Oneida Nation Land Conservation Program Mike Troge Environmental Program Manager Environmental Health and Safety Division

Oneida Ag-Land Decision Components Oneida Sustainable Resource Advisory Council (OSRAC) Conservation Plan SOP Agricultural Leases Partnerships: Tribal, local, state, federal, and private planning and funding programs Resource staff

Oneida Agriculture Program a brief history 1995 – Duck/Apple/Ashwaubenon Priority Watershed Program 1997 – NRCS Tribal Liaison introduced 1998 – Natural Resources Partnership Committee 2000 – OSRAC evolved (Oneida Sustainable Resource Advisory Council) 2003 – OSRAC officially chartered 2005 – initial development of program for leased land 2008 – Conservation Plan SOP ratified

Priority Watershed Program First Wisconsin Nonpoint Program Started 1980s Watershed scale (typical size 150 sq. miles) 90(?) watersheds targeted Managed by county Land Conservation Departments 2-yr assessment 10-year cost-share program Best management practices (20 practices on list) Cost-share Program ends 2010

DAA Priority Watershed Program Initiated 1995 Brown County, Outagamie County, Oneida Tribe First project with Tribal involvement Duck Creek Watershed, Ashwaubenon Creek Watershed, Apple Creek Watershed

Oneida’s partners Brown and Outagamie County Wi DNR, DATCP USDA, EPA, BIA, Fish and Wildlife, CoE EQIP, CRP, Circle of Flight, Great Lakes Buffer Program, 319, TRM, WHIP, CSP WTCAC (Wisconsin Tribal Conservation Advisory Council) USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service NRCS Tribal Liaison Jerry Thompson, Tony Bush, 2002-present

OSRAC history Mission: to provide direction and assistance to the NRCS and other conservation partnerships for the protection, enhancement, and sustainability of natural resources on tribal lands. Multi-disciplinary council represented by many Oneida departments and organizations. Interim council in Officially chartered in 2003 to meet the USDA-NRCS General Manual 410-RDV- Rural Development request for improving and enhancing services to Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin.

OSRAC goals Provide leadership and counsel to NRCS on tribal conservation needs. Establish yearly programming, communication, and priorities for the NRCS Tribal Liaison, including technical evaluations and funding opportunities. Serve as the local approval body for conservation agreements with NRCS on tribal lands.

OSRAC objectives Develop standard operating procedures which establishes guidelines for OSRAC, Conservation Plans, and other areas of importance. Develop a communication network internally and externally for sharing information and participation in projects related to the Oneida Tribe’s natural resources, including participation on WTCAC. NRCS recognizes the importance of Oneida’s self-determination and uniqueness of our natural resource needs and becomes more flexible in delivering programs to Tribes. Healthy sustainable resources within the Oneida Reservation.

Conservation Plan SOP Agreement between Oneida Land Commission, Department of Land Management, Environmental Health and Safety, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service The lease is the means for enforcement of non-point standards on agriculture leases.

Conservation Plan SOP Prohibitions Lessees shall not permit overflow of manure storage facilities. Lessees shall not place any unconfined manure pile or industrial waste or municipal waste in a surface water quality management area. Lessees shaall not permit direct runoff from a feedlot or stored manure pile into the water of the reservation. Lessees shall not allow unlimited access of livestock to surface waters of the reservation…

Conservation Plan SOP Requirements address: Abandoned wells Clean water diversions Crop rotations Manure storage facilities Nutrient management plans Pest management plans Riparian variable width buffers Serious erosion concerns Sheet, rill and wind erosion Industrial and municipal waste

Conservation Plan Process Starts with new lease NRCS Tribal Liaison is provided with details of lease Lessee contacts Tribal Liaison Field assessment by Liaison or Tribal staff Conservation plan developed Lessee review Due process if necessary (flowcharts) OSRAC review Research funding opportunities Contract developed Status reviews