Creek Coche VMONOS Creek COYOTE VALLEY Dry COLLATOMIAN MIDDLE TOWN Creek MAYACMAS Creek YOLO S1 Helena Creek VALLEY NAPA Putah DETAIL STUDY AREA COUNTY Creek COUNTY COUNTY 29 LAKE BERRYESSA IU.S. Bureau of Reclamation) LEGEND UPPER PUTAH Drainage basin boundary CREEK BASIN Draindge sub-basin boundary County boundary. SCALE IN MILES State highway 5 0 5 10 Stream goge Area of detailed studies Limit of best structural plan UPPER P St. Helena Creek Deli RESTORATION PLAN they 244 Co Vert 50 * -40 SEAL 1.87, 167 72 455, 5% Levee Rock RipRap Future Restoration Willow Planting XXXX Restoration Completed y Perry's Oeli Sandbars Stream Flow Path Islands Willow Planted by Project 1111 New white the Middletown Times Star March 14, project can be shown to benefit fish Watershed volunteers Watershed and wildlife habitat, I could see about a reduced fee on the permit," he said. from page 1 Macedo also suggested good fish look to long-term plan habitat would be good for landown- cratic entanglements when workers ers. "A well established riparian cor- sought to remove approximately 30 ridor will allow the creeks to run By Greg Kubelek munity behind us," Auld added. trees from the creek. longer in summer. It acts like a Only two certainties face volun- Auld will be in Lake County as an Thus far, between rainstorms, paid sponge," he said. teers and public agencies seeking to Americorps volunteer only until workers from the Career Center have He also said grant money from the restore creeks within Putah Creek September. used donated equipment to remove department to foster fish habitat is watershed. At the Monday meeting he de- trees and then plant willow trees along unlikely. The first certainty is the restoration scribed the organization of the Upper the bank to stem erosion from "All our grant money is tied up in will need to be done on a grassroots, Putah Creek wardship, under flooding. salmon and steelhead. I wouldn't even volunteer basis; the second is there which other creek restoration projects Whitney said the planned stew- recommend applying until the coho are bound to be clashes about what could be organized by landowers and ardship could involve water issues (salmon) situation has been resolved," makes good stream environment. others on the various creeks. not related to erosion or wildlife Macedo said. His reference was to "Unfortunately the government Agencies involved in the mutual habitat. projects on the Trinity and Eel rivers agencies don't have the time for effort include the county's Flood "I'm getting concerned about the to restore spawning habitat. money to take care of it," said Chris Control District, the state Department bulk permits. I'm concerned about "I have 3 million acres. I'm not in Auld, an Americorps volunteer. of Fish and Game, the Lake County the cumulative effect of this. It's im- a position to take a leadership posi- Those interested in the future of Career Center, the federal Natural portant to remember we are in the tion," Macedo told the gathering. Putah and St. Helena creeks gathered Resources Conservation District, and bigger watershed," Whitney said. A possible clash with the habitat for the third time in Middletown on the East Lake Recourse Conservation Bulk water permits allow export issue is Whitney's current work to Monday to review progress of an District. of spring water for packaging as find funding for the long delayed Dry ongoing project to stabilize a stretch Many landowners along St. Hel- bottled drinking water. Creek Dam. of St. Helena Creek and future pro- ena Creek have also expressed inter- A recent request for a Cobb Whitney is hoping to find funding posals to develop an entire watershed est, and attended the planning ses- Mountain facility was temporarily to complete a study to find if a dam is plan. sions. withdrawn but county officials say a viable. The dam would impound wa- "I want the energy to come from The East Lake Conservation Dis- number of permit applications are ter allocated to the Putah Creek Wa- the people, not the agencies," said trict will act as the lead agency if the pending. tershed awarded through the Putah county Supervisor Helen Whitney, coalition applies for grants. Rick Macedo a state Fish and Creek adjudication settlement with who worked to assemble the divergent The good news about the project Game biologist told others at the Solano County. groups into a watershed coalition. is that the St. Helena Creek restora- meeting that his agency would try to Auld will work in the coming "We're are going to have to do this tion has been a success so far. cooperate with the restoration months to coordinate a sort of 'open ourselves. It's got to be a citizen's Auld lauded the Department of projects. house' for the St. Helena Creek resto- effort. Fish and Game for its cooperation. He said certain types of restora- ration. "It's a lot easier to get grants, if we He and others had feared bureau- tion efforts would aid both fish and That exhibition is set for the Me- p can say we already have the com- see Watershed page 2 wildlife habitat. morial Day weekend at the end of L "Pools are good for fish," Macedo May, which is also the time of the said. "In a worst case scenario, If a annual Community Cleanup Day. MIDDLETOWN TIMES STAR, APRIL25, 1996 Putah watershed effort gains steam By Greg Kubelek Putah Creek Stewardship, last Friday. Macedo, who spoke about the history The effort to improve the drainage The watershed effort has also of fisheries in the local basin, said the of St. Helena Creek after last year's drawn notice from a member of the role of Fish and Game in the region flooding, has expanded into a water- Upper Putah Creek Conservancy, has changed because of land-use thed management program and has who is employed by the Federal Bu- changes. ained interest from unusual quarters. reau of Reclamation at Lake "The department has jurisdictional One of those quarters is the Cali- Berryessa. authority at the low water mark for ornia National Guard, which is pre- Cleve Dufer, who lives in Clear- just about any major stream," Macedo aring to occupy a new armory in lake and commutes to Lake Berryessa, said. We used to do a lot of stocking akeport. said the conservancy is similar in of streams. In 1970, for all practical "I'm hoping there is a role for us in nature to that envisioned by the purposes, we stopped stocking." this project," said Christopher stewardship, which is to identify and The reason, he said, was because Godley, acaptain and the commander recommend realistic remedies to landowners began restricting access f the incoming National Guard unit. potential or real environmental to the public. "By law, we are only During weekdays Godley is the As- problems. The conservancy encom- supposed to plant fish only where the istant Emergency Services Coordi- passes 58 separate creeks above the public has access," he said. niator for the Sonoma County De- point where Putah Creek drains into About 8 years ago, Macedo stud- artment of Emergency Services. Lake Berryessa. ied local fish populations. "In 1988, I He said the guard unit can and will In the meantime, the Middletown- did some surveys. Big Canyon and Tise its complement of heavy equip- based watershed effort has provided Putah Creeks were the only ones ment to assist with flood control and a focal point for a gathering of infor- completed," he said. debris-removal projects. mation from separate agencies. He said the fisheries here were far "We're kind of a super-aggressive Among them are the California De- more complex than commonly per- Caltrans," Godley told those gath- partment of Fish and Game. ered at the meeting of the Upper Fish and Game Biologist Rick see Putah page 2 Putah from page 1 ceived, and Putah Creek still holds the legacy of saltwater steelhead that once spawned here. "Before Berryessa was put in, we had steelhead. These fish came up from the ocean to Lake County," Macedo said. "A steelhead is nothing more than a rainbow trout that makes a trip from the ocean and back. To this day, though they are really de- pleted, we have what we call land- locked steelhead." Macedo said of fish caught in the system by the dam building project. The process of developing the stewardship effort, has been princi- pally organized by Americorps vol- unteer Chris Auld. The work on St. Helena Creek will be showcased on June 1, in combination with Middle- town Cleanup Days. A walk through I the creek is among the events sched- S uled for the showcase. e Lake County Record-Bee February 1996 Creek. Creek restoration seen cheese," SL shearing en Kashuba, ke slices of "A vertical creek bank is swollen creek waters. properties threatened by cies hatched a plan to defend ous county and federal agen- dents and officials from vari- Protection Project, local resi- St. Helena Creek Streambank At a meeting Monday of the ington and Jefferson streets. dence of Andy Pedro at Wash- erosion damage near the resi- The group pitched in to curb property along St. Helena sures Wednesday to protect experts took emergency mea- teers and environmental MIDDLETOWN Volun- of the R-B staff By ROGER PHELPS as a watershed project By Greg Kubelek Decades of re-engineering have to the Peace Corps, except volunteers changed the nature of St. Helena work on domestic projects. Creek. The group is immediately seeking Now its the creek's turn as it threat- chainsaws, a chipper, and trucks with ens to re-engineer Middletown. winches. All are aimed at reducing That is the conclusion of a loose the estimated 30 trees taken from the Delicatessen, have already Carneggie, owner of Perry's Supervisor Helen Whitney. said Lake County District 1 volunteers, experts nope to save creekside nomes collection of officials, workers and creek bed. Some were toppled there; volunteers who are pondering the others washed down from upstream bank." future of the waterway and disap- and forced water against both banks pearance of real estate along its banks. of the creek. completed or begun projects to Volunteers such as Paul about 10 feet from the creek," "Andy Pedro' S house is now banks near residences. water crashing into sensitive creek bed is sending turbulent the group said. The disrupted gravel carried by storm runoff, root-balls, tree trunks, and Workers hope a small forest of Middletown is being caused by along an 800-foot stretch near "There is such a large amount of Damage to St. Helena Creek the the creek and' the creek intensity storms for damagé to "All you need is several high- al department of agriculture. conservationist with the feder- willow trees will both help abate the Middletown 'blowout' and one day debris, we don't have room to stack restore the land lost to erosion. it," said Earl Brown, who manages "The creek's got a lot more power the temporary job crew through the than we do," said Tom Smythe, a Lake County Career Center. "We can water resources engineer with the shred it; we can burn it," Brown said. county's flood control department. "The most ecological is to shred it; "We can enhance what the creek the most expedient is to burn it," he wants to do." said, hoping someone would volun- The various public officials, in- teer a large chipper to reduce the sion. cluding county Supervisor Helen debris. Whitney said the single trees to I ments and nough willow town, complete with reinforce- entire streambed near Middle- full-scale restoration of the pieces protection projects to a want to go beyond bits-and- Career Center. myself." Whitney, see St. Helena as a long- chipper owned a county agency is term pilot project, work on the creek broken. t future ero- Combining forces, activists trainer for Lake County Brown, ecosystem technician following Jan. 26, said Earl creek during a two-week span logs were removed from the tree trunks, root-balls, and At least 25 large downed asked. "I've stuck in about 100 many willows?" Carneggie "Is it possible to plant too erty along St. Helena Creek. protect streambanks and prop- may end soon. Auld and Smythe said they believe "Once we've got the team together, the blowout was created by upstream we can replicate it other areas," gravel extraction and relocation of Whitney said. the creek bed more than 30 years ago Money to pay a crew of workers for construction of Highway 29. clearing debris here, is set to end on "I know it had problems in the Friday. 1940s. I think it had problems in the Volunteers may need to continue '30s," Smythe said. the work. Whitney hopes other fund- Those who have studied the history ing can be found. Up to now, work of the creek, believe many of the has been financed by a combination upstream meanders have been one along each stream bank. fairly straight high-flow areas, islands into two narrow, rapid, splits around shifting gravel by Brown, St. Helena Creek Saturday work day." "Kids could have a regular watershed?" Clymire said. instructing now on 'What is a side of the project. ing gear up the educational cation's Olga Clymire is help- Creek basin. of federal disaster assistance and job straightened artificially through the training funds. years. The straightening allows wa- According to charts drawn "I have 14 core teachers Lake County Office of Edu- creeks in the Upper Putah areas along several other to eventually restore damaged oratories in streambed areas, ment, including classroom lab- enough community involve- Wednesday was the big push to ter to run faster until it gathers behind Whitney said she envisions clear the remaining debris from the Middletown. creek in preparation of planting the The pending woodland of villows willow trees, both along the existing is expected to help reclaim the former bank and across the streambed in an bank by trapping sediment where the effort to form a baffle that will slow willows are rooted in the baffle. down the waters. "I believe it is entirely possible tc Even if the pay for workers is reclaim all of that land over time," extended, organizers are seeking other Brown said. volunteer help and equipment. Among the volunteers attempting Creek The creek restoration is headed by to solve the problem is Pau Chris Auld. who will be in Lake Cameggie, owner of Perry's Deli a from page 1 County for 10 months as a volunteer the south edge of the community. He for Americorps. Americorps is similar see Creek page 4 said he has invested $53,000 so far w install rip rap to stabilize the bank Middletown Times Star adjacent to his property. Whitney suggested creekside January 25, 1996 property owners may wish to con- side: forming a special assessment district to finance long-term restora- tion efforts. ance Beenner. still under investigation. "This is the first generation members of the Lake County the two-engine Piper Seneca III lowered, then it was towed from rough landing as Brian Ogram. president or the where people don't think the See GOP, back page airplane was Richard VanNatter. the runway for repairs. County Elephants, looks on. same opportunities they had New round of jury selection begins in Klaas slaying suspect tria Judge in Davis case "Let's not make it an issue," Hast- mid-April and run four or five warning them not to talk about the The first attempt to pick a jur ings said, telling the family the but- case and to stay away from news stalled last year in Santa Rosa after months. accounts about it. judge ruled it would be impossible t setting a rapid pace tons were not appropriate in the Those who were able to convince courthouse. "Let's get on and try the the judge that serving as jurors for He read them the charges against select an impartial jury in Sonom SAN JOSE (AP) - The judge in the case." that long would cost them severely for Davis and told them they would have County, where the crime took place. trial of the man accused of killing About 80 prospective jurors were financial, medical or other reasons to keep an open mind until they had The trial was then moved to Sa Polly Klaas set a brisk pace as jury then shepherded into the small court- were dismissed in rapid succession. heard all the evidence. Jose, about 100 miles south. selection began Wednesday. room as the process of winnowing out But more than 50 survived to enter He assured jurors they would not In Santa Rosa, problems were ev Santa Clara County Superior Court hardship cases began. the second phase of the process, fill- ing out questionnaires designed to be sequestered. dent from day one as many juror Judge Thomas Hastings indicated Davis, wearing a crisp striped shirt early he was ready to get down to and a pair of tortoise shell frame give attorneys an idea of whether Wednesday's procedures were demonstrated they were not only int business, disposing swiftly of a glasses that lent him a learned air, they could sit in impartial judgment expected to be repeated for several mately familiar with the high-profi defense complaint over buttons the days. Lawyers were to begin question- case, but had already made up the mainly kept his gaze straight for- on defendant Richard Allen Davis. Klaas family wore memorializing the ward, away from prospective jurors. Hastings spoke to the juror ing prospective jurors individually on minds that Davis was guilty ar Wednesday March 4. should be executed. dead girl. The trial is expected to begin in prospects afternoon, Board candidates to state cases at forum >INDEX By CRAIG JOHNSON St. Residents will hear from closing statement, Fulton said. Record-Bee. of the R-B staff the candidates and will be Candidates running for the The forum is co-sponsored by FORECAST LAKEPORT - Residents allowed to ask questions. supervisor position represent- Anne and Nan A2 the Lake County Resort and can learn more about candi- "We're hoping all candidates ing District 1 include Chris Obituaries A2 Restaurant Association, the dates running for the Lake will be there," said Melissa Dawson, John Paskaly and Ed Opinion A4 PARTLY Lake Country Record-Bee and County Board of Supervisors Fulton, director of the Greater Robey Jr. In the District 4 race, County news A5 the Greater Lakeport Chamber candidates are Buzz Bruns and districts 1, 4 and 5, at a forum Lakeport Chamber of Com- Sports A6-7 of Commerce. incumbent Karan Mackey. Classified A8 Yesterday's High: 67 Low: 4. to be held tonight. merce. Each candidate will be Moderating the event will be District 5 candidates are Comics A9 Weather, see page A2 The forum starts at 7 p.m. in the allowed a two-minute opening Thomas Monigan, managing Mike Linnell and incumbent Crossword A9 ouncil chambers at La ity Hall. 225 Park statement and a two-minute editor of the Lake County D.W. "Bill" Merriman. Volunteers, experts hope to save creekside homes By ROGER PHELPS conservationist with the feder- protect streambanks and prop- Whitney said she envision: of the R-B staff al department of agriculture. erty along St. Helena Creek. enough community involve MIDDLETOWN - Volun- "All you need is several high- "Is it possible to plant too ment. including classroom lab teers and environmental intensity storms for damage to many willows?" Carneggie oratories in streambed areas experts took emergency mea- the the creek and the creek asked. "I've stuck in about 100 to eventually restore damage sures Wednesday to protect bank." myself." areas along several othe property along St. Helena Damage to St. Helena Creek At least 25 large downed creeks in the Upper Putal Creek. along an 800-foot stretch near tree trunks, root-balls, and Creek basin. The group pitched in to curb Middletown is being caused by logs were removed from the Lake County Office of Edu erosion damage near the resi- root-balls, tree trunks, and creek during a two-week span cation's Olga Clymire is help dence of Andy Pedro at Wash- gravel carried by storm runoff, following Jan. 26. said Earl ing gear up the educations ington and Jefferson streets. the group said. The disrupted Brown. ecosystem technician side of the project. At a meeting Monday of the creek bed is sending turbulent trainer for Lake County "I have 14 core teacher St. Helena Creek Streambank water crashing into sensitive Career Center. instructing now on What is Protection Project, local resi- banks near residences. Combining forces, activists watershed?" Clymire said dents and officials from vari- "Andy Pedro' house is now want to go beyond bits-and- "Kids could have a regula ous county and federal agen- about 10 feet from the creek," pieces protection projects to a Saturday work day." -R-B photo by Dan Ryan cies hatched a plan to defend said Lake County District 1 full-scale restoration of the According to charts draw properties threatened by Supervisor Helen Whitney. entire streambed near Middle- by Brown, St. Helena Cree St. Helena Streambank Protection Project director Ed Brown, top, provides willow branches to line the creek bed which will swollen creek waters. Volunteers such as Paul town. complete with reinforce- splits around shifting grav "A vertical creek bank is Carneggie, owner of Perry's ments and enough willow islands into two narrow. rapi prevent further erosion. The erosion was closing in on a shearing off like slices of Delicatessen, have already trees to prevent future ero- fairly straight high-flow area nearby home. In the "trenches" are Albert Pinch, Richard Cheek and Chris Auid. cheese," said Len Kashuba, completed or begun projects to sion. one along each stream bank. Lake County Record-Bee Februaryl, 1996 hitch. years ago there would have been high muddy water. Narrows Lodge. All registration fees, less prize money and promo- tion costs, are given directly to the Upper Lake Fire Department. dozens of them out fishing with shermen are also reminded Cleur Luke Observer Feb.8,1996 1996 vorkshops ELRCD & Whitney plan St. Helena Creek restoration project MIDDLETOWN - The East- na Creek shows us projects are diverting water, causing increased ment of Fish and Game and on pruning roses have lake Resource Conservation Dis- do-able. They just take coopera- flooding and erosion. St. Helena Americorps, offered technical month. trict (ELRCD) and Helen Whit- tion between the agencies and the Creek resident Leland Miller support and direct assistance to Lake County Master Gar- ney, Lake County supervisor, are community. Also, the Putah helped the crew by providing his the community to address the lifornia Cooperative Exten- sponsoring a restoration project Creek watershed has been largely winch, time and labor. Greg Con- continual flooding and erosion along St. Helena Creek. ignored; but with adjudication of ley of Middletown, a director of problems along creeks in the to noon, Saturday, Feb. 17 The overall goal of the project is Putah Creek affecting so many of the East Lake RCD, is also volun- Upper Putah Creek Basin. at Grange Road near Hid- to bring the community together us as defendants and knowing teering his time. Another component of the 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, in a cooperative effort to stop there is a finite amount of water Americorps' Chris Auld is pro- organization is education. Olga Hoes, 2621 Withington stream bank erosion and flooding available for appropriation, cou- ject manager, working with Len Clymire, working through the 263-2281 to arrange in the Middletown area. pled with the continual flooding Kashuba of the Natural Resources Lake County Office of Education, to the Hoes' residence. "I'm pleased with the project," problems we experience, there is Conservation Service (formerly was hired through a Watershed a Hidden Valley Lake res- said Whitney, "because not only a real need for us to take a proac- the Soil Conservation Service). Awareness Program grant to be prune different varieties of does the work get done for no tive approach to managing our Eastlake RCD agreed to be the the Watershed Curriculum Spe- Antique and Climbing. cost or very little cost to the prop- watershed." lead agency, while NRCS and cialist. care of roses, including dis- erty owners along the creek, it On Jan. 26, action began on the Lake County Flood Control will also brings the agencies and com- St. Helena project as Earl Brown's provide technical expertise. Earl The next community meeting is a successful spring, summer munity together to work as a JTPA crew cut and cleared debris Brown also offered the services of scheduled for 7 p.m., Monday, team on other projects in the from the creek. The debris had his job training crew. Other agen- Feb. 12, at the Middletown Fire- watershed. The work on St. Hele- been clogging the channels and cies, including California Depart- house on Highway 175. VEHICLES DISCOUNTED BELOW BLUE BOOK* *USED RETAIL BOOK TOUSLY OWNED VEHICLES ELECTION AND SERVICE OVER 150 VEHICLES EHICLES 100% FINANCING ON APPROVAL LOW INTEREST RATES WAGONS & VANS OF CREDIT 4.6 V8 COME SEE THE Dual Side UTLASS Doors ALL NEW '97 F150 93 ESCORT WAGON UC9728 #123029 NOW NOW 3991 $8993 Lake County Record-Bee March 12, 1996 Bank restoration means more fish, biologist says By ROGER PHELPS the amount would be less if dors." of the R-B staff creekside property owners Those corridors would allow MIDDLETOWN- A Cali- cooperate. deer and other wildlife to walk fornia Department of Fish and The project has so far from one point to another, Game biologist painted a pris- involved a work day in Febru- Macedo said. tine picture of wildlife benefit- ary during which dead trees ting from restored banks along and other debris were And he piqued the interest St. Helena Creek Monday, removed. "There has been no of the group by saying the cor- when a meeting was held at cost to property owners so far," ridors could translate into bet- the South Lake County Fire Whitney said. "We're going for ter fishing, too. Protection District to discuss grants, but there may come a "Before Berryessa Dam, the St. Helena Creek Restora- time when (property owners) steelhead came from the ocean tion Project. need to work together so costs and spawned in St. Helena While the biologist, Rick are more likely to be $50 per Creek," Macedo said. Macedo, brought the good owner than $500 per owner.' "We still have landlocked news, caution regarding the Whitney said concerns of steelhead residing in potential cost of the project creekside property owners Berryessa that come to St. was also a key theme at the 6 include vegetation growing in Helèna to spawn." p.m. gathering. the middle of channels, thus Then, a. question from Whit- District 1 Supervisor Helen heightening bank erosion, bulk ney. Whitney, who spearheaded the water diversions, land use If we restored creek banks, project, told the group that changes and, Macedo added, would we get more fish?" cash outlay may be needed and permanent riparian corri- "Yes," said Macedo. Middletown Times Star January 11,1996 bud Community Hospital Clinical area residents have often delighted to weekend at $40 per person. Tickets ht Laboratory works with PHCA to pro- the music of this group as members of will be in limited supply due to the size (at the now-defunct Cheek to Cheek band. vide this service to the community free of the Hidden Valley Lake Country % of charge; the Laboratory donates both A gala evening at the ball could Club dining room, where the ball will S the labor and materials necessary for make an ideal way to honor your be held. Call 987-9654, 987-2349 or 11 this screening. Valentine, Jones says, adding that a 987-0497 for information. S Representatives from PHCA will be at each of the screenings to answer le Creek helpers organize general medical questions. Persons op over the age of 54 may sign up at the The first meeting of the commu- ing the restoration project and other screenings for other free medical ser- nity restoration project of St. Helena public interest projects throughout vices provided by PHCA. Creek is scheduled for Jan. 18 at the the watershed. call South Lake County Fire Protection Technical and physical services New adult classes District. will be available from a variety of n [ offered at MHS The meeting will focus on the organizations including Whitney's at possible remediation of flooding and office, the resource conservation dis- os An exercise class is being offered at erosion problems. trict, the Natural Resource Conser- Middletown School District Adult County Supervisor Helen Whitney vation Service, Americorps, Lake the Education starting Monday, Wednes- and the East Lake Conservation County Flood Control, the state De- day and Friday, 6:30 p.m., Jan 22 District are sponsoring this event. partment of Fish and Game and Earl !M en through April 3. This class will take The meeting begins at 10 a.m. and Brown's job training crew. ildren place in the Middletown Multi-Use is expected to last until noon. A rep- In Addition, teacher Coral Zanin, pur 47 Room. Instructor is Jane Goold. This resentative of the conservation district of Middletown Middle School, will L., is a fee-based course not supported by will be discussing the possibility of a prepare a curriculum for students on state funds; the fee will be $35. You creek restoration project between the the importance of creek and watershed Started 8 may register at the class. Bring amat or Wardlaw Street Bridge and the Lip- management. D., code: towel, and water. scomb Bridge.' If the community Anyone with an interest in this An ESL-Citizenship class will also supports the projects then a commu- issue is encouraged to attend the initial keswom be offered. We would like to offer this nity stewardship organization will be meeting. More information can be daycare free course for people wishing to pre- formed to oversee its progress. obtained from Whitney at 263-3368, Te shose pare to take the citizenship test, those The new organization will consist or from Chris Auld of the East Lake IS help 01 with a primary language other than of elected local landowners who can Resource Conservation District at BO child English. address community concerns regard- 263-4180. 