2018 NRCS STATE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEETING STATE TECHNICAL

2018 NRCS STATE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEETING

STATE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE: structure and function 7 CFR Part 610, Subpart C, NRCS has established a technical committee in each State to assist in making recommendations relating to the implementation and technical aspects of natural resource conservation activities and programs. -review Local Working Group and state funding priorities and advise accordingly -provide technical advice on practices, standards, and addressing resource concerns in general. -more

STATE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE: subcommittees Irrigation Forestry Animal Agriculture (standing? )

EQIP: GRANTS AND AGREEMENTS

GRANTS AND AGREEMENTS: SWCDs, CIGs, Tribal Agreements, RCPP

TRENDS IN CONSERVATION PRACTICE IMPLEMENTATION

ME NRCS - trends and direction

Total Financial Assistance 14 -17 Agronomy Biology/Engineering Forestry

Environmental Quality Incentives Program FA $10, 000 $9, 000 $8, 000 $7, 000 $6, 000 $5, 000 $4, 000 $3, 000 $2, 000 $1, 000 $0 2014 2015 2016 2017

EQIP – number of practices certified 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 2014 2015 2016 2017

EQIP Practice Trends SOIL HEALTH up ANIMAL WASTE MANAGEMENT up* Aquatic Organism Passage up (Stream Crossings practice down) IRRIGATION up FORESTRY plateau **look at trends by practice charts if there is interest**

120 NRCS and Partner Accumulative Organism Passage Effort 1800000 2011 to 2017 1, 612, 034 1600000 1400000 99. 31 80 1200000 1000000 60 800000 40 600000 400000 20 200000 0 0 2011 2012 2013 2014 Stream Miles 2015 2016 FA 2017 NRCS FA Numebr of Stream Miles 100

ME NRCS FORESTRY - trends and direction

2008 -2017 Funding activity went from near zero 2008 to about $4 million in 2011 Has been around $2 million/yr since Access roads replaced by FSI as major activity What direction would the STTC suggest for future years?

ME NRCS FORESTRY - trends and direction Forestry FA $3, 000. 00 $2, 500, 000. 00 $2, 000. 00 $1, 500, 000. 00 $1, 000. 00 $500, 000. 00 $0. 00 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

2015 Regional Conservation Partnership Projects

MPB: Protecting the Potato Field: soil health and water quality in Aroostook County ASF: Improving Connectivity for Cold Water Salmonids in Maine Headwaters

Improving Connectivity for Cold Water Salmonids in Maine Headwater Streams • State RCPP • Lead Partner: Atlantic Salmon Federation • $110, 000 for AOP projects • All funds have been contracted • Construction planned for 2018

Maine Mountain Collaboration for Fish and Wildlife • National RCPP • Lead Partner: Trust for Public Land • Forestry Caps • $200, 000 for AOP projects • 4 applications are the preapproval stage for funding

Maine Aquatic Connectivity Restoration Project • National RCPP • Lead Partner: The Nature Conservancy • 26 total partners • $13 Million project • $6 Million from NRCS • Signed on 15 January 2018 • Ranking projects at this time

MPB: Several contracts active in Lower Aroostook Watershed ASF: ~$150 K, Deliverables are barrier replacements for salmonids in Penobscot and Piscataquis watersheds