1. Jim Krueger State Resource Conservationist
PLANNING
Jim Krueger
State Resource Conservationist

2. 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

3. Planning Process Phase I Phase II Collection Phase I Phase II Decision
NRCS has long used a planning process that, when followed, will ensure that all the issues are considered AND the greatest degree of resource management (conservation) can be attained.
We use a three phase, nine-step, planning process. The cycle is cyclical and reiterative. It is essentially, the same process that any of us use when we by a car, a house, or a pet. (relate an example)
Phase I
Collection
and
Analysis
Phase II
Decision
Support
Phase I
Collection
and
Analysis
Phase II
Decision
Support
Phase III
Application
and
Evaluation
Phase III
Application
and
Evaluation

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

5. Evolution of Other Tools Handbooks and Procedures
Planning Process
Evolution of Other Tools
Policies – GM / GM
Practice Standards
Quality Criteria
CPPE
Common Resource Areas
Guide Sheets
Handbooks and Procedures

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

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

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

9. 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…

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

11. 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

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

13. FOTG – How is it accessed?
An electronic copy (eFOTG) is available at the following Website:

14. Welcome to eFOTG

15. eFOTG - Select a county

16. eFOTG - Select a section

17. eFOTG – Layout

18. eFOTG - Layout

19. eFOTG - Layout

20. eFOTG - Layout

21. eFOTG - Layout

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

23. 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

24. Conservation Planning Process FOTG - Quality Criteria

25. 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

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

27. Conservation Planning Process National Planning Procedures Handbook
(NPPH)
Amendment 4

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

29. Conservation Planning Process
OTHER POLICIES
Civil Rights
Wetlands
Appeals
NEPA
T&E Species
FOIA
Cultural Resources

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

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

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

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

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

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

36. Conservation Planning Process Key Elements of Conservation Planning
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

37. Conservation Planning Process Key Elements of Conservation Planning
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

38. Conservation Planning Process Key Elements of Conservation Planning
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

39. Conservation Planning Process Key Elements of Conservation Planning
The Plan
Conservation plans
Area-wide conservation plans
Comprehensive plans with a unit of government

40. Conservation Planning Process Key Elements of Conservation Planning
The Partnership
Conservation districts
Other partners

41. 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

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

43. 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.

44. 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

45. Conservation Planning Process
- Identify
resource concerns
- Describe
natural resource conditions
- Evaluate
conservation practice physical effects

46. 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

47. Conservation Planning Process

48. Conservation Planning Process
STEP 2
Determine objectives
Desired future conditions
Based on resource and producer values and needs

49. Conservation Planning Process

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

51. Conservation Planning Process
Terraces reduce soil loss and resultant sedimentation.

52. Conservation Planning Process

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

54. Conservation Planning Process
Waterways trap sediment and nutrients.

55. Conservation Planning Process
Filter strips absorb sediments and nutrients.

56. 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

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

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

59. Conservation Planning Process
STEP 6
Evaluate alternatives
Sound information
Required to make informed decisions

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

61. Restrict Stream Access
Conservation Planning Process
Restrict Stream Access

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

63. Conservation Planning Process
STEP 7
Make decisions
Document decisions and reasoning or making those decisions

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

65. Conservation Planning Process
Drop Structure

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

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

68. Conservation Planning Process
Evaluate
Plan
Actions

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

70. 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.

71. 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.

72. 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

73. 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

74. Technical Service Providers (TSP’s) Implementation oversight
TSP RESPONSIBILITIES
Design
Layout
Implementation oversight
Checkout
Documentation

75. Technical Service Providers (TSP’s)
OPPORTUNITIES FOR TSP’S
First Phase Implementation
AnimalWaste
Irrigation
Nutrient Management

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

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

78. Technical Service Providers (TSP’s) OPPORTUNITIES FOR TSP’S
Total Number of Individual Technical Service Providers

79. Technical Service Providers (TSP’s) OPPORTUNITIES FOR TSP’S

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

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

82. ?? QUESTIONS ??
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