0 01 able We will need at least 10 people to care РП sign up in order to offer the class. It 1 designed would run Tuesdays and Thursdays Hearing set for L.L. water Park from 6 to 8 p.m. Child care will be The county Planning Commission in Lakeport on Thursday, Jan. 25, in Ce available. If you are interested in this will hold a public hearing on plans the Board of Supervisors chambers. I office Course, please call our answering ma- for a water recreation park to be built The hearing is set for 9:05 a.m. 2q oste IIIM schine and leave your name and phone in Lower Lake. Another hearing is scheduled at Юд 987-4175. The park will feature water slides 9:45 a.m. for Judy Hardester's pro- Mendox le I Coming soon will also be: Helping and other summer recreation. The 9- posal to place a double-faced outdoor ur session sser. Your Child Succeed in School and acre will be located in the 9200 block advertising sign in the 18000 block 0 Child SpureWord Processing on the Mac using of Highway 53. of Highway 29, Chan or existing and The Planning Commission meets 966I Age 25 to 69 You may save big money on your Hidden Valley Lake Country auto insurance Open to the Public Married or single, quali- fied men and women may save plenty on car insur- Buy a Business, Family or Individual Golf Membership ance with Farmers exclu- by January 31, 1996 and SAVE 50% on initiation fee. sive 30/60 Plus Package. Call for more information 707-987-3035 Why AmeriCorps Community Involvement UPS Restoration AMERICORPS NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE 883 Lakeport Blvd. Lakeport, CA 95453 (707) 263-4180 St. Helena Creek Restoration Project (Wardlaw Street Bridge to "Lipscomb" Bridge) This letter is a running journal/letter of what has happened along St. Helena Creek. The goal of the Restoration Project is to bring the community of Middletown together to form a land stewardship organization by enhancing the condition of the St. Helena Creek and by educating on the importance of watershed management. Soil and property erosion, flooding, habitat improvements, and riparian revegetation will be the primary focus for the enhancement of St. Helena Creek. The Natural Resource Conservation Service has agreed to develop a watershed team that will survey the creek and come up with the best practical remediation to help stop the erosion and flooding. Education is another key issue to the remediation project. Already curriculum is being set up to educate students on the importance of watershed management. One of the main focuses of the Jan. 18th meeting was on educating the landowner on remediation practices and watershed management. It is important now to give a brief history of the creek and the project. The Property Owners of the St. Helena Creek have been complaining for years over the constant flooding and land erosion the creek has been producing. The troubled creek has seen years of probable abuse from gravel extractions, mining, farming, etc. At one point, the creek meanders were believed to have been changed in order to straighten the creek. This change could have caused increase in creek flow, erosion, and flooding. Overgrazing practices could have also left the area with limited plant life along the creek banks and has caused further increases in erosion. In 1960 the creek was physically moved about 50 feet in order to put in a state highway. One year later large blowout areas were found around the creek. Despite all the problems, limited restoration work has been done in this area. Len Kashubu of the National Resource Conservation District (NRCS) has put in some time working with individual landowners but only to have their efforts nullified by lack of maintenance and follow up from the landowners. Recognizing this problem District Supervisor Helen Whitney proposed a community restoration project on the St. Helena Creek. It was discussed that I would act as project coordinator while the East Lake Resource Conservation District would act as the lead agency. Lake County Flood Control, NRCS, AmeriCorps, and Earl Brown's (Career Center) job training crew will all provide technical and physical services to the Middletown community. In addition Coral Zanin of the Middletown Middle School, Sonoma State University, and Olga Clymire Environmental Education Consultant will provide curriculum and physical service for training children on the importance of creek and watershed management. The next step in the project was preparing for the meeting on January 18th. The importance of the meeting was to ensure the community understands that this is their project. It was, will and continue to be stressed that this is not my project, not ELRCD, and not Supervisor Whitney, but it is a community restoration project. We decided to introduce to them the importance of watershed management, forming stewardships, and proper techniques in creek restoration. Next would hopefully be the community turn to express their concerns, ideas, and what they perceive to the future of their project. The end result was hoped that the community would form a stewardship that would not only serve the restoration project but will also continue on other public interest projects throughout the watershed. This stewardship would then be encouraged not to act as an advisory to any other agency but to act as their own separate entity. Later, the stewardship would be responsible for funding and developing watershed projects, while inviting other agencies to participate. At the meeting, the community and local agencies began exchanging concerns and information on the creek. A large concern was focused on Andy Pedro's house and the possibility of it falling into the creek. To help in the situation, the Career Centers' Earl Brown volunteered the services of a training crew and the members of the meeting agreed that the crew should begin cleaning debris from the creek immediately. The most successful development of the first meeting came from the local community. The community did agree to initiate a stewardship organization that can focus on controlling the restoration project and later expand to other project within the St. Helena - Putah Creek watershed. After the meeting the job training crew began taking steps in helping clean the creek and on January 26 they began cutting and clearing debris from the creek. Volunteers from the local community also took part in the following days events. The local paper that has been kept updated on the project, printed an article on February 1 with pictures of the workers and volunteers. Other progress include Olga Clymire efforts to provide a watershed curriculum for the St. Helena Creek. One idea planned for the St. Helena Creek is to have a community restoration day. At this day federal and local agencies, teachers, private businesses and volunteers will set up workshops educating students and the public on watershed dynamics. The workshop will not only teach about the watershed but will also be centered around restoration work. An example may be a workshop on vegetation planting and why they are important. Other activity will be include but have not been defined at this time. Private agencies are also becoming involved in the project. Real Estate 2000, located in Middletown, has help supply a listing of landowners along the St. Helena Creek. The information was used to send a letter to landowners about the upcoming meetings and possible ways to get involved. Also Jackson Equipment Co. helped by suppling equipment specifically a backhoe. The backhoe was used on Wednesday February 14th to open a 4 ft deep trench to plant 11 willow baffles and a 100 ft long trench along the bank of the creek. Earl Brown, the JTPA crew, and other volunteers once again provide their services by cutting and planting the willows in the baffles the backhoe created. The willow planting created considerable publicity as community members came to check out what was happening and participate in the restoration. The project was written up in three local papers and cost a total of ten dollars (all on stamps informing landowners on the project. Jim Branston of the California Department of Fish and Game said that he has no problem with using a backhoe in the project area as long as no water is entering the channel. The project area is in a dry channel that flows during flooding. He also stated that he would exempt us from any permit fees. A second St. Helena Creek meeting was held on February 12th. At the meeting Earl Brown went over a possible design of a long term restoration project on the creek. Other ideas were expressed and it was confirmed that a survey will be completed by the NRCS during the first week of April. The NRCS will consider all information and then design their best version of a long term restoration. An increase in attendance from the first meeting help to provide further momentum in organizing a community stewardship. Olga Clymire gave further information on watershed curriculum and other volunteers spoke on various other issues effecting the creek and the local community. The next meeting is schedule for March 11. The March 11 meeting was an even bigger event the first two meetings. Landowner attendance doubled in size from the last two meetings and increase awareness provide some interesting discussion. One interesting development was the structure formation for this organization which is now called the Upper Putah Stewardship (UPS) The name was derived from the target watershed of the Upper Putah Creek and it is hoped that a 10 person committee will be in charge of the stewardship. The committee will consist of community members from the watershed and will direct local, state, and federal agencies to help in their efforts. The stewardship efforts will be implemented by what we are going to call action groups. It will be up to the ten person committee to obtain the money, resources, and expertise to support a project while action group will be responsible for spearheading the project. The intial and example project for this group will of course be on St. Helena Creek. One action group will be dedicated to the restoration of the creek. The group will be clearing debris, planting native vegetation for erosion control and shading. Another action group is dedicated to education of the Upper Putah Watershed. This group will be help to teach students and adults on the importance of watershed management and will sponsor workshops on erosion control, habitat improvement, water monitoring, and any other items within a watershed. It will then be up to the committee to coordinate efforts of the two groups so that the community can learn about watershed issues while protecting and restoring the creek. Coordinated efforts may include willow planting workshop that will take place on an eroded creek bed. Another action group in Hidden Valley for restoration work is currently gaining support. Articles appeared in Lake County Record-Bee (March 12th) and Middletown Times Star (March 14th). The next meeting will be held on April 19th. At this meeting the NRCS will present their findings from their survey which will be done on April 5th. Also Rick Macedo from the California Department of Fish and Game will be doing a presentation that will supplement the NRCS finding by including ways to improve the habitat while stopping erosion and flooding. On April 5th the NRCS survey team attempted to survey St. Helena Creek. Unfortunately the team was unsuccessful due technique difficulties. The survey has been scheduled for May 1. The next meeting for the UPS took place on Friday April 19th. Rick Macedo of the Department of Fish & Game was the guest speaker. Rick informed the UPS on the variety of life within Putah Creek. He also outlined the importance issue that the Dept. of Fish & Game are dealing within the Putah Creek Watershed. Greg Giusti of the UC Cooperative Extension and Capt. Chris Godley or the Calif. National Guard were present and informed the group on their interest in the area. Giusti lectured on wildlife protection and prescribed burnings, while Capt. Godley lectured on how the Guard can help a community and volunteered the services of his equipment during restoration. The major achievement of the meeting was the formation and sign-ups of subcommittees. It is hoped that these subcommittees will meet next month and get things done for the UPS. The St. Helena Subcommittee was already talking on when the can met to clean up the creek during the Middletown Clean Up day on June 1. The next meeting is skipping the month of May in hopes the subcommittees can met. The meeting is scheduled for June 3. I hope this information will be useful to you and if you any questions please let me know. Also I would really like your input regarding anything you would like to see added or any problems you may see. If you want to reach me my number is (707) 263-4180. Sincerely, Chris Auld AmeriCorps Member State of California The Resources Agency DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME FISH POPULATION SURVEY Putah Creek LAKE COUNTY, 1988 Prepared By Richard A. Macedo Fishery Biologist Region 3 SITE #1 UPPER STATION CALIFORNIA ROACH (23.2%) RAINBOW TROUT (23.7%) SACRAMENTO SUCKER (2.7%) RIFFLE SCULPIN (50.4%) SITE #2 LOWER STATION SACRAMENTO SQUAWFISH (11.1%) GREEN SUNFISH (11.9%) SACRAMENTO SUCKER (3.2%) SMALLMOUTH BASS (73.8%) FIGURE 3. Species composition of fish captured at Sites #1 and #2, upper Putah Creek, Lake County. pools, both biomass and average fork lengths for smallmouth bass and green sunfish would have been greater. Summary and Suggestions Regarding Future Management: Upper Putah Creek supports two primary sport fisheries; a coldwater fishery composed of rainbow trout and a warmwater fishery which supports smallmouth bass and green sunfish. The boundary dividing these two fisheries lies in the reach between the Highway 175 and Highway 29 bridges. This boundary is most likely dynamic depending upon the season. Cold winter flows are sufficient for sustaining trout all the way to Lake Berryessa. In fact, land-locked steelhead from Lake Berryessa are known to migrate up Putah Creek in the winter and spawn in main-stem Putah and its tributaries. Trout recovered at Site #1 may be the progeny of land-locked steelhead. Protection of this unique migratory fishery should be a primary goal of any agency having jurisdiction over activities in the upper Putah Creek watershed. Bridges, pipe crossings and other instream structures must be designed to permit fish migration and protect riparian habitat. Lack of public access limits the potential for upper Putah Creek to become a popular recreational fishery. Acquisition of large areas would improve opportunities for both resident and non-resident anglers. Sections near and upstream of Site #1 have the potential of becoming Wild Trout Waters, however small sizes and limited public access may be insurmountable hurdles at this time. Tributary streams such as Anderson, Dry, St. Helena and Big Canyon Creeks also support self-sustaining trout fisheries and may be better suited for the Department's Wild Trout Program. Sections of upper Putah Creek support one of California's more productive smallmouth bass fisheries. The potential of Putah Creek's smallmouth bass fishery is enormous. Unofficial public access exists at the Highway 29 bridge. Potential public access exists at the U.S. Coast Guard Loran Station. This facility may be abandoned and efforts should be made to ensure that public access is made available. To date, Coast Guard personnel limit most pubic access near the facility. Water diversion projects in the Putah Creek watershed may have adversely impacted the streams fishery by: 1) reducing flows in the main-stem and some tributary streams; 2) increased the period that sections of Putah Creek and some tributaries remain dry during spring, summer and fall periods; blocked historic spawning and rearing habitat as a result of dams; and increased mortality as a result of inadequate screens and water velocities entering pump intakes. Collectively, water diversion projects in the Putah Creek watershed may be incurring cumulative impacts on the stream's fish and wildlife resources. Instream flow studies and/or other applicable analyses are needed to determine optimum flows in Putah Creek and its major tributaries. With this information, the DFG, SWRCB and other jurisdictional agencies would have information that could be used to set bypass flows and determine diversion seasons. Sections of upper Putah Creek have been used by commercial miners to extract aggregate (sand and gravel) resources. In some cases, these operations have resulted in impacts to riparian habitat and loss of channel confinement. Well confined stream channels bordered with riparian habitat are optimal environments for fish and wildlife species. Future projects involving commercial gravel mining in upper Putah Creek should be conditioned to maintain channel confinement and protect riparian habitat. UPPER PUTAH CREEK BASIN PROJECT AREA COUNTY OF LAKE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Helen Whitney District One Supervisor Supervision Whitney proposed 255 N. Forbes St. the project and is providing Lakeport, CA 95453 project coordination (707) 263-2368 AMERICORPS Chris Auld Chris is project coordinator Project Coordinator 883 Lakeport Blvd. Lakeport, CA 95453 (707) 263-4180 EAST LAKE RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT Frank Meisenbach and Greg Conley Lead agency and overseer of project Frank and Greg will be supervising 883 Lakeport Blvd. the project Lakeport, CA 95453 (707) 263-4180 NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE Robert Cabalsi Area Engineer Burt will provide technical assistance 1301 Redwood Way, Suite 215 and help provide a survey of the Petaluma, CA 94954 creek (707) 794-8692 Len Kashuba District Conservationist Len will provide technical assistance 883 Lakeport Blvd. And he is the local representative Lakeport, CA 95453 for the NRCS (707) 263-4180 John Bennett John will survey the creek and Field Office Engineer and propose a long term 405 Orchard Ave. remediation plan Ukiah, CA 95482 Tom Schott District Conservationist Tom will supply technical support 405 Orchard Ave. Ukiah, CA 95482 CAREER CENTER Earl Brown Ecosystem Technician Training Supervisor Earl and a Job Training Crew 341 N. Main St. have provided technical Lakeport, CA 95453 assistance and did supply the (707) 262-3406 man power during restoration LAKE COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL Sue Arterburn Director of Flood Control & Lake Management Tom Smythe and Steve Why Water Resources Engineer The flood control team will supply 255 N. Forbes St. support in flood protection Lakeport, CA 95453 and erosion control (707) 263-2343 CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME Jim Branston & Lynette Pedroncelli Jim and Lynette have been helpful in Law Enforcement providing guidance on regulation for creek (707) 263-4318 restoration Rick Macedo Rick will be helpful in providing information Biologist on improving wildlife habitat. (707) 928-4369 MIDDLETOWN RANCHERIA Ivan Knight Water Resources Ivan is helping to provide coordination Middletown Casino interest between the project and the Indian (707) 987-0197 Reservation. LAKE COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION Olga Clymire Environmental Education Consultant Olga has begun setting up 1152 South Main St. Watershed curriculum and is Lakeport, CA 95453 coordinating educational (707) 263-7249 activities with Coral Zanin MIDDLETOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL Coral Zanin, Tony Gallegos, & Judy Heywood Watershed Education Coordinator Coral,Tony, and Judy are coordinating Middletown, CA 95461 program along the creek and working on (707) 987-4160 watershed awareness. (707) 928-4017 Coral (707) 928-5450 Tony (707) 279-1484 Judy or (707) 987-4130 Work MIDDLETOWN TIMES STAR Greg Kubelek Greg has been covering and giving PO Box 1388 his time to the project Cobb, CA 95426 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS Ginger Fodge Ginger is helping provide guideness on 1325 J Street regulation of creek restoration Sacramento, CA 95814-2922 (916) 557-5258 JACKSON EQUIPMENT CO. Joe Jackson Jackson Equipment Co. Provided PO Box 699 a backhoe and their services to help Middletown, CA 95461 construct willow baffle along the creek (707) 987-3660 REAL ESTATE 2000 Ed Breazeale Ed has provided us with a complete Middletown, CA 95461 listing of all the landowner on the (707) 987-2003 creek CALTRANS Don Rivers Don Rivers is interested in helping PO Box 545 and solving problems invoving the Middletown, CA 95461 the freeways (707) 987-3158 BUREAU OF RECLAMATION Cleve Dufer Cleve works in Lake Berryessa area (707) 966-2111 Lake and has a personal interest in helping (707) 994-1802 Home the UPS CALIFORNIA NATIONAL GUARD Capt. Chris Godley Capt. Godley will attempt to provide 1960 Camino Del Prado heavy machinery during restoration and Santa Rosa, CA 95403 give guideness in UPS formation. (707) 323-4744 UC COOPERATIVE EXTENSION Greg Giusti Greg is supporting the UPS and its efforts Agricultural Center/Courthouse Ukiah, CA 95482 (707) 463-4495 VOLUNTEERS Andrew B. Pedro P.O. Box 432 Andy's house lies in area of Middletown, CA 95461 considerable concern and where (707) 987-3244 the restoration will begin Paul Carneggie Paul is owner of Perry's Deli 21308 Calistoga and has completed a restoration Middletown, CA 95461 project on the creek (707) 546-7403 Don Parriott P.O. Box 204 Don has been helpful in providing Middletown, CA 95461 information about the creek (707) 987-3637 Joan Buchholz Joan is interested in helping teach P.O. Box 9714 about the importance of Middletown, CA 95461 watershed management (707) 987-0497 Leland & Billii Miller P.O. Box 552 Leland & Billii has already donated Middletown, CA 95461 the services of their truck, winch, and (707) 987-3472 time to help clean out the creek Elsie Mackesy Teacher Interested educator PO Box 55 Middletown, CA 95461 (707) 987-2921 Frank Haas Frank is the director of Callayomi Water Callayomi County Water District District and is interested in the St. Helena (707) 987-2180 Creek Robert and Florence Hacharison PO Box 1106 Robert and Florence are concerned with Middletown, CA 95461 their property on the St. Helena Creek. (707) 987-0586 Bill Reed Lake County Fish and Wildlife Committee Bill is an advisor to the Lake County Fish PO Box 205 & Wildlife and is interested in helping Cobb, CA 95461 coordinating efforts (707) 928-5036 Betty & Russ Huff Betty & Russ are owners along the creek 20653 St. Hwy. 53 and are interested in stopping erosion on Middletown, CA 95461 the creek John Klier JTPA Crew Member John has spent two full weeks working 2607 Hendricks Rd. on the creek Lakeport, CA 95453 Craig B. Barnette JTPA Crew Leader Craig was the onsite supervisor for the 315 Walnut Dr. first portion of the restoration project Lakeport, CA 95453 and is interested in volunteering (707) 263-3432 Steven R Hoffman JTPA Crew Member Steve has spent tow weeks working on the 607 1st Street creek and is interested in volunteering to Lakeport, CA 95453 help effort in the Upper Putah Creek. (707) 262-0978 Ronnie Williams JTPA Crew Member Ron has spent two full weeks working PO Box 834 Upper Lake, CA (707) 275-2906 Richard Thomas PO Box 117 Richard has expressed interest in the Middletown, CA 95461 project (707) 987-2227 Ken McNamara PO Box 1022 Ken has agreed to use his dump truck Middletown, CA 95461 during creek restoration (707) 987-9338 Chris Dawson Chris has helped coordinate the efforts PO Box 996 of the former St. Helena Creek Riparian Middletown, CA 95461 Water Users and the Upper Putah (707) 987-3637 Stewardship Dwight & Joelle Holford 24067 Hilderbraind Dwight and Joelle are interested in Middletown, CA 95461 volunteering their time and efforts to (707) 987-2600 help maintain the creek Win Horne 22000 Hwy 29 Win is the owner of Horne Winery and is Middletown, CA 95453 interested in protecting his land on St. (707) 987-3743 St. Helena Creek Ed Robey PO Box 796 Ed is interested in the project as it effects Lower Lake, CA 95461 the area (707) 994-4649 Ray Domergue 21252 Calyome Ray is interested in project as it is (707) 987-3254 affecting his property Dennis "Mickey" & Lisa Aiello 15998 Main St. Mickey and Lisa are intersted in donating Middletown, CA 95461 time to help stop the erosion (707) 987-9319 Frank Yodi PO Box 83 Frank is interested in the project Middletown, CA 95461 (707) 987-3520 OF 707/263-2343 LAKE OF FAX 707/263-7748 LAKE 707/263-2364 FAX 707/263-7748 OF VINBOAITO OF SUE A. ARTERBURN, P.E. STEVE WHY DIRECTOR WATER RESOURCES PROJECT COORDINATOR Lake County Flood Control Lake County Flood Control & Water Conservation District & Water Conservation District DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS 255 N. FORBES STREET LAKEPORT, CA 95453 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS 255 N. FORBES STREET LAKEPORT, CA 95453 OF 707/263-2343 LAKE OF LAKE COUNTY CAREER CENTER Private industry Council Lake County Flood Control EARL BROWN & Water Conservation District Ecosystem Management Project Coordinator (707) 262-3406 THOMAS R. SMYTHE 255 N. FORBES STREET WATER RESOURCES ENGINEER LAKEPORT, CA 95453 341 North Main Street (707) 263-0630 Lakeport, California 95453 FAX (707) 263-0920 (707) 263-4180 AMERICORPS O TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH: EASTLAKE RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT CHRISTOPHER AULD AND SPONSORED Br: WESTLAKE RESOURCE USDA - NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE CONSERVATION DISTRICT EAST & WEST LAKE RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICTS U. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 883 LAKEPORT BLVD. LAKEPORT, CA 95453 LEN KASHUBA 883 LAKEPORT BLVD. DISTRICT CONSERVATIONIST LAKEPORT, CA 95453 (707) 263-4180 FAX: 263-0912 Olga N. Clymire Environmental C-LINE #61217 BUSINESS CARD Education Consultant Lake County Office of Education 1152 South Main Street Lakeport, CA 95453 (707) 263-7249 Fax (707) 263-0197 E-mail: [email protected] FYI USDA SUMMER OF GLEANING MEMBER AGREEMENT OF PARTICIPATION IN AMERICORPS SUMMER PROGRAM Whereas, the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have jointly entered into this agreement to promote national and community service among the citizens of the United States to help meet human, educational, environmental, and public safety needs, particularly those related to poverty. Whereas, the mission of the USDA AmeriCorps Program is to engage a diverse group of Americans in working partnerships with communities to provide real and measurable service to meet environmental and human needs, while earning education benefits and building an ethic of service, responsibility, and citizenship. Whereas, USDA actively supports the development of the nation's youth through programs such as AmeriCorps. Therefore, the USDA will operate its AmeriCorps Program to further objectives of mutual civic obligation. AUTHORITY: This agreement is entered into pursuant to the authority of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 as amended (42 U.S.C. 12501 et. Seq.), Public Law 103-82. I. Purpose It is the purpose of this agreement to delineate the terms, conditions, and rules of membership regarding participation in the USDA AmeriCorps Summer of Gleaning Program. This agreement is hereby entered into on this day of , 1996, between the USDA Subgrantee (hereinafter referred to as the "Program") and (hereinafter referred to as the "Member"). II. Minimum Qualification The member certifies that he/she is a United States citizen, lawful permanent resident alien and at least 17 years of age and has not been previously terminated for cause from another AmeriCorps Program. Lawful permanent resident aliens must have a valid "Alien Registration Reciept Card," INS Form I-551 or I-151. III. Term of Service (a) The Member/Team Leader's term of service begins on and ends on * The end date may be extended upon the mutual agreement of the program and the member. (b) The regular member must complete 480 hours of direct community service in order to be eligible for the education award. In addition to the 480 hours of direct community service, the USDA term of service includes 16 hours of personal leave and 16 hours for Federal holidays. This makes the USDA Term of Service 512 hours for regular members. If a member does not use any of the personal leave and all of the holiday hours, s/he will receive a payment for the unused hours. The required number of service hours must be completed in no less than 10 weeks. The member understands that in order to be eligible for serving a second term of service, s/he must receive satisfactory performance reviews for any previous term of service. The member's eligibility for a second term of service will be based on at least a mid-term and end of term evaluation of his/her performance focusing on factors such as: (1) completed the required number of hours; (2) satisfactorily completed assignments, tasks, or projects; and (3) met any other criteria that were clearly communicated both orally and in writing at the beginning of the term of service. (d) the member understands, however, that mere eligibility for an additional term of service does not guarantee selection or placement. The member will have to apply and be considered with any other applicants applying for positions. (e) the member may serve more than 480 hours of direct service if the USDA Director of National Service approves an extension but the member will not be eligible for more than the one education award and the amount of the education award can not exceed $1,000. (f) The team leader must complete 480 hours of direct community service in order to be eligible for the education award. In addition to the 480 hours of direct community service, the USDA term of service includes 16 hours of personal leave and 16 hours for Federal holidays. The team leader will also be available for an additional 40 hours for training and program evaluation. This makes the USDA Term of Service 552 hours for team leader. If a team leader does not use any of the personal leave and all of the holiday hours, s/he will receive a payment for the unused hours. The required number of service hours must be completed in no less than 11 weeks. IV. Benefits (a) The member will receive from the Program the following benefits -- (1) A living allowance of $2,242, if the member is not a designated team leader. A living allowance of $3,466 if the member is a designated team leader. In both cases the allowance will be distributed over the term of service (less tax withholdings). (b) Upon successful completion of the member's term of service, the member will receive an education award of a value of $1,000. (1) Prior to using the education award, the member agrees (in the event the member has not yet received a high school diploma or its equivalent, including an alternative diploma or certificate for individuals with learning disabilities) to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent (unless the member is enrolled in an institution of higher education on an ability to benefit basis or the Program has waived the requirement due to the results of the member's education assessment). 