CONSERVATION PLANNING Jim Krueger State Resource Conservationist CONSERVATION

CONSERVATION PLANNING Jim Krueger State Resource Conservationist

CONSERVATION PLANNING Some things haven’t changed!! • Core agency function • Ensure that resource concerns are recognized and alternatives presented • Foundation for programs • Resource conservation is the goal • Enable conservation

CONSERVATION PLANNING Planning Process Phase I Collection and Analysis Phase II Decision Support Phase III Application and Evaluation

CONSERVATION PLANNING Planning Process Some things are still evolving: • Moving to web based and electronic applications (e. Gov) – Emphasis is still on working together with people to solve resource problems • 70 years of science and technology available electronically – Peer reviewed and tested

CONSERVATION PLANNING Planning Process Evolution of Other Tools • Policies – GM 180. 409 / GM 450. 401 • Practice Standards • Quality Criteria • CPPE • Common Resource Areas • Guide Sheets • Handbooks and Procedures

CONSERVATION PLANNING Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG) What it is? What does it contain? How is it accessed? How is it used?

CONSERVATION PLANNING FOTG - What it is? • Primary technical reference of NRCS • Contains information about soil, water, air, plant, and animal resources (SWAPA) • Localized to each county

CONSERVATION PLANNING FOTG - What does it contain? Section I General References : - Links to technical handbooks, references and agency manuals

CONSERVATION PLANNING FOTG - What does it contain? Section II Natural Resources Information: - Soils data, climate data, ecological site descriptions, windbreak suitability groups, forage suitability groups, cultural resources information, wildlife habitat guides and interpretations, threatened and endangered species listing, cropland production tables, etc…

CONSERVATION PLANNING FOTG - What does it contain? Section III Conservation Management Systems: - Quality Criteria that establishes treatment levels necessary to protect / sustain resource use / productivity

CONSERVATION PLANNING FOTG - What does it contain? Section IV Practice Standards and Specifications: - Information on the planning, installation, and certification of conservation practices - Planning tools, forms, and technical notes to assist with practice application

CONSERVATION PLANNING FOTG - What does it contain? Section V Conservation Effects: - How installation of various practices affect resource concerns

CONSERVATION PLANNING FOTG – How is it accessed? An electronic copy (e. FOTG) is available at the following Website: www. nrcs. usda. gov/technical/efotg

CONSERVATION PLANNING Welcome to e. FOTG

CONSERVATION PLANNING e. FOTG - Select a county

CONSERVATION PLANNING e. FOTG - Select a section

CONSERVATION PLANNING e. FOTG – Layout

CONSERVATION PLANNING e. FOTG - Layout

CONSERVATION PLANNING e. FOTG - Layout

CONSERVATION PLANNING e. FOTG - Layout

CONSERVATION PLANNING e. FOTG - Layout

CONSERVATION PLANNING e. FOTG - User tips • Additions and revisions of e. FOTG information is a continuous process. • Changes are posted under “What's Changed Recently”. Check this often! • If you use hard copy information downloaded from e. FOTG, update it as soon as revisions are announced.

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process FOTG - Quality Criteria Completed major revisions: – Provided clarity of definitions – Provided uniformity and consistency – Incorporated new measurement tools and technologies – Prepared for public scrutiny

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process FOTG - Quality Criteria

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process Conservation System Guide Sheets - Offer utility in planning - Allow planner to actively select systems from guide sheets associated with the CRA - Reduce time spent on routine systems - Let planner concentrate on more complex issues - Give planner the flexibility to edit or add systems - Help with training our planners and TSP’s - Help producers through self-assessment

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process Employee Certification Quality Criteria Employee Development Conservation Practice Physical Effects Conservation Customer Service Toolkit Planning Practice Standards Resource Concerns CRA Maps Pro. Tracts Note: Linking processes of the past and those that are occurring today – planning certification, employee development, e. FOTG, Toolkit, Pro. Tracts, quality criteria, CPPE, data warehouse, and CRA’s available are linked to future developments.

