May 19, 2003

“As a Westerner, having grown up with a father who spent his entire career with the Soil Conservation Service, I have a great respect for an institution that takes seriously the responsibilities of environmental stewardship. Many of you will go into fields that involve those responsibilities very directly. Fellow citizens will look to you to set a standard for how we should treat the land and life around us.”

from remarks by Vice President Cheney at the University of Missouri at Columbia Agricultural School Commencement Ceremony.

In This Issue

Status of Farm Bill Rules

 

NRCS Drought News
NRCS Unveils New Drought Website
 

Accolades
Arsenic and First Place
Prestigious Award Goes to NRCS Employee

 

Focus on the Field
Alaska: High School Students Dig Learning about Soils
Kansas: Spillman Creek Watershed District Goes Online

Word from Washington
Chief Knight Holds Media Roundtable on Conservation Programs
Celebrate American Wetlands Month
Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Developing Cutting Edge Research in Soil Carbon Storage

Tech Tip
Field Office Engineering Tools

Status of Farm Bill Rules

Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Program
The AMA final rule was published in the Federal Register on April 9, 2003.
Contact: Dave Mason, Program Manager, at 202-720-1873, or david.mason@usda.gov.

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Sign-up
The CRP general sign-up will be held from May 5 through May 30, 2003. The 2002 Farm Bill authorizes USDA to maintain CRP enrollment up to 39.2 million acres.
Contact: Malcolm Henning, Program Manager, at 202-720-1872, or malcom.henning@usda.gov.

Conservation Security Program
Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Extended comment period closed April 3, 2003.
Contact: David McKay, Team Leader, at 202-720-1845, or david.mckay@usda.gov.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program
The Final Rule has been posted on the NRCS Farm Bill web site.
Contact: Melvin Womack, Team Leader, at 202-720-1845, or melvin.womack@usda.gov.

Farm and Ranchland Protection Program
Request for Proposals was published in the Federal Register on
April 3, 2003. Deadline for proposals is May 19, 2003. The Final Rule will be published in the Federal Register on May 16.
Contact: Denise Coleman, Program Manager, at 202-720-9476, or denise.coleman@usda.gov.

Technical Service Provider Assistance
An amendment to the TSP Interim Final Rule was published on
March 24, 2003. Comments on that amendment must be received by
June 30, 2003.

The TSP policy, handbook, and amendment to the rule are available on the NRCS website at http://techreg.usda.gov/WhatsNew.aspx.
Contact: Melissa Hammond, TSP Group Leader, at 202-720-6731, or meliss.hammond@usda.gov.

Wetlands Reserve Program
Draft program guidance was sent to States May 5, for use in this year’s sign-up.
Contact: Leslie Deavers, Natural Resource Manger, at 202-720-1067, or leslie.deavers@usda.gov.

Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program
Draft program guidance was sent to States May 5, for use in this year’s sign-up.
Contact: Martha Joseph, Natural Resource Manager, at 202-720-7157, or martha.joseph@usda.gov.

NRCS Drought News

NRCS Unveils New Drought Website
NRCS has launched its new drought web site, at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/highlights/drought.html, which features useful information on how to prepare farms and ranches before drought. Farmers and ranchers can learn about crop, water, and land management practices that will help them both prepare for and withstand the effects of drought. Visitors to the NRCS drought website can also download a .PDF file of the document, Tips for Stretching Short Water Supplies, a document produced by NRCS in Idaho on how to protect crops and soils, irrigation water, pasture and range, wildlife, home and gardens from drought). The new web site also contains links to other useful drought-related websites such as the NRCS National Water and Climate Center, the National Drought Mitigation Center, the Drought Planners Directory – a directory of drought contacts by State, National Drought Policy Commission Reports, and the U.S. Drought Monitor. Visit the USDA disaster assistance web site at http://www.usda.gov/news/disaster/index.htm.
Your contact is Fred Jacobs, NRCS public affairs specialist, at 202-720-6794, or fred.jacobs@usda.gov.

