USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Helping people help

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service “Helping people help the land"

DMW Summit • Goals – Differentiate DWM from the traditional practice of draining land for the production of crops – Explain the current technologies of DWM, plus potential innovations (bioreactors, buffers, wetlands, two-stage ditches, and companion practices) – Assure sound environmental management and protect ecosystem values through drainage water management as part of a conservation systems approach

DMW Summit • Wetland Protection – Policy – NRCS Planning Procedure – Wetland Conservation Provisions of the 1985 Food Security Act, as amended – Other Federal, State, Local laws

DMW Summit • Planning Process – NRCS completes an Environmental Evaluation (EE) – Integrates environmental concerns throughout the planning process – Develop a Resource Management System (RMS) – Applies to all assistance provided by NRCS

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DMW Summit • NRCS completes an Environmental Evaluation (EE) – Considers – Client Objectives Environmental Economic Other pertinent effects

DMW Summit Environmental Evaluation (EE) – 15 Special Environmental Concerns – One of which is wetlands

DMW Summit NRCS Wetland Protection Policy NRCS will consider protection of wetland functions to the maximum extent practicable when implementing planning and program activities (technical and financial assistance)

DMW Summit • Findings of the EE - Wetlands – Exempt – Avoidance – Minimization – Compensation

DMW Summit • Findings of the EE - Exempt – Wetlands not present or – No effect to wetlands

DMW Summit • Findings of the EE – Avoidance • Proposed action has adverse impacts to wetlands • Determine if Practicable Alternatives exist to avoid impacts • If Practicable Alternatives exist NRCS will inform client

DMW Summit • Findings of the EE – Avoidance • If client selects Practicable Alternatives, NRCS continues assistance • If client does not select Practicable Alternatives that avoid adverse impacts to wetlands, NRCS will terminate assistance on the project

DMW Summit • Practicable Alternative An alternative that is available and capable of being done after considering costs, existing technology, and logistics in light of overall project purposes. Consider environment and economics

DMW Summit • Findings of the EE – Minimization No practicable alternatives exist • NRCS will design practice to minimize impacts to wetlands • If client is willing to minimize impacts, NRCS continues assistance • If client is not willing to minimize impacts NRCS will terminate assistance on the project

DMW Summit • Findings of the EE – Compensation No practicable alternatives exist – cannot avoid or minimize impacts • Compensation is required • Compensate both acres and functions • NRCS can help client plan, design, and implement a compensatory mitigation plan • Client can not “jump” to compensation

DMW Summit Wetland Definition EO 11990 defines a wetland as an area that is inundated by surface or ground water with a frequency sufficient to support, and under normal circumstances does or would support a prevalence of vegetative or aquatic life that requires saturated or seasonally saturated soil conditions for growth and reproduction

DMW Summit Wetland Definition • Wetland Conservation Provisions of the 1985 Food Security Act, as amended: v Lands that have all of the following characteristics: v A predominance of hydric soils v Are inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support a prevalence of hydrophytic vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions v Under normal circumstances support a prevalence of hydrophytic vegetation

DMW Summit Wetland Definition -Differences? ? ? • None – except for exemptions available under the Wetland Conservation Provisions of the 1985 Food Security Act, as amended • PC Exemption – Pre December 23, 1985, hydrologically manipulated and cropping history non pothole wetland with less than 15 days of inundation is consider PC • May still meet all three wetland criteria but considered PC by rule

DMW Summit Wetland Definition -Differences? ? ? • If area still meets all three wetland criteria, NRCS considers area wetland follows wetland policy • “Non pothole” wetland examples: • Slope wetlands • Wetland associated with rivers, streams, creeks, etc.

DMW Summit • Wetland Protection – Policy – NRCS Planning Procedure – Wetland Conservation Provisions of the 1985 Food Security Act, as amended – Other Federal, State, Local laws

DMW Summit • Other Federal laws – Clean Water Act (404 Permits) • Applicable to jurisdictional wetlands – U. S. Fish and Wildlife Wetland Easements

DMW Summit QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

Planning Policy • Objective: Help each client attain sustainable use and sound management of soil, water, air, plant, and animal resources • Purpose: Prevent the degradation of resources and to ensure their sustained use and productivity, while considering the client's economic and social needs 27

The Planning Process 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Identify Problems and Opportunities Determine Objectives Inventory Resources Analyze Resource Data Formulate Alternatives Evaluate Alternatives Make Decisions Implement the Plan Evaluate the Plan

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