NRCS, Partners Bring Safe Water to Shiloh - NRCS Georgia and USDA partners are ready to remedy a serious health problem faced by five minority families in Shiloh. The families, which include 9 adults and 17 children, have no safe water because E. coli and other pollutants entered their wells. Hepatitis hospitalized two of the children. Through a $25,000 grant from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the families will have a new well with feed lines that delivers safe drinking water to their homes. Also five septic systems will be rebuilt, and the open wells that were the sources of contaminants will be sealed. Your contact: Art Greenberg at art@ga.nrcs.usda.gov

Dams Prevent Damage to Nebraska Watershed - NRCS Nebraska estimates that 11 dams built by the agency and the Middle Republican Natural Resources District recently prevented more than $326,000 in storm damage in Blackwood Creek's watershed. The dams protected cropland, pastureland, fences and roads from additional damage. Cropland above the dams has terraces, conservation tillage, and other practices that slow runoff. Nearly $3.4 million of the funding for the dams came through PL-566. NRCS State Conservationist Steve Chick said, "Weeks ago you could look at these dams sitting here peacefully and wonder why they were ever built. Now we have the answer. These dams are like silent guardians on the land standing ready whenever the rain falls." Your contact: Pat McGrane, State Public Affairs Specialist, (402) 437-5328.

Ohio Buffer Team Gets $230k Boost - The Ohio Lake Erie Buffer Team was awarded nearly $230,000 from the Ohio Lake Erie Commission to implement its plan to promote buffers in the Lake Erie Watershed. Funds will be used to implement marketing and demonstration and technical assistance components of the plan, and to increase the rate of installation of conservation buffer practices. Erie Basin Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council will serve as fiscal agent for the team and assist in administering the grant. The buffer team is led by NRCS and the Commission, and is made up of 22 individuals who represent Federal, State, and local conservation partners. Your contact: Steve Davis, Lake Erie Buffer Team Leader, at steve.davis@oh.usda.gov

NRCS Puts Local Focus on Protecting Burial Grounds - At a recent site survey, NRCS Alaska gathered local support for protecting native burial grounds from erosion along the banks of the Kuskokwim River near the village of Kalsag. The normal thawing of winter ice pack causes erosion along a three-and-a-half mile section of the river. Joining NRCS in building momentum for this effort were tribal leaders from several river villages, representatives from the Alaska Native Kuskokwim Corporation, Alaska State legislator Carl Morgan, and members of the Interior Rivers RC&D Council. Your contact: Thom Blackbird, Anchorage District Conservationist, on (907) 271-2424.

NRCS Protects Army Base - NRCS New Jersey is protecting the property of the protectors at Fort Dix. NRCS is conducting a multi-year study of how military activities affect vegetation. Also, the agency is developing an integrated resource management plan that will assess the base's natural resources and offer recommendations to improve and sustain the quality of the base's natural resources. An NRCS employee stationed at the base works on forestry, erosion control, and other conservation activities. Your contact: Irene Lieberman, State Public Affairs Specialist, on (732) 246-1171x124.

Coastal America Awards Partnerships - Coastal America, an organization of 12 Federal agencies, including NRCS, deals with critical coastal environmental problems nationwide. Each year, Coastal America presents Partnership Awards to governmental groups and private corporations that work together to address environmental problems facing America's coasts. The following partnerships received 1999 awards:

• Clear Creek Wetland Restoration Team, Texas
• Duck Creek Advisory Group, Alaska
• Galilee Bird Sanctuary, Rhode Island
• Kenai River Peninsula Resource Protection and Education Project, Alaska
• Penobscot Watershed Anadromous Fish Restoration Team, Maine
• Shamrock Island Protection and Restoration Team, Texas

1999 Special Recognition Ward nominations are: Maine Council of Atlantic Salmon Federation, New England Aquarium (Boston, Massachusetts), and Reliant Energy (formerly Houston Power and Light, Houston, Texas). Check out Coastal America at www.coastalamerica.gov

Tech Tip from the NRCS Science and Technology Deputy Area - The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) erosion estimates are often lower than those estimated by the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) in some locations, while higher in other areas. Here are five reasons why:

 

RUSLE is capable of simulating continuous no-till, accounting for the effects of increased organic matter and improved soil structure over time, while the USLE estimates of no-till were based on only the first year of no-till. For mulch-till, RUSLE accounts for residue that is incorporated in the top few inches compared to the USLE. In addition, research has shown surface residue to be more effective than credited in the USLE.