2 (2) The member understands that his/her failure to disclose to the Program any history of having been released for cause from another AmeriCorps Program will render the member ineligible to receive the education award. © If the member has received forbearance on a qualified student loan during the term of service, and the member has successfully completed the term of service, the National Service Trust will repay any interest that accrued on the loan during the term of service. V. Rules of Conduct The member agrees to act in conformance with, and abide by, all current and future rules and procedures established by USDA. The AmeriCorps Summer of Gleaning Program member further agrees to act in conformance with and abide by, the provisions of 7 CFR Part 735. Members must not misuse government property and must conform to the specific limitations of use of such property and must conform to the specific limitations of use of such property while on official Federal government business. (a) the member is expected to, at all times while acting in an official capacity as an AmeriCorps Member: (1) demonstrate mutual respect toward others; (2) follow directions; (3) direct concerns, problems, and suggestions to the appropriate Program official, and (4) not engage in any activity involving proselytizing or assisting religious organizations, attempting to influence legislation or an election or aid a partisan political organization, helping or hindering union activity, or aiding a business organized for profit; (5) follow all safety instructions and use safety equipment. (b) At no time may the member: (1) engage in personal use of government vehicles, property, tools, equipment, or telephones; (2) possess or use any and all forms of addictive or hallucinatory drugs, including, but not limited to amphetamines, barbiturates, cocaine, marijuana, etc.; (3) consume or be under the influence of intoxicating beverages on or in government-owned or leased property/vehicles; or transportation of such beverages in government vehicles; (4) use abusive, vulgar, or discriminatory language, including verbal/sexual harassment toward fellow members, staff, supervisors, or other official contacts; (5) destroy government or personal property of others; (6) fail to comply with a supervisor's instructions, unless these instructions are clearly illegal or unsafe; (7) transport family members, pets, or any unauthorized personnel in government vehicles; (8) engage in any activity that is illegal under local, State, or Federal law; 3 (9) engage in activities that pose a significant safety risk to others. © the member understands that following acts will also constitute a violation of the Program's rules of conduct: (1) unauthorized tardiness; (2) unauthorized absences; (3) repeated use of inappropriate language (i.e. profanity) at job site; (4) failure to wear appropriate clothing to service assignments; (5) stealing or lying; (6) engaging in activity that may physically or emotionally damage other members of the program or members of the community; or (7) failure to notify the Program of any criminal arrest or conviction that occurs during the term of service. (d) For violating the above stated rules, the program will do the following (except in cases where during the term of service the member has been charged with or convicted of a violent felony, possession, sale, or distribution of a controlled substance) -- (1) for the member's first offense, an appropriate Program official will issue a verbal warning to the member; (2) for the member's second offense, an appropriate Program official will issue a written warning and reprimand to the member; (3) for the member's third offense, the member may be suspended for one or more days without compensation; (4) for the fourth offense, the Program may release the member for cause. (e) The program reserves the right to impose any one of the above sanctions regardless of the number of the offense (first, second, or third) if the Program determines that the violation is serious enough to warrant a more severe sanction than that listed above for the number of offense committed (f) The member understands that s/he will be either suspended or released for cause in accordance with paragraphs (b), (d), and (e) of section VI of this agreement for committing certain acts during the term of service such as being convicted or charged with a violent felony, possession, sale, or distribution of a controlled substance. VI. Release from Term of Service (a) The member understands that s/he may be released for the following two reasons: (1) for cause, as explained in paragraph (b) of this section; or (2) compelling personal circumstances as defined in paragraph © of this section. (b) The Program will release the member for cause for the following reasons: (1) the member has dropped out of the Program without obtaining a release for compelling personal circumstances from the USDA AmeriCorps Taskforce in Washington, D.C.; 4 (2) during the term of service the member has been charged with a violent felony or the sale or distribution of a controlled substance; (3) the member has committed a fourth offense in accordance with paragraph (d) of section V of this agreement; or (4) any other serious breach that in the judgment of the Director of the Program would undermine the effectiveness of the Program. (C) The Program may release the member from the term of service, due to compelling personal circumstances if-- (1) the member has a serious injury or illness that makes completing the term of service impossible; (2) there is a serious injury, illness or death of an immediate family member and the member is needed to care for that family member or take over the duties of the family member; (3) the member is drafted by the Armed Services of the United States; or (4) some other circumstance occurs that makes it impossible or very difficult for the member to complete the term of service and the USDA Director of National Service deems that circumstance to be compelling. (d) the program will suspend the member's term of service for the following reasons: (1) during the term of service, the member has been charged with a violent felony or the sale or distribution of a controlled substance. (If the member is found not guilty or the charge is dismissed, the member may résumé his/her term of service. The member, however, will not receive back living allowances or credit for any service hours missed.) (2) during the term of service, the member has been convicted of a first offense of possession of a controlled substance. (If the member, however, demonstrates that s/he has enrolled in an approved drug rehabilitation program, the member may résumé his/her term of service. The member will not receive back living allowance or credit for any service hours missed.) (e) The Program may suspend the member's term of service for violating the rule of conduct provision in accordance with the rules set forth in paragraph © in section V of this agreement. (f) If the member discontinues his/her term of service for any reason other than a release for compelling personal circumstances as described in paragraph (b), (d), and (e), the member will cease to receive the benefits described in paragraph (a) of section IV and will receive no portion of the education award or interest payments. (g) If the member discontinues his/her term of service due to compelling personal circumstances as described in paragraph (b) of section V of this agreement, the member will cease to receive benefits described in Section IV. If, however, the member has completed at least 15% of the required service hours (135 service hours) the member will receive a pro-rated portion of the education award or interest payments described in paragraphs (b) and © of section IV. VII. Grievance Procedure (a) The member understands that the Program has a "grievance procedure" (outlined in the USDA Operations Manual as amended) to resolve disputes concerning the member's suspension, dismissal, service evaluation or proposed service assignment; (b) The member understands that, as a participant of the Program s/he may file a grievance in accordance with the Program's grievance procedure. 5 VIII. Program's Responsibilities to Members (a) Select all AmeriCorps Members in an impartial and non-discriminatory manner that bolsters AmeriCorps' vision of diversity; (b) provide AmeriCorps members with approved handbooks, documents, and forms needed to follow the provisions of AmeriCorps and the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993; © provide AmeriCorps members with the orientation, training, technical assistance, and supervision necessary to complete their service activities; (d) provide all AmeriCorps members with ongoing education and instruction needed not only to perform their specific service projects, but to grow and develop as citizens, community problem-solvers, and developing professionals; (e) design and coordinate service projects for AmeriCorps members so that the members will continuously have productive and useful service projects in environmental or human needs; (f) structure work schedules to ensure that AmeriCorps members will be reasonably able to perform 480 hours of service within twelve weeks; (g) treat all AmeriCorps members with respect and provide them with the guidance, support, discipline, and counseling they reasonably require to perform AmeriCorps service; (h) work with AmeriCorps members to develop mechanisms through which the AmeriCorps members can have significant input and impact upon service assignments, rules of conduct, and all other aspects of the AmeriCorps Program; and (I) provide other additional support and services to ensure the success of all programs. IX. Amendments to This Agreement This agreement may be changed or revised by written consent by both parties. 6 X. Certification By signing this agreement the member certifies that: 1. If s/he has served in a previous AmeriCorps program, that fact has been revealed to the project director/manager, and if s/he was released for cause from the previous AmeriCorps program, that fact has also been disclosed. 2. S/he understands that the law places restrictions on the purposes for which the education award can be used and that generally its redemption is limited to qualified loans (those covered by Title IV of the Education Act of 1965) and cannot be transferred to another person or used to pay off general loans even if those loans were used to pay education expenses. S/he further understands that they cannot be given a cash payment in lieu of an education award administered by the National Service Trust. 3. S/he understands that by signing this agreement s/he is making a commitment to complete the full term of service and that receipt of the education award is contingent upon the successful completion of the full term of service. If s/he should choose to leave before the completion of the service, regardless of how many hours have been completed, s/he is NOT eligible for any part of the education award. 4. S/he understands that s/he is not covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay. For example, s/he is not eligible for overtime pay for time worked in excess of eight (8) hours in a day or forty (40) hours in a week although such times does count toward completing the required term of service. 5. S/he understands s/he is not a Federal employee and that the service hours do not count toward any Federal retirement program computations nor does s/he obtain any special status with respect to seeking a Federal job on the basis of having successfully completed a term of service. 6. S/he understands that this program is subject to the availability of government funds and that should those funds not become available, the program would be terminated. It is further understood that the program may be subject to a temporary shut-down in the event of a Government shut-down. 7. S/he understands that the receipt of the $1,000 education award constitutes one full education award and that after receiving/earning this award the Member is only eligible for a maximum of one more education award with a maximum award amount of $4,725. In other words, members in the USDA AmeriCorps Summer of Gleaning Program can earn the $1,000 award and then be eligible if they enter another year long AmeriCorps program to earn one full-time award in the amount of $4,725. In such a case the maximum education awards the member could earn would be $1,000 plus $4,725 for a total of $5,725. Whereas someone who participated in two full year programs could possible earn two awards each worth $4,725 for a total of $9,450. 8. S/he understands that they should retain a copy for their personal files of all forms they sign while in the program. 9. S/he understands that as members in a program and not employees they are not eligible for unemployment compensation upon termination of all or part of their term of service. XI. Authorization The Member and Program hereby acknowledge by their signatures that they have read, understand, and agree to all terms and conditions of this agreement and the rules and regulations of the Corporation for National Service. AmeriCorps Member Date Project Director Date 7 FEB-27-1996 13:38 FROM USDA FMHA TO 82027204614 P.01 Draft Katheme PHOTOCOPY PRESERVATION home of andisabled AMERICORPS MEMBERS RENOVATE HOME OF ELDERLY WOMAN US Department of Agriculture (USDA)/Rural Economic and renovating the Hends Country Seneor U.S. Development (RECD) AmeriCorps members are playing a key role in the renovations taking place at an elderly Hinds county woman's home. Ms. Dorothy Coffee, a 64 vyear old disabled woman, received a grant totaling $6500 from Rural Economic RECD and Community Development for repairs to remove health and/or safety hazards from her home. Renovations being done come Renovation as a result of an effort begun almost ten months ago of are result the AmeriCorps members Charlet Meredith and LaDonna James. The members first met Ms. Coffee in April of 1995. The efforts of the AmeriCorps team was interested in performing minor repairs begin renovations to a home in rural Mississippi as part of 1995 almod National Day of Volunteering. Ms. Coffee had applied for a loan through RECD in 1992 but was ineligible because of lack of income and location of her home. Meredith knew that Ms. Coffee's home would require more time and funds than were available to the team fo National Day of Volunteering but was were determined to see the necessary repairs completed. Meredith researched the file on Ms. Coffee and found that county lines had been redrawn since the time Ms. Coffee had made her application and her home was no longer out of the RECD service area. "Once we knew that Ms. Coffee was in an area where we could help her, the problem was how to go about doing it. If Ms. Coffee applied for another loan she would again be turned down on the basis of her income went back to RECD procedures for the grants, and found out ??? that the homeowner had to be 62 years or older, no to ittle income and the home needed removal of health and safety hazards Harris Building and Roofing Company in Hazlehurst, MS secured the bid for renovations. George Harris, owner, of the construction company, surveyed the home and estimated that necessary repairs would exceed $13,000. In order to work within the $6500 grant Mr. Harris could only eliminate extreme health hazards. Harris agreed to work with the AmeriCorps members in an effort to maximize repairs to the Coffee home. AmeriCorps members were able to maximize Ms. Coffee's grant by providing labor and donating materials to the contractor RECD'S USDA/RECD Hinds County Supervisor 8. Cecil L. Williams, Jr. says of volunteers, "RECDS grant does not provide for cosmetic improvements such as paint and cabinet work. The AmeriCorps members have not only made Ms. Coffee's home safer but more valuable. (more) FROM TU 52027204614 P.02 When asked how she felt about the renovations being done to her home Ms. Coffee "People used to tell me not to complain about the way my house looked because some people didn't have anywhere to stay. By the time I met them I had given up hope on having my house repaired.' AmeriCorps members will be on site daily from February 20 until all repairs are completed. RECD sponsors 13 AmeriCorps Members throughout Mississippi. Members serve a minimum 1,700 hours of community service in exchange for a small living allowance and future educational benefits In addition to AmeriCorps members from RECD and NRCS, volunteers from Jackson State University and nearby Destrict neighbors. We have over 230 houre toward the completion of this 230 project hours helped with this logged project than project AmeriCorps, President Clinton's national service program, passed with bipartisan support by Congress, engages 25,000 Americans of diverse backgrounds in performing service that meets critical community needs in return for an award which may be used for college, job training, or to pay back students loans. The majority of AmeriCorps Members are working in partnership with states, local governments and non-profit organizations. MSDA The U.S. Department of Agriculture is running three types of AmeriCorps teams in 45 states, composed of approximately 1,350 Members: an Anti-Hunger Team, a Public Lands and Environment Team, and a Rural Development Team. Many of the AmeriCorps projects are sponsored by community based organization and all projects are designed to get things done while boosting community, opportunity, and responsibility. # Bettere Oliver 404601-965-5460 TOTAL P.02 PRESERVATION tat V petport Dinen qous MPITS pooerrud COMMUNITY guq gug ITT brolecce 918 qeardued CO def curude biojecce 910 aboweoreq pl 90J to үпбм mseT inemgoleved IBJUR 6 bas ,MSST эпетпот I '320 wempers: gu YUCT-HOUGH Legw' g БЛРТТС reque guq pegme TO 12 comboseq of THE 11 of T2 LAUNTUA rules $1563.00 DON-DLOITE order москтид TU MTEP aceree' Jocal долецишенса guq appgeure Jogus IVS OF Wewpere gis 197 ps nasq for cojjede top CISTUTUA' OI DO bgl pack weere communica used TH FOL gu SMITH мртси of ресудголида TII becomming SEATES per beeese MIEP profession enbborr DA Coudreas' eudgdes 52'000 CITHCON 2 BELANCE brodigw LUTE otolegor mitr true braining петдирова MB USA6 OAST 330 ponne COASTER FRG combyepsou.or FLOW 22956 OUTAGRETED suq ueven\ ID aggretore шешрета good KECD 909 MBC2 swart ITATEM 917089006 BLU powerre posta of COMMUNITY ESTATGO TO excugude иешрата Kelpers вотле or OPEN PT) reborre 916 combjeteq BECO abotique TR MITT T9T drass to 9199.1 DA COMBISTE UST 13:28 n20H EWHB 10 Clinton Presidential Records Digital Records Marker This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff. This marker identifies the place of a publication. Publications have not been scanned in their entirety for the purpose of digitization. To see the full publication please search online or visit the Clinton Presidential Library's Research Room. AmerAssist How to Get the Message of it onto a recent, major news event such as the post-traumatic stress that may result from a nat- AmeriCorps to America ural disaster. The other method is to piggyback your story onto a local or national trend such as the way schools and communities are forming meriCorps projects are making a difference partnerships. Depending on time, pitches (sug- By Bobbi Fischer A in people's lives all over the country, but gestions for stories) can be by telephone, in the nobody seems to know about these case of an immediate situation, or by pitch let- important programs. With the federal ter, when the news is more of an ongoing government looking carefully at every issue. The pitch letter may be strong enough to expenditure, it is more important than stand alone, or a press release and/or press kit ever before that AmeriCorps members containing fact sheets and other information demonstrate the value of their work in may be included to provide background. INSIDE communities across the nation. Make sure you identify the AmeriCorps One of the most effective ways to publicize members who will act as media spokespeople AmeriCorps projects is through the media. for your program. Develop "talking points" for Newspapers, magazines and radio and televi- these spokespeople. These points are simply sion stations are hungry for good stories, and the key messages that tell your story. Be sure to Media Volume Relations Promoting 1 Surviving Number AmeriCorps thus provide the best arena for getting the include a description of AmeriCorps so that AmeriCorps message to America. AmeriCorps reporters will understand a program in context. members throughout the country are learning Provide spokespeople with media training to how to access the media and inform the public help these individuals succinctly-and success- about projects that support education, the fully-get important points across. & environment and the health and welfare Media representatives receive an average of of Americans. over 100 pieces of mail each day, so telephone The most important component of follow-up is usually a good idea. The caller must April successful media relations is to recog- never be pushy, which may alienate the nize and build on the fact that success reporter. Also, the caller should listen to the 966T comes from establishing an ongoing reporter to discover the angle that will most relationship with the prèss, providing ideas appeal to that particular individual. Sometimes, for stories on a regular basis and being respon- the reporter will talk about stories he/she is sive to reporters when they call. Ongoing working on; note how current stories may communications can include press releases, apply to the story being pitched. public service announcements, opinion Because telephone pitching is selling an idea, editorials, letters to the editor and other it takes a great deal of positive energy. The per- media outreach activity. son pitching the story generally has less than There are two main ways to get a story 10 seconds to make a point before the reporter into the media. One easy method is to tunes out. In addition, the reporter must be develop an angle for the subject that hooks given enough information to "sell" the story Message Out, continued on next page THE MILEPOST February/ March 1996 AMERICORPS PROJECTS SUPPORT THE NATIONAL ROAD interpretive center for the NRHP. The adaptive reuse of an historic Five-member team makes excellent progress in National Road automobile showroom and garage has been selected as the site for the project. highway beautification, National Register neminations for The owners of the building are working with the National Road on the historic tuverns and historic districts in communities along the project. In addition to conducting further feasibility research, a team member Road, and development of educational programs for students has written a grant request to be submitted to DCNR to fund the acquisition in school districts along the National Road corridor. and stabilization of the building in 1996. The Fayette County AmeriCorps Team has spent the winter months actively Grant funding sought for additional projects engaged in projects aimed at satisfying some of the team's outlined objectives. A team member also submitted applications to DCNR for grants for two Many of these activities are designed to encourage tourism-related heritage additional NRHP projects, the acquisition of an historic schoolhouse along development within the National Road Heritage Park (NRHP) corridor, and the National Road, and the installation of an informational kiosk at the I-79 to elicit community awareness of, support for, and involvement in the welcome center in Washington County. projects. Historic District Nominations Dump-site and junkyard clean-up campaign Historic District nominations for Centerville and Scenery Hill are nearing One team member has begun work on a comprehensive dump-site and completion. During the coming month, a team member will finalize the junkyard clean-up initiative. Preparation for launching this campaign building inventories and hold public meetings to discuss the proposed districts included surveying some of the junkyards along the road and researching prior to submitting the nominations. ways to remedy the visual and environmental pollution caused by these sites. Application was made for a grant to the PA Department of Conservation and Signage for the National Road Natural Resources (DCNR) to secure funding for this project. Two team members met with representatives of Penn-DOT engineering District 12-0 to discuss a signage program for the NRHP. A plan for Educational Summit continued OPt page 16 Another team member has been planning a summit conference to be held in March at the Fayette Campus of Penn State University. The purpose of the conference is to introduce local teachers to the educational potential of the National Road and the Youghiogheny River Trail as field classrooms. Several speakers from fields as diverse as geology and theater will discuss how the resources found in the two corridors can be incorporated into existing curricula. Low-interest loan program for rehabilitation of historic structures One team member has secured a commitment of $100,000.00 from a local bank to support a low-interest loan program for property owners along the National Road. The program will make low-interest loans available to property owners interested in historically sensitive rehabilitation of their residences and places of business. Several other banks have been contacted requesting their support and at least two have expressed strong interest in the program. Applications to participate in this loan program will be available from the National Road Heritage Park office by Spring. Watch for an announcement in future issues of The Milepost. Survey of commercial property owners along the National Road Work on a survey of commercial property owners along the National Road is ongoing. The completed survey will serve as a basis for future economic development planning by the NRHP. Two team members have developed a database to store this information at the NRHP headquarters. Two other team members have begun to survey several businesses in Washington County which were not visited by the NRHP intern last Summer. Flatiron Building Brochure A team member completed a promotional brochure for the historical museum to be developed in the Flatiron Building in Brownsville after the building has been restored. Automobile-Era Interpretive Center A