Contact: Michelle Jacobs, Community Relations Officer, 302-739-9921
Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902 

Former State Representative Pamela Thornburg receives Legislative Award from Delaware Association of Conservation Districts

DOVER (April 11, 2011) - The Delaware Association of Conservation Districts (DACD) on March 30 presented former State Representative Pamela Thornburg with the Association’s Legislative Award, which is presented annually to a legislator for outstanding service, loyalty and devotion to conservation efforts in the state of Delaware. Rep. Thornburg was a member of the House of Representatives from 2000 - 2010.

Rep. Thornburg chaired the Tax Ditch Right-of-Way Task Force that led to House Bill 452, an Act to amend Title 7 of the Delaware Code relating to tax ditches.  The Bill clarifies the reduction in the tax ditch right-of-way and defines construction, major maintenance and minor maintenance rights-of-way. 

She was recently named administrator of the Delaware Farm Bureau.  Preserving open space and farmland in Delaware and empowering agribusinesses have always been core values for Thornburg and her constituents.  Rep. Thornburg was the House sponsor on legislation that provided permanent funding for the Agland Preservation program.  She also sponsored legislation that created a Forestland Preservation Program.

Senate Bill 263 authorizing Delaware to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) was co-sponsored by Senator Harris McDowell and Rep. Thornburg.  It established the framework for Delaware’s program and authorized the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to adopt regulations to fully implement the law. 

As a state representative, Thornburg served on the following committees:  Agriculture, Energy, Natural Resources, and Transportation/Land Use. 

“The continued support and commitment of legislators, such as Rep. Thornburg, is vital to Delaware’s three conservation districts and their cooperative efforts with partners and landowners to conserve Delaware’s natural resources,” said DACD President Terry Pepper.

“This award means a lot to me,” said Thornburg.  “I understand I could have never earned this award without the dedication and support of many brilliant stakeholders – together we accomplished the ‘Delaware Way’.”  

Past recipients of this DACD award include Senators David McBride, Thurman Adams Jr., Nancy Cook and Gary Simpson, and Representatives Bobby Quillen (deceased), George Carey and Robert Gilligan. 

The DACD is a statewide organization for the supervisors of the State’s three conservation districts. DACD is a voluntary, non-profit alliance which provides a forum for discussion and coordination among the state’s Conservation Districts as they work to ensure the wise use and treatment of our natural resources. 

For more information about the Delaware Association of Conservation Districts, please call 302-739-9921.

Vol. 41, No. 145