Local agriculturist and Saipan Soil and Water Conservation District Chairman Isidoro T. Cabrera said in an interview last week that the inclusion of the CNMI in the national association is very timely.
He said many states and territories have common problems and are currently being addressed by NACD.
The problem with invasive species which Northern Marianas College’s Cooperative Research Extension and Education Service has been trying to address for years is now being resolved by NACD, he added.
According to Cabrera, on the final day of the meeting last Feb. 4, NACD adopted a resolution seeking to illegalize the transportation of invasive species on boats, ships, trailers or any other means.
The resolution also seeks funding and technical assistance to curb invasive species across the country.
NACD likewise adopted a resolution urging the U.S. Congress to increase funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program for the next fiscal year.
Of the more than $300 million allotted for the entire U.S., the CNMI will get $350,000 in EQIP funds for fiscal year 2009.
