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NRCS This Week

Friday, October 13, 2000 Washington, DC.

"No country, however rich, can afford the waste of its human resources."

-- Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945), 32nd President of The United States

Focus on the Field
Michigan: Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning Partnership Training
Minnesota: NRCS and Others, Honored by U.S. Department of Transportation
Nevada: First National Grazing Conference to be Held This December
Oklahoma: NRCS Wrapping up Tornado Damage Work
Pennsylvania: Abandoned Mine Treatment Deemed Successful

What's Up In Washington
$1.4 Billion for Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
October is USDA 2000 National Disability Employment Awareness Month!
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
 
USDA/NRCS 'NetNewsLinks:
NRCS National Water and Climate Center Snow-Precipitation Update for the West
NRCS Legislative Summaries

Also on the 'Net:
Crop Residue Survey application - CropRes - allows users to upload survey transect data, enter county profile data (county crop acres), and adjust tillage percentages. CropRes is now available at http://calais.itc.nrcs.usda.gov/ctic/ (A PMRS user ID and logon are required to enter this site).
Computer Tools Now Available to Field Offices! Field office personnel now have access to better tools to reduce paperwork, improve efficiency, and allow more time to work in the field with customers. Computer tools are available at http://www.info.usda.gov/NRCS/FOWR/
AGRICOLA: USDA's AGRICultural Online Access
e-Notes from NACD: Weekly news briefs from the National Association of Conservation Districts
Ag Day - Nationally syndicated daily program at http://www.agday.com/.
 
Conference & Training Connection!
See the alphabetical-by-subject list of upcoming events. See NEW! additions under Soil Science/Erosion Control.


FOCUS ON THE FIELD

Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning Partnership Training - Michigan State University sponsored the first partnership-style, comprehensive nutrient management planning (CNMP) training session for public and private sector providers of CNMP technical assistance. The course, a requirement for certification as a CNMP provider, was conducted in support of the Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program, an animal industry-initiated, voluntary program to help farmers achieve economically viable and environmentally responsible farm operations. The 4-day course focused on technical skills and information needed to develop a CNMP for a farm. Your contact is Steve Davis, NRCS State Conservation Engineer, at 517-324-5232 or steve.davis@mi.usda.gov.

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NRCS and Others, Honored by U.S. Department of Transportation - Seven State and Federal agencies in Minnesota, including NRCS and the Minnesota Department of Transportation, were honored by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for developing "Catching the Snow with Living Snow Fences" a state-of-the-art technical guidebook on living snow fences. The guidebook received a merit award at DOT's Design for Transportation National Awards 2000 competition. The NRCS Minnesota State Forester, Paul Flynn, wrote two chapters, "Establishing Living Snow Fences," and "Maintaining Living Snow Fences" in the 140-page guide. Your contact is Sylvia Rainford, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist, at 651-602-7859 or str@mn.nrcs.usda.gov.

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First National Grazing Conference to be Held This December - Farmers and ranchers from across the U.S. will meet December 5-10, in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the First Annual Conference on Grazing Lands. The conference will provide an opportunity for farmers and ranchers to share their knowledge and experiences in maintaining the health of their grazing lands. The Conference is sponsored by the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative and the National Association of Conservation Districts, with support from NRCS and ARS. Your contact is John W. Peterson, Watershed Coalition, at jwpeterson@erols.com or visit the conference website at http://www.glci.org/Call.htm#National Conference.

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NRCS Wrapping up Tornado Damage Work - During May 1999, one of the costliest storms in U.S. history occurred in Oklahoma. Seventy-four tornadoes crossed through 16 counties in the State, causing flooding, which added to the long list of storm-related damage problems. Sixteen counties were declared Federal disaster areas. An additional 32 were declared by NRCS to be eligible for Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) funding. Through the EWP, NRCS provides assistance to pay project sponsors for work such as clearing debris from clogged waterways, restoring vegetation, and stabilizing flood-damaged riverbanks. In Oklahoma, 1 million cubic yards of debris have been removed from streams and waterways and by August of this year, 85 of 90 EWP contracts totaling $14.5 million dollars in restoration were completed. Your contact is Tony G. Funderburk, NRCS State Hydraulic Engineer, at (405) 742-1275 or tony.funderburk@ok.usda.gov.

