NRCS Action Plan for Fish, Wildlife and Wetlands

1. NRCS Action Plan for Fish, Wildlife and Wetlands

2. Everything we do on the land affects Fish and Wildlife!

3. Fish and Wildlife-Associated Recreation:* Participants: 82 million Expenditures: $108 billion Hunting and fishing expenditures: $57 billion Wildlife Watching Expenditures: $38 billion *USFWS 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation

4. WHIP WRP CRP CREP EQIP 1996 Farm Bill Emphasized Wildlife 2002 Farm Bill Reemphasized Wildlife!

5. 1996 Wildlife “Scoping Team” products

6. Framework for the Future Goals (1996) 1. Implement wildlife-related agency policy 2. Expand the role of biologists in the planning process 3. Marketing and training to incorporate wildlife into planning 4. Use partnerships to enhance wildlife planning

7. 1996 Barriers: I. Staffing II. Setting Priorities III. Training IV. Tools V. Administrative VI. Client Concerns VII. Single Resource Planning Focus

8. Many actions have been taken to address issues and barriers, while many others remain. Fish and wildlife and wetlands technology development has been the focus of the Wildlife Habitat Management Institute, and Wetland Science Institute, and Watershed Science Institute

9. December, 2003 Chief Knight called together a new task force to review NRCS fish, wildlife and wetlands needs. NHQ WHMI WSI O&E WSSI IAFWA USFWS WMI WHC NFWF PF NRCS Field/State

10. Primary needs were identified and prioritized • Initial charge was technology and training needs • However… • Issues related to program management and policy were also addressed

11. General Needs • Technology development and training: • Need a better understanding of fish and wildlife response to farm bill programs • Need to increase training to improve wildlife assistance in conservation planning

12. General Needs • Policy and program management: • Need to consider fish and wildlife in all aspects of planning • Need biological input in planning • Need to work closely with partners, particularly state agencies and NGOs • Need for NRCS leadership to fully embrace wildlife • Need to develop policy and manage programs to maximize fish and wildlife benefits

13. 178 specific needs (31 high-priority)

14. Jobsheets Training tools Tech notes Videos Handbooks E-tools Technology needs addressed by WHMI 1997-2004 Projects funded: 70 Products produced: 63 Products nearing completion: 15 Products in the “Pipeline:” 34

15. Majority of needs are related to policy 178 specific needs (31 high-priority)

16. Action Plan From the 31 highest priority needs, 11 action items were prioritized

17. High Priority Actions • 1. Assess the impact of all practices supported by conservation programs on fish and wildlife. Action: Continue efforts of WHMI via the Wildlife and Wetland Technology Teams to document fish and wildlife response to conservation practices. Action: Ensure CEAP captures fish and wildlife effects. Technology development

18. High Priority Actions • 2. In response to the Administration’s net wetland gain initiative, improve the timeliness and effective-ness of wetland restoration, enhancement, and creation practices on WRP acreage. Action: Quantify restoration backlog on enrolled lands. Action: Identify and remedy program delivery constraints, including additional TA funding needs, to maximize wetland functions on WRP. Policy and management

19. High Priority Actions • 3. Develop and implement the management infrastructure necessary for NRCS easement • programs. Action: Continue to provide states with easement management assistance and training. Action: Acquire easement management expertise within NRCS NHQ to provide assistance to states. Policy and management

20. High Priority Actions • 4. Revise or develop state-level strategic plans for WHIP operation and ranking process to focus on • highest priority wildlife needs. Action: Issue national guidance to require states to focus program on highest priority wildlife needs and develop implementation plans accordingly. Policy and management

21. High Priority Actions • 5. Provide flexibility for managing vegetation (in CRP) to maximize • wildlife habitat quality, including necessary treatments during the nesting season. Action: Work with FSA to develop guidance that allows greater management flexibility for the purpose of maximizing wildlife habitat quality. Policy and management

22. High Priority Actions • 6. Continue to develop and evaluate wetland restoration, enhancement, and creation technology to maximize wetland benefits from WRP. Action: Continue to refine and develop wetland technology, including evaluation of completed WRP projects. Technology development

23. High Priority Actions • 7. Continue emphasis on wetland hydrology restoration, enhancement, and creation (for WRP). Action: Continue to refine wetland hydrology restoration technology. Action: Review and evaluate implementation of hydrology restoration technology. Technology development Policy and management

24. High Priority Actions • 8. Provide strong national leadership to ensure EQIP addresses fish and wildlife concerns. Action: Issue national policy to require states to develop EQIP ranking factors and other program elements to maximize fish and wildlife benefits Action: Maximize fish and wildlife benefits in selection of Conservation Innovation Grants Policy and management

25. High Priority Actions • 9. Require biology job approval authority for biology-related practices (e.g., wetland restoration, • creation and enhancement, wildlife upland management, and wildlife wetland management). Action: Issue national policy that requires field staff to demonstrate appropriate skills before being authorized to plan, design and approve certain biology practices. Policy and management

26. High Priority Actions • 10. Institutionalize regional wildlife habitat restoration and management courses in NEDC. Action: Charge NEDC and TSC’s to develop and offer regional training courses on fish and wildlife habitat restoration and management. Policy and management

27. High Priority Actions • 11. Expand work with partners to supplement limited funding and utilize biological expertise of partner organizations. Action: Issue national guidance to emphasize working with partners to implement WHIP. Action: Involve partners in TSP process. Action: Participate in fish and wildlife professional societies. Policy and management

28. Action items for the remaining high-priority fish and wildlife needs are included in the Action Plan. Administration and Agency Issues and Initiatives Program Needs WHIP CRP WRP EQIP GRP Field Office Tech Guide Needs General Training Needs General Technology Needs Partner Concerns