team member has been planning for the development of an automobile-era THE MILEPOST February/ March 1996 Americorps, continued from page 9 developing and installing directional signage identifying the original route of the National Road was agreed upon. Rehabilitation Projects The team continued to meet with representatives of the East End Community Center in Uniontown regarding AmeriCorps assistance in the rehabilitation of their facility. Team members are also seeking other potential residential facade improvement projects along the YRT and NRHP corridors. To be eligible a home must be located within view of either the National Road or the Youghiogheny River Trail; the repairs must be exterior and limited in scope; and the site must be available for work this spring and/or summer. Pike Festival planning Team members have also been involved in planning the Pike Festival, scheduled to take place May 16-19. They have developed a student art and essay contest, designed banners for homes and businesses, and are planning some entertainment events. Announcements for the art and essay contest were sent to all elementary and middle schools in districts along the National Road in early February. Pike Festival banners will be available for purchase in mid-March. For more information about the AmeriCorps team or any of the above projects, contact team members at the NRHP offices by phone (412) 329-1560 or fax (412) 329-1561. JUN 19 1996 DOWN EAST RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT (RC&D) VACATIONLAND RESOURCES COMMITTEE P O Box 210 Cherryfield ME 04622 Phone: (207) 546-2368 FAX: (207) 546-2369 SPONSORS Town of Bar Harbor June 17, 1996 Town of Brooklin Town of Bucksport Jane Lamson City of Calais USDA AmeriCorps Down East RC&D Town of Cherryfield PO BOX 210 City of Eastport Cherryfield ME 04622 City of Ellsworth Dear Jane, Hancock County Commissioners Hancock County Extension Association On behalf of the Down East RC&D's Vacationland Hancock County Planning Resources Committee, I would like to Commission congratulate you and the Washington County students on the latest edition of the Hancock County Soil & Water "Washington County Environmental Newsletter." Conservation District Town of Machias It is clear we don't have to explain the concept of ecotourism to these young people Town of Milbridge - someone already has! Their thoughts are Town of Sullivan creative, meaningful and most caring toward our environment and all living things. From Washington County cautioning about daily or too frequent whale Commissioners watching tours to pointing out the economic Washington County Extension benefits of tourism, these students show they Association have put much thought into this subject. I love the quote, "Ecotourism means that we Washington County Regional Planning Commission devote the same amount of caring to our travels that we would to our own homes.' Washington County Soil & Water Conservation District Everyone connected with this newsletter is to be commended for a fine job. Perhaps we can use excerpts from this or a future publication during our next spring conference? Sincerely, joanne Williams Williams Committee Chair VISION STATEMENT OF THE VACATIONLAND RESOURCES COMMITTEE To preserve and protect the environment (resource) and the expenence (jobs, tounsm, quality of life) through cooperation. proper planning and management of our resources for generations to come Maine USDA AmeriCorps End of Service Retreat June 17 - 19, 1996, * AMA HA TIONALS UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT Greenland Point Center OF AGRICULTURE Princeton, Maine. Greenland Point Center is a rustic lodge located in Princeton, Maine and administered by the University of Maine at Machias ( directions and map on following pages). Participants will be staying in cabins with bunks, but must bring their own sleeping bag / linens, pillows, and towels. The facility is equipped with indoor bathrooms and running water, but these facilities are separate from the cabins so you may want to bring a flashlight for those midnight trips to the bathroom! Also, pets are not allowed at GPC (just in case you were thinking about bringing yours). Greenland Point is also equipped with canoes, swimming facilities, and hiking trails which will all be at our disposal, so please bring the proper gear. Fishing is allowed if you have a valid State of Maine license, but you will have to bring your own gear. Also, please note that we will be hiking through the woods for a few of the sessions so you will want to bring the proper boots, bug spray, and binoculars. AGENDA Monday, June 17 (NOON) : Arrive and eat lunch 1:00 - 2:00 PM: Resume writing: short presentation by Richard Baird and Mike Tardy, then tips and advice on personal resumes. 2:00 - 3:30 PM: Reflection and discussion on the AmeriCorps year 3:30 - 5:00 PM: Free time 5:00 PM: Dinner: Cook out and awards ceremony. -10- Tuesday, June 18 7:00 AM: Breakfast 8:00 - 9:00 AM: Work styles: North, South, East, West. 9:00 AM: Leave for Grand Lake Stream Atlantic Salmon Hatchery 9:30 - 10:30 AM: Tour Hatchery 10:30 AM: Return to GPC 11:00 - Noon: Free time Noon: Lunch 1:00 - 3:00 PM: Forestry Practices discussion. 1:00 - 1:30 PM: Geneva Duncan, Maine Forest Service; History: Forest Practices Act 1:30 - 2:00 PM: Paul Donohue, Ban Clearcutting. 2:00 - 2:30 PM: Patty Cormier, Georgia Pacific. 2:30 - 3:00 PM: Q&A 3:00 - 5:00 PM: Myers - Briggs 5:00 - 6:00 PM: Free time 6:00 PM: Dinner 7:30 PM: OPTIONAL trial Interviews with Richard Baird and Dana Nelson. Wednesday, June 19 7:00 AM: Breakfast 8:00 - 9:00 AM: Free time 9:00 - 9:30 AM: Travel to Moosehorn 9:30 - Noon: Tour Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge Noon: Lunch at Moosehorn 1:00 PM : Depart Attention!! If you would like some advice on your resume, please bring it along. Also, we would appreciate it if some of you could send your resumes in to Karen a few weeks early so that we can use them as examples during the resume session. Be warned that good and bad examples may be taken from your resume if you send it in. Directions From the North Proceed through the town of Princeton. The road is called West Rd. and is on your right after a red house. Once on West Rd., look for signs on your right for Greenland Point Center ( these are fairly small). The road is a dirt road and will take you straight to GPC. From the South Look for West Rd. on your left. There is a red house immediately after the road and this is a good thing to look for as well. If you get to the main drag in Princeton, you have passed the road. Once on West Rd., look for signs on your right for GPC ( they are quite small). The road is a dirt road and will take you to GPC. -11- Fill - September 6, 1994 To: Lou From: Joel JB 9 pages, including this cover I just received this Mississippi information, and, as promised, I have comments within a few hours. Feel free to fax my memo to Heaslip or relay the information to him by phone, whichever you believe to be most appropriate. I will continue to provide feedback in this way. Thanks. September 6, 1994 To: Lou From: Joel Subject: Final Steps in Recruitment, Part II I just received the attached information from Mississippi. It represents some really good work --- particularly in some excellent community service objectives --- but I have some concerns: 1) Again, the names are presented in a vacuum by agency and by state. How do these applicants relate to the SCS, FmHA, and RDA applicants? Even if the other agencies are not ready with their applicants, how do these FS applicants relate to the LA and AR FS applicants? 2) The applicants are 80% African-American and do not represent a socio-economic mix of the area. 3) It is unclear which objectives will apply to which AmeriCorps members and it is unclear where they will be based. 4) One objective is to "Expand Empowerment Zone Activities" in Greenville. This is impossible, since the Empowerment Zone locations and have not been named and will not be named until. Thus, all such references should be either deleted or include the disclaimer: "If this are is named as an Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community." 5) The MS Christian Family Service Center is listed as a participating agency. We must be sure that participants working with them do not engaged in prohibited activities. Withdrawal/Redaction Marker Clinton Library DOCUMENT NO. SUBJECT/TITLE DATE RESTRICTION AND TYPE 001. list re: non-selection (1 page) 09/02/1994 b(6) COLLECTION: Clinton Presidential Records AmeriCrops General Files OA/Box Number: 24229 FOLDER TITLE: USDA [Department of Agriculture]/AmeriCorps Progress Reports, 1995-1996 [1] 2013-0661-F rc3052 RESTRICTION CODES Presidential Records Act - [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)] Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)] P1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA] b(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA] P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA] b(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of P3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA] an agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA] P4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or b(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA] financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA] b(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial P5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President information [(b)(4) of the FOIA] and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA] b(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA] personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA] b(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA] C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed b(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of of gift. financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA] PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C. b(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information 2201(3). concerning wells [(b)(9) of the FOIA] RR. Document will be reviewed upon request. Northwest Mississippi ESOURCE CONSERVATION & D EVELOPMENT AREA Post Office Box 313, Stoneville, MS 38776 Telephone (601)686-9850 PLAN OF WORK AMERICORP PROGRAM Fiscal Year: 94&95 Objective Statements: 1. Improve living conditions through technical assistance with rural sewer systems and urban forestry in the MS Delta. Cleveland-2 2. Belzoni-2 Evaluate, expand and/or publicize existing recycling projects in the Delta. 3. Transfer and demonstrate modern timber bridge technology. Greenville-1 4. Conduct and establish community planner ING programs in Delta. Stoneville-2 5. Expand Empowerment Zone activities. Greenville-1 6. Reforestation of bottom land in the MS Delta. Stoneville-1 7. Americorp coordinator/teamleader. Stoneville-1 Attala, Bolivar, Carroll, Coahoma, DeSoto, Grenada, Holmes, Humphreys, Issequena, Leflore, Montgomery, Panola, Quitman, Sharkey, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tunica, Washington, Yalobusha, and Yazoo Counties, Mississippi RC&D financial and technical assistance in offered on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, marital status, or handicap. RC&D "M_L:_, TL:--- H_____" Northwest Mississippi R ESOURCE CONSERVATION & D EVELOPMENT AREA Post Office Box 313, Stoneville, MS 38776 Telephone (601)686-9850 MISSION STATEMENT: This program seeks to make significant changes in the livability of communities in the Mississippi Delta by enhancing natural resource base opportunities, strengthening community leadership. and expanding transportation to create sustainable local enconomies. ANNUAL OBJECTIVES: *To establish a recycling center utilizing mentally and physically challenged adults. creating employment. SURVEY, & design *To identify, demonstration sites for timber briges and write grants for construction. *To assist communities in the development of a com- prehensive improvement plan. Attala, Bolivar, Carroll. Coahoma, DeSoto, Grenada, Holmes, Humphreys, Issaquena, Leflore, Montgomery, Panola, Quitman, Sharkey, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tunica, Washington, Yalobusha, and Yazoo Counties, Mississippi RC&D financial and technical assistance in offered on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, marital status, or handicap. RC&D Things Herner" Objective 1 - Improve living conditions through technical assistance with rural sewer systems and urban forestry. Components of Objective Statement: 1) Activity- Members will assess communities to indentify inadequate sewer systems and methods to incorporate Urban Forestry in 10 MS Delta counties. Members will assist sponsors with securing funding for tree planting and up-grade rural sewage systems. 2) Result- Counties will have detailed information describing this community issue. Partnerships will be formed to correct 6 critical sites. Local, State and Federal funds will be coordinated to correct the problem. 3) Measure of Quality- All projects will be reviewed by State Department of Environmental Quality, Department of Health, and MS Forestry Commission. 4) Successful if- 80% of critical sites secure funding. 70% of recipients are in a socially and economically disadvantaged group. 5 ) Number of Beneficiaries- 1,200 individuals and 6 communities. TASKS TO BE PERFORMED: A) Develop standard DATA collection form. B) Assess community needs by meeting with local leaders. C) Surveying specified communities. D) Identify potential sponsors. E) Assist sponsors with securing funds to implement project. Participating Agencies Technical Advisor Group Soil Conservation Service Clarence Finley, RC&D Northwest RC&D Inc. James Curcio, NDP&DD Farmers Home Administration Leland Tree Board North Delta Planning & DD MS Forestry Commission (MFC) South Delta Planning &DD Local & County units of Government Delta Council Leland Tree Board Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC) Objective 2- Evaluate, expand and/or publicize existing recycling projects in the Delta. Components of Objective Statement: 1) Activity- To implement a county wide recycling program in Sharkey/Issaquena counties That will reduce landfill space requirement by 25%, which will be required by law in Mississippi in 1995. 2) Result- Project will educate people about the environment and recycling. Will reduce the space needed for landfills by 25%. Project will create employment for the physically and metally challenged. 3) landfills. Measure of Quality- Data will be collected to show 25% reduction in 4) Successful if- Project is successful if 25% less waste is going into landfills. A tally of quantities sold will be kept to evaluate the project. counties. 5) Number of Beneficiaries- The entire population in Sharkey/Issaquena TASKS TO BE PERFORMED: A) Find source to take recyclable materials. B) Secure funding source C) Coordinate community support. D) Assist sponsors with a collection plan. E) Educate community. F) Monitor the progress. Participating Agencies Technical Advisors MS Christian Family Service Center Community Recycling Franklin Co. Recycling U.S. Forest Service Northwest MS RC&D, Inc. Local & County Officials Objective 3- To identify demonstration site and demonstrate modern timber bridge technology. Components of Objective Statement: 1) Activity- To improve the transportation system in rural communities by using modern timber bridges to replace deficient bridges. Americorp members will assess the existing bridges in 3 counties in the MS Delta. Members will assist sponsors with securing funding to construct demonstration timber bridges. Survey & design 2) Result- Reliable and safe transportation in rural communities. Modern timber bridge information and technology transfered. 3) Measure of Quality- All work plans will be approved by the State Depart- ment of Transportation. U.S. Forest Service Engineers will review and approve designs. 4) Successful if- All the projects are funded. 80% of county officials and engineers become familiar with the modern timber bridge. 5) Number of Beneficiaries- 2,000 individuals TASKS TO BE PERFORMED: A) Meeting local officials to discuss program. B) Survey deficient bridges. C) Help sponsors complete grant application. Participating Agencies Technical Advisory Groups U.S. Forest Service U.S. Forest Service Soil Conservation Service County Engineers Local & County Government units Soil Conservation Service Northwest MS RC&D, Inc. MS Forestry Commission Map 2. Percentage of Deficient Bridges Per County in Mississippi, 1993 (Sufficiency Rating less than 50). 22 $9 67.9 R 31.7 Percentage of 47.0 65 80 72 627 39 18 30.4 1000 195 Deficient Bridges $ 17.7 82 76.1 725 21.4 5 823 100.0 277 233 61 485 221 10-25 65 50 69.3 34 30.0 65 318 43 43 26-40 31.7 78.7 68.6 46 65.6 05 20.0 37.7 222 46.9 OOD 83.1 79.4 41-55 44 41 120 59 15.2 70.0 $5 51 149 56-74 30 1000 1000 18.1 36.6 41.9 45 60.4 61.9 50.4 21.6 19.6 52 $6 23 32.9 26 102 21.1 Values per county are: 59.8 37.3 57 000 25 54.3 49.4 59 124 27 59.3 00 - Percent of 26 92 53.9 45 38.4 55.0 Deficient Bridges 67.9 100.0 91 51.9 18.8 moo 00.0 - Total Population 68 44 21.6 60 48 35 121 in Thousands 791 86.8 18.5 19.4 126 622 63.1 100.0 00.0 - Percent of 40 7.1 Rural Population 1000 48 51 30 45 255 10 18.4 24.8 10.4 51.3 27 393 728 1000 53.8 100.0 420 81 46 34 22 47.9 24.1 20.3 75.6 56.3 18 15 65.7 81.8 424 II 254.4 87.2 133 45.5 53 21 32 14 34 14.8 17.1 17.3 11.4 100.0 18 24.0 100.0 100.0 84.4 27.6 84.9 74 64.3 87 1000 29 17 22 40 68 165 38 620 19.5 34 14.1 84.6 44 30.3 125 63.8 73.6 35.4 100.0 &4 66.2 1000 450 100.0 56 28 37 60 24 56 133 40 255 19 97 36.9 30.4 29 10.2 100.0 14.4 73.3 734 68.3 10.9 100.0 DOOE 68.6 100.0 24.1 100.0 35 36 20 16.7 38.7 10.8 84.3 65.6 70.4 0 100 19 14 165.4 115.2 Miles 17 15.7 19.6 31.8 39.9 & COOPERATIV This map prepared by Extension GIS, Mississippi State EXTENSION University - Cooperative Extension Service. Extension SERVICE GIS does not warrax its accuracy or completeness. Map prepared January 1994. From: Joel Berg To: AWEBB, BWOLF, SIESNET.SIES1.CMACIAS, SIESNET.OSEC Date: 4/4/96 9:15am Subject: Preliminary AmeriCorps Talking Points for Secretarys Food Chain Speech Because I am leaving the country Friday for two weeks, I wanted to make sure everyone had preliminary talking points about the AmeriCorps component of the Secretary"s announcement at Food Chain on April 19. My staff will provide any additional information about specifics. Of course, any of this information could be folded into not only his speech, but into the press release. I am also drafting a sample local press release. I believe we should issue a customized release for each media market in which we are going to have a summer AmeriCorps project. Lastly, we need to finalize whether we want simultaneous announcements from the Members of Congress whom will have AmeriCorps gleaning projects in their districts and/or states this summer. Because the Congressional Hunger Center is already so heavily involved in our efforts, we may definitely want to involve Tony Hall. CC: KGIBNEY, NSERVICE2, NSERVICE1, WDC-ASCS.ASCS_PO6.C PRELIMINARY TALKING POINTS ON AMERICORPS GLEANING PROJECTS FOR THE SECRETARY'S FOOD CHAIN SPEECH ON APRIL 19, 1996 * As you know, AmeriCorps is the President's national service program --- a kind of domestic Peace Corps that allows Americans of all backgrounds to serve their communities in exchange for an educational awards that can be used to pay for college, graduate school, job training, or to pay back existing students loans. * While the vast majority of AmeriCorps projects are NOT sponsored by Federal agencies, I am extremely proud that USDA runs the largest single Federal agency component of the program. This year, we will sponsor up to 1,300 AmeriCorps Members serving in 45 states in projects fighting hunger and improving nutrition, boosting rural development, and protecting the environment. * The USDA AmeriCorps program has already begun successful gleaning and perishable food rescue projects. For instance, the Illinois Rural Development Team AmeriCorps Team sponsored by the Farm Services Agency plans to provide peas, green beans, potatoes, and sweet corn to some 25 needy families in the Mason County area this year through a gleaning program. Representatives from food processing companies and vegetable farmers have become partners in this project. The 5-Member USDA AmeriCorps Team will recruit area volunteers to harvest and distribute the vegetables, and an Extension Service course on the proper care and freezing of these foods will be offered to the recipient families. * In Washington, D.C., USDA's AmeriCorps Anti-Hunger Team is continuing for the second year its very successful gleaning project in partnership with the Washington Area Gleaning Network (WAGN). During the first year, hundreds of bushels (512 bushels on one day alone!) of fresh produce were picked and distributed to local soup kitchens and shelters, such as Bread for the City, Martha's Table, So Others Might Eat, and the DC Central Kitchen. This year's gleaning project has already expanded to include the harvest of fresh fruits (apples) in the distribution process, and has established a regular monthly commitment to work with WAGN during harvesting seasons. * Other USDA/AmeriCorps anti-hunger programs are also involved in various types of food rescue and distribution programs across the country, such as salvaging thousands of loaves of day-old bread from grocery stores in Burlington, VT to be donated to local food shelves (pantries) there; helping to allocate foods, collected through massive food drives, to the Milwaukee area pantries; and contacting the hundreds of restaurants and fast-food outlets in the Los Angeles area to encourage them to participate in the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank's very successful "Second Helpings" program, a city-wide perishable food rescue effort. * Given that our AmeriCorps gleaning pilot projects seem to be succeeding marvelously, I am excited to be able to announce today that USDA will be sponsoring an AmeriCorps Summer of Gleaning in which we will create special summer projects that will dramatically expand AmeriCorps involvement in gleaning and perishable food rescue activities. * We will sponsor (need number) AmeriCorps Members serving in (need number) projects in different states. The projects will be in (list all project sites: * The projects will last for twelve weeks each and Members will receive a $ (need number) living allowance for the summer. If they successfully complete the 12 week program, they will also receive a $1,000 educational award. * Every project would be a volunteer generator model, utilizing a handful of AmeriCorps Members to recruit many more non-compensated volunteers. The goal is for most of the sites to continue gleaning in future years even without an AmeriCorps project. At each site, non-profit organizations are being engaged as full partners. * The diversity of projects planned for this summer is impressive. (Need examples of specific summer projects. *Any citizen or permanent resident of the United States age 17 or older can apply for this program. Anyone interested can call 1-800-880-4183 for more information and for an application. * Lastly, I am today announcing a National Day of Gleaning on (need date) on which AmeriCorps members and gleaning activists will coordinate private citizens around the nation in gleaning activities. From: Joel Berg To: CRAY, MPHIPPS Date: 3/22/96 5:11pm Subject: Events Commemorating Oklahoma City Bombing On April 19 --- the one year anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing --- our AmeriCorps Members in Clarewmore, Oklahoma will be planting trees in memory of the victims. On April 23 -- the National Day of Service ---- AmeriCorps Members in Oklahoma City will be helping restore a school damaged by the bombing. Let me know if the Secretary might want to attend one of these events. Also, given the strong symbolic impact of these two events, I would like to recommend that perhaps the President, VP, or First Lady should attend one of the events. I will provide more details as I have them. DISTRICT OFFICES MARTIN T. MEEHAN 5TH DISTRICT MASSACHUSETTS 11 KEARNEY So LOWELL MA 01852 (508) 459-0101 318 CANNON HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20515 (202) 225 3411 BAY STATE BUILDING Congress of the United States 11 LAWRENCE ST SUITE 312 COMMITTEES LAWRENCE MA 01840 NATIONAL SECURITY House of Representatives (508) 681-6200 SUBCOMMITTEE ON MILITARY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE ON MILITARY READINESS SMALL BUSINESS Washington, B.C. 20515-2105 WALKER BUILDING 255 MAIN ST ROOM 102 RANKING MINORITY MEMBER MARLBOROUGH MA 01752 SUBCOMMITTEE ON TAXATION AND FINANCE July 17, 1995 (508) 460-9292 Co CHAIRMAN NORTHEST MIDWEST CONGRESSIONAL COALITION Co CHAIRMAN CONGRESSIONAL MANUFACTURING TASK FORCE Mr. Joel Berg USDA Office of the Secretary, Room 538A 14th and Independance SW Washington, D.C. 20250 Dear Mr. Berg: I am writing to endorse the application by the Nashua River Watershed Association for interns through the Americorps program. I feel the Nashua River Watershed Association is critical to the environmental well-being of my Congressional District. Active throughout Eastern Massachusetts, the program provides citizens with the knowledge and resources that empower them to save endangered watershed areas. In the twenty-five years the program has been in existence, the Nashua River Watershed Association has made important progress in the fight to save our precious natural resources. I believe the Nashua River Watershed Association would be a strong addition to the Americorps program, and urge you to give their application all appropriate consideration. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 508-459-0101. Fincerely Marty Median Member of Congress MM:kpr PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER " To: Joel Berg X11A From: USDA AmeriCorps 3-11-96 11:31am P. 1 PHOTOCOPY preservation ESPIRIT D'AMERICORPS MERICORDS * A STATES DEPARTMENT A Newsletter About and For AmeriCorps/USDA Members and Staff OF AGRICULTURES March 6, 1996 From the Field A Visit with the Los Angeles Anti-Hunger Project (Editor's Note: The Department of Agriculture has AmeriCorps members in more than 300 locations nationwide and staff members from the Washington office are continually making visits to these sites. From time-to-time, these staff members will give an account of how they saw our Members getting things done all across America.) BY DONNA HINES AMERICORPS/USDA DIRECTOR ANTI-HUNGER PROGRAMS On my recent trip to California. 