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NRCS Partnership with IMS

NRCS Partnership with IMS. Mark Dubin Agricultural Technical Coordinator EPA Chesapeake Bay Program/USDA-CSREES Mid-Atlantic Regional Water Program University of Maryland. Pennsylvania DEP FOIA.

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NRCS Partnership with IMS

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  1. NRCS Partnership with IMS Mark Dubin Agricultural Technical Coordinator EPA Chesapeake Bay Program/USDA-CSREES Mid-Atlantic Regional Water Program University of Maryland

  2. Pennsylvania DEP FOIA • Pennsylvania Office of the USDA-NRCS recommended PADEP file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to obtain NPS data. • FOIA request submitted by PADEP to the USDA Office of Communications on February 1, 2007. • PA USDA-NRCS response and first quarterly report of NPS data received on April 20, 2007.

  3. PA USDA-NRCS Report • PA Office of USDA-NRCS has agreed to provide NPS progress reports for the Chesapeake Bay portion of PA on a quarterly basis. • NPS data is provided directly from the state NRCS staff to PADEP in an Excel spreadsheet format.

  4. PA USDA-NRCS Report • NRCS report contains the following NPS data elements: • County (name) • Congressional district (identifier code) • Hydrologic unit code (8 digit) • Applied unit (acres, feet, number) • Applied date (database) • Applied amount (number) • Practice code (NHCP standards) • Practice name (NHCP standards)

  5. PA USDA-NRCS Report • Positive NPS data aspects: • Direct transfer of NRCS NPS data to reporting state agency- improved quality assurance. • Single NRCS NPS data source- reduce reporting duplication. • NPS data spreadsheet format- reduce state agency staff time.

  6. PA USDA-NCRS Report • Non-Positive NPS data aspects: • NPS data based on 8 digit HUC. • Applied date refers to database entry date, not practice implementation date. • Applied amounts may reflect individual fields with multiple practices applied- fields not identified. • NRCS practice codes may not correspond with CBP BMP definitions. • NRCS practice definitions may not be uniform from state to state.

  7. CBP Initiatives • Establish an agricultural coordinator position for the CBP to serve as the primary program contact for USDA-NRCS. • Agricultural Technical Coordinator position established with the University of Maryland and the MARWP. • Attends and represents the CBP on all six NRCS State Technical Committees (STC) and sub-committees. • Maintains direct communication with the NRCS State Office managers and staff; and the NRCS CB Watershed Specialist.

  8. CBP Initiatives • EPA/NRCS Plan of Work developed as part of the new EPA/USDA MOU for the Chesapeake Bay. • Agreement for the six NRCS State Conservationists to meet with the CBPO Director twice annually. • Agreement for both agencies to improve communication and coordination of programs. • Agreement for NRCS to provide annual progress data. • Agreement for NRCS to collaborate in improving accuracy of reported NPS practice data.

  9. CBP Initiatives • EPA contract with the University of Maryland’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Water Program (MARWP) for the CBP BMP Project. • Scientifically evaluate existing and new CBP BMPs for developing Phase 5.0 of the CBP Watershed Model. • Incorporate NRCS technical practice language and standards into the CBP BMP definitions. • Include a cross-reference section in each BMP definition to associate specific NRCS practice codes and names relevant to the BMP.

  10. CBP Initiatives • Establishment of NRCS regional technical workgroups to develop regionally consistent conservation practice standards for the Bay watershed. • NRCS Agronomist workgroup involved with development of new Conservation Tillage standards and tools. • NRCS Grazing Specialist workgroup involved with development of new pasture management standards and tools. • NRCS Engineering workgroup to be developed in the future.

  11. CBP Initiatives • Regional NRCS State Conservationist meeting held in Washington D.C. • The first regional meeting with the CBPO Director, the regional NRCS Director and the six NRCS State Conservationists was held on July 11th. • NRCS Washington Headquarters Office strongly supported initiatives of the CBP. • NRCS State Conservationists prepared to adopt NPS progress reporting to the respective state agencies based on the Pennsylvania model.

  12. Next Steps • Group discussion.

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