 

Modern crop yields are used in RUSLE that are significantly higher than yields used in the USLE. Therefore, the increased plant cover and crop residue produced by today's higher yields provide increased erosion protection and result in lower soil loss estimates with RUSLE.

 

RUSLE Cover and Management (C) factors typically are lower in cooler and drier locations and higher in warm, moist regions than the USLE. This is because RUSLE accounts for differences in climate, and the decay of crop residue and roots using bimonthly moisture and temperature at each location. Climatic differences by location were not included in the USLE.

RUSLE contouring values may be higher or lower than the USLE because RUSLE accounts for storm intensity, ridge height, row grade, slope steepness, cover and management condition, and soil type. The USLE only represented one set of conditions.

 

An improved RUSLE Rainfall and Runoff Erosivity (R) factor map was developed for the entire U.S. based on greatly expanded values in the Western U.S. and revisions in the Eastern U. S. This resulted in different R factor values than were used in the USLE.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Society of American Foresters National Convention

Portland, Oregon

September 11-15, 1999

The theme is "Pioneering New Trails." NRCS foresters attending the convention will meet Thursday, September 16, to discuss forestry issues and review new technology. For more information, contact Keith Ticknor, NRCS National Forester, keith.ticknor@usda.gov

 

Seventh Annual Nonpoint Source Monitoring Conference

Morro Bay, California

September 13-17, 1999

Information is available through a link on the Morro Bay National Estuary Programs web site at www.mbnep.org

 

National Conference on Reclamation

Roanoke, Virginia

September 16-18, 1999

This year's theme is "Building Successful Watershed Partnerships." For information, please contact Byron Thompson, in South Carolina, on (803) 253-3930 or at b.thompson@usda.gov

 

National Association of State Foresters 77th Annual Meeting

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

September 19-23, 1999

Public lands, water, emerging issues, fire, wildland/urban interface, and forest land taxation are some of the issues that will be discussed. For more information, contact Keith Ticknor, NRCS National Forester, keith.ticknor@usda.gov

 

Society for Ecological Restoration International Conference

San Francisco, California

September 23-25, 1999

The conference's title: "Reweaving the World." Symposia will cover more than 25 restoration-related topics, including exploring the science, art, practices, and culture of restoration ecology. Kat Anderson of NRCS' National Plant Data Center will speak on "The Contribution of Ethnobiology to the Reconstruction and Restoration of Historic Ecosystems." Alan Ammann, Biologist for NRCS New Hampshire, will give a paper entitled "An Ecosystem Based Approach to Natural Resource Management: Guidance for Local Volunteers".

 

Alliance for Environmental Stewardship: A Comprehensive Approach

St. Louis, Missouri

September 27-29, 1999

Early registration: $150. For information, please contact: Sara Snyder (312)266-3311 or check the web at http://www.inform.umd.edu/ManureNet/workshops/workshop.htm

 

October 1999

Building on Leopold's Legacy: Conservation for a New Century

Monona Terrace Convention Center, Madison, Wisconsin

October 5-7, 1999

National Leaders in Conservation celebrate our historical foundations and explore the future direction of conservation. Forty-eight working sessions and noted plenary speakers. Complete conference information on the web site at http://www.wisc.edu/wisacad/landethic/

 

Second National Small Farm Conference

St. Louis, Missouri

October 12-15, 1999

The conference's title: "Building Partnerships for the 21st Century." For more information, see the conference's web site: www.luce.lincolnu.edu/nsfc

 

49th Triennial National Convention Girl Scouts of the USA

Kansas City, Missouri

October 14-17, 1999

Stop by NRCS' hands-on learning exhibit and make your own soil profile in a tube.