1 had the and individuals break out of the poverty eveles pleasure of visiting with USDA's AmeriCorps that keep them spinning, homeless outreach and anti-hunger project in Los Angeles, run by the referrals, etc. Southern California Interfaith Hunger Coalition (IIIC). DURING THE COURSE of my day-long visit, I sat in on an interview with a young homeless woman who hadn't eaten in two days Upon reflection, it occurred to me and had no way to feed her toddler; observed a that two of the strongest common threads planning session at the University of Southern linking every one of these 40 Members California's Business Enterprise Network (BEN), where a small group of Members will be teaching and the staff of IHC together are their students in an alternative high school the basics of unfailing enthusiasm for the work they entrepreneurship (starting a business): discussed are doing, and the unshakable conviction with another group of Members their plans for the that they are performing service that can Second Annual Youth Anti-Hunger Conference. never be reduced to mere dollars and which is expected to be even bigger than the 1,000-student turnout they had last April; watched cents. as one of the largest food banks in the country Donna Hines gratefully accepted the Team's help in revamping its community garden. and made plans for IHC operates a 40-Member project in the Members to solicit restaurants and fast-food Los Angeles area (including the nearby San producers as participants in its food rescue Fernando Valley) that runs the gamut of anti- program: and participated in the ground breaking hunger activities: outreach and assistance to WIC for a garden that will provide fresh vegetables to and Food Stamp applicants/recipients. gleaning young and expectant mothers staying in a shelter and community gardening, nutrition education for adjacent to IHC's offices. The youngest mother at schoolchildren and elderly persons. micro the shelter is all of 11 years old. enterprise efforts that help low-income families To: Joel Berg X11A From: USDA AmeriCorps 3-11-96 11:31am p. 2 RHOTOCOPY PRESERVATION (2) I also talked with the other Team linking every one of these 40 Members and the Members, who were eager to tell about their staff of IHC together are their unfailing current projects, such as School Breakfast (Start enthusiasm for the work they are doing, and the Your Head). Summer Feeding. and nutrition unshakable conviction that they are performing education presentations in the Los Angeles service that can never be reduced to mere dollars schools outreach and advocacy work with and cents. low-income families who are having problems These Members are not only feeding with the established public assistance structure people's bodies -- they are engaged in feeding and a wide variety of other projects that made me their minds, and their dignity, and maybe even tired just to hear about them! At a reception their very souls, and somehow in this process, later. I had the opportunity to talk with the they are feeding their own as well. It was an Members again. as well as to meet some of the incredible, and incredibly short, visit, but it organization's key partners in LA. reminded me of what we are all here to do, and UPON REFLECTION, it occurred to refucled my excitement about doing it. me that two of the strongest common threads AmeriCorps and its Peace Corps predecessor join forces AmeriCorps and Wilson, Craig Speller hunger clubs to assist Environment Team who its predccessor -- the painted bathrooms at the high school students in do watershed restoration Peace Corps -- joined school. The poor meeting a 100-hour and reforestation forces on March 1. with conditions in the community service throughout Maryland current and former bathrooms of city's requirement through and D.C. Members of both public schools had anti-hunger work. Michael Smith organizations working recently been the subject The AmeriCorps and Adrian Harris, side-by-side in of an article in the /USDA Members at the AmeriCorps/USDA community service Washington Post. National Plant Materials Public Lands and projects across the The Anti-Hunger Center in Beltsville, Environment Team country to celebrate the Team Members teach Maryland, painted four Members at the National international agency's nutrition education in bathrooms at the Blow Arboretum in D.C., 35th anniversary. elementary and junior Elementary School in painted bathrooms at the In Washington, high schools, work with northeast Washington. Richardson Elementary D.C., Members of soup kitchens, food The Members who School. AmeriCorps/USDA's banks, and a gleaning participated were: Matt The Members Anti-Hunger Team were project, do nutrition Shinderman, Kerry were joined in the joined by former screening for the Tibbs, Nicole Abrams, project by Arboretum Senator Harris Wofford. elderly, and teach life William Watkins, project manager, Larry the CEO of the skills management with Jemel Jacobs, Marvin Winston. The project is Corporation for the School for Drummond, and Lina sponsored by the National Service, at the Tomorrow, whose Undayag. The Agricultural Research Rudolph Elementary students are preparing to Members are part of the Service. School. Members Tim get off welfare. Project Natural Resources Forbes, Gerrie Members also are Conservation Service's Wiggins, Willie organizing youth anti- Public Lands and DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SERVICE AGRICULTURE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250 February 3, 1997 MEMORANDUM FROM THE SECRETARY TO: USDA Program Managers for Projects Utilizing AmeriCorps Members SUBJECT: The Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Role in AmeriCorps I regret to inform you that we have been unable to reach an agreement with Congress that will allow us to continue directly running service projects that utilize AmeriCorps members. Therefore, we have no choice but to cancel those projects planned for this year. I want to thank you for your tremendous effort and patience in implementing previous projects utilizing AmeriCorps members--and in working towards a possible implementation of similar projects this year. You have exemplified the best of public service through your efforts to reinvent government by creating service projects that achieved concrete, measurable results fighting hunger, protecting the environment, and boosting rural communities. In just 2 years of operation, these projects directly aided over 1 million citizens and improved over 400,000 acres of land. Last summer alone, a handful of AmeriCorps members aided by USDA recovered over 1,000 tons of excess food--enough to provide over 1.3 million meals. You should be forever proud of these achievements. It is important to note that, while projects sponsored directly by USDA will not continue this year, growing bipartisan support for the overall AmeriCorps program has allowed the program as a whole to thrive. This year, the overall program will enable 25,000 citizens to earn money for post-secondary education by serving their nation. Your past efforts in pioneering high-quality projects throughout the nation played a significant role in building public support for the overall program. I believe history will show that USDA's early involvement in AmeriCorps played a major role in making national service a permanent fixture in American life. In the months and years ahead, USDA and the Corporation for National Service will work closely together to find alternative ways to continue the important work you and your projects have started. We will work hard to guarantee that rural America is fully served by AmeriCorps, and that community service projects focused on fighting hunger, boosting community development, protecting the environment, and preserving public lands will continue. Although I must again state my regret that we are forced to cancel our projects, I am confident that your energy and expertise will, in the future, continue to be focused on positive ways to engage citizens in improving our nation. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER RIC PHOTOCOPY UNITED STATES SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE June 14, 1996 To: Shawn Gilleylen, Office of Senator Kit Bond From: Joel Berg, Director of National Service, USDA Subject: The Future Status of USDA AmeriCorps Projects Per our discussion today, I am enclosing detailed information about the USDA AmeriCorps program, including our annual report from the first year of the program and a description of ongoing projects in Missouri. As you will read, AmeriCorps Members sponsored by USDA are not Federal bureaucrats directed from Washington to implement traditional government programs. Rather, USDA AmeriCorps Members are providing direct community service in projects planned and implemented at the grass-roots level by local communities to fill pressing neighborhood needs in the areas of rural development, the environment, and hunger. Often, USDA projects are the only AmeriCorps projects serving rural areas, as in the example of our projects in Missouri working with farmers to help them improve the quality of their drinking water. Mike Mills of your Jefferson City office is familiar with this project. As you know. the Corporation for National Service (CNS) will no longer be making grants of operating funds to Federal agencies. Given that such grants now constitute only a small portion of the overall USDA AmeriCorps budget, we would be able to continue to run our program without such grants. We would very much like Senator Bond to support an arrangement in which USDA would no longer receive operating grants from CNS, but would continue to use the Department's own appropriated funds to support AmeriCorps projects related to those appropriations. Individual AmeriCorps Members in the USDA program would continue to receive educational awards funded by the Corporation, but no funds whatsoever would be transferred from CNS to USDA. Please feel free to contact me at (202) 720-5746 if you have any additional questions or would like to be briefed at greater length on this issue. AMERICORPS IN RIVICE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE February 15, 1996 TO: USDA AmeriCorps Project Directors and Managers THRU: Agency Program Managers FROM: Joel Berg, Director of National Service, USDA 1B SUBJECT: AmeriCorps Annual Training Once again it is time to plan for this year's training conference. We would like to have the training sometime in June if possible. We are considering sites that are centrally located. We will let you know as soon as possible what site will be selected. I would like to take this opportunity to solicit thoughts and ideas from you as to what you would like to see at this training session. This is your training, and it should meet your needs. So if you have any ideas, please submit them to this office as soon as possible. One idea we are considering is to set up displays to demonstrate projects that are currently going on across the country. For instance, Louisiana has developed a display for Dry Fire Hydrants. Some states have as part of their objectives display development. I would like to see these displayed at the training. We are also going to pursue the possibility of setting up displays of new technology. Anyone who has a display and would like to set up at the training, should contact Donna Hines at (202) 690-0693 or Dee DiFiore at (202) 690-3051. Information may also be faxed to (202) 720-4614. Again, I urge you to submit your ideas for training. Let us know how we can help you. Your ideas should be submitted to us no later than March 1. MERICORP A UNITED STATES ESPRIT D'AMERICORPS SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE A Newsletter About and For AmeriCorps/USDA Members and Staff July 26, 1996 Projects, Take Note! August 19-25 designated as Food Recovery Week The figures are preliminary -- but -- or at least one day that week -- engaged in impressive. Our 20 special "Summer of Gleaning" some activity to recover excess food. projects have already rescued more than 100,000 Projects are encouraged to work with lbs. of food for distribution to the hungry. existing Summer of Gleaning sites and/or contact The program is based on the premise that local anti-hunger groups to arrange to glean food up to one-fifth of the food produced for from fields or to recover food from large events, consumption in this country in fields, commercial institutions, and/or restaurants. Projects are also kitchens, markets, stores, schools, and restaurants encouraged to work with state, national, and is lost -- but could be salvaged for use in the battle community service commissions to recruit against hunger. Gleaning has been designated by other, non-USDA, AmeriCorps members and Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman as one of his community volunteers for the week's activities. top priorities. WITH THIS EDITION of L'Esprit TO EXPAND THE effort, the week of d'AmeriCorps is a form for information about August 19-25 has been designated as "National your gleaning project to be faxed to the National Week of Food Recovery" and all USDA Office, and a site list for the Summer of Gleaning AmeriCorps projects are urged to spend that week projects. Our Second Year Coming To A Close AmeriCorps/USDA is have been invited. Let us know thing that you will need. about to graduate its second your project's graduation plans THERE ARE ABOUT class, as projects nationwide by faxing the accompanying 600 available and they will be plan special ceremonies. form to the National Office at divided among projects as fairly In Kentucky, 14 Rural (202) 720-4614. as possible. Projects are Development Team members Commemorative Plaques encouraged to use them as part and six Summer of Gleaning Are Again Available of graduation ceremonies or members have organized a some sort of ceremony that service project for their final The metal signs that can would make a good media day. The members will serve be used to designate a site as an event. food at Hope Center, a facility AmeriCorps/USDA project are They should be erected for homeless men in Lexington, available again this year. as close as possible to the then work in the center's garden. Fax your request for specific work site. Space has Later that evening, a banquet is plaques to Dee DiFiore at (202) been left for projects to engrave planned and local dignitaries 720-4614. Order as many as you more information as desired. AMERICORPS/USDA RESPONSE FORM FOR SPECIAL SERVICE PROJECT DURING NATIONAL WEEK OF FOOD RECOVERY Location of Project (City or State): Description of Event: Event Site: Date and Time: Number of AmeriCorps/USDA members expected to attend: County or counties of duty stations of AmeriCorps/USDA members expected to participate: Collaboration with 1) existing gleaning project 2) local anti-hunger group 3) non-USDA AmeriCorps project Local leader invited and/or confirmed: Name, telephone and fax numbers of contact person for food recovery project: Please fax to (202) 720-4614 when complete. Call (202) 720-6350 with questions. AmeriCorps Summer Gleaning Projects California (Rural Development) will use six Members in Watsonville and King County to provide fresh produce to over 5,500 people. Contact: Toni Symonds (916) 668-2025 Connecticut (Rural Development/FSA) will conduct a joint project using four Members that will serve at least 100 needy families and enhance the relationship between local farmers and community food banks. The Connecticut project will focus on the Hartford and New Haven areas. Contact: Richard Burke (RD) (413) 253-4319 Vincent Majchiers (FSA/CT) (860) 285-8483 District of Columbia/Northern Virginia (Food and Consumer Service), under the leadership of the Congressional Hunger Center (CHC), will implement a gleaning and perishable food rescue program in Washington, D.C. and the Northern Virginia area to provide meals and fresh produce to residents of the District (through the D.C. Central Kitchen) and Arlington (through the Arlington Food Assistance Center). This project will utilize three Members, who will work as an adjunct to the District of Columbia's existing USDA/AmeriCorps Anti-Hunger, Nutrition, and Empowerment Team. Contact: Joshua Yates (CHC) (202) 547-7022 Georgia (Rural Development) will provide 2 Members to work closely with the Atlanta Community Food Bank in accomplishing the first-ever food rescue project associated with the Olympic Games. This project anticipates providing approximately 25,000 meals to city distribution centers every day during the event. Contact: Donnie Thomas (RD) (706) 546-2171 Illinois (FSA) will, with the addition of only two new AmeriCorps Members, expand its gleaning project in Mason County to include most of Southern Illinois, resulting in a program that will provide the local soup kitchens and food banks, which serve a total of more than 8,500 people daily, with an additional 5 tons of produce. Contact: Rod Atterberry (309) 543-2852 Indiana (Rural Development) will focus on providing nutritious foods to 10 new "Kids' Cafes" (that serve low-income and homeless children), spearheaded by the efforts of six AmeriCorps Members who will coordinate both food rescue and farm gleaning efforts in rural and urban areas. Terre Haute and Indianapolis are the main focus areas for the Indiana project. Contact: Kelly Barmann or (317) 290-3104 Sharon Zapata Iowa (FSA) will use three Members in the Model City area of Des Moines (A HUD Enterprise Community) to establish a gleaning and food rescue program that will also emphasize nutrition education and neighborhood gardens. Contact: Kevin Fitzpatrick (515) 386-3138 Kentucky (Rural Development) will focus on the Kentucky Highlands Empowerment Zone in Eastern Kentucky, where six Members will glean and distribute excess crops to at least 100 local families, who will also be provided with training to improve the nutritional value of their meals through the addition of fresh fruits and vegetables. Contact: Louis Elliott (502) 633-0891 Maryland (FSA) will use four Members, in partnership with the 3,000-volunteer Washington Area Gleaning Network, to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to needy families in the Baltimore area. Contact: Jim Voss (410) 381-4550 John Ciekot (Member Issues) (410) 366-8533 George Roche (Volunteers) (301) 879-1484 Michigan (FSA) will use six Members, two of whom will be stationed in Detroit to coordinate an urban perishable food rescue effort as well as distribute some fresh produce to local food banks. Another four Members will work in the East Lansing area to recover fresh fruits and vegetables from farms after the mechanical harvesting is completed, provide these foods to the local food distribution center (run by the Red Cross), and take an active part in educating the recipients about the proper preparation and storage of the foods they receive. Contact: Sandi Ramos (517) 337-6660, ext. 1212 Mississippi (Rural Development) will, through the joint efforts of four new AmeriCorps Members and the newest USDA AmeriCorps Anti-Hunger Project, work to provide fresh foods, poultry, and nutrition education to 425 families in the Mississippi Delta Empowerment Zone and nearby counties. Contact: Bettye Oliver (601) 965-5460 Missouri (FSA) will sponsor a 5-Member farm gleaning project near Kansas City, MO, that will serve nearly 400 poor, primarily elderly individuals this summer. Contact: Cindy White (816) 776-5861 New Jersey (Extension Service) will use five Members, in partnership with the Bonner Foundation and many other partners, to provide fresh produce to the southern New Jersey food bank network (Atlantic, Cumberland, Burlington, and Camden Counties) and over 100 families, with a secondary goal of effectively reducing crop waste. Contact: Joni Elliott (609) 292-8897 New Mexico (Rural Development and FSA) will actually operate two separate projects, one in the Albuquerque area and one in the Four Corners area of the state, with four Members each, and will serve a total of more than 200 soup kitchens, 800 individuals, and over 75 Native American families on the Navajo reservation. Contact: Lloyd Wilhelm (FSA/Four Corners) (505) 334-3090 John Thomas (RD/Albuquerque) (505) 761-4960 New York (FSA) will use six Members in a five-county area around the state capital of Albany, in partnership with the Albany Service Corps, to provide fresh produce to 20,000 low-income individuals per month in the targeted Capital Region. Activities include maintenance of a large community garden, rescuing produce from local farmers and farmers' markets, and training the staff, volunteers and clients of local food pantries and soup kitchens on the preparation and use of the fresh foods obtained through this project. Contact: Marc Smith (FSA) (315) 477-6304 Paul Winkeller (518) 434-2677 (Albany Service Corps) Oregon (Rural Development) will, with six new Members, build on existing efforts by the Oregon Food Bank (Portland/Eugene area) to develop linkages between rural and urban populations, and to serve an additional 100 needy families during the summer months. Contact: Bruce Kohler (503) 465-6850 Pennsylvania (Rural Development) will use five Members to organize volunteers to serve 200 needy people per day, through the local food banks serving Uniontown/Fayette County, using perishable foods that are rescued from area restaurants and cafeterias. Contact: Lee Patterson (412) 482-4888 Rhode Island (FSA) will use three Members to serve needy families in the area by enhancing the relationship between local farmers and community food banks, as well as by providing extensive education to the local food bank operators about proper food storage, handling, and preparation techniques. Rhode Island's efforts are centered primarily around Providence. Contact: Patricia Seites (FSA/RI) (401) 828-8232 Texas (Rural Development) will use five Members to help provide fresh food to 100 families living in the Colonias area inside and near the Rio Grande Empowerment Zone. Contact: Lorraine Clements (817) 774-1304 Washington (Extension Service) will, with six Members, effectively double the amount of food gleaned from farms in Pierce and Yakima Counties this summer, thus dramatically increasing the number of families that will benefit from these efforts; an innovative partnership with the local cannery will provide job training opportunities for low-income recipients as well as preserved foods that can be distributed during the winter months. Contact: Dr. Steven Garrett (206) 591-7180 USDA Contacts: Joel Berg, Director of National Service (202) 720-5746 Donna Hines, FCS Anti-Hunger Coordinator (202) 690-0693 FACT SHEET ON THE STATUS OF FUTURE USDA-SPONSORED AMERICORPS PROJECTS In both the 1994-1995 program year and the 1995-1996 program year, USDA sponsored community- based AmeriCorps projects throughout the country that fought hunger, protected the environment, and boosted rural community development. In both program years, the projects were supported by four sources of funding: 1) Corporation for National Service (CNS) funding paid for educational awards for AmeriCorps Members that successfully completed the program; none of these funds were ever transferred to USDA they went into a trust fund that will eventually pay the lending and/or educational institutions of AmeriCorps graduates. 2) CNS funds were granted from CNS to USDA, which USDA in turn, sub-granted to local AmeriCorps projects, especially to five anti-hunger projects; the total amount of these funds were minimal compared to the overall cost of the USDA program. 3) USDA utilized money from the Department's own appropriated funds; USDA used funds from a variety of agencies to support AmeriCorps projects that provided critical community services in areas related to the broad mission areas of those agencies. 4) State and local governments and private sector organizations provided matching funds; in the 1994- 1995 program year, non-Federal sources provided $1.7 million in funding to USDA-sponsored AmeriCorps projects. In a compromise brokered between CNS head Harris Wofford and Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA), a leading critic of the program, CNS will no longer make grants of operating funds to Federal agencies. This deal compromise codified by the appropriations language governing CNS. Some of those critics who agreed to the compromise may have believed, incorrectly, that they eliminated CNS's legal ability to allow USDA to continue to sponsor AmeriCorps projects. In fact, neither the compromise nor the appropriations language restricted CNS' legal ability to continue to allow AmeriCorps Members sponsored by USDA to receive educational awards. The only legal result of the compromise is that it eliminated AmeriCorps funding source #2 --- operating funds transferred from CNS to USDA. The few projects that were most dependent on this source of funding the five anti-hunger projects banded together as a consortium under the umbrella of the non-profit Congressional Hunger Center to successfully apply for funding directly from CNS. However, the over 1,000 remaining USDA sponsored AmeriCorps positions focused on environmental protection and rural development would be eliminated entirely if CNS could not continue to sign a cooperative agreement with USDA in which the Department would continue to use its own appropriated funds to support these projects. These projects --- many of which are the only significant AmeriCorps presence in rural areas of their states --- would end if USDA's involvement in AmeriCorps was terminated. Most state commissions on national service have neither the available funds nor the technical expertise to continue these projects on their own. Under the current appropriations language governing CNS, while CNS can no longer transfer operating funds (source #2) to USDA, it may sign a cooperative agreement with the Department to allow USDA- sponsored educational awards funded by source #1. Under this arrangement, USDA would still be able to spend its own funds (source #3) and USDA AmeriCorps projects would still be able to obtain state, local and private funds (source #4). Thus, CNS still has the legal ability to sign an agreement with USDA to sponsor AmeriCorps projects with funds provided by USDA and non-Federal sources. Under this condition, USDA-sponsored AmeriCorps Members would still have the legal ability to receive educational awards from the CNS. However, even though both agencies have the legal ability to ensure that USDA can continue to run an AmeriCorps program, the Department and CNS are seeking to reach a bi-partisan policy consensus with key leaders in Congress that USDA will do so. The Department wants to be sure that no critics of AmeriCorps believe that either CNS or USDA have , in essence, "broken the deal" regarding Federal agency programs. Consequently, both USDA and CNS are seeking at least tacit approval from Senator Christopher S. (Kit) Bond of Missouri, the Chairperson of the Senate VA/HUD appropriations sub-committee that funds CNS, to support a compromise in which USDA would no longer receive operating awards from CNS but in which USDA would still be able to spend its own already-appropriated funds on AmeriCorps, and in which USDA-sponsored AmeriCorps Members would still be able to receive educational awards funded by CNS. Tom Amontree 202-720-4623 Joel Berg 202-720-5746 CONGRESS CANCELS FOREST SERVICE AMERICORPS PROJECTS PLANNED FOR 19 STATES WASHINGTON, July XX, 1996--Congress has canceled the portion of the AmeriCorps national service program planned for this fiscal year that would have engaged 683 participants in USDA Forest Service projects in 19 states, Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman said today. The program was canceled because Interior Appropriations Subcommittees in Congress denied the U.S. Department of Agriculture's request to reprogram Fiscal Year 1996 Forest Service funds for AmeriCorps. However, Glickman expressed his desire to work with Congress to obtain bipartisan support to begin new, year-long USDA Forest Service AmeriCorps projects nationally beginning this October using FY97 funds. The Forest Service AmeriCorps projects would have engaged AmeriCorps members in building and restoring trails, rehabilitating campground sites, fighting forest fires, making recreation areas accessible for disabled persons, protecting habitats for endangered and threatened species, improving timber stands, boosting rural development, providing environmental education services to local schools, and preserving historic sites. AmeriCorps members who successfully completed a full term of service would have received educational awards worth $4,725 to pay for college, job training, graduate school, or to pay back existing student loans. "It is unfortunate that the people of the United States will not receive the beneficial services that AmeriCorps members would have performed on national forests. It is also unfortunate that potential participants in the program will not be able to aid their own post- secondary educations," said Glickman, who oversees the USDA Forest Service. "Given that Congress has recently taken bipartisan steps to work with the President to preserve the entire AmeriCorps program, I hope we can reach bipartisan agreement to continue AmeriCorps projects on national forests starting this fall." USDA Forest Service AmeriCorps projects were planned this fiscal year for Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming. AmeriCorps is the President's domestic national service program, authorized by the National and Community Service Act of 1993, which allows Americans of all backgrounds to perform community service in exchange for educational benefits. While most AmeriCorps projects are not run by federal agencies, USDA manages a small portion of AmeriCorps focused nationally on rural development, environmental protection, and anti-hunger work--most of which were allowed by Congress to continue this year. All USDA AmeriCorps projects are designed to "get things done" while strengthening communities, expanding educational opportunity, and promoting personal responsibility. Nationally, in the Forest Service's first operational program year (1994-1995), AmeriCorps members nationally constructed, maintained, and improved 682 miles of trails, achieved 2,569 acres of wildlife habitat enhancement, improved 668 acres of timber stands, built or completely rehabilitated 446 campground sites, reforested 638 acres of land, prepared 42 campsites for accessibility to people with disabilities, improved 760 acres of fisheries habitat, and provided conservation education to 8,373 public school students. Also in the first year of the program, in rural development projects implemented nationally by the USDA Forest Service, AmeriCorps members promoted alternative energy sources and wood technologies, improved emergency response and prevention, helped home owners relocate from a flood plain, and developed and implemented municipal recycling initiatives. # DRAFT MODEL STATE PRESS RELEASE Tom Amontree 202-720-4623 Joel Berg 202-720-5746 CONGRESS CANCELS VERMONT AMERICORPS PROJECT ON GREEN MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST WASHINGTON, July XX, 1996--Congress has canceled the portion of the AmeriCorps national service program planned for this year on the Green Mountain National Forest, Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman said today. The program was canceled because Interior Appropriations Subcommittees in Congress denied the U.S. Department of Agriculture's request to reprogram Fiscal Year 1996 Forest Service funds for AmeriCorps. However, Glickman expressed his desire to