Arkansas Conservation News -- Winter 2008

Conservation Corner

Kalven L. Trice
State Conservationist

Dear Arkansas NRCS Staff,

Our daily activities can get lost in the fog of changing rules and policies, so I am providing a guide to help with day-to-day work.

Conservation Planning - Whether you are helping customers with Farm Bill programs or providing them with basic conservation technical assistance (CTA), be thorough in your conservation planning work.

Ask yourself:

• Am I actively listening to customers to make sure I fully understand their conservation objectives?

• Am I helping customers move toward a Resource Management System (RMS)?

• Have I recently read and understood the National Planning Procedures Handbook (NPPH) Title 180, Part 600, especially Subpart A, Section 600.11 – The Planning Process?

Contracting - Keeping track of the in-depth details is the key to successful contract time management.

Ask yourself:

• Do all applicants understand their obligations; have they paid enough attention to the Cost Recovery procedures in the Appendix?

• Did all applicants provide the proper tax ID number and business type for the entity receiving payments?

• Have I provided timely follow-up to all contract participants?

• Do contract folders show complete documentation of progress in applying practices? Complete documentation include

  • Waivers to delay starting a practice beyond one year (Prior 2008 Farmbill)

  • Contract reviews with thorough explanation of the situation

  • Conservation Assistance Notes describing conservation objectives and conversations with the participan

Conservation Application - Putting the actual work on the ground can be the most rewarding aspect of our work. It is when we can see, touch, and feel the difference we are making.

Ask yourself:

• Are all practices planned, designed, and installed to meet NRCS Technical Guide Section IV Standards and Specifications, whether the practice is cost-shared under a Farm Bill contract or non-cost-shared under CTA?

Timely progress reporting - This ensures your work is satisfying the goals in the NRCS Strategic Plan.

Ask yourself:

• Have I reviewed progress in PRS monthly, by program, and made sure PRS accurately reflects my work?

I sincerely appreciate and applaud your efforts in the field and I encourage you to continue the good work helping people protect and improve natural resources. Please take care of yourself and your families.
 

Watershed Rehabilitation

Project protects public, provides drinking water in Scott County

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture is distributing $45 million in Recovery Act funds to rehabilitate aging flood control structures nationwide. These projects will help revitalize dams and rural economies by creating jobs and supporting local businesses that supply needed products and services.

Nearly $1.5 million of the money will be used to rehabilitate an aging flood control structure in Scott County, Ark. The Poteau River Multipurpose Dam No. 5 and reservoir provide flood prevention and water supply for Waldron, Ark. The city’s water supply serves approximately 4,000 people in a 17-square-mile area around the city. The dam, approximately 47-feet high, is located on the East Fork of the Poteau River about 3.5 miles northeast of Waldron.

"The rehabilitation work will extend the service life of the structure another 100 years allowing it to continue to provide flood prevention benefits and meet current safety requirements," said Kalven L. Trice, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) state conservationist. "Since 1964, when the structure was completed, no major flood has caused significant damage to Waldron. The dam also protects poultry operations and farms in the area."

The rehabilitation of Site 5 will ensure the present and future economic, social and environmental benefits will continue.

"These funds will help strengthen Arkansas’s infrastructure while also supporting local economic growth. I’m pleased to see our state receive this assistance, and I remain committed to ensuring that our state has the resources it needs to stay strong," said U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln.

"When levee systems fail, the results can be catastrophic," said U.S. Senator Mark Pryor. "These recovery funds will not only repair and maintain our state’s flood control infrastructure but also create much-needed jobs. It’s a win-win for the community and the economy."

The project will immediately contribute to the economic growth of the area by creating at least 32 construction jobs. In addition to the jobs created, there will also be an increased demand in other industries’ goods and services that could generate an estimated $3.1 million into the economies of the Poteau River Watershed and surrounding counties, according to Trice.

"This project is vital to the economic well-being of numerous communities and businesses in Scott County," said U.S. Representative Mike Ross (AR-04). "I am pleased to see these recovery dollars in Western Arkansas because we must develop the necessary water resources and flood protections that will encourage and sustain economic growth in the region."

"President Obama is committed to strengthening much-needed infrastructure in rural communities and this support will enhance water quality, create more dependable water supplies and decrease soil erosion across the country," Secretary Vilsack said. "This is good news for America’s environment and economy."

There are many dams and other important flood control structures across the country that are in a race against time when it comes to their ability to protect people and property from flooding. NRCS will deliver this assistance through its Watershed Rehabilitation Program and direct the funding toward the most cost-effective projects where there is the greatest risk of infrastructure failure and threat to life and property. State and local sponsors will provide 35 percent of the funding for their projects.

For more information on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, visit www.recovery.gov. To learn more about NRCS Arkansas projects, go to http://www.ar.nrcs.usda.gov/recovery/index.html.

Upper Petit Jean site receives repair funding

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced April 16 that the USDA will be sending $84.8 million to state and local governments to improve water quality, increase water supply, decrease soil erosion, and improve fish and wildlife habitat in rural communities as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.

Arkansas will receive $134,000 for repairs to the Upper Petit Jean Watershed Site No. 9 project. The 310-acre reservoir in Logan County provides flood control for 19,872 acres and water supply for the city of Booneville.

"Three stress cracks have developed in the transition between the principal spillway inlet structure and outlet pipe," said Kalven L. Trice, state conservationist. "The cracks pose no immediate threats, but we are concerned the steel in the reinforced concrete might corrode over time. The concrete is very durable and looks better than many 30-year-old hydraulic structures."