 

1999 Association of State Wetland Managers Annual Symposium

Annapolis, Maryland

October 25-27, 1999

This year's theme: Restoration: Applying Restoration Science.

 

Future Farmers of America National Career Show

Louisville, Kentucky

October 27-29, 1999

NRCS will have an exhibit displaying conservation technology (buffers, stream corridor techniques, conservation practices and Backyard Conservation). A representative from the National Soil Survey Center will be there to mark the soil survey centennial.

 

American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society, and the Soil Science Society of America Annual Meeting

Salt Lake City, Utah

October 31-November 4, 1999

 

November 1999

National Earth Team/ NRCS Public Affairs Specialists Meeting

Albuquerque, New Mexico,

November 1-4, 1999.

The theme: "Changing Patterns: Conservation, Communication and Volunteerism." All employees are welcome. Register by calling 1-888-LANDCARE, extension 50. Deadline for registration is September 20.

 

National Forage Quality and Animal Well-Being Training

New Orleans, Louisiana

November 15-18, 1999

Grazing Lands Specialists and other NRCS personnel will participate in a forage quality and animal well-being case study workshop and receive advanced nutritional training provided by the Grazing Lands Technology Institute and Texas A&M Universityís Grazing Land Animal Nutrition Lab. For more information, please contact Arnold Norman, Grazing Lands Technology Institute @ 817-509-3214 or email him at: anorman@ftw.nrcs.usda.gov

 

Native Plant Summit V

Bismarck, North Dakota

November 16-17, 1999

The theme for this year's summit is biodiversity. Speakers will address conservation programs, revegetation standards, mitigation efforts, and environmental mandates. Visit the web site at http://www.nativeplantsummit.org to check for speaker listings, registration numbers, and other updated information. For more information, contact Melissa Reep at on (701) 223-8536, by fax on (701) 223-9024, or by e-mail at melissa.reep@nd.usda.gov

 

March 2000

Sustainable Agriculture Coming of Age in the Year 2000

Portland, Oregon

March 7-9, 2000

The event will include innovative agricultural techniques, outcomes of scientific research, networking, visioning for the future, and successful examples of sustainable agriculture enterprises. Sponsored by the USDA Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, with major contributions from several land-grant universities and the Federal sustainable agriculture effort. Check the web site at http://wsare.usu.edu/2000

We deplete nature's natural resources by using them up. We deplete people's natural resources by failing to use them.

-- Zig Ziglar, American Writer and Motivational Speaker

"NRCS THIS WEEK" WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Please send correspondence and material for "NRCS This Week" to the editor by: e-mail to: brad.fisher@usda.gov; or by fax to: Editor, "NRCS This Week," 202-720-1564; or by mail to: Editor, "NRCS This Week," NRCS, P.O. Box 2890, Washington, D.C. 20013

RECEIVE "NRCS THIS WEEK" BY E-MAIL!

If you are not a NRCS employee, you can receive NRCSTW on an e-mail by contacting: listproc@nrcs.usda.gov (NHQ personnel should send their e-mail to: GW:"listproc@nrcs.usda.gov@i"). Do not use a subject line and put the following in the body of the message: subscribe NRCS-THIS-WEEK Firstname Lastname (example: subscribe NRCS-THIS-WEEK Eleanor Roosevelt). To get help with other commands that are available at the "listproc@nrcs.usda.gov" address, send a message with no subject and the word HELP on a line by itself in the body of the message. "NRCS This Week" will continue to be posted on the NRCS Homepage.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Addresses and telephone numbers for NRCS' Civil Rights Staff are: NRCS Civil Rights Program Compliance Division, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Mail Stop 5471, Beltsville, MD 20705-5471; phone: (301) 504-2287. NRCS Civil Rights Employment Division, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Mail Stop 5472, Beltsville, MD 20705-5472; phone: (301) 504-2181.

< NRCS This Week Archives