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Abandoned Mine Treatment Deemed Successful - Congressman John Murtha, PA, and the Stonycreek-Conemaugh River Improvement Project celebrated the success of NRCS's passive wetland treatment of abandoned mine drainage. Beginning in 1993, NRCS and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Abandoned Mines worked together with Somerset Conservation District and the local watershed group on the first totally passive treatment system in the Nation. The acidic water is channeled into a series of passive wetland settling ponds, where iron and aluminum are deposited and the water is in contact with limestone to neutralize the acid and increase pH. In 1980, there was no aquatic life in the river. This year, according to volunteers who have been monitoring the Stonycreek River in the southwestern part of the State for the last 3 years, small mouth bass and 14 other species have been found in local rivers and streams. For information on passive wetland treatment systems, contact Dan Seibert, NRCS State Resource Conservationist, 814-445-8979, ext.132.

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WHAT'S UP (AND COMING) IN WASHINGTON

$1.4 Billion for Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) - Secretary Glickman announced this week that USDA will award more than $1.4 billion to landowners through the CRP program to divert fragile farmland into conservation uses. Participants in the program will receive an average of $4,833 per farm and $45.17 per acre on more than 462,855 contracts and 293,857 farms. The program benefits landowners and the public by reducing soil erosion, expanding wildlife habitats, improving air and water quality, restoring wetlands, and encouraging tree planting. The Secretary urged Congress to enact the President's proposal to increase authorized CRP enrollment by an additional 3.6 million acres, to a total of 40.0 million acres.

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USDA 2000 National Disability Employment Awareness Month - The theme for October's USDA 2000 National Disability Employment Awareness Month is "Ability You Can Bank On." The theme of the 2000 education program kit (available at http://www50.pcepd.gov/pcepd/pubs/ek00/index.html) conveys a vital message that "People with disabilities are ready, willing and able to be an essential part of our Nation's human resource capital."

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National Plant Data Center (NPDC) Cooperates Globally - The NPDC is redesigning the PLANTS database http://plants.usda.gov so all of the major global taxonomic databases will have a basic design that allows them to easily exchange information. A major part of the redesign involves rebuilding the foundation of the taxonomic database, without which PLANTS will not work. Work on a common taxonomic database design is being performed with the Association for Biodiversity Information (The Nature Conservancy), Ecological Society of America (National Vegetation Classification), Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ARS, USGS, NOAA, EPA, NRCS, Smithsonian Institution, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, and CONABIO (Mexico), and the Botanischer Museum-Berlin (International Organization for Plant Information-Global Plant Checklist).

Your contact is J. Scott Peterson, Director, NRCS National Plant Data Center, at 225-755-6280 or speterson@npdc.usda.gov.


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Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month - Hispanic Heritage Month 2000 is in its final week. Latino communities nationwide welcome this yearly event which winds up October 15. This week's activities included El Dia de la Raza, which was celebrated on October 12.

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CONFERENCE & TRAINING CONNECTION

October 13, 2000

As a service to NRCS personnel and the agency's partners, "NRCS This Week" offers the following by-subject list of conferences and training sessions. To add an event, please send an e-mail message to fred.jacobs@usda.gov

AFO/CAFO
Agricultural Economics
Agroforestry/Forestry
Agronomy
Air Quality
Animal Residuals Management
Coastal Zone Management
Environmental Education
Farmland Preservation
Grazing Land & Grassland
Irrigation
Locally Led Conservation
Mining & the Environment
Partnerships
Resource Conservation & Development
Rivers
NEW! Soil Science/Erosion Control
Water Quality
Watersheds
Wetlands
 

AFO/CAFO
 
The Innovative Technology for Planning Animal Feeding Operations
December 4-6
Denver, Colorado, Renaissance Denver Hotel
Attendees will be producers, government agencies, businesses, and consultants writing comprehensive nutrient management plans. Topics include land application technologies, alternative manure uses, air quality control strategies, mitigation of impacted sites, filter strips, etc. Exhibitors: $400.00 with two free registrations. Posters: Individuals presenting posters should be registered for the conference. Contact Ron Schierer, at 970-330-0380 or ron.schierer@co.usda.gov or Mike Collins at 307-682-8843, ext. 113, or mike.collins@wy.usda.gov
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Agricultural Economics
 
American Agricultural Economics Associtaion Annual (AAEA) Meeting
August 5-8, 2001
Chicago, Illinois
AAEA seeks submission for posters, papers, organized symposia and free sessions for the 2001 annual meeting in Chicago. For more information, contact Nancy Herselius at 515-233-3202, or nancy@aaea.org or visit the meeting website at http://www.aaea.org/meetings/.
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Agroforestry/Forestry
 
