Brad RedlinBrad RedlinDirector, Agricultural ProgramsDirector, Agricultural Programs

USDA - NRCS USDA - NRCS State Technical CommitteesState Technical Committees

IWLA Ag Programs: STC Workshop

1. Why?

2. What?

3. How?

52 percent of total U.S. land is in agricultural use.52 percent of total U.S. land is in agricultural use.

Urban land use is 2.6 percent.Urban land use is 2.6 percent.

Parks and wildlife areas are 13.1 percent.Parks and wildlife areas are 13.1 percent.

Farm policy directly impacts environment.Farm policy directly impacts environment.

Highest payments per acre correspond to highest runoff risk.Highest payments per acre correspond to highest runoff risk.

2008 Gulf Hypoxic zone 20,720 sq. kilometers, 8,000 sq. miles2008 Gulf Hypoxic zone 20,720 sq. kilometers, 8,000 sq. miles

May-June Mississippi River basin nitrogen 7,761 metric tons/dayMay-June Mississippi River basin nitrogen 7,761 metric tons/day

Title ICommodity Programs Title II Conservation Title III Trade Title IV Nutrition Programs Title V Credit Title VI Rural Development Title VII Research Title VIII Forestry Title IX Energy Title X Horticulture and Organic Agriculture Title XI Livestock Title XII Crop Insurance and Disaster Assistance Title XIII Commodity Futures Title XIV Miscellaneous Title XV Tax Provisions

2008

2008 Farm Bill spends $35 billion Title I, $25 billion Title II.2008 Farm Bill spends $35 billion Title I, $25 billion Title II.

2008 Farm Bill increased conservation $4 billion 2008 Farm Bill increased conservation $4 billion

Conservation TitleConservation Title

contains a suite ofcontains a suite of

programs.programs.

Specific programsSpecific programs

serve different goalsserve different goals

and utilize differentand utilize different

methods.methods.

Farm participation in USDA programs.Farm participation in USDA programs.

Without USDA Conservation:Without USDA Conservation:

►48 million more tons of carbon dioxide.

►450 million tons of topsoil lost every year.

►170,000 miles of unprotected streams.

►40 million fewer acres of wildlife habitat.

►2.2 million fewer ducks.

►13.5 million fewer pheasants.

IWLA Ag Programs: STC Workshop

1. Why?

2. What?

3. How?

The NRCS mission is to promote the long-term sustainability of all agricultural lands, including cropland, forestland, and grazing lands; and to include improving water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, wetlands, and unique natural areas.

The Secretary must establish aThe Secretary must establish a technical committeetechnical committee in in each State to assist in making technical considerations each State to assist in making technical considerations related to the implementation of conservation provisions.related to the implementation of conservation provisions.

State Technical CommitteesState Technical Committees work closely with the work closely with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service in an advisory Natural Resources Conservation Service in an advisory capacity.capacity.

USDA will seek State Technical Committee recommendations including, but not limited to, the following:

Wetland protection, restoration, and mitigation requirements;

Criteria for evaluating bids for CRP enrollment;

Guidelines for haying, grazing and weed control to protect nesting wildlife;

Wetland and highly erodible land conservation compliance exemptions and the appeals process;

Guidelines for planting perennial cover for water quality and wildlife habitat improvement on set-aside lands;

Criteria and priorities for state initiatives under EQIP;

Criteria for defining a large confined livestock operation;

Determination of cost share and incentive payment limits;

Implementation of the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program;

Statewide guidelines applicable to WRP easement compensation, restoration planning, priority ranking, and related policy matters.

General Process

NRCS State Technical Committees & Local Working GroupsNRCS State Technical Committees & Local Working Groups

2008 Farm Bill revised 2008 Farm Bill revised State Technical Committee State Technical Committee standards and composition.standards and composition.

2008 Farm Bill aligned 2008 Farm Bill aligned Local Working Group Local Working Group membership diversity to membership diversity to match STC’s.match STC’s.

