Planning 319/NPS Projects

Failure to Plan?

Planning consists of four planning phases. Contracting Planning process Implementation Issuing Payment

Contracting Requirements 319 contract Conservation Plan Schedule of Operations Approval of local watershed group

The 319 Contract When the cooperator signs the contract they are committing that they will do the following: Execute the conservation plan that was developed for the tract of land receiving the practice. Follow the timeline set in the schedule of operations. Install all practices to meet NRCS specifications and standards. Make sure they understand this!

The Conservation Plan A conservation plan (As per the NRCS): Identifies immediate or potential resource problems that could hurt your production. Helps you comply with environmental regulations. Helps you qualify for various USDA conservation programs. Adapts to your changing operational goals. Establishes a reasonable schedule for you to apply needed conservation practices. Can save you time, labor and energy. Makes your farm or ranch a nicer place to live for you and your family. records/index.html

Schedule of Operations The Schedule of operation will show: How much money is dedicated for each practice installed. The timeline in which each practice should be installed.

The Planning Process The planning process actually begins before any contracts are signed. I would hope that before you start talking money that you go out and visit the proposed project site. This first visit will help you determine: What the landowner’s goals are. How to address the problem What the project entails If the project is eligible for 319 funds If there are other resource concerns present You may want to fill out a Benchmark Inventory sheet on your first visit.

Project Monitoring Plans Once you have decided what the project will entail, and what practices you will install, the next question should be, “How will I monitor BMP effectiveness?”. Document Pre-project conditions. Too many times people do not think about this until the project has already been completed. Project monitoring plans are very similar to QAPPs, only they focus on one individual project instead of the impacts of several projects identified in one PIP. All QAPPs must be signed by the state and local watershed coordinators before any payments can be processed.

The Planning Process Maps Location Maps Helps identify where the project will take place. Plan Maps Identifies what practices will be installed and where. Soil Maps Identifies what soils are present in the planning area.

Location Map Should be on a topographic map showing the Section, Township, and Range. Should be on a 1:24,000 scale. Should show neighboring towns or landmarks. Could be helpful to give project GPS Coordinates as well. Show the locations of the proposed practices not the entire farm or ranch.

Plan maps Should be fairly detailed showing what practices will be installed and where. Good maps will help people understand exactly what happened, or what should happen. Maps Should include Title Practice Name and Number Scale and North Arrow Land Unit, Field Number, and Land Use Field acreage Legend

Soil Maps Soil Maps can be useful for various reasons. For Example soil maps: Help engineers determine any soil limitations that they may encounter while developing a design. Can help identify highly erodible lands, wetlands, or prime and unique farmlands. They are required for: Wetland Delineations Filling out the CPA-52

Assistance Notes Assistance notes should be taken regularly throughout the planning process. This will help: Planners remember what happened and when. Document conversations with producers, or other agencies Help other people follow the project from start to finish. Include: Dates Planning progress Road blocks and how they were overcome

Additional Things Cultural Resource Inventory Permits Specs and Standards Designs Project certifications Payment Information/Receipts Proof of citizenship CPA-52