United States Department of Agriculture Cooperative State, Research, Education and Extension Service Current Status of the CSREES Water Program Michael O’Neill National Program Leader Water Resources

When did you take the reference sample?

Water Program Mission To create and disseminate knowledge that insures a safe and reliable source of water of the appropriate quality, to meet the needs of –Food and fiber production, –Human health, use, and economic growth, and –Maintenance and protection of natural environmental systems. CSREES’ unique niche is conducting research, education, and extension programs to protect and improve water resources in agricultural, rural, and urbanizing watersheds (including forest lands, rangelands, and croplands).

Knowledge Continuum for Water Research, Education, and Extension Creation of knowledge Research Integrated Activities Extension/ Outreach ~5-20 years ~3-10 years ~0-5 years Application of knowledge Dissemination of knowledge Water Program

Navigating the “Whitewater” Agency and program budgets are being tied to PERFORMANCE. Performance requires accomplishments measured against QUANTITATIVE goals or outcomes. We MUST be able to demonstrate how research, education, and extension contribute to meeting quantitative goals.

FY 2005 CSREES Water Program NRI Watersheds Program ($4.3 M) –180 proposals received –12 awards (plus two strengthening projects) 406 Integrated Water Quality Program ($10.9 M) –47 proposals received –10 awards (1 Regional Coordination Project) –8 Regional Coordination Project renewals Conservation Effects Assessment Prog. ($2.5 M) –24 proposals received –4 awards

FY 05 Priority Question Areas Integrated Water Quality Program Measurable Behavior Change –Human/social dimensions of water resources; potential for extension-led integration Restoration –Focus on impacts of agriculture on the structure and function of aquatic and estuarine ecosystems

RFA and Budget Status (FY 06) NRI Watersheds Program (Rozum) –RFA is awaiting publication for FY 06 –Proposed budget $5.3 M 406 Integrated Water Quality (O’Neill) –Not included in President’s FY 06 Budget –Senate Ag Appropriations $13.4 M (including CSREES’ component of CEAP program) –Integrated program RFA is being developed –Contingency RFA being developed for NRI

FY 06 Program Update Conservation Effects Assessment Project (O’Neill) –Preliminary discussions of RFA are under way –Proposed budget $2.5 M

Where do we go from here?

Program Philosophy Identify major water resource issues to be addressed by USDA-CSREES Water Resources Program Define narrow focus areas for projects (e.g., CEAP) Fund focus areas for 3-4 years to build a “cohort” of projects within a focus area Develop a synthesis of the knowledge gained and remaining challenges in focus areas

Taking BOLD Steps Jointly addressing water quantity and water quality issues within watersheds. Taking agriculture to the urbanizing environment. Focusing funding on key issues.

Underlying Questions What are the human impacts (positive and negative) on agricultural, rural, and urbanizing watersheds? What science, education, outreach, and technology is needed to reverse or reduce negative impacts or promote positive impacts of human activity in agricultural, rural, and urbanizing watersheds?

CSREES Water Road Map Vision of water resources issues –Water quality –Water quantity –Human dimensions –Technology Framework to help set priorities –Research –Integrated: Research, Education, Extension Opportunity to seek meaningful partnerships Jointly Addressed

Priority Areas ProgramFY 04FY 05FY 06FY 07 NRI Watersheds Pathogens; Ag water availability ?? NIWQP Restoration; Behavior Change ? CEAP  Watershed Projects  CEAP Synthesis