Idaho Bulletin 250-5-5

September 21, 2005

SUBJECT:  FNM - Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts (IASCD) 63rd Annual Conference Nov. 13-16, 2005 and NRCS Meeting, Nov. 15-17 in Boise, Idaho

TO:  District Conservationists and Acting District Conservationists, NRCS, Idaho
       Idaho Leadership Team, Idaho
       Technical Services Staff, NRCS, Boise
       Range Conservationists, Idaho
       Soil Conservationists, Idaho
       Area Staff, designated by Area Conservationists

Purpose.  To provide information on the 2005 IASCD Annual Conference and NRCS meeting

Expiration Date.  December 31, 2005

Action Required:

• October 19      Make hotel reservations (Double Tree Riverside)
• October 21      Submit IASCD Conference registration and payment to Diane Miller, ISCC

The IASCD 63rd Annual Conference is scheduled for November13-16 at the Double Tree Riverside, Boise, Idaho.  The theme for this year’s conference is “Water: Idaho’s Treasured Resource”.  IASCD Conference information was distributed to districts and NRCS offices earlier this month.  Information can also be found at www.iascd.state.id.us under Conference. 

Idaho NRCS will have a meeting, November 15-17 at the Double Tree Riverside, in conjunction with the IASCD Conference. 

Criteria for attendance to the IASCD Conference on government time and expense:

1. District Conservationists (DC’s) and Acting DC’s are authorized to attend the IASCD Conference when accompanied by two or more Soil Conservation District supervisors with whom they are assigned to work.

2. Employees who are not DC’s, and have IASCD committee assignments as advisors are authorized to attend providing the IASCD committee chairperson has planned and scheduled an actual working session during the annual conference.

For District Conservationists who volunteer to travel on Sunday: NRCS will approve official use of vehicles and per diem.  Overtime/compensatory time in lieu of overtime will not be allowed.  For DC’s who decide to attend and meet the criteria described above must also have concurrence from their respective Area Conservationist. 

NRCS Meeting

The NRCS meeting will start at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, November 15 and continue until noon on November 17.  District Conservationists, Acting DC’s, Area Conservationists, Soil Conservationists, Range Conservationists, area staff designated by Area Conservationists, and selected members of the Leadership Team should plan on attending this mandatory NRCS meeting.  Additional information regarding the meeting rooms and the agenda will be sent out when details have been finalized.

Lodging Information:

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Double Tree Riverside in Boise, Idaho for NRCS employees attending the IASCD and the NRCS meetings.  Room reservations must be made by October 19, 2005.  All reservation requests after this cut off date will be subject to availability.  Employees should make their own hotel arrangements by calling (208) 343-1871 and asking for local reservations.  When making your room reservation, you need to inform the hotel that you are booking your reservation under NRCS and request the government rate of $73.00.  If you are attending the IASCD Conference you still reserve your room under NRCS.  Federal employees under the government rate will be required to present proper Federal identification at check-in.

IASCD Conference Registration Information:

Conference registration must be received with payment by October 21, 2005.  Late registration and payment will be assessed a $15.00 late fee.  The government travel credit card should be used to reserve lodging and to obtain an ATM travel advance to pay for registration fees.

Vehicle Information:

When possible, please share rides with supervisors or other NRCS personnel.  NRCS employees who wish to drive personal vehicles may do so at the personal preference rate of 10.5 cents per mile.

Travel Voucher Information:

Lodging for NRCS employees will be paid for on a purchase order and will not be claimed on a travel voucher.  DO NOT pay for lodging with your government credit card.  M&IE will be claimed on a travel voucher with the appropriate meal allowance deducted from the M&IE amount for meals provided to you as part of the IASCD Conference and the NRCS meeting.  The M&IE rate for Boise is $49.00.  The appropriate meal allowance deductions are $9 for breakfast, $13 for lunch, $24 for dinner.  An information packet will be provided to you when you check in at the NRCS meeting which will include a sample travel voucher.

/s/                                           
RICHARD SIMS                                         
State Conservationist               

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