Check out …
the National Drought Monitor website at http://drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html
the NRCS drought website at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/highlights/drought.html
and NRCS State drought pages at
Colorado http://www.co.nrcs.usda.gov/features/focus-events-drought.htm.
Montana http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/pas/drought/drought.html
Wyoming http://www.wy.nrcs.usda.gov/wydrought/drought.html

Accolades

Arsenic and First Place
Sandra Sears, NRCS employee and civil engineering senior at the University of New Hampshire, was one of 14 students to bring top honors to her school when her team recently competed in the 13th Annual Environmental Design Contest at New Mexico State University Campus. Vying against other top schools, their task was to find an inexpensive way to remove arsenic from drinking water. Sandra’s team successfully designed a filtering system using iron filings – a new concept in drinking water treatment.

Everyone on the team insisted that winning top honors was not their first objective. Their primary goal was to remove the arsenic found in groundwater. Arsenic is a known carcinogen and is found in several States including New Hampshire. Students who participated in this project characterized their work on the project as "the highlight of their college careers."
For further information contact Jeff Tenley, NRCS civil engineer, at 603- 679-1587 ext.105, or jeffery.tenley@nh.usda.gov


Prestigious Award Goes to NRCS Employee
The Federal Executive Association of Central New York recently presented Dan Hall, NRCS human resources assistant, with its Distinguished Government Service Award for Continuous Excellence (GS-11 and below). Dan received the award – an engraved statue – at a special luncheon in his honor in Syracuse. State Conservationist, Joseph DelVecchio, and several members of the NRCS State management team were also on hand to recognize Dan who, through his exceptional interpersonal skills, has significantly improved communications and the customer service relationship between the Human Resources Office and NRCS employees, thereby reducing human capital turnover in the State.
Your contact is Kathleen A. Carpenter, NRCS public affairs specialist, at 315-477-6524, or kathy.carpenter@ny.usda.gov.

Focus on the Field

High School Students Dig Learning about Soils
NRCS soil scientist Dennis Moore knows how to spark interest and liven up a conservation education session with high school students when introducing the fundamentals of soil genesis and morphology, the water cycle, and the importance of wetlands. Moore's enthusiasm for his subject is infectious, but just in case interest wanes he has extra incentives up his sleeve for getting young folks interested in the amazing world of soil science. At a recent presentation to a Wasilla High School ecology class, where he gave demonstrations on soil texture and uses and discussed the history of soils in the Wasilla area, Moore challenged the students to a competition of critical thinking on the role of soils in our everyday life. The class of 17 students engaged in a rousing competition for gift certificates to Burger King and Wendy's, with the first place winner receiving a pan pizza from Pizza Hut. A good time and a good learning experience were had by all.
Your contact is Dennis Moore, NRCS soil scientist, at 907-761-7766, or dennis.moore@ak.usda.gov.

Spillman Creek Watershed District Goes Online
The Spillman Creek Watershed District in Lincoln County, Kansas, is home to 18 floodwater retarding dams and two grade stabilization structures completed through the NRCS PL-566 Small Watershed Program. Now that a 19th dam – Spillman Site 14 – is planned, Lincoln County Conservation District staff is posting images of the ongoing work on a website so that not only local residents, but interested individuals around the world, can monitor the progress of the construction. Pictures will be taken weekly and daily – during particularly busy construction phases – and posted to the Lincoln County Conservation District’s website at http://www.geocities.com/lincoln_co_cd. There will also be articles on the PL-566 Small Watershed Program and the activities of the three other watershed districts located in Lincoln County.
Your contact is Patricia Winters, Lincoln County Conservation District Manager, at 785-524-4482, or patricia-winters@ks.nacdnet.org.

Word from Washington

Chief Knight Holds Media Roundtable on Conservation Programs
Chief Bruce Knight held a media roundtable last week at NRCS headquarters in Washington D.C. shortly after Secretary Ann Veneman announced USDA’s progress on several conservation programs to mark the 2002 Farm Bill’s first anniversary. In his discussions with reporters, Knight highlighted progress on the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program, and the Grassland Reserve Program. He also answered numerous questions regarding these programs.
Your contact is Sylvia Rainford, NRCS public affairs specialist, at 202-720-2536, or sylvia.rainford@usda.gov.


