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| Friday, July 23, 1999 Washington, DC |
FOCUS ON THE FIELD
RC&D Helps Put Kenai on Road to Better Economy - The Kenai Peninsula Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) District and the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities signed a grant agreement for the development of the first comprehensive coordinated transportation plan for the Central Kenai Peninsula. The State of Alaska will provide more than $49,000 to the RC&D for the development of the plan. From the plan will come a public transportation system that paves the way for new opportunities for economic development of the area. Directing the project will be the Kenai Peninsula Public Transportation Task Force, which is comprised of representatives of local non-profit organizations, government agencies, and private individuals.
RC&D Association Wins "Keep Nebraska Beautiful" Award - The Nebraska RC&D Association recently reaped the "Keep Nebraska Beautiful" Environmental Award for its work with the Nebraska Community Water Quality Partnership Project. Seven of the State's RC&Ds provide leadership for this effort that covers most of the State. Award-winning accomplishments include: developing and distributing drinking water protection guidebooks, performing contaminant source inventories, and providing direct assistance to communities. Four summer interns and two volunteers were the key to the project's success. The success of this project has attracted additional partners and funding. The RC&Ds have secured financial assistance from: the Nebraska Environmental Trust Foundation, AmeriCorps, Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, and local contributors.
A Special Day for a Good Samaritan of RC&D - As Coordinator for Tennessee's Smoky Mountain RC&D Area, Eston Williams knows what it's like to work for the public good. But recently, Eston truly let his humanitarian side shine through. While driving to work, Eston stopped to help victims of a car wreck near Knoxville. In addition to at-the-scene assistance, Eston offered them food, shelter, and a ride. After hearing about his good deed, the Mayor of Knoxville honored Eston with an official declaration of a day in his honor.
Waste Treatmentthe Final Frontier - Space-age waste treatment technology developed by NASA has been adapted by NRCS Texas for use at the Lost Pine Scout Reservation in Bastrop. The technology, known as the rock reed filter, uses rocks and aquatic plants to filter septic wastes. Developed for use in a space station, this system is being used by homeowners and municipalities to reduce fecal coliform bacteria, pathogenic bacteria, and viruses. The rock reed filter provides the reservation with a natural, low-cost alternative to a conventional sewerage system. A demonstration of the system was held on July 15. Funding for the project came from Central Texas RC&D.
"Innovative and Creative Thinker" Wins Soil Scientist Award - Dr. Samuel Indorante of NRCS' Carbondale Major Land Resource Area's (MLRA) Update Office recently became the first recipient of the National Cooperative Soil Survey Soil Scientist of the Year Award. "He is an innovative and creative thinker," said Illinois State Conservationist Bill Gradle. "We always knew we had an outstanding soil scientist. Now the whole country knows it." Samuel, who has served with NRCS since 1979, has gathered an impressive array of expertise in soil science, geographic information systems, global positioning systems, ground penetrating radar, and electromagnetic induction meter technologies. He provides leadership and shows personal commitments to special projects that support MLRA, and has published numerous research papers and articles that have spread ideas, knowledge, and inspiration to others in the soil science arena.
Ohio Kicks Off Lake Erie Buffer Program - More than 125 people attended the kickoff of the Lake Erie Buffer Program on July 20 at the Gene Barto farm in Seneca County, Ohio. Governor Bob Taft and NRCS State Conservationist Pat Wolf were among the 5 speakers who announced the inception of the program, which will be led by the Lake Erie Buffer Team. The 22-member team, comprised of representatives of 17 conservation and natural resource organizations, has developed a comprehensive strategy to promote and market conservation buffers in the entire Lake Erie Watershed. The team was formed at the impetus of the NRCS Ohio. Backing up the effort is a new brochure that features testimonials of nine farmers who are enjoying the benefits of buffers on their land.
WHAT'S UP IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
COD Announces Revisions to General Manual, New Third-Party MOU -NRCS Conservation Operations Division (COD) announced that conservation planning policy in the General Manual has been revised and will be distributed shortly. Five major changes have been made. These are: dropping conservation management systems and acceptable management systems; adding language regarding providing service to American Indian Tribes; adding a section on minimum conservation planning standards for NRCS and other providers of NRCS/USDA-related conservation planning assistance; adding a statement for State Conservationists regarding the creation and maintenance of a list of approved conservation planners who are employed or used by NRCS; and providing language for documenting conservation planning data in either hard copy or electronic format, as appropriate.
COD also announced that the National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants recently became the fifth third-party vendor certifying organization to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with NRCS. Copies of all five MOUs will be distributed in the near future.
Tech Tip from the NRCS Science and Technology Deputy Area
Biotechfrom the Beginning - Biotechnology was first documented when the Sumerians and Babylonians used yeast to make beer in 6000 BCE. Today, biotechnology encompasses gene splicing, recombinant DNA, or genetic engineering, which are all extensions of traditional plant and animal breeding science. Biotechnology is defined as the use of living organisms to make commercial products. Hence, it is the science that links biology with new technologies incorporating chemistry, genetics, engineering, biochemistry, cell biology, and computer science.
New Product...
Institutes' Info is on the Way - Information about the products, training, and other services available from seven NRCS Institutes and the agency's Water Science and Technology Team are on the way! The 36-page NRCS Institutes Product Catalog, and the latest edition of "Institute Insights," have been shipped to division directors and above, Regional and State Conservationists, Directors of the Caribbean and Pacific Basin Area, and Center and Institute Directors for distribution to their staffs. State Conservationists received a supply for both State and field office distribution. To receive additional copies of either publication, contact the Social Sciences Institute on (616) 942-1503, or at ssinter2@po.nrcs.usda.gov The catalog is also available on the Web at http://www.ftw.nrcs.usda.gov/consortium/consort.html
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