1. Updates from Previous e-mail Requests and Subcommittee Meetings

2. State Technical Committee State Technical Committees serve in an advisory capacity to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and other agencies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on the implementation of the natural resources conservation provisions of Farm Bill legislation. Committees are intended to include members from a wide variety of natural resource and agricultural interests. Chaired by the NRCS State Conservationist in each State, these Committees are composed of representatives from Federal and State natural resource agencies, American Indian Tribes, agricultural and environmental organizations, and agricultural producers. The Committees provide information, analysis, and recommendations to appropriate USDA officials, who strongly consider their advice. Individuals or groups wanting to participate as members on a State Technical Committee may submit requests to the State Conservationist explaining their interest and relevant credentials.

3. State Technical Committee Subcommittees Standard Operating Procedures published in Federal Register (2009) Must report back to full committee Used to have standing committees, but now invite entire committee and you can attend or not attend depending on your interests Is there enough interest to have subcommittees meet on a regular basis? Sometimes seek input via email if a meeting is not scheduled Have done this three times since last full committee meeting.

4. Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Subcommittee meeting held August 13, 2015 The purpose of the meeting was to provide recommendations for the establishment of zones for the CRP Grasslands Program. Report was provided via email to full committee on August 17, 2015

5. Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) Geographic Area Rate Caps (GARC) December 9, 2015 Provided the opportunity to review the methodology and results and provide any comments, recommendations, or express any concerns Comments were that NRCS methodology (same as used in previous years) was acceptable, as were the resulting GARCs

6. National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) December 14, 2015 REQUEST: Comments on ending Headwaters of Hinkston Creek NWQI project and replacing it with Cane Run – Dix River Comments were favorable 2012: Original watersheds 2015: Ended Bennettstown, added Mock’s Branch (kept Headwaters of Hinkston Creek and Clark’s Run) 2016: Ended Headwaters of Hinkston Creek, added Cane Run (kept Clark’s Run and Mock’s Branch)

7. The U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or by fax (202) 690-7442 or by email at program.intake@usda.gov. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish).http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.htmlprogram.intake@usda.gov USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.