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process National Planning Procedures Handbook (NPPH) Amendment 4 http: //policy. nrcs. usda. gov/scripts/lpsiis. dll/Htst/H_180_600. htm

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process PLANNING POLICY General Manual, Title 180, Part 409 §Three Phase – Nine Step §Sound Use and Management Resources - SWAPAH §NPPH / FOTG / FOCS

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process OTHER POLICIES § Civil Rights § NEPA § T&E Species § Wetlands § FOIA § Appeals § Cultural Resources

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process OTHER POLICIES NEPA § National Environmental Policy Act - Signed January 1, 1970 § Title I - Requirements for agencies § Title II - Establishes CEQ

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process OTHER POLICIES Cultural Resources ü General Manual, Title 420, Parts 401, 601 ü NRCS must account for cultural resources ü Agreement with SHPO - Specifies how NRCS compliance activities will take place in each state

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process OTHER POLICIES T & E Species ü ü General Manual, Title 190, Part 410 Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 - Promote TAES - No adverse effect Section 9 - Prohibited activities

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process PROGRAMS • Influence planning workload • Support planning process - Plan for resources - Don’t plan for programs • Voluntary vs. mandatory resource treatment

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process PROGRAMS Commitment To The Planning Process § Use programs to support process § Balance quality and quantity § Provide better service to clients and partners

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process Key Elements of Conservation Planning 1. The Planner 2. The Client 3. The Process 4. The Plan 5. The Partnership

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process Key Elements of Conservation Planning 1. The Planner - An Effective Conservation Planner - Salesmanship § Professionalism § Client and community values and issues § Agricultural issues § Environmental issues - Client’s Motivation - Consideration of the Client

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process Key Elements of Conservation Planning 2. The Client - Client’s Understanding § Planning process § Client’s role § Planner’s role § Role of the conservation district § Plans are developed on-site § Long term relationship § Plans are flexible - Confidentiality

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process Key Elements of Conservation Planning 3. The Process § Voluntary § On-going § Ecological and human concerns § Desired future conditions § Conservation management systems § Consideration of on-site and off-site effects and impacts

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process Key Elements of Conservation Planning 4. The Plan § Conservation plans § Area-wide conservation plans § Comprehensive plans with a unit of government

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process Key Elements of Conservation Planning 5. The Partnership § Conservation districts § Other partners

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process The Client’s Role Must be involved throughout the planning process Is the decision maker Develops the plan Implements the plan Owns the plan

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process Conservation Planning is a teaching / learning process. It an opportunity to: Teach Observe Demonstrate Evaluate Learn Work together Monitor

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process Consider the needs and capabilities of each acre within the plan. Consider the farmer’s facilities, machinery, and economic situation. Incorporate the farmer’s willingness to try new practices. Consider the land’s relationship to the entire farm, ranch, or watershed. Ensure the conservationist’s presence out on the land with the decision-maker.

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process Phase I - Collection and Analysis 1. Identify problems 2. Determine objectives 3. Inventory resources 4. Analyze resource data Phase II - Decision Support 5. Formulate alternatives 6. Evaluate alternatives 7. Make decisions Phase III - Application and Evaluation 8. Implement the plan 9. Evaluate the plan

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process - Identify → - Describe → resource concerns natural resource conditions - Evaluate → conservation practice physical effects

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process STEP 1 • • • Identify problems and opportunities Require on-site visits Identify existing problems Identify potential problems Identify perceived problems Identify inter-related problems

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process STEP 2 • Determine objectives • Desired future conditions • Based on resource and producer values and needs

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process STEP 3 - Inventory Resources SWAPAH - Procedural Assessment tools - Observation Experience / knowledge - Predictive RUSLE II - Deductive Reason and common sense

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process Terraces reduce soil loss and resultant sedimentation.