work with Congress to obtain bipartisan support to begin a new, year-long USDA Forest Service AmeriCorps project in Vermont beginning this October using FY97 funds. The Vermont program would have engaged 20 citizens as AmeriCorps members performing critical work clearing and restoring trails, rehabilitating and cleaning campground sites, protecting wildlife, improving timber stands, providing environmental education services to local schools, improving fisheries, and preserving historic sites. All the AmeriCorps members who successfully completed the program would have received educational awards worth $4,725 to pay for college, job training, graduate school, or to pay back existing student loans. "It is unfortunate that the people of Vermont will not receive the beneficial services that AmeriCorps members would have performed in the Green Mountain National Forest. It is also unfortunate that potential participants in the program will not be able to aid their own post- secondary educations," said Glickman, who oversees the Forest Service. "Given that Congress has recently taken bipartisan steps to work with the President to preserve the entire AmeriCorps program, I hope we can reach bipartisan agreement to continue AmeriCorps projects on national forests starting this fall." AmeriCorps is the President's domestic national service program, authorized by the National and Community Service Act of 1993, which allows Americans of all backgrounds to perform community service in exchange for educational benefits. While most AmeriCorps projects are not run by federal agencies, USDA manages a small portion of AmeriCorps focused nationally on rural development, environmental protection, and anti-hunger work. All USDA AmeriCorps projects are designed to "get things done" while strengthening communities, expanding educational opportunity, and promoting personal responsibility. USDA currently sponsors both anti-hunger and rural development AmeriCorps projects in Vermont, which were allowed to continue by Congress. Nationally, in the Forest Service's first operational program year (1994-1995), AmeriCorps members constructed, maintained, and improved 682 miles of trails, achieved 2,569 acres of wildlife habitat improvement, improved 668 acres of timber stands, built or completely rehabilitated 446 campground sites, reforested 638 acres of land, prepared 42 campsites for accessibility to people with disabilities, improved 760 acres of fisheries habitat, and provided conservation education to 8,373 public school students.. Also in the first year of the program, in rural development projects implemented nationally by the USDA Forest Service, AmeriCorps members promoted alternative energy sources and wood technologies, improved emergency response and prevention, helped home owners relocate from a flood plain, and developed and implemented municipal recycling initiatives. # DRAFT MODEL STATE PRESS RELEASE Tom Amontree 202-720-4623 Joel Berg 202-720-5746 CONGRESS CANCELS ARKANSAS AMERICORPS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS PLANNED BY USDA FOREST SERVICE WASHINGTON, July XX, 1996--Congress has canceled the portion of the AmeriCorps national service program planned by the USDA Forest Service that would have implemented community development projects in Arkansas, Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman said today. The program was canceled because Interior Appropriations Subcommittees in Congress denied the U.S. Department of Agriculture's request to reprogram Fiscal Year 1996 Forest Service funds for AmeriCorps. However, Glickman expressed his desire to work with Congress to obtain bipartisan support to begin a new, year-long USDA Forest Service AmeriCorps project in Vermont beginning this October using FY97 funds. The Arkansas program would have engaged three AmeriCorps members in performing critical work in Holly Grove, North Little Rock, and Batesville, Arkansas that would have promoted economic development, protected the environment, and reolcated families living in flood plains. All the AmeriCorps members who successfully completed the program would have received educational awards worth $4,725 to pay for college, job training, graduate school, or to pay back existing student loans. "It is unfortunate that the people of Arkansas will not receive the beneficial services that AmeriCorps members would have performed. It is also unfortunate that potential participants in the program will not be able to aid their own post-secondary educations," said Glickman, who oversees the Forest Service. "Given that Congress has recently taken bipartisan steps to work with the President to preserve the entire AmeriCorps program, I hope we can reach bipartisan agreement to continue Forest Service-sposnored AmeriCorps projects starting this fall." AmeriCorps is the President's domestic national service program, authorized by the National and Community Service Act of 1993, which allows Americans of all backgrounds to perform community service in exchange for educational benefits. While most AmeriCorps projects are not run by federal agencies, USDA manages a small portion of AmeriCorps focused nationally on rural development, environmental protection, and anti-hunger work. All USDA AmeriCorps projects are designed to "get things done" while strengthening communities, expanding educational opportunity, and promoting personal responsibility. USDA currently sponsors other community development AmeriCorps projects in Arkansas, which were allowed to continue by Congress. Nationally, in the Forest Service's first operational program year (1994-1995), AmeriCorps members constructed, maintained, and improved 682 miles of trails, achieved 2,569 acres of wildlife habitat improvement, improved 668 acres of timber stands, built or completely rehabilitated 446 campground sites, reforested 638 acres of land, prepared 42 campsites for accessibility to people with disabilities, improved 760 acres of fisheries habitat, and provided conservation education to 8,373 public school students.. Also in the first year of the program, in community development projects implemented nationally by the USDA Forest Service, AmeriCorps members promoted alternative energy sources and wood technologies, improved emergency response and prevention, helped home owners relocate from a flood plain, and developed and implemented municipal recycling initiatives. # REVISED DRAFT EXAMPLE LETTER TO SENATORS, CONGRESSMEN The Honorable James Jeffords 513 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Senator Jeffords: I regret to inform you that, because the Interior Appropriations Subcommittees in Congress have denied the Department's request to reprogram Fiscal year (FY) 1996 Forest Service funds for AmeriCorps, USDA has been forced to cancel the AmeriCorps program that was planned in Vermont on the Green Mountain National Forest for this year. However, I want to assure you that the Department will take every possible step to obtain bi- partisan support to begin a new, year-long, Forest Service AmeriCorps program beginning this October with funds from FY 1997. This program in Vermont would have would have engaged 20 citizens most of whom would have been from the state as AmeriCorps members performing critical work on the Forest clearing and restoring trails, rehabilitating and cleaning campground sites, protecting wildlife, improving timber stands, providing environmental education services to local school, improving fisheries, and preserving historic sites. All the AmeriCorps Members who successfully completed the program --- most of whom would have been from middle class families --- would have received educational awards worth $4,725 to pay for college, job training, graduate school, or to pay back existing student loans. It is unfortunate that the people of Vermont will not be able to benefit from such service and that possible participants will not be able to aid their own post-secondary educations. Nationally, Forest Service AmeriCorps projects in the first year of the program (1994-1995 program year) achieved impressive results. In Public Lands teams serving directly in National Forests, USDA AmeriCorps Members: * Constructed, maintained, and improved 682 miles of trail. * Achieved 2,569 acres of wildlife habitat improvement; built 133 structures to shelter or protect wildlife; built 296 nesting boxes; and constructed a threatened and endangered plant greenhouse. * Improved 668 acres of timber stand. * Built or completely rehabilitated 446 campground sites. Reforested 638 acres of land. * Prepared 42 campsites for accessibility to people with disabilities. Improved 760 acres of fisheries habitat. Constructed 86 miles of new fence. Maintained 18 miles of vehicle trails to keep them free of obstructive growth and slides. Improved watersheds damaged by fire by cutting and planting 92,500 willows in riparian areas. * Improved Forest Service road and safety conditions by "day lighting" 50 curves. * Released 775,000 salmon fry in a fish stocking operation. Constructed a major visitor information center. * Provided conservation education to 8 8,3 73 students K- 1 2. Also in the first year of the program (1994-1995 program year), AmeriCorps Members serving in Rural Development teams in local communities: * Promoted alternative energy sources and wood technologies. * Improved emergency response and prevention. * Helped home owners relocate from a flood plain. Provided environmental and conservation education to school children. * Helped design and construct timber bridges. * Developed and implemented municipal recycling initiatives. * Created plans for improving local recreational areas. * Helped implement historic, scenic, and tourism trails. In order to start the second program year of Forest Service AmeriCorps projects, we took every possible effort to obtain bi-partisan Congressional support. In both February and May, I wrote letters to Senator Slade Gorton and Congressman Regula, the Senate and House chair people, respectively, of the Appropriations Subcommittees on Interior. Unfortunately, both requests were denied. However, I am encouraged that recent votes in both the House and the Senate have demonstrated growing bi-partisan support for the overall AmeriCorps program. I believe that the portion of AmeriCorps managed by the Forest Service was responsible for some of the highest quality projects in the entire AmeriCorps program. Therefore, we expect to soon submit an AmeriCorps reprogramming letter for FY 1997, for which we are extremely hopeful that we will receive bi-partisan support from the Interior appropriations sub-committees in both Houses. I hope I can have your support in requesting the Interior Appropriations Subcommittees to support our upcoming reprogramming request. If you have any questions on this matter, please contact me or Joel Berg, Director of National Service for USDA, at (202) 720-5746. Thank you for your attention. Sincerely, Dan Glickman Secretary AUG. -06' (TUE) 09:10 BUDGET TEL: 202 720 1981 P. 002 cemp/"c104xOh5:e94694: PRO-VOLUNTEER LANGUAGE IN FY 1997 AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS DOC contents Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997 (Enrolled Bill (Sent to President)) production or the lack of a conserving use is a consequence of drought, flood, or other natural disaster. SEC. 727. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act shall be used to extend any existing or expiring contract in the Conservation Reserve Program authorized by 16 U.S.C. 3831-3845. SEC. 728. None of the funds appropriated in this Act may be used to carry out the provisions of section 918 of Public Law 104-127, the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act. SEC. 729. Hereafter, funds appropriated to the Department of Agriculture may be used for incidental expenses such as transportation, uniforms, lodging, and subsistence for volunteers serving under the authority of 7 U.S.C. 2272, when such volunteers are engaged in the work of the United States Department of Agriculture; and for promotional items of nominal value relating to the United States Department of Agriculture Volunteer Programs. SEC. 730. No employee of the Department of Agriculture may be detailed or assigned from an agency or office funded by this Act to any other agency or office of the Department for more than 30 days unless the individual's employing agency or office is fully reimbursed by the receiving agency or office for the salary and expenses of the employee for the period of assignment. SEC. 731. Section 747 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 is amended by inserting, 'effective October 1, 1996,' following 'The Secretary shall make grants' in section 310B(e)(2) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act: Provided. That this section shall take effect upon enactment of this Act into law. SEC. 732. LABELING OF RAW POULTRY PRODUCTS- (a) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to implement or enforce the final rule related to the labeling of raw poultry products promulgated by the Food Safety and Inspection Service on August 25, 1995 (60 Fed. Reg. 44395), and the final rule shall not be effective during fiscal year 1997. (b) FINAL RULE- Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shallissue a revised final rule related to the labeling of raw poultry products that-- USDA AmeriCorps Projects in Missouri In Missouri, USDA sponsored 11 full-time Members last year, is sponsoring 5 full- time Members this year, and will be sponsoring 5 additional Members this summer in a special project focused on transferring excess food to hungry people. Last Year (1984-1985) Program Year Eleven AmeriCorps Members aided flood recovery work on 53,000 acres of land; provided conservation education to 1,770 students; helped maintain 27 flood-retarding dams; assisted 95 landowners in assessing herbicide runoff into the water supply; worked with 11 farmers to develop water management plans; completed flood prevention work on 3,600 acres of land; and restored 995 acres of wetlands. This Year (1985-1986) Program Year As of the second quarter ending June 30, the five AmeriCorps Members had performed "Farm-a-Syst" water quality evaluations for 147 farm families, 65% of whom adopted all or some of the water quality protection measures recommended by the AmeriCorps Members; this project has been aided significantly by the support of local Farm Bureau offices. The AmeriCorps Members also provided conservation education to 1,747 students and 622 adults, of whom 99% and 97%, respectively, later demonstrated improved knowledge of conservation issues. This Summer and Fall ("Summer of Gleaning" Initiative) As part of Secretary Glickman's personal initiative to increase the nation's commitment to recovering excess food for distribution to hungry citizens, AmeriCorps Members will serve this summer and fall in a food recovery project in the Kansas City area. STATE OF KANSAS KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE & PARKS Operations Office 512 SE 25th Avenue WILDLIFE Pratt, KS 67124-8174 PARKS 316/672-5911 FAX 316/672-6020 March 6, 1996 Joel Berg Director of National Service U.S. Department of Agriculture Ag. Box 1301 Washington, DC 20250-1301 Dear Mr. Berg: I would like to thank you for the opportunity to allow Kansas, and specifically the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, to be associated with the USDA Americorps program. Those crews who served for the Natural Resources Conservation Service on flood-related projects at our reservoirs have ben particularly beneficial. These crews have completed many projects with tremendous long-term resource and economic benefits. Kansas' natural resources, our state parks, our wildlife areas, and our citizens will derive many benefits for years to come from the service provided by these individuals. While these individuals have accomplished much, there is much more that must be accomplished. If possible, we would like you to consider renewing commitments to allow these existing crews to continue their efforts next fiscal year. Due to restructuring within the Department, which was effective March 10, 1996, Americorps coordination for the Department has been reassigned from Mr. Robert Barbee to Region 4 Parks Supervisor Alan Stark (Great Plains Nature Center, 6232 E. 29th St. N., Wichita, KS 67220 316-683-8069). You should be receiving documents soon from Mr. Stark concerning the support these crews will have. Should any additional crews be available, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks would be greatly interested in discussing future possibilities with you. Thank you for your consideration of this request and again for the opportunity to be associated with this fine program. I hope it was as beneficial for the members who served as it was for Kansas. Sincerely, Rob Manes Assistant Secretary for Operations kp cc: Jerry Hover Alan Stark Robert Barbee File: 807 TALKING POINTS ON THE USDA AMERICORPS PROGRAM * USDA is sponsoring approximately 1,000 AmeriCorps Members who are serving in over 45 different states in projects fighting hunger, improving the environment, and re-building rural communities. The USDA portion of AmeriCorps is a relatively small, yet important, portion of the larger overall program; the overall program now enrolls approximately 23,000 AmeriCorps members serving in every state of the nation. The USDA portion of the program is highly unusual because the vast majority of AmeriCorps projects are not funded or managed by Federal agencies --- most are funded through state commissions appointed by each state's governor and are managed by non-profit organizations and local government organizations. USDA AmeriCorps projects do NOT duplicate the functions of AmeriCorps projects funded by state commissions; rather, USDA AmeriCorps fill unique needs that can not generally be filled by state commission-funded projects. * USDA AmeriCorps Members are reducing government bureaucracy by performing community service that rapidly and directly aids citizens. USDA AmeriCorps Members are not Federal employees and are not performing functions generally performed by Federal employees. However, they are performing work far more cost-effectively than would be provided through normal government methods. * USDA AmeriCorps projects are "getting things done" providing vital and mainstream service to rural, suburban, and urban communities throughout America. For instance, USDA projects are building trails and fighting fire on National Forests, improving city parks, aiding rural fire departments, creating urban gardens, bringing running water to low-income rural families, and teaching children how to improve their nutrition. * USDA AmeriCorps projects provide taxpayers with double the "bang for the buck." USDA is simply utilizing funds already appropriated to the Department. For instance, USDA Forest Service projects use some funding from existing trail repair budgets. Not only do the AmeriCorps Members repair more trails than would be repaired by other means, they also bring communities together, promote personal responsibly, and help the earn their own way through college all for the same tax dollars that normally would fund just the trail repair. * USDA AmeriCorps projects are strengthening communities. Usually working in partnership with community-based organizations, USDA AmeriCorps Members are meeting the most pressing needs in each of hundreds of locales in which they are operating. The service projects are not designed or implemented as a "cookie cutter" approach dictated from Washington all the projects are locally-proposed and locally- administered. Consequently, virtually all of the USDA AmeriCorps projects have received broad-based bi-partisan support from local community leaders. * Most USDA AmeriCorps projects are in rural and suburban areas that often receive less aid from the Federal government. These areas also often lack significant non- profit sector support networks. USDA has a field structure that is uniquely suited to run programs in traditionally under-served areas. USDA AmeriCorps projects are particularly important in North and South Dakota, which currently do not have state national service commissions. * The USDA program enables AmeriCorps Members to perform tasks requiring technical expertise far beyond the capabilities of the vast majority of non-profit organizations. For instance, under direct and sustained supervision from experts in the field, USDA AmeriCorps Members are inspecting flood-damaged dams, implementing strategic plans to create local jobs, designing and implementing entire recycling programs for counties, helping farmers diversify their crops, bolstering Empowerment Zones and Enterprise communities, designing and building timber bridges, and decreasing ground water pollution. If AmeriCorps Members are to "get things done" that require more than simple physical labor and that result in long-lasting improvements in communities, then Members need the kind of advanced technical training and supervision that can be provided by entities such as USDA. * The USDA AmeriCorps program forges common bonds of unity among all Americans. By bringing together Americans of all races, classes, genders, religions, and physical abilities to work side-by-side, AmeriCorps strengthens the cords that bind us together as a people. The "sweat equity" created by AmeriCorps is playing a role in healing the nation's wounds and bridging our divisions. AmeriCorps is changing the country because it creates a new civic compact in which any citizen can be tied to the nation by the simple virtue of making a difference in the lives of others. * The USDA AmeriCorps program expands educational and economic opportunity. Participants in the program receive a small living stipend and an educational award worth $4,725 that can be used to pay for college, graduate school, job training, or to pay back existing student loans. There is NO economic needs test to participate in this program -- the only requirement to participate is a desire to serve the country. Thus, this program greatly boosts students from the middle class, who were previously told that their families "make too much money" to qualify for most existing Federal aid programs. Yet the program also helps low income families for whom aid programs are clearly insufficient. * The USDA AmeriCorps program promotes personal responsibility. All AmeriCorps projects require extremely hard work in exchange for educational benefits, while helping AmeriCorps Members build a life-long commitment to community service. AmeriCorps gives all Americans a new way of giving something back to the country. It reminds us that, along with rights we enjoy as citizens, we all have certain obligations to protect those rights and to aid our own communities. Furthermore, AmeriCorps gives young people a tangible way to take charge of their own lives. USDA AMERICORPS SUMMER OF GLEANING * In partnership with literally dozens of locally based anti-hunger groups, youth service corps, food pantries, and food recovery organizations, USDA is sponsoring special "Summer of Gleaning" AmeriCorps projects in 20 states. This special summer initiative is a small, but important, part of both the USDA AmeriCorps program and the overall AmeriCorps program. * The "Summer of Gleaning" projects promote the general idea of food recovery, a top personal priority of Secretary Glickman. These projects are designed to work with farmers, agribusinesses, food distribution organizations, institutions, and restaurants to recover and glean food that would be otherwise thrown away and to distribute that food to hungry people. * The "Summer of Gleaning" projects are based on the so-called "volunteer generator" model in which a handful of AmeriCorps Members recruit numerous non-compensated volunteers to help implement the project. * The "Summer of Gleaning Projects last twelve weeks, during which the AmeriCorps Members receive small living stipends. All AmeriCorps Members who successfully complete this special summer program will receive a $1,000 educational award that can be used to pay for college, job training, graduate school, or to pay back existing student loans. * The "Summer of Gleaning" is NOT based on the traditional liberal premise that a heavy-handed, bureaucratically driven, large government program based in Washington has all answers to the nations' problems. Conversely, the "Summer of Gleaning" is NOT based on the traditional conservative premise that the free-market, volunteers, and non-profit organizations alone --- without any government help at all can solve all the nation's social problems. Rather, the "Summer of Gleaning" is based on the reinventing government philosophy of President Clinton, Vice-President Gore, and Secretary Glickman which believes that government must provide energy, vision, and some limited Federal funds as a catalyst to empower local communities to help solve their own problems. Michigan Daily Online http://www.pub.umich.edu/daily/1996/mar/03-20-96/news/americorps.html Online News Front Page AmeriCorps links service with funds for Sections college News Editorial Sports By Sam T. Dudek Arts Daily Staff Reporter Lending a helping hand has become a way of life for thousands of Americans. Since 1994, AmeriCorps, President Clinton's national service program, has recruited 25,000 Americans from all walks of life to perform community service projects. In exchange for their work, AmeriCorps participants receive money that may be used for college, job training or to pay back student loans. The largest division of AmeriCorps -- with more than 1,350 members -- is managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Joel Berg, head of the USDA's AmeriCorps program, visited Michigan last week to check on some of AmeriCorps' projects statewide. "Our organization is here to provide assistance to communities with their agricultural needs," Berg said. Berg has been director of National Service for the USDA since April 1994. He said his branch of AmeriCorps helps communities clean rivers, assist earthquake and hurricane victims, run soup kitchens and conduct nutrition education programs. "We are here to help," Berg said. However, AmeriCorps is not without its problems. The financial books of the service program are in such disarray that they could not be audited, an internal investigation uncovered last week. Harris Wofford, head of the Corporation for National Service, which oversees the AmeriCorps project, said he was concerned with the sloppy record keeping. "The review has concluded that the corporation's financial statements from its first year of operations are not auditable, and that the corporation needs to take additional steps to strengthen internal controls within the organization," Wofford said in a letter to Congress. Berg said he was also concerned about the recent discovery. "In Congress, people are going to want to know how the country's money is spent," he said. Berg said he did not think recent financial troubles would threaten the future of the organization. "The program has bipartisan support," he said. "It helps middle-class students pay for their education." 