Forest Utilization Conference
May 1-3, 2001
Wagoner OK
The Ouachita Mountains Resource Conservation and Development, Inc. will sponsor its 6th annual Forest Utilization Conference and Equipment Exposition at the Western Hills Guest Resort in Sequoyah State Park on the shores of Lake Fort Gibson. For information, contact Gary Garman, Coordinator for Ouachita Mountains RC&D Council, at (918)-423-2479, fax 918-423-0793, email omrcandd@icok.net or visit the web site http://www.icok.net/~omrcandd
 
Southern Forest Science Conference: Contributions of Forest Research to Sustainable Forestry Preliminary Conference Announcement and Call for Papers
November 26 - 28, 2001
Renaissance Waverly Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia
The Southern Forest Science Conference will highlight the history and future of research in sustainable forestry. The conference is for anyone interested in the science of southern forests and is open to researchers, research managers and research users as well as policymakers, landowners and other interested stakeholders. Call for Papers: Topics, deadlines and other information can be found at the conference website at http://www.southernforestscience.net/ For more information contact www.southernforestscience.net or the USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station at (828)-257-4302.
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Agronomy
 
The 2000 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Agronomy
November 5-9
Minneapolis, Minnesota
The American Society of Agronomy, the Soil Science Society of America, and the Crop Science Society will host the annual meeting of the American Society of Agronomy. For more information, visit the meeting website at http://www.asa-cssa-sssa.org/olr99/ or http://www.Agronomy.org or http://www.Crops.org or http://www.Soils.org. Registration packets can be requested directly from the American Society Agronomy Headquarters Office, 677 South Segoe Road, in Madison, Wisconsin 53711-1086. Pre-registration ends September 22.
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Air Quality
 
Future Directions in Air Quality Research
February 12-15, 2001
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
Conference topics will focus on ecological, atmospheric, regulatory/policy and educational issues. The conference is sponsored by the Air Resources Research Consortium. For more information contact Sherrie Knott at (919) 515-2261 or visit the conference website at http://www2.ncsu.edu/cpe/airqualconf.html
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Animal Residuals Management
 
The 2000 National Poultry Waste Management Symposium
October 16-18
Sheraton Fontainebleau Hotel, Ocean City, Maryland
The 2000 National Poultry Waste Management Symposium will communicate the latest technology and information regarding poultry waste management. The symposium is targeted to meet current and future needs of the poultry industry when responsibly dealing with environmental issues. The program begins with a general session covering broad topics related to poultry by-products and social issues, followed by concurrent sessions addressing specific issues such as air and water quality, utilization and marketing alternatives and regulation. For more information, contact Richard Reynnells National Program Leader, Animal Production Systems at (202) 401-5352, fax: (202) 401-5179 e-mail: rreynnells@reeusda.gov
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Animal Residuals Management Conference--Issues and Solutions
November 12-14
Kansas City, Missouri
The conference will feature three session tracks: issues and environmental assessments, solutions and technology, and policy. Topics include: applied solutions for animal manure use and disposal, nutrient management in watersheds, public health risks associated with agricultural use of animal manure, and case studies on the beneficial use of animal manure. Deadline for submittal of abstracts is June 23. For details, contact: Water Environment Federation, 601 Wythe Street, Alexandria, Virginia, 22314-1994. Phone: (703) 684-2438. NRCS co-sponsors.
 
Innovative Technologies for Planning Animal Feeding Operations
December 4-6, 2000
Renaissance Denver Hotel, Denver, Colorado
Workshops include: "Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning (CNMP)" and "Seepage Control in Ag Waste Ponds" Other topics include: emerging technologies associated with animal feeding operations which can be adapted to the Great Plains; land application technologies; alternative uses of manure; air quality control strategies including ammonia, dust, odor, and green house gasses; systems approach to CNMP; planning to prevent adverse environmental impacts; monitoring AFOs; diet/feed additives; and handling animal mortality. Exhibit and poster space available. For more information, contact ron.schierer@ks.nrcs.usda.gov or Myron Senechal at 701-530-2085 or myron.senechal@nd.usda.gov.
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Coastal Zone Management
 
Coastal Zone 01
July 15-19, 2001
Cleveland, Ohio
CZ01 will feature important lessons learned by coastal managers around the world and models of successful partnerships, such as that established in the Great Lakes, where two sovereign nations jointly manage water and living resources of this great "inland sea." Cleveland offers an outstanding opportunity to examine how local and regional issues are connected to worldwide influences of culture and commerce, climate and biology. For more information, visit the conference website at http://www.csc.noaa.gov/cz2001/conference.html.
 
