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TSP Role in Water Quality Improvement

TSP Role in Water Quality Improvement. Dennis Pate Director of Planning September 2005. Who is Validus?. For profit, limited liability company USDA Approved Technical Service Provider (TSP) Work with crop & livestock producers. Validus Provides Technical Help.

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TSP Role in Water Quality Improvement

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  1. TSP Role in Water Quality Improvement Dennis Pate Director of Planning September 2005

  2. Who is Validus? • For profit, limited liability company • USDA Approved Technical Service Provider (TSP) • Work with crop & livestock producers

  3. Validus Provides Technical Help • Peer Reviewed Science/newest field trials • Experience to assist producers from over 170 Validus planners with over 4000 years of experience • Assist in: • Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning (CNMPs) • Conservation Planning • Documenting Benchmark Conditions for CSP • Implementing Record Keeping System • Education / Training (MOU with NRCS)

  4. What is a TSP? • Person / Group certified by USDA • Technically qualified: • Planning • Practice application

  5. Why Use TSP’s? • As Conservation Professional: • Technically correct • As much conservation as possible • As quickly as possible

  6. Why Use TSP’s? (cont) • As a client: • Choice: Some prefer no government involvement • Past experience • Hearsay • Confidentiality • Perhaps more timely • “State of the Art” technology

  7. Why Use TSP’s? (cont) • As a TSP: • Technically / legally correct • As much conservation as possible • As fast as possible • Profit

  8. Much in Common More Cons. Technical Timely Best Use of Group Applied Quality Service Taxpayer $$ Profit Agencies X X X X Clients X X X ? TSPs X X X X X

  9. With Common Ground, Why the Slow Pace? • Fear—why? Getting it all done? • New • Cumbersome Process • Lack of Trust • Convinced clients they should get 100%

  10. Result? • Less conservation taking a longer time for clients expecting quality timely assistance to: • Plan • Apply • Keep records

  11. How do we Fix It? • COOPERATE • COMMUNICATE • Figure out roles Locally • Encourage clients to do more than the minimum

  12. What Should TSP’s Do? • Stay qualified: • Technical • Legal • Help promote conservation • Assist clients plan AHEAD of programs • Help with records • Encourage Clients • Specs • Communicate with Agency • Other?

  13. Validus “Example Promotion for CSP” • Get a conservation plan or CNMP • Implement your conservation plan or CNMP • Keep good records • When you do this, at least some part of your operation will likely be eligible.

  14. Validus “Example of Promotion for Planning” • Meet EPA storm water discharge standards (if you feed livestock). • Get ready for CSP (the Conservation Security Program). • Review your operation for efficiencies (Look at costs, reductions). • Be a good neighbor and steward.

  15. What Should Agency Folks Do? • Assure TSP is qualified • Help promote more (not minimum) conservation • Planning • Application • Records • Follow TSP rule / Standards & Specifications • Assist in efficiency / profit

  16. What Should Agency Folks Do? (cont) • Don’t add requirements at every level • Provide what you say you will when you say you will • Figure out how TSP can help YOU in your job • Communicate with TSPs

  17. Communication • Think of TSP as “another district” • Rules • Legislative Contacts • Local Needs • Another source or TA • How goes it?

  18. What Can or Should We Do Together? • Communicate with one another • Promote more conservation • Promote client financial involvement in technical assistance FOR PLANNING • Encourage Ag to do more than the minimum • Conservation Planning • Conservation Application • Record Keeping

  19. Validus “Example More than Minimum” State NMP CNMP Cons. Plan State Regs. 4 4 4 EPA CAFO ? 4 4 EQIP waste facility 4 4 CSP eligibility 4 4 CSP higher tier 4

  20. Validus “Example Financial Involvement” • Financial help for planning? --Conservation Plan --maybe from NRCS --CNMP --Some TSP assistance from USDA --Some state loans

  21. Validus “Example Financial Involvement” (cont) • Is planning financial help needed? --IF • The planning, when implemented, with good record keeping basically: -- Provides an “insurance policy” for AFO storm water discharge --Assures CSP participation for 5-10 years

  22. Summary We have much in common More Cons. Technical Timely Best Use of Group Applied Quality Service Taxpayer $$ Profit Agencies X X X X Clients X X X ? TSPs X X X X X

  23. Summary (cont) • We have some items to overcome • WE HAVE OPPORTUNITY--if we fail to cooperate as agency and private sector conservationists, we should be ashamed: • Will = frustrated customers • Will = less conservation • Will = longer time to reach our environmental goal

  24. Questions & Discussion Denise Pate, Director of Planning Validus 515-278-8002 pated@validusservices.com

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