Celebrate American Wetlands Month
Each May, thousands of individuals celebrate the uniqueness, beauty, and importance of wetlands. The theme of American Wetlands Month 2003 is Bogs, Playas, Pools: Protect America's Unique Wetlands. Wetlands can be as tiny as a small wet spot or puddle, or as large as the Everglades, and can be found in every State in the U.S. This celebration is an ideal time to emphasize programs and activities that support voluntary wetland restoration and protection.

During May, conservation districts, grassroots organizations, and government agencies join individuals and educators across the country to acknowledge the importance of this valuable natural resource and the role wetlands play in the health of our Nation. Discover more about wetlands activities on the NRCS wetlands website at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/news/index.html#wetlands, or for more detailed information on NRCS wetlands research and programs, visit the Wetlands Sciences Institute website at http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/WLI/, or the Wetlands Reserve Program website at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/wrp/.
Your contact is Fred Jacobs, NRCS public affairs specialist, at 202-720-6794, or fred.jacobs@usda.gov.

Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Twenty-four years ago, President Jimmy Carter signed a joint resolution declaring the first Asian Pacific American Heritage Week as May 4-10, 1979. Eleven years later, in 1990, President George Bush extended the week into a month-long celebration. Two years after that, Public Law 102-450 designated May of each year Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. The theme for this year’s Asian Pacific American month is Salute to Liberty.
Your contact is Virginia C. Lewis, NRCS Acting Asian American/Pacific Islanders National Program Manager, at 301-504-2194.

Developing Cutting Edge Research in Soil Carbon Storage
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) highlights its collaborative efforts involving NRCS, State conservation agencies, local conservation districts and Colorado State University-Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory in the development of science and data on the storage of carbon in agriculture soils. The entire article is available on the NACD website under Special Reports: Cutting Edge Research in Soil Carbon Storage, or is available at http://www.nacdnet.org/special/CarbonStorage.htm.
Your contact is John S. Brenner, NRCS air quality cooperating scientist, at 970-491-5799, or jbrenner@nrel.colostate.ed.

Tech Tip

Field Office Engineering Tools
The recently formed Engineering Business Area Advisory Group (EBAAG) has prioritized engineering software needs for field office use. Two programs will be ready for release very soon, and a third is nearly ready for beta testing by the field.

Engineering Field Handbook, Chapter 2 (EFH2) is a Windows-based program that uses procedures described in Chapter 2 for estimating surface runoff and peak discharge from small rural watersheds for use in designing soil and water conservation measures.

Hydraulics Formula is a collection of 19 different hydraulic equations that are frequently encountered in planning and designing soil and water conservation measures. All are presented in a graphical form with printed reports. Many of these equations were featured in the Ohio Engineering program.

WinPond is a program that will help engineers and technicians design ponds and embankments. The program will assist in determining the auxiliary spillway and top of dam elevations by flood routing principal and auxiliary spillway storms. Up to three different principal spillway pipe trials can be entered to determine the most economical auxiliary spillway elevation. Earthwork quantities (settled fill, constructed fill, stripping, and core trench) can be computed. A variety of reports can be printed including a construction checkout sheet, conduit details, and a summary sheet. WinPond will be available for beta testing very soon.

The Engineering Business Area Advisory Group (EBAAG) will facilitate and coordinate the development, management, and automation of engineering processes to help support the NRCS mission. EBAAG is a board that coordinates and recommends actions to obtain needed agency engineering tools, software development, maintenance, technology transfer, and support. It consists of a representative member from each region, one member to represent the centers and institutes, one member from the Conservation Engineering Division, and one member for the Information Technology Center.
Your contact is Phil Smith, NRCS application project manager, at 970-295-5478, or psmith@itc.nrcs.usda.gov.

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The NRCS Mission: The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment.

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