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Environmental Education
 
North American Association for Environmental Education National Conference
October 17-21
South Padre Island, Texas
The conference theme is "Spanning Cultural and Ecological Diversity through Environmental Education." Learn more about the conference, at http://www.naaee.org
 
New Beginnings, ASFMRA 2000 Annual Convention & Trade Show
November 9-11, 2000
Opryland Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee
The theme is New Beginnings, and the program includes an in-depth look at key issues in the future of agriculture, including a session with Jim Lyons.
For more information about the conference, visit the website at http://www.asfmra.org/fmeetings.htm
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Farmland Preservation
 
Winning Through Wise Land Use Conference
March, 2001
Tennessee, Federal and private partners will conduct a seminar for developers, conservationists, and others interested in lessening the impact of development on the State's natural resources. For more information contact Larry Blick, NRCS Assistant State Conservationist for Field Support, at 615-736-5490 or lblick@tn.nrcs.usda.gov
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Grazing Land & Grassland
 
Grazing Management Clinic
October 17-18
Pendleton, South Carolina at Clemson University's Simpson Station
The South Carolina Grassland Coalition is sponsoring a grazing management clinic in cooperation with Dow Agro Sciences and will emphasize grazing management techniques. The cost of the two-day clinic is $75 per person, which includes all educational materials as well as lunch, dinner and refreshments. For additional information, contact Michael Hall, NRCS grazing lands specialist at 864-388-9163, ext. 5.

Grasstravaganza 2000
October 27-28
Syracuse, New York
The South Central New York Resource Conservation and Development Project, Inc. will host Grasstravaganza 2000! a two day, conference on topics pertinent to grass-based agriculture at the Wyndham Syracuse Hotel in Syracuse NY. For more information, contact Kim Handy at 607-334-3231, ext. 4 or kimberly.handy@ny.usda.gov Register on-line at https://secure.btittc.com/register/grass2000.htm.
First National Conference on Grazing Lands
December 5-8
Las Vegas, Nevada
Economic and environmental effects of proper grazing lands management. Sponsored by NACD, Grazing Lands and Public Lands Committee, the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI), and others. Abstracts for oral and poster papers accepted until April 1. Contact John W. Peterson, NCGL Program Manager, by phone on (703) 455-4387, or fax at (703) 455-6886, or by e-mail on jwpeterson@erols.com
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Irrigation
 
21st Annual International Irrigation Show
November 12 – 14
Phoenix Civic Plaza, Phoenix, Arizona
The Irrigation Association's 21st irrigation show will feature the American Society of Agricultural Engineers' 4th Decennial National Irrigation Symposium. Irrigation training opportunities are available prior to, during, and after the show. For more information about the show, visit the website at http://www.irrigation.org.
 
4th Decennial (every 10 years) National Irrigation Symposium
November 14 - 16
Phoenix Civic Plaza, Phoenix, Arizona
American Society of Agricultural Engineers will host a symposium featuring numerous irrigation technical presentations For more information about the symposium, visit the website at www.asae.org.
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Locally Led Conservation
 
National Conference on Locally Led Conservation Efforts
June 3-5, 2001
Nebraska City, Nebraska, Lied Conference Center on the Arbor Day Farm
NRCS, the National Arbor Day Foundation, and the National Association of Conservation Districts will sponsor a national forum for individuals and groups to share lessons learned about locally led or locally driven conservation efforts and to stimulate the advances of this "bottom up" approach to natural resource management.
 
Program focus: Locally led or locally driven conservation is an effort to empower citizens a community to work effectively to assess the health of their land and to address collectively their conservation priorities using the programmatic tools and resources available from Federal, State, and local governments, as well as private sources.
 