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process STEP 4 - Analyze resource data - Use quality criteria - Clearly define natural resource concerns - Include current and potential uses

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process Waterways trap sediment and nutrients.

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process Filter strips absorb sediments and nutrients.

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process STEP 5 - Formulate alternatives - Meet producer needs - Structural alternatives - Non-structural alternatives - Market-based alternatives - Cost-share assistance - Easements - Mitigate potential adverse effects - Meet regulatory requirements

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process Setback zones prevent direct entry of pollutants into a stream.

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process Field scouting can optimize pesticide and fertilizer use. Test soil periodically

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process STEP 6 • Evaluate alternatives • Sound information • Required to make informed decisions

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process Given a choice cattle prefer to drink water from a tank.

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process Restrict Stream Access

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process Livestock exclusion from sensitive areas is one option.

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process STEP 7 • Make decisions • Document decisions and reasoning or making those decisions

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process STEP 8 • Implement the plan • Cost-share programs become involved at this step • Technical application assistance provided • Permits obtained

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process Drop Structure

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process No-till reduces run-off and increases water infiltration resulting in less soil erosion and pollutant run-off.

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process Manure is applied to crop land improperly or in excess.

CONSERVATION PLANNING Conservation Planning Process Evaluate Plan Actions

CONSERVATION PLANNING Technical Service Providers (TSP’s) THE BASICS Programs EQIP CRP WRP FPP GRP WHIP CSP

CONSERVATION PLANNING Technical Service Providers (TSP’s) THE BASICS Food Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 The Secretary shall provide technical assistance directly, through payments for an approved third party, (technical service provider) by entering into cooperative agreements or contracts with non-Federal entities.

CONSERVATION PLANNING Technical Service Providers (TSP’s) THE BASICS KSU will lead the effort to provide educational opportunities for potential technical service providers. The State Conservationist will certify and add technical service providers to an approved list for providing specific technical assistance.

CONSERVATION PLANNING Technical Service Providers (TSP’s) THE BASICS TSP’s must meet minimum education and experience requirements become certified be listed as an approved provider by the State Conservationist

CONSERVATION PLANNING Technical Service Providers (TSP’s) THE BASICS 1. Landowner’s LTC is funded 2. Practice eligible for assistance 3. Landowner hires provider 4. Practice completed 5. Landowner pays provider 6. NRCS reimburses landowner

CONSERVATION PLANNING Technical Service Providers (TSP’s) TSP RESPONSIBILITIES Design Layout Implementation oversight Checkout Documentation

CONSERVATION PLANNING Technical Service Providers (TSP’s) OPPORTUNITIES FOR TSP’S First Phase Implementation Animal Waste Irrigation Nutrient Management

CONSERVATION PLANNING Technical Service Providers (TSP’s) OPPORTUNITIES FOR TSP’S Second Phase Implementation Grasslands Erosion Control Wetlands Pest Management Buffers Others

CONSERVATION PLANNING Technical Service Providers (TSP’s) OPPORTUNITIES FOR TSP’S Other Opportunities Cooperative agreements Contribution agreements Federal contracts

CONSERVATION PLANNING Technical Service Providers (TSP’s) OPPORTUNITIES FOR TSP’S Total Number of Individual Technical Service Providers

CONSERVATION PLANNING Technical Service Providers (TSP’s) OPPORTUNITIES FOR TSP’S

CONSERVATION PLANNING Technical Service Providers (TSP’s) OPPORTUNITIES FOR TSP’S Technical Service Provider Fund Obligations as of 9/30/03

CONSERVATION PLANNING Technical Service Providers (TSP’s) OPPORTUNITIES FOR TSP’S NRCS Technical Service Provider Fund Obligations - As of September 30, 2003

CONSERVATION PLANNING ? ? QUESTIONS ? ? The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs. ) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc. ) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720 -2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326 -W, Whitten Building, 14 th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250 -9410 or call (202) 720 -5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. "