1 of 2 05/13/97 14:10:35 Michigan Daily Online http://www.pub.umich.edu/daily/1996/mar/03-20-96/news/americorps.html According to the USDA/AmeriCorps annual report, the program actually saves taxpayer dollars. The report states that for every dollar spent on AmeriCorps, taxpayers receive more than a dollar's worth of service in return. -- The Associated Press contributed to this report. ©1996 The Michigan Daily Letters to the editor should be sent to [email protected] Comments about this site should be addressed to [email protected] 2 of 2 05/13/97 14:10:35 II. Community Building: Progress made in meeting your community service objectives. The AmeriCorps position gained more publicity for the Soil District and for the programs that are available. New clients were introduced to the assistance that is available from their county through the NRCS office, Interagency and Ag-business relationships were renewed or strengthened. The community as a whole gained awareness of the need for riparian protection. Farmers became more receptive to streambank protection and fencing programs as a result of the AmeriCorps streambank project. Unique Successes or "Great Stories": We have been lucky and or fortunate that one of the landowners we have installed a streambank protection practice on, has done a 180 degree turn around in his attitude toward government involvement on private land. He has gone from writing news articles on why ecosystem based planning is a top down way for bureaucrats to take control of private land to doing a great job installing streambank protection, providing good estimates and materials lists and offering to have people visit his farm to show how the practice works. Bent Creek O blan United States; Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service In Partnership With People and A Healthy Land Our Partners Team is an opportunity for Americans to share their ethic of good land stewardship. AmeriCorps, the President's initiative to engage Americans of all ages and backgrounds in community-based service, is helping the Natural Resources Conservation Service reach out to communities in ways we otherwise could not do. AmeriCorps addresses a wide variety of rural development and environmental protection projects affecting streams, wetlands, and wildlife habitat. It benefits coastal erosion control and flood control efforts, recreation pro- grams, urban conservation, and economic development. AmeriCorps Earth Team volunteers share their stewardship also exposes youth to new skills and Conservation is the work of many- nationwide. new careers. no one can do it alone. The Natural Resources Conservation Service The local conservation delivery system is a NRCS partners with other USDA relies on many partners to help set partnership-conservation districts, state agencies to share resource invento- conservation goals, work with people agencies, Earth Team volunteers, ries and to coordinate research and and NRCS. on the land, and provide services. programs, develop conservation Our partners include conservation technology, and provide information districts, state and federal agencies, and outreach. For example, NRCS NRCS Earth Team volunteers, NRCS Nonfederal Employees Conservation and five other federal agencies AmeriCorps members, agricultural District and State have underway a pilot program and environmental groups, and pro- Agency Employees called the "Urban Resources fessional societies. Partnership" to coordinate their assistance in improving natural America's conservation districts- resource conditions in selected about 3,000 in all-are the heart of NRCS urban areas. NRCS also works Earth Team the conservation delivery system. Volunteers closely with other federal agencies, These units of local government, such as the Environmental organized by citizens under state Protection Agency, U.S. Army law, operate on the premise that Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. and state conservation agency part- local people know the most about ners-and with their own technical Department of the Interior, on local needs. NRCS and districts are resource conservation issues. and support staff. bound together by mutual conserva- tion objectives as well as by legisla- There are almost as many Earth We have also teamed up with pri- tion and formal agreements with the vate-sector partners to meet mutual Team volunteers as there are NRCS Secretary of Agriculture. goals. These partners include other employees. In 1994, some 11,400 conservation, environmental, and volunteers contributed over a half Districts do more than link NRCS agricultural groups as well as million hours of service, valued at with their neighbors and with local agribusiness. $5.5 million, in agency offices, on the priorities for soil and water conserva- land, and in conservation education tion. They augment the work of the programs in schools and communi- NRCS's conservationists with district ties across the nation. The Earth programs-often funded by county 5 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: BARBIE WA SHBURN June 23, 1995 (501) 829-2573 CITY OF MARVEL, ARKANSAS RECEIVES AMERICORPS GRANT MARVELL, AR.-- The City of Marvell, Arkansas, in partnership with the East Arkansas Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council, has received funding through the Rural Forestry Assistance (Rural Development) AmeriCorps Program. The mission of the AmeriCorps Program is to engage a diverse group of Americans in working partnerships with communities to provide real and measurable service to meet environmental and human needs while building an ethic of service, responsibility, and citizenship. The "City of Marvell Enhancement Project" is designed to improve the social, economic, and natural environment of the town. "As part of the project, trash bins and planters will be installed as permanent fixtures in the downtown area. Accessible ramps will be built and the existing sidewalks will be made accessible. Now culverts will be installed in residential areas where they are virtually nonexistent or nonserviceable," stated Barbie Wa shburn, Assistant to the Mayor Clark Hall As part of the project, the East Arkansas RC&D Council will began revisions on an Area Plan. In the plan revisions, committees will be selected and public meeting held for each county in the district. The following concerns have been identified in Phillips County: Soil Conservation and Land Treatment; Infrastructure; Use, Quality, and Quantity in Irrigation Water, Flood Protection and Drainage of Agricultural and Urban Land, Recreation and Tourism; Rural Fire Protection; and Recycling & Waste Management. The "City of Marvell Enhancement Project" will address waste management, infrastructure, flood protection, and drainage concerns. Besides the city of Marvell and the East Arkansas RC&D Council, additional partners include the USDA Forest Service, Phillips County Conservation District, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. "Cetting Things Done" is the motto of the AmeriCorps Program. With assistance from this grant and the partners involved, the city of Marvell is doing just that. ### IDENTIONAL * ERICORP A AMERICOR OR Members of the San Bernardino National AmeriCorps members have been A AmeriCorps Forest's AmeriCorps are highly motivated involved in many work projects SERVICE individuals. They are very devoted to the to improve the local and global work of preserving the environment and environment. Projects have been completed The national service program, AmeriCorps, fulfilling the needs of world-class on National Forest land, National Park land, has its origins in the National and Commu- management of the lands belonging to the and other public lands throughout inland nity Service Trust Act signed into law by people of the United States. Many of our Southern California. President Clinton in September of 1993. members were drawn to the program AmeriCorps has: Since then, 20,000 Americans have joined because of its environmental mission, *completed post-fire rehabilitation this "domestic Peace Corps", eager to serve *removed graffitti from recreation areas their country right here in their country. *constructed and maintained miles of trail WATER *rehabilitated Off Highway Vehicle paths Departments in the executive branch of the federal government, state agencies, local FORAGE *restored sensitive plant habitats *planted thousands of trees governments and non-profit organizations FOREST SERVICE *built a native plant park host AmeriCorps programs throughout the *promoted environmental responsibility United States. The US Department of Agriculture has taken on AmeriCorps UAS through education programs in many of its agencies. These AmeriCorps Member programs are devoted to meeting the unmet needs of communities and the nation. The USDA Forest Service is one such agency. The San Bernardino National HILDLIFE TMENTMENT RECREATION Benefits Some of the benefits members receive for Forest hosts an AmeriCorps program de- serving their country are: voted to meeting the unmet needs of com- munities within and around the forest, as while others joined because they want to *a $4725 educational award for college, well as the needs of the forest itself. head in career directions that this program vocational schooling, or paying off existing offers them exposure to, such as wildlife student loans AmeriCorps on the San Bernardino Na- biology, hydrology, forestry, or firefighting. *health care coverage during the program tional Forest works to preserve the health *child care coverage during the program and beauty of Public Lands and the Envi- *exposure to interesting career fields ronment. It is the largest non-residential *on the job training program of its kind with members. *a living stipend of $8000 NATIONAL A EFFICE - Lancaster area - LA Ce Redlands Riverside Henet D.J.N INISRA an SH P.3. Volume 54 No. 1 March-April 1995 We Welcome Our 26th Secretary The swearing-in makes it official, as Dan Glickman (right) becomes our 26th Secretary...page 1. INSII Dan Glickman takes helm of Department NRCS civil engineer Laura Lundin (center) explains USDA's FY96 budget calls for a $2.1 billion g to AmeriCorps volunteers Phillip Sam (left) and When it floods-twice-in Calif.. our em Sandy Haynes in Altadena, Calif. how NRCS Around & About USDA-For Employees employees directed the placement of the two cement barriers, known as "K rails.' This ensured Editor's Roundup on USDA People in the that the barriers worked as a conservation measure by deflecting and redirecting sediment during the rains and subsequent flooding that hit the state in January and March. USDA employees initiated a number of actions. in both urban and rurai settings. to combat the effects of these floods. Note the storv United States Department of Agriculture Pub on page 3. THE OF CONFIDENCE STATE OF LOUISIANA OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT Governor MELINDA Schwegmann LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR R O. BOX 44243 BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA 70804 AND COMMISSIONER (804) 342-7009 DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE, FAX (504) 342-1949 RECREATION AND TOURISM July 7, 1995 Mr. Richard B. Hoffpauir RECD 3727 Government Street Alexandria, LA 71302 Dear Mr. Hoffpauir: On behalf of the Louisiana Serve Commission and AmeriCorps, I would like to extend my thanks for your assistance with helping the victims of floods in the New Orleans area. Your contribution to the flood recovery efforts was invaluable. I trust your experience with helping all those in need was as rewarding for you as it was to the victims you assisted. You are truly an example of AmeriCorps' pledge of "getting things done." Thank you for your continued dedicated service to our country and state. Very sincerely, Melinda Schulgmann MELINDA SCHWEGMANN Lieutenant Governor Concordia Council on aging OLD COURTHOUSE BLDG. TEL. 318/336-7887 VIDALIA, LA. 71373 June 23, 1995 JUN 1995 THE OF STATE Austin Cormier Acting State Director Rural Economic & Community Development 3727 Government Street Alexandria, LA 71302 ATTN: Richard Hoffpauir Americorp Coordinator Dear Mr. Cormier: I would like to express appreciation for the work that Mrs. Bobbie Ignont has done for the Council on Aging in Concordia Parish. Mrs. Ignont has personally worked with us and was responsible for getting other volunteers to help. She walked with us in our 'Miles For Meals' Walk for Homebound senior citizens in this parish. She helped work the roadblock on June 16 in Ferriday, La. She has been instrumental in securing donations of money and merchandise for a raffle from businesses in the Ferriday and Vidalia areas. Bobbie has maintained good communication throughout this drive. She is very dependable and an overall asset to your organization. Thank you for providing this quality personnel to our area. Sincerely, Darathy H MEDonald Dorothy H. McDonald Executive Director dhm CC: Paul Eiland, DD Post-It™ brand fax transmittal memo 7671 # of pages . 3 Debbie Redfearn Mike Taylor To Kather Katherine Gibney Gibney From Richard CO₂ FYI" Co. RECD- LA Dept. Phone # Fax # Fax # An Equal Opportunity Employer Mary J Ferrington Ferrington Home Economist THE STA OFFICE 1995 Tensas/Concordia Parishes Louisiana State University Richard Agricultural Center Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service Concordia Parish Office June 26, 1995 405 Carter Street 3rd Floor, Old Courthouse Vidalia. LA 71373 (318) 336-5315 AUSTIN CORMIER Acting State Director Rural Economic & Community Development 3727 Government Street Alexandria, LA 71320 Attn: Richard Hoffpauir Americorp Coordinator Dear Mr. Cormier: I've had the pleasure of working with Bobbie Ignont since December 1994. She introduced herself to me at the Concordia Parish Extension Advisory Committee Meeting, which she attended to voice concerns about our community. She expressed an interest in working with me with home economics programs in Tensas and Concordia Parishes. We met in January 1995 to discuss programming needs for both parishes. She began assisting at monthly Council On Aging meetings and with commodity food distributions. She played an important role in the Tensas Parish Health Fair. She helped set up the building, register participants, direct people to services, and assisted with clean-up. Bobbie has demonstrated a sincere effort to work with people. She's cooperative, dependable, and has a pleasant personality. She has helped educate the elderly and needy in these communities, and learned a few things during the process. I've enjoyed working with Bobbie, and hope to continue to do so. She's definitely an asset to the Americorp program. Sincerely, Maryforrington Mary J Ferrington Ferrington Home Economist OF STATE OF 1995 Tensas/Concordia Parishes MJF;lt DIRECTOR c: Paul Eiland, DD Debbie Redfearn Mike Taylor THE LOUISIANA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE PROVIDES EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES IN PROGRAMS AND EMPLOYMENT. LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY AND A & M. COLLEGE. LOUISIANA PARISH GOVERNING BODIES. SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY, AND UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE COOPERATING A State Partner in the Cooperative Extension System Office of the Mayer Minden, Louisiana Proclamation MIERRAS, calimal revice in . net of our history as people, 8 this Jay, our netion has care togotime to calelxes the Spirit of Service; ml the Civillian Consumersion Cone, the a Mill, the Pose CORTO, and VISTA have helped net the stage for a - in the country and in response re environmental concerns is the 1970"s 1 1980'a, 8 grassroots youth - kgo is - Cocusing 8 service and ingeted by retional ed commity foundations; and MERKAS, is 1990, the - of the rapidly expending service - gonernated bipartism support the the parmage of the Instional and Community Invice Act of 1990, followed by the Mational and Community Invet Act of 1993, - 1 Us state of Lenisiana, through the L'euterant Governex's office, initiated the first national 1 community service you in Louisiana; and MERIAN, programs of the Lavisium Serve Cumission have And an impact - communities throughout Louisiane, today, - receiption these the have unsered the call to surve our national community, Service, and these who serve, mics . difference is America: and volunteers throughest Leuisiana have fevorably Impected all anness of life for aur citimen, I ask all Mindenites to Join - in commending those to examplity the spirit of Service through thair actions in our community and is finding toys in which each of - can contribute to this effirt to factor the feeling of civic (toponsibility and renow the Spirit of Service Line calls us all to serve; and WERRBAG, Mindemites Are "getzing things dons' through this service advount. together, - can sake . difference is the Lives of our eltime, and in Joins no, time something back 10 CLIC country which has provided w with so auch, NOW, THEREFORE, 1, biid. BOXXXTION, Phyor of the City of Mindom, State of Louisiana, do baraby proclain Amaly, April 23, 1995, M ... NATIONAL DAY OP SERVICE ... is the City of Micha, Louisians. a - whred D have formals sol my hand and and 6 be affired Bus BUT woods Pittian societary 5 Ancil 25. 1995 4549 bonger D'how, 16⑇1 Mayor Bill Robertoon presented me with a framed proclemation. JUL-10-95 09:32 FROM: USDA SCS LA so ID: 318 473 7682 PAGE 58 VILLAGE OF DOWNSVILLE Reggie G. Skains Mayor Official Statement WHEREAS, national service 1s a part of our history as people, on this day, our nation has come together to celebrate the Spirit of Service; and, MIRREAS, the Civilian Conservation Corps, the GI Bill, the Peace Corps, and VISTA have helped set the stage for a service movement in the country and in response to environmental concerns in the 1970's and 1980'm, a grassroots youth movement began to energe, focusing on service and supported by national and community foundations; and WHEREAS, in 1990, the success of the rapidly expanding grassroots service movement generated bipartisan support for the passage of the National and Community Service Act of 1990, followed by the National and Community Trust Act of 1993, as amended, and the state of Louisiana, through the Lieutenant Governor's office, initiated the first national and community service prograss in Louisianar and MHEREAS, programs of the Louisiana Serve Commission have had an impact on communities throughout Louisiana, today, ve recognize those who have answered the call to serve our national community. Service, and those who serve, makes a difference in America: and WHEREAS, volunteers throughout Louisiana have favorable impacted all aspects of life for our citizans, I sak all Louisianians to join no in commending those who exemplify the Spirit of Service through their actions in our communities and in finding ways in which each of us can contribute to this effort to foster the feeling of civic responsibility and renew the Spirit of Service that call us all to serve) and NEEREAS, Louisianians are "getting things done" through this service movement, together, we can make a difference in the lives of our citizens, and in doing so, give something back to our country which has provided us with so much. NOW, THEREFORE, I, REGGIE G. SKAINS, Mayor of the Village of Downsville, Louisiana do hereby proclais Tuesday, April 25, 1995 as NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE in the Village of Downsville, Given under By hand and soal this the 19th day of April A.D. 1995 Ruggil Mator of D Stain Downsville 09:32 FROM: USDA SCS LA so ID: 318 473 7682 PAGE 59 TOWN OF DUBACH STEPHEN HAMMONS MAYOR Official Statement WHEREAS, national service is a part of our history na people, on this day, our nation has come together to celebrate the Spirit of Service; and WHEREAS, in 1990, the success of the rapidly expanding grassroote service movement generated bipartisan eupport for the passage of the National and Community Service Act of 1990, followed by the National and Community Trust Act of 1993, as amended, and the state of Louisiana, through the Lieutenant Governor's office, initiated the first national and community service programs in Louisians; and WHEREAS, volunteers in Dubach have favorably impacted all aspects of life for our citizens, 1 ask all citizens to join me in commending those who exemplify the Spirit of Service through their actions in our community and in finding ways in which each of us can contribute to this effort to foster the feeling of civic responsibility and renew the Spirit of Service that calls UR all to serve; and NOW, THEREFORR, I, do hereby proclaim Tuesday, April 25, 1995 as NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE in the Town of Dubach. In Witness Whereof, 1 have hereunto set my hand officially and caused to be affixed the Seal of the Town of Dubach, on this the 21st day of April A:D 1995 Mayor/o Town of Dubach Office of the Mayor Ruston, Imitsiana Proclamation & WHEREAS, AMERICORES STRENGTHENS COMMUNITIES AND IMPROVER THE QUALITY or Life B4 RURAL COMMUNITIES. AND WHEREAS, THE UBDAINEXCORPS MEETS LOCAL NEEDS BY USING LOCAL STRATEGIES, AND WHEREAS, AS A PROGRAM OF THE LOUISIANA SERVE COMMISSION, PEOPLE THROUGHOUT OUR LOUISLANA COMMUNITIES HAVE ANDWERED THE CALL TO SERVE OUR NATIONAL COMMUNITY, MAKING A DUFFERENCE IN AMERICA. AND WHEREAS, NATIONAL SERVICE IS A PART OUR HISTORY AB PEOPLE AND LOUISIANA'S ARE "GETTING THINGS DONE" THROUGH THIS SERVICE MOVEMENT, AND WHEREAS, TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OUR CITIZENS. NOW, THEREFORE L MILDA TAYLOR PERRITT, MAYOR OF RUSTON, LOUISIANA, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM AFRIL 25, 1995 All: National Day Of Pemvice - THE CITY RUSTOR, - LIAGE ALL or OUR amzore TO RECOURES THOSE - HAVE ANDREALD THE CALL TO serve . OUR CONNUMITY which POSTERS THE PEELING or ORIO RESPONSIBILITY - CELEBRITE THE SPORT of BERNING INFICMANIE, 1 wilness about 0 have hersuate ast my hand and consed this seal to & affixed: Hills Taylor Perritt Hilds Taylor Purritt-Wayer April 21 1895 Mayor Hilda Peritt presented me with a plague JUL-10-95 09:33 FROM: USDA SCS LA so ID: 318 473 7682 PAGE 61 TOWN OF MARION MARION, LOUISIANA PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, national service is a part of our history as people, on this day, our nation has come together to celebrate the Spirit of Service; and WHEREAS. the Civilian Conservation Corps, the GI Bill, the Peace Corps, and Vista have helped set the stàge for a service movement in the country and in response to environmental concerns in the 1970's and 1980's. a grassroots youth movement began to emerge, focusing on service and supported by national and community foundations; and WHEREAS, in 1990, the success of the rapidly expanding grassroots service move- ment generated bipartisan support for the passage of the National and Community Service Act of 1990, followed by the National and Com- munity Trust Act. of 1993, as amended, and the state of Louisiana, through the Lieutonant Governor's Office, initiated the first national and community service programs in Louisiana; and WHEREAS, programs of the Louisiana Serve Commission have had an impact on communities throughout Louisiana, today, we recognize those who have answered the call to serve our national community, Service, and those who serve, makes is difference in America, and WHEREAS, volunteers throughout Louisiana have favorably impacted all aspects of .life for our citizens, I ask all Louisianians to join me in commending those who exemplify the Spirit of Service through their actions in our communities and in finding ways in which each of US can contribute to this effort to foster the feeling of civic respon sibility and renew the Spirit of Service that calls us all to serve; and WHEREAS, the citizens of Marion, Louisiana are "getting things done" through this service movement, together, we can make a difference in the lives of our citizens, and in doing so, give something back to our country which has provided us with so much. NOW, THEREFORE, I, KENNETH W. FRANKLIN, Mayor of the Town of Marion, Louisiana do hereby proclaim Tuesday, April 25, 1995 as NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE in the Town of Marion, Louisiana. In Witnoss Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand officially and caused to be affixed the Seal of the Town of Marion, Louisiana, on this the 24TH TN day of April, 1995. JUL-10-95 09:33 FROM: USDA SCS LA so ID: 318 473 7682 PAGE 62 Town of Farmerville Willie Davis, Jr. P.O. Box 487 ALDERMEN MAYOR Farmervilla, LA 71341 Jerry L Taylor Gay Nell MeIntosh Phone (318) 368-9243 Thaddous R Wallace TOWN CLERK/THEASURER FAX (318) 388-7142 Zollie a Stansbury Deanne McCallum Tunmy J. Johnson TOWN ATTORNEY Kenneth W. Dison PROCLAMATION By the Mayor WHEREAS, national service is a part of our history 85 people, on this day, our nation has come together to celebrate the Spirit of Service; and WHEREAS, the Civilian Conservation Corps, the GI Bill, the Peace Corps, and VISTA have helped set the stage for a service movement in the country and in response to environmental concerns in the 1970's and 1980's, a grassroots youth movement began to emerge, focusing on service and supported by national and community foundations; and WHEREAS, in 1990, the success of the rapidly expanding grassroots service movement generated bipartisan support for the passage of the National and Community Service Act of 1990, followed by the National and Community Trust Act of 1993, as amended, and the state of Louisiana, through the Lieutenant Governor's office, initiated the first national and community service programs in Louisiana; and WHEREAS, programs of the Louisiana Serve Commission have had an impact on communities throughout Louisiana, today, we recognize those who have answered the call to serve our national community. Service, and those who serve, makes a difference in America; and WHEREAS, volunteers throughout Louisiana have favorably impacted all aspects of life for our citizens, I ask all Louisianians to join me in commending those who exemplify the Spirit of Service through their actions in our communities and in finding ways in which each of us can contribute to this effort to foster the feeling of civic responsibility and renew the Spirit of Service that calls us all to serve; and WHEREAS, Louisianians are "getting things done" through this service movement, together, we can make a difference in the lives of our citizens, and in doing 50, give something back to our country which has provided us with so much. UL-10-9 09:34 FROM: USDA SCS LA so ID: 318 473 7682 PAGE 63 ILL. NOW, THEREFORE, 1, WILLIE DAVIS, Mayor of the Town of Farmerville do hereby proclaim Tuesday, April 25, 1995 is NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE in the State of Louisiana. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand officially and caused to be affixed at the Town ball in the Town of Farmerville on this the 25th April, Hille day Davis 1995. 16, signed Mayor, Town of Farmerville SEAL attant Am BMC, Town Clerk USDA AMERICORPS DRY FIRE HYDRANT PROJECTS STATE-BY-STATE RESULTS As of September 1996 - Arkansas Louisiana South Carolina Vermont TOTAL # of dry fire 30 848* 99 44 1,021 hydrant installations performed and/or coordinated by AmeriCorps/USDA Total federal/ $44,05 $1,523,024** $113,200 $60,000 $1,740,274 state cost of program # of structures 0 10 1 4 15 directly or indirectly saved from damage by dry fire hydrants Estimated value N/A $730,000 $75,000 $400,000 $1,205,000 of the structures saved Estimated number 2,250 300,000 9,000 1,600 312,850 of homeowners to to obtain lower insurance rate Average yearly $200 $150 $250 $76 $169 insurance rate reduction for homeowners Total estimated $450,000 $45,000,000 $2,250,000 $121,600 $47,821,600 yearly savings for homeowners Number of dollars $9.22 $29.03 $19.54 $7.69 $27.17 returned to homeowners for each dollar spent by the government *1,167 additional dry fire hydrants are planned for installation next year in Louisiana. ** The cost of the Louisiana program covers the installation of the total 2,015 dry fire hydrants. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE NEWS Office of Communications News Room 460-A Washington, DC 20250-1300 Internet: News @usda.gov Phone: 202-720-9035 World Wide Web Home Page: http://www.usda.gov Release No. 0523.96 Tom Amontree (202) 720-4623 Joel Berg (202) 720-5746 USDA AMERICORPS RURAL FIRE PROJECTS SAVE PROPERTY AND MONEY WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 1996 --Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman announced today that rural fire protection projects implemented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's AmeriCorps national service program have protected property from destruction and will save rural homeowners in four states an estimated $48 million in one year. Given that the total governmental cost for the AmeriCorps fire protection projects--including construction materials and education awards for the AmeriCorps members-was $1.7 million, the projects will return $27 to rural homeowners yearly for every dollar spent on the program by the government. The attached chart shows the economic benefits of "dry fire hydrant" projects implemented by USDA's AmeriCorps program in Arkansas, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Vermont. Dry fire hydrants are special hooks-ups that allow rural fire departments to obtain water for fire fighting in areas that do not have existing water mains that can provide adequate pressure. The installation of such dry fire hydrants has saved homes and commercial properties from destruction and is helping an estimated 312,000 rural homeowners reduce their insurance rates. Some homeowners will have their rates reduced by up to $250 yearly. The rates are lowered by insurance companies as a result of an improvement in fire classification ratings in the counties or fire districts in which the dry fire hydrants are installed. "This is another example of how USDA's AmeriCorps program meets critical local needs while promoting community, opportunity, and responsibility, but that the program is putting dollars directly back into the pockets of homeowners," Glickman said. "This program has already saved property and possibly lives - - at the same time it has helped families reduce their insurance payments. It is precisely because of success stories such as this that the President has been winning increasing bi-partisan support for his AmeriCorps program." The AmeriCorps dry fire hydrant projects are jointly sponsored by Resource Conservation and Development Councils, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Corporation for National Service, and local fire departments. AmeriCorps, President Clinton's national service program passed with bipartisan support by Congress, engages over 20,000 Americans of diverse backgrounds in performing service that meets critical community needs in return for an award which may be used for post-secondary education. # NOTE: USDA news releases and media advisories are available on the Internet. Access the USDA Home Page on the World Wide Web at http://www.usda.gov UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE NEWS Office of Communications News Room 460-A Washington, DC 20250-1300 Internet: News @usda.gov Phone: 202-720-9035 World Wide Web Home Page: http://www.usda.gov Release No. 0523.96 Tom Amontree (202) 720-4623 Joel Berg (202) 720-5746 USDA AMERICORPS RURAL FIRE PROJECTS SAVE PROPERTY AND MONEY WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 1996 -Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman announced today that rural fire protection projects implemented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture': AmeriCorps national service program have protected property from destruction and will save rural homeowners in four states an estimated $48 million in one year. Given that the total governmental cost for the AmeriCorps fire protection projects--including construction materials and education awards for the AmeriCorps members--was $1.7 million, the projects will return $27 to rural homeowners yearly for every dollar spent on the program by the government. The attached chart shows the economic benefits of "dry fire hydrant" projects implemented by USDA's AmeriCorps program in Arkansas, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Vermont. Dry fire hydrants are special hooks-ups that allow rural fire departments to obtain water for fire fighting in areas that do not have existing water mains that can provide adequate pressure. The installation of such dry fire hydrants has saved homes and commercial properties from destruction and is helping an estimated 312,000 rural homeowners reduce their insurance rates. Some homeowners will have their rates reduced by up to $250 yearly. The rates are lowered by insurance companies as a result of an improvement in fire classification ratings in the counties or fire districts in which the dry fire hydrants are installed. "This is another example of how USDA's AmeriCorps program meets critical local needs while promoting community, opportunity, and responsibility, but that the program is putting dollars directly back into the pockets of homeowners," Glickman said. "This program has already saved property and possibly lives - - at the same time it has helped families reduce their insurance payments. It is precisely because of success stories such as this that the President has been winning increasing bi-partisan support for his AmeriCorps program." The AmeriCorps dry fire hydrant projects are jointly sponsored by Resource Conservation and Development Councils, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Corporation for National Service, and local fire departments. AmeriCorps, President Clinton's national service program passed with bipartisan support by Congress, engages over 20,000 Americans of diverse backgrounds in performing service that meets critical community needs in return for an award which may be used for post-secondary education. # NOTE: USDA news releases and media advisories are available on the Internet. Access the USDA Home Page on the World Wide Web at http://www.usda.gov USDA AMERICORPS DRY FIRE HYDRANT PROJECTS STATE-BY-STATE RESULTS As of September 1996 - Arkansas Louisiana South Carolina Vermont TOTAL # of dry fire 30 848* 99 44 1,021 hydrant installations performed and/or coordinated by AmeriCorps/USDA Total federal/ $44,05 $1,523,024** $113,200 $60,000 $1,740,274 state cost of program # of structures 0 10 1 4 15 directly or indirectly saved from damage by dry fire hydrants Estimated value N/A $730,000 $75,000 $400,000 $1,205,000 of the structures saved Estimated number 2,250 300,000 9,000 1,600 312,850 of homeowners to to obtain lower insurance rate Average yearly $200 $150 $250 $76 $169 insurance rate reduction for homeowners Total estimated $450,000 $45,000,000 $2,250,000 $121,600 $47,821,600 yearly savings for homeowners Number of dollars $9.22 $29.03 $19.54 $7.69 $27.17 returned to homeowners for each dollar spent by the government *1,167 additional dry fire hydrants are planned for installation next year in Louisiana. ** The cost of the Louisiana program covers the installation of the total 2,015 dry fire hydrants. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE NEWS Office of Communications News Room 460-A Washington, DC 20250-1300 Internet: News @usda.gov Phone: 202-720-9035 World Wide Web Home Page: http://www.usda.gov Release No. 0523.96 Tom Amontree (202) 720-4623 Joel Berg (202) 720-5746 USDA AMERICORPS RURAL FIRE PROJECTS SAVE PROPERTY AND MONEY WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 1996 -Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman announced today that rural fire protection projects implemented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's AmeriCorps national service program have protected property from destruction and will save rural homeowners in four states an estimated $48 million in one year. Given that the total governmental cost for the AmeriCorps fire protection projects--including construction materials and education awards for the AmeriCorps members--was $1.7 million, the projects will return $27 to rural homeowners yearly for every dollar spent on the program by the government. The attached chart shows the economic benefits of "dry fire hydrant" projects implemented by USDA's AmeriCorps program in Arkansas, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Vermont. Dry fire hydrants are special hooks-ups that allow rural fire departments to obtain water for fire fighting in areas that do not have existing water mains that can provide adequate pressure. The installation of such dry fire hydrants has saved homes and commercial properties from destruction and is helping an estimated 312,000 rural homeowners reduce their insurance rates. Some homeowners will have their rates reduced by up to $250 yearly. The rates are lowered by insurance companies as a result of an improvement in fire classification ratings in the counties or fire districts in which the dry fire hydrants are installed. "This is another example of how USDA's AmeriCorps program meets critical local needs while promoting community, opportunity, and responsibility, but that the program is putting dollars directly back into the pockets of homeowners," Glickman said. "This program has already saved property and possibly lives - - at the same time it has helped families reduce their insurance payments. It is precisely because of success stories such as this that the President has been winning increasing bi-partisan support for his AmeriCorps program." The AmeriCorps dry fire hydrant projects are jointly sponsored by Resource Conservation and Development Councils, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Corporation for National Service, and local fire departments. AmeriCorps, President Clinton's national service program passed with bipartisan support by Congress, engages over 20,000 Americans of diverse backgrounds in performing service that meets critical community needs in return for an award which may be used for post-secondary education. # NOTE: USDA news releases and media advisories are available on the Internet. Access the USDA Home Page on the World Wide Web at http://www.usda.gov USDA AMERICORPS DRY FIRE HYDRANT PROJECTS STATE-BY-STATE RESULTS As of September 1996 - Arkansas Louisiana South Carolina Vermont TOTAL # of dry fire 30 848* 99 44 1,021 hydrant installations performed and/or coordinated by AmeriCorps/USDA Total federal/ $44,05 $1,523,024** $113,200 $60,000 $1,740,274 state cost of program # of structures 0 10 1 4 15 directly or indirectly saved from damage by dry fire hydrants Estimated value N/A $730,000 $75,000 $400,000 $1,205,000 of the structures saved Estimated number 2,250 300,000 9,000 1,600 312,850 of homeowners to to obtain lower insurance rate Average yearly $200 $150 $250 $76 $169 insurance rate reduction for homeowners Total estimated $450,000 $45,000,000 $2,250,000 $121,600 $47,821,600 yearly savings for homeowners Number of dollars $9.22 $29.03 $19.54 $7.69 $27.17 returned to homeowners for each dollar spent by the government Louisiana. *1,167 additional dry fire hydrants are planned for installation next year in ** The cost of the Louisiana program covers the installation of the total 2,015 dry fire hydrants. * NAT AMERICORPS IN UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Dear Graduate of the 1995-1996 Program Year of AmeriCorps/USDA I am writing to congratulate you on your success in having completed your year of AmeriCorps. Your efforts played a significant role in getting things done, strengthening communities, and expanding educational opportunity. Furthermore, your year of dedicated service serves as a role model for others. You truly personify the "ideal citizen"; one who sacrifices in order to give to the community, one who accepts personal responsibility for today's problems and is willing to do something about them. Your efforts, along with other AmeriCorps Members, have made a difference! Enclosed is a certificate signed by Secretary Glickman to thank you for your service. As you know, both the Secretary and the President strongly support the AmeriCorps Program at USDA and are proud of the accomplishments that have been achieved this year. In the future, there may be attempts by graduates of the program or others to organize a USDA AmeriCorps alumni group. If you wish for your name and address to be released to any potential future, nongovernmental alumni group focused solely on graduates of the USDA- sponsored portion of AmeriCorps, fill out the enclosed form and mail it to me: Joel Berg, STOP 1320, 1400 Independence Ave, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250 or fax it to me at (202) 720-4614. In closing, let me say that it has been my great honor to serve along side so many of you this past year. I hope you keep in touch. Please do not hesitate to contact me at my office (202) 720-5746, fax # (202) 720-4614, or at home (202) 387-8221. You can also e-mail me at "[email protected]:. More importantly, I hope you stay involved for the rest of your life in the movement to build a better nation through community service. Sincerely, JOEL BERG Director of National Service, USDA Enclosures * NATIONAL SEP AMERICORPS A UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE USDA AMERICORPS ALUMNI GROUP I agree to release the following information to any potential future, non-governmental, alumni group: Name (signature): Name (print): Permanent Address: Home Phone Number: Work Phone Number: Fax Number (if any): E- mail Address (if any): * NA AM IN PERMICE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Dear Graduate of the 1995-1996 Program Year of AmeriCorps/USDA I am writing to congratulate you on your success in having completed your year of AmeriCorps. Your efforts played a significant role in getting things done, strengthening communities, and expanding educational opportunity. Furthermore, your year of dedicated service serves as a role model for others. You truly personify the "ideal citizen"; one who sacrifices in order to give to the community, one who accepts personal responsibility for today's problems and is willing to do something about them. Your efforts, along with other AmeriCorps Members, have made a difference! Enclosed is a certificate signed by Secretary Glickman to thank you for your service. As you know, both the Secretary and the President strongly support the AmeriCorps Program at USDA and are proud of the accomplishments that have been achieved this year. In the future, there may be attempts by graduates of the program or others to organize a USDA AmeriCorps alumni group. If you wish for your name and address to be released to any potential future, nongovernmental alumni group focused solely on graduates of the USDA- sponsored portion of AmeriCorps, fill out the enclosed form and mail it to me: Joel Berg, STOP 1320, 1400 Independence Ave, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250 or fax it to me at (202) 720-4614. In closing, let me say that it has been my great honor to serve along side so many of you this past year. I hope you keep in touch. Please do not hesitate to contact me at my office (202) 720-5746, fax # (202) 720-4614, or at home (202) 387-8221. You can also e-mail me at "[email protected]:. More importantly, I hope you stay involved for the rest of your life in the movement to build a better nation through community service. Sincerely, JOEL BERG Director of National Service, USDA Enclosures NATIONALS * AMERICORPS M A UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE USDA AMERICORPS ALUMNI GROUP I agree to release the following information to any potential future, non-governmental, alumni group: Name (signature): Name (print): Permanent Address: Home Phone Number: Work Phone Number: Fax Number (if any): E- mail Address (if any): * NAI IN RIC UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Dear Graduate of the 1995-1996 Program Year of AmeriCorps/USDA I am writing to congratulate you on your success in having completed your year of AmeriCorps. Your efforts played a significant role in getting things done, strengthening communities, and expanding educational opportunity. Furthermore, your year of dedicated service serves as a role model for others. You truly personify the "ideal citizen; one who sacrifices in order to give to the community, one who accepts personal responsibility for today's problems and is willing to do something about them. Your efforts, along with other AmeriCorps Members, have made a difference! Enclosed is a certificate signed by Secretary Glickman to thank you for your service. As you know, both the Secretary and the President strongly support the AmeriCorps Program at USDA and are proud of the accomplishments that have been achieved this year. In the future, there may be attempts by graduates of the program or others to organize a USDA AmeriCorps alumni group. If you wish for your name and address to be released to any potential future, nongovernmental alumni group focused solely on graduates of the USDA- sponsored portion of AmeriCorps, fill out the enclosed form and mail it to me: Joel Berg, STOP 1320, 1400 Independence Ave, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250 or fax it to me at (202) 720-4614. In closing, let me say that it has been my great honor to serve along side so many of you this past year. I hope you keep in touch. Please do not hesitate to contact me at my office (202) 720-5746, fax # (202) 720-4614, or at home (202) 387-8221. You can also e-mail me at "[email protected]:. More importantly, I hope you stay involved for the rest of your life in the movement to build a better nation through community service. Sincerely, JOEL BERG Director of National Service, USDA Enclosures NATIONALS * AMERICORPS IN UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE USDA AMERICORPS ALUMNI GROUP I agree to release the following information to any potential future, non-governmental, alumni group: Name (signature): Name (print): Permanent Address: Home Phone Number: Work Phone Number: Fax Number (if any): E- mail Address (if any): * NAI AND IN UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Dear Graduate of the 1995-1996 Program Year of AmeriCorps/USDA I am writing to congratulate you on your success in having completed your year of AmeriCorps. Your efforts played a significant role in getting things done, strengthening communities, and expanding educational opportunity. Furthermore, your year of dedicated service serves as a role model for others. You truly personify the "ideal citizen"; one who sacrifices in order to give to the community, one who accepts personal responsibility for today's problems and is willing to do something about them. Your efforts, along with other AmeriCorps Members, have made a difference! Enclosed is a certificate signed by Secretary Glickman to thank you for your service. As you know, both the Secretary and the President strongly support the AmeriCorps Program at USDA and are proud of the accomplishments that have been achieved this year. In the future, there may be attempts by graduates of the program or others to organize a USDA AmeriCorps alumni group. If you wish for your name and address to be released to any potential future, nongovernmental alumni group focused solely on graduates of the USDA- sponsored portion of AmeriCorps, fill out the enclosed form and mail it to me: Joel Berg, STOP 1320, 1400 Independence Ave, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250 or fax it to me at (202) 720-4614. In closing, let me say that it has been my great honor to serve along side so many of you this past year. I hope you keep in touch. Please do not hesitate to contact me at my office (202) 720-5746, fax # (202) 720-4614, or at home (202) 387-8221. You can also e-mail me at "[email protected]:. More importantly, I hope you stay involved for the rest of your life in the movement to build a better nation through community service. Sincerely JOEL fail BERG Director of National Service, USDA Enclosures AMERICORPS OR UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE USDA AMERICORPS ALUMNI GROUP I agree to release the following information to any potential future, non-governmental, alumni group: Name (signature): Name (print): Permanent Address: Home Phone Number: Work Phone Number: Fax Number (if any): E- mail Address (if any): * NA AND IN SPENIOE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Dear Graduate of the 1995-1996 Program Year of AmeriCorps/USDA I am writing to congratulate you on your success in having completed your year of AmeriCorps. Your efforts played a significant role in getting things done, strengthening communities, and expanding educational opportunity. Furthermore, your year of dedicated service serves as a role model for others. You truly personify the "ideal citizen"; one who sacrifices in order to give to the community, one who accepts personal responsibility for today's problems and is willing to do something about them. Your efforts, along with other AmeriCorps Members, have made a difference! Enclosed is a certificate signed by Secretary Glickman to thank you for your service. As you know, both the Secretary and the President strongly support the AmeriCorps Program at USDA and are proud of the accomplishments that have been achieved this year. In the future, there may be attempts by graduates of the program or others to organize a USDA AmeriCorps alumni group. If you wish for your name and address to be released to any potential future, nongovernmental alumni group focused solely on graduates of the USDA- sponsored portion of AmeriCorps, fill out the enclosed form and mail it to me: Joel Berg, STOP 1320, 1400 Independence Ave, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250 or fax it to me at (202) 720-4614. In closing, let me say that it has been my great honor to serve along side so many of you this past year. I hope you keep in touch. Please do not hesitate to contact me at my office (202) 720-5746, fax # (202) 720-4614, or at home (202) 387-8221. You can also e-mail me at "[email protected]:. More importantly, I hope you stay involved for the rest of your life in the movement to build a better nation through community service. Sincerely, JOEL BERG Berly Director of National Service, USDA Enclosures NATIONALS * AMERICORPS IN A UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE USDA AMERICORPS ALUMNI GROUP I agree to release the following information to any potential future, non-governmental, alumni group: Name (signature): Name (print): Permanent Address: Home Phone Number: Work Phone Number: Fax Number (if any): E- mail Address (if any): * NAI AM IN PREMIOE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Dear Graduate of the 1995-1996 Program Year of AmeriCorps/USDA I am writing to congratulate you on your success in having completed your year of AmeriCorps. Your efforts played a significant role in getting things done, strengthening communities, and expanding educational opportunity. Furthermore, your year of dedicated service serves as a role model for others. You truly personify the "ideal citizen"; one who sacrifices in order to give to the community, one who accepts personal responsibility for today's problems and is willing to do something about them. Your efforts, along with other AmeriCorps Members, have made a difference! Enclosed is a certificate signed by Secretary Glickman to thank you for your service. As you know, both the Secretary and the President strongly support the AmeriCorps Program at USDA and are proud of the accomplishments that have been achieved this year. In the future, there may be attempts by graduates of the program or others to organize a USDA AmeriCorps alumni group. If you wish for your name and address to be released to any potential future, nongovernmental alumni group focused solely on graduates of the USDA- sponsored portion of AmeriCorps, fill out the enclosed form and mail it to me: Joel Berg, STOP 1320, 1400 Independence Ave, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250 or fax it to me at (202) 720-4614. In closing, let me say that it has been my great honor to serve along side so many of you this past year. I hope you keep in touch. Please do not hesitate to contact me at my office (202) 720-5746, fax # (202) 720-4614, or at home (202) 387-8221. You can also e-mail me at "[email protected]:. More importantly, I hope you stay involved for the rest of your life in the movement to build a better nation through community service. Sincerely, Joel JOEL BERG Berly Director of National Service, USDA Enclosures * NATIONALS AMERICORPS UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE USDA AMERICORPS ALUMNI GROUP I agree to release the following information to any potential future, non-governmental, alumni group: Name (signature): Name (print): Permanent Address: Home Phone Number: Work Phone Number: Fax Number (if any): E- mail Address (if any): * AM In RIC UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Dear Graduate of the 1995-1996 Program Year of AmeriCorps/USDA I am writing to congratulate you on your success in having completed your year of AmeriCorps. Your efforts played a significant role in getting things done, strengthening communities, and expanding educational opportunity. Furthermore, your year of dedicated service serves as a role model for others. You truly personify the "ideal citizen"; one who sacrifices in order to give to the community, one who accepts personal responsibility for today's problems and is willing to do something about them. Your efforts, along with other AmeriCorps Members, have made a difference! Enclosed is a certificate signed by Secretary Glickman to thank you for your service. As you know, both the Secretary and the President strongly support the AmeriCorps Program at USDA and are proud of the accomplishments that have been achieved this year. In the future, there may be attempts by graduates of the program or others to organize a USDA AmeriCorps alumni group. If you wish for your name and address to be released to any potential future, nongovernmental alumni group focused solely on graduates of the USDA- sponsored portion of AmeriCorps, fill out the enclosed form and mail it to me: Joel Berg, STOP 1320, 1400 Independence Ave, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250 or fax it to me at (202) 720-4614. In closing, let me say that it has been my great honor to serve along side so many of you this past year. I hope you keep in touch. Please do not hesitate to contact me at my office (202) 720-5746, fax # (202) 720-4614, or at home (202) 387-8221. You can also e-mail me at "[email protected]:. More importantly, I hope you stay involved for the rest of your life in the movement to build a better nation through community service. Sincerely. JOEL BERG Benes Director of National Service, USDA Enclosures NATIONALS * AMERICORPS A CERTICES UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE USDA AMERICORPS ALUMNI GROUP I agree to release the following information to any potential future, non-governmental, alumni group: Name (signature): Name (print): Permanent Address: Home Phone Number: Work Phone Number: Fax Number (if any): E- mail Address (if any): * NA In MERICORPS A CERTICE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Dear Graduate of the 1995-1996 Program Year of AmeriCorps/USDA I am writing to congratulate you on your success in having completed your year of AmeriCorps. Your efforts played a significant role in getting things done, strengthening communities, and expanding educational opportunity. Furthermore, your year of dedicated service serves as a role model for others. You truly personify the "ideal citizen"; one who sacrifices in order to give to the community, one who accepts personal responsibility for today's problems and is willing to do something about them. Your efforts, along with other AmeriCorps Members, have made a difference! Enclosed is a certificate signed by Secretary Glickman to thank you for your service. As you know, both the Secretary and the President strongly support the AmeriCorps Program at USDA and are proud of the accomplishments that have been achieved this year. In the future, there may be attempts by graduates of the program or others to organize a USDA AmeriCorps alumni group. If you wish for your name and address to be released to any potential future, nongovernmental alumni group focused solely on graduates of the USDA- sponsored portion of AmeriCorps, fill out the enclosed form and mail it to me: Joel Berg, STOP 1320, 1400 Independence Ave, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250 or fax it to me at (202) 720-4614. In closing, let me say that it has been my great honor to serve along side so many of you this past year. I hope you keep in touch. Please do not hesitate to contact me at my office (202) 720-5746, fax # (202) 720-4614, or at home (202) 387-8221. You can also e-mail me at "[email protected]:. More importantly, I hope you stay involved for the rest of your life in the movement to build a better nation through community service. Sincerely JOEL BERG Director of National Service, USDA Enclosures AMERICORPS en UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE USDA AMERICORPS ALUMNI GROUP I agree to release the following information to any potential future, non-governmental, alumni group: Name (signature): Name (print): Permanent Address: Home Phone Number: Work Phone Number: Fax Number (if any): E- mail Address (if any): AMERICORPS UNITED STATES CORNICE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE NATIONAL BIOGRAPHY OF JOEL BERG DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL SERVICE, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Joel Berg is Director of National Service for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a position he has held since April 1994. He is responsible for planning and managing the largest-single component of the AmeriCorps national service program run by a Federal agency, overseeing 1,350 AmeriCorps Members serving in USDA anti- hunger, environmental, and rural development projects in 45 states. From January through March of 1993, he served as USDA's Acting Director of Public Affairs and Press Secretary, coordinating all communications activities for the Department. From April 1993 through March 1994, he served as Director of Public Liaison, holding responsibility for the Department's interactions with constituency groups. Berg moved to USDA from the domestic policy staff of the Presidential Transition Team, where he helped develop the details of President-Elect Clinton's national service initiative. For a year preceding the 1992 Presidential election, Berg worked for the Clinton for President Campaign in Arkansas, Maine, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and Kansas. From March 1989 to August 1990, and again in 1991, Berg was a Policy Analyst for the Progressive Policy Institute and the Democratic Leadership Council. These groups played a key role in developing many of the reinventing government ideas advanced by President Clinton and Vice-President Gore. Berg served both groups as their principal researcher on policy relating to national service, public housing, youth apprenticeship, and higher education. He played a significant role in crafting the national service demonstration project provisions of the National and Community Service Act of 1990, a forerunner to President Clinton's national service bill. His writings on national service and other topics have appeared in major publications throughout the country. Among other experiences, Berg served as Campaign Manager for Representative Frank Pallone in New Jersey in both 1990 and 1992, and for Peter Gruenstein for Congressman-at-large in Alaska in 1988. In 1987 and 1988, Berg helped run the Bruce Babbitt for President Campaign in New York State. Berg is a native of New York State. His first government service was in 1986 when he was appointed Environmental Quality Commissioner in Ramapo, NY. He graduated from New York's Columbia University in 1986 with a B.A. in political science.