How to submit a presentation proposal: E-mail a 250-word proposal or executive summary with the name, title, organization name, mail address, voice and fax numbers, and e-mail address of each presenter to jparsons@arborday.org. In your proposal include what the listener will gain, the format of the presentation (lecture, case study, panel, etc.), and the presentation time desired with Q&A. Attach a biographical sketch with relevant education and experience, including speaking experiences. E-mail submissions due by October 31, 2000. Notification will be given by mid-December. For more information, visit the conference website at http://www.arborday.org/programs/conferences.html
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Mining & the Environment
 
Conference on Tailings and Mine Waste
January 15-18, 2001
Fort Collins, Colorado
A forum for members of the mining community, engineers, and scientists concerned with environmental issues related to tailings and mine waste management. Abstracts due by June 2. To submit an abstract or for more information, contact Linda Hinshaw, Department of Civil Engineering, Colorado State Univeristy, (970) 491-6081, or at lhinshaw@engr.colostate.edu
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Partnerships
 
Third Biennial Conference on Understanding Each Other and Working Together for a Better Future
October 24-25
Eugene, Oregon
Forum for agricultural interests, government, and environmentalists to discuss issues relevant to agriculture and water quality. Perspectives presented in a non-confrontational forum and others see and understand other points of view. For more information, see the conference's Web site at http://www.agwaterqualitynw.org
2001 National Association of Conservation Districts' Annual Meeting
February 4-8
Fort Worth, Texas
Contact Robert Raschke on (303) 988-1810.
 
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Resource Conservation & Development
 
New England Association of RC&D Areas Annual Conference
October 26-29
Newport, Rhode Island
For more information call, please call Susan Arrants at (401) 949-4418.
 
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Rivers
 
International Conference on Wood in World Rivers
October 23-27
Corvallis, Oregon
Sessions on primary research of fluvial processes, synthesis of policies and science to guide management options for rivers, applied research, and conservation perspectives. Co-sponsored by the Wildlife Habitat Management Institute. For more information, see the conference's Web site at http://riverwood.orst.edu or contact the Institute's Kathryn Staley at Kathryn.Staley@orst.edu
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Soil Science/Erosion Control
 
NEW! Soil Erosion Research for the 21st Century - An International Symposium
January 3-5, 2001
Honolulu, Hawaii, Ala Moana Hotel
World-renowned soil erosion scientists will participate as keynote speakers, as well as moderators of discussion panels, to provide their viewpoints on the current status of soil erosion research and directions needed in the future. Additionally, discussion groups composed of all participants at the conference will also address these same issues. The symposium will prepare and publish a document summarizing recommendations from these discussions, and provide it to all of the co-sponsoring organizations. For more information, contact Dr. Dennis Flanagan, Symposium Chair, at 765-494-7748 or flanagan@purdue.edu or visit the symposium website at http://horizon.nserl.purdue.edu/~flanagan/erosymp/.
International Erosion Control Association's (IECA) 32nd Annual Conference and Expo
February 5-9, 2001
Las Vegas, Nevada, Rio Suite Hotel and Convention Center
IECA's Annual Conference and Expo is open to all erosion and sediment control professionals and suppliers. This event features five days of learning, including day-long training courses, half-day workshops, field tours and technical paper presentations. Topics of interest will appeal to contractors, landscape architects, civil engineers, public works and regulatory professionals, consultants, developers, mining and ski industry representatives. For more information, visit the conference website at http://www.ieca.org/index_conference.html.

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Water Quality
 
7th Federal Interagency Sedimentation Conference
March 25-29, 2001
Reno, Nevada
Will provide Federal and non-Federal scientists and managers from various disciplines the opportunity to discuss recent accomplishments and progress in research and on technical developments in the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of sedimentation. Scheduled are tours, exhibitions, and presentations of papers. For more information about the conference, visit the website at http://water.usgs.gov/wicp/SED7FISC_crf.html
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Watersheds
 
Seventh National Watershed Conference
May 20-23, 2001
Richmond, Virginia
The theme: "Small Watershed Programs: Past, Present, and Future." This conference will examine our Nation's rich history with upstream small watershed programs and will explore innovative ways of accomplishing watershed project objectives as traditional sources of assistance become harder to get. . For more information contact John W. Peterson, (703) 455-6886, fax (703) 455-6888;e-mail, jwpeterson@erols.com
 
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Wetlands
 
7th International Conference on Wetland Systems for Water Pollution Control
November 11-16
Lake Buena Vista, Florida
For more information about the conference, visit the website at http://www.ifas.ufl.edu/~conferweb/wpc/
 
Izaak Walton League of America National Conference
May 16-18, 2001
Orlando, Florida
Topics include: wetland education, restoration, conservation, and international issues. To get on the mailing list for the conference, contact: awm@iwla.org or call (800) BUG-IWLA (284-4952)
 
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