The work will entail using a chemical grout to seal and bond the full depth of each crack.

"President Obama is committed to improving water quality, creating more dependable water supplies and decreasing soil erosion and this funding will make a big difference in the lives of the people who live in these rural communities," Vilsack said.

Other major benefits include improved community safety and health, flood mitigation, sediment control, and enhanced fish and wildlife habitat.

Funding provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is part of the Obama Administration’s plans to modernize the nation’s infrastructure, jumpstart the economy and create jobs. For more information on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, visit www.recovery.gov. For a listing of projects funded in other states, go to http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/.

ACES helps agency meet workload goals

The Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services (ACES) Program uses experienced workers to help NRCS employees address high workload goals and better serve customers.

The program is a cost-effective way to obtain the services of experienced workers on a temporary basis through an agreement with eligible nonprofit organizations. ACES enrollees are not federal employees, cannot perform inherently governmental work, and earn wages that do not impact retirement annuities.

The ACES Program uses the talents of individuals 55 or older, who are not employees of USDA or a state agriculture department, to provide technical services in support of conservation-related programs carried out by the secretary of Agriculture.

NRCS provides funds to ACES partners via task agreements. NRCS prepares a statement of work, budget and position descriptions. The nonprofit organization handles advertising, recruiting, hiring and paying ACES enrollees. Title XII conservation program funds such as EQIP, WHIP, and FRPP can be used, but not CRP, CSP, GRP, or WRP, to support the ACES positions.

The nonprofit partners post positions on their Web sites, screen applicants and forward names to the local ACES coordinator. NRCS interviews candidates and recommends a person to be selected. NRCS employees may refer potential applicants to the ACES partner Web site. The types of positions vary from technical with no degree to professional with an advanced degree. In Arkansas, pay ranges from $11.33 an hour to $20 an hour.

For more information, contact Rose Webb, the Arkansas ACES coordinator at (501) 301-3174 or rose.webb@ar.usda.gov.

Chief stresses importance of volunteers

NRCS Chief Dave White recently conducted the first nationwide teleconference with Earth Team volunteers and coordinators.

The chief said it was his first official large-group teleconference since being named acting chief and was very pleased to share that honor with something he believes in as strongly as the efforts of volunteers.

The teleconference was held so the chief could personally thank all Earth Team volunteers for their tremendous contribution to NRCS and to call upon them for continued support. He said that volunteers play a vital role in the success of NRCS.

Chief White also outlined some of the future ways in which volunteers can help NRCS and its mission. He spoke of a possible revamping of the Backyard Conservation campaign that would include plants that attract pollinators.

He spoke briefly about new environmental concerns that will be focused on in the coming years; those include renewable energy, climate change and water quality issues.

Chief White answered questions on a variety of topics such as RC&D funding, carbon sequestration issues, ACES positions, and new volunteer award categories.

National Volunteer Week

Earth Team offers chance to 'answer the call to serve'

Volunteers allow us to do more. National Volunteer Week, April 19-25, gave us a chance to let our volunteers know how much we appreciate their efforts.

Volunteers are vital members of our conservation team.

Last year, 778 Earth Team Volunteers contributed 11,300 hours valued at $220,463 for various conservation activities in helping the Natural Resources Conservation Service and our partners in Arkansas. That’s the equivalent of employing more than five full-time staff members!

Nationally, more than 30,000 volunteers contributed more than 800,000 hours valued at about $15 million to further NRCS’ mission of helping people help the land.

Volunteers are a national priority. In a show of national support, NRCS Chief Dave White’s first nation-wide teleconference was with Earth Team coordinators and volunteers across the nation.

The Earth Team Volunteer Program, created in 1985, has so much to offer people who want to get involved in their community.

Arkansas’ outdoor enthusiasts, office workers, environmentalists and students, 14 years of age or older, who want to contribute their skills and experience in new ways, are encouraged to explore the opportunities offered with the Earth Team.

Last year, volunteers throughout the state helped with forestry clinics, field days, fair booths, outreach meetings, Earth Day, Farm Safety Day Camp, Water Fest, WOW III at the Zoo, Envirothon contests, grazing land management workshops, surveying, preparing EQIP contract folders, collecting data for farm plans, GPS readings and fence measuring; pond design, layout, checkout and staking; generating maps for TookKit, and other field work activities.

Disabled students also wrapped 700 tree seedlings with moistened towels and bagged them for distribution on Earth Day.

A cadre of Resource Conservation and Development Earth Team volunteers (hosted) worked on a farmer’s market project through planning, advertising, news releases, grant proposals, market duties and workshops.

We are proud of the dedicated volunteers and employees in Arkansas, who have committed their time and talents to conserving and protecting our natural resources.

Thank you for helping to make the Earth Team program a success in Arkansas.

Calendar

May

5-6 -- Conservation Stewardship Program FY09 Regional Train-the-Trainer Workshop, St. Louis, MO

8 -- AACD State Forestry Clinic, Arkadelphia

12 -- Program Managers Meeting, State Office

13-14 -- Management Team Meeting, State Office

14 -- State Office Quarterly Meeting

17-20 -- 11th National Watershed Conference, Wichita, KS

18-22 -- National NRI Meeting, Fort Collins, CO

25 -- Memorial Day Holiday

27 -- Shortleaf Pine / Bluestem Ecosystem Restoration Field Day, Waldron

30 -- Low-Stress Animal Handling School, Concord, AR

June