As of July ’09, USDA is As of July ’09, USDA is operating under Interim operating under Interim Final Rule implementing Final Rule implementing 2008 Farm Bill changes* 2008 Farm Bill changes*

*see IWLA comments at:www.iwla.org/agconservation

IWLA Ag Programs: STC Workshop

1. Why?

2. What?

3. How?

‘‘(c) COMPOSITION.—Each State technical committee shall be composed of agricultural producers and other professionals that represent a variety of disciplines in the soil, water, wetland, and wildlife sciences. The technical committee for a State shall include representatives from among the following:

‘‘(1) The Natural Resources Conservation Service.‘‘(2) The Farm Service Agency.‘‘(3) The Forest Service.‘‘(4) The National Institute of Food and Agriculture.‘‘(5) The State fish and wildlife agency.‘‘(6) The State forester or equivalent State official.‘‘(7) The State water resources agency.‘‘(8) The State department of agriculture.‘‘(9) The State association of soil and water conservation districts.

‘‘‘‘(10) Agricultural producers representing the variety (10) Agricultural producers representing the variety of crops and livestock or poultry raised within the of crops and livestock or poultry raised within the State.State.‘‘‘‘(11) Owners of nonindustrial private forest land.(11) Owners of nonindustrial private forest land.‘‘‘‘(12) Nonprofit organizations within the meaning of (12) Nonprofit organizations within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with demonstrable conservation expertise and with demonstrable conservation expertise and experience working with agriculture producers in the experience working with agriculture producers in the State.State.‘‘(13) Agribusiness.

Ikes participation in State Technical Committees.Ikes participation in State Technical Committees.

(b) Local Working Groups.

(1) A Local Working Group shall be composed of conservation

district officials, agricultural producers representing the variety of crops and livestock or poultry raised within the

local area, nonindustrial private forest land owners, and other professionals representing relevant agricultural and conservation interests and a variety of disciplines in

the soil, water, plant, wetland, and wildlife sciences who are familiar with private land agricultural and natural resource issues in the local community;

(2) Local Working Groups provide recommendations on local natural resource priorities and criteria for conservation activities and programs.

Ikes participation in Local Working Groups.Ikes participation in Local Working Groups.

No standard application; No standard application; request to NRCS State request to NRCS State Conservationist.Conservationist.

Written request explaining Written request explaining your interest & outlining your interest & outlining your credentials.your credentials.

Must receive response in 60 Must receive response in 60 days. days.

State Technical Committee membership (per IFR*).State Technical Committee membership (per IFR*).

*USDA’s Interim Final Rule for standard operating procedures

Local Working Group membership (per IFR*).Local Working Group membership (per IFR*).

No standard application; No standard application; request to Local Working request to Local Working Group Chairperson and NRCS Group Chairperson and NRCS District Conservationist.District Conservationist.

Written request explaining Written request explaining your interest & outlining your your interest & outlining your credentials.credentials.

District Conservationist assists District Conservationist assists Soil and Water Conservation Soil and Water Conservation District in selecting members. District in selecting members.

*USDA’s Interim Final Rule for standard operating procedures

Participation, with preparation, pays off.Participation, with preparation, pays off.

““Decisions are made by those Decisions are made by those who show up.”who show up.”

--a committee truism--a committee truism

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/organization/regions.html

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/

Go to NRCS website:Go to NRCS website:

Click “StatesClick “States andand Regions”:Regions”:

Find your state NRCS & Find your state NRCS & State Conservationists:State Conservationists:

--Ikes with the Chief of the NRCS, Dave White

www.iwla.orgwww.iwla.org

State Technical Committees

IWLA Staff Assistance:

www.iwla.org/agconservationBrad Redlin

651.649.1446 ext.13651.270.0564 mobile

bredlin@iwla.org

Check resources at IWLA websiteCheck resources at IWLA website

Call and/or email me anytimeCall and/or email me anytime