MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
I am not saying that the future of the been banned in the original language. ing where all of the money we take in
NAPP will depend on the success of This year we completed the fi rst Water through membership fees goes. We will
the National Conference and Expo. Garden Industry survey of its type. The also be detailing what we have done since
However, if it is as successful as we report was recently completed and dis- the last meeting, reviewing the Industry
expect it to be, it will give the NAPP a tre- tributed and anyone who has seen it will Survey and outlining what we plan
mendous boost. With additional resourc- recognize the value to anyone in this on doing in the next year or two to
es, the talent we have on the Board, Sherry industry. Lucinda Vela-Wick deserves a help grow and improve the Water
Loudermilk’s group providing adminis- tremendous amount of credit for over- Garden industry.
trative support and the members, I really seeing this project from start to fi nish,
If after reading this you are still not
believe that the sky is the limit. Last along with help from the NAPP Board.
convinced of the value of attend-
year we may have saved the Water
As if I haven’t given you enough rea- ing the NAPP Water Gardening
Garden Industry by teaming with the
sons to attend, we will also be having the Conference and Expo, I have only one
IA and other industry trade groups to
Annual Membership Meeting at the end more question to ask. Do you really care
convince the EPA to change the lan-
of the conference. As we did at the last about this industry? It really is “crunch
guage in their Water Sense program
meeting, we will be presenting detailed time”.
guidelines for Water Effi cient homes to
fi nancial statements for the year show-
allow Water Features, which would have
IT IS THE VOICES OF MANY THAT ARE HEARD,
NOT JUST ONE!
NAPP is dedicated to giving today that does just this, the Lacey Act. The Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treat-
our members fair and infor- Lacey Act was originally intended to provide ment Act of 2009, H.R. 4933 Captive Wildlife
Gary
mative information about states an avenue to protect their indigenous Safety Technical Amendments Act of 2008 just
regulatory activities that af- game birds and other animals. It also includes to name a few. Each one of these bills had a
Jones
fect our industry. By now, a provision for injurious wildlife, and included provision or people looking to add a provision
if you have been following the NAPP reports, in this provision is a list of animals classifi ed that could have affected our industry directly
you are probably used to hearing about legis- as injurious that is sustained. Adding new bills or indirectly.
lative activities such as HR669 or the Water such as HR 669 does not make good sense
The point is to say we need to keep track of
Sense Program from the EPA. If these were when we have existing legislation in place to
activities that will impact our industry, educate
allowed to pass as they were written, many work from.
our legislators, stay vocal about what is practi-
people’s livelihoods would have been affect-
We heard about HR669 “The Nonnative Wild- cal and what is not practical and most of all
ed, and perhaps outright ruined. We worked
life Invasion Prevention Act” which, if passed, improve our communicate to others that help
hard with other groups such as the Irrigation
would have drastically restricted the sale of voice our consolidated opinion. When you
Association and PIJAC to change the outcome
goldfi sh and Koi among other ornamentals. hear about a local issue or national issue that
to protect commerce in the water gardening
The cost would have been unrealistic and de- concerns our livelihoods we need to commu-
industry and to better protect our natural en-
stroyed many businesses. The Water Sense nicate it. As a member of NAPP your single
vironments. I must say thank you to everyone
program from the EPA was also loudly talked voice can be stronger if we all work together
who stood up to be counted with their govern-
about. The program is designed to provide to better guide the outcomes of issues that will
mental representatives. It is the voices of many
guidelines of water usage activities to pro- affect you! It is through consolidated action of
that are heard, not just one! Without all of us
mote water effi cient homes. The oversight for NAPP and cooperative organizations such as
doing our part our accomplishments could not
our industry was the Water Sense program in- the Irrigation Association, PIJAC, and others,
be counted.
cluded things like swimming pools and lawn that we will make a difference. It is through
Most legislation starts out with good inten- irrigation but completely ruled out water gar- understanding the intention of legislation,
tions. It is often misunderstanding or the lack dening. Through a consolidated front and pro- working together to make it right, and provid-
of information that allows many activities to viding education the bill was re-written so wa- ing our expertise that we can project a sound
start out or undergo changes that can do more ter gardening is now included. Many bills are and lasting difference. It is the voices of many
harm than good. Without a doubt the water proposed that you may never hear about such that are heard, not just one!
gardening industry as a whole wants to protect as S.373 Captive Wildlife Safety Technical
wildlife and our natural plants. In fact, some Amendments Act of 2008, H.R.856 California
of the premier experts in this arena are in the Drought Alleviation Act of 2009, S.1421 Asian
water gardening industry. We have legislation Carp Prevention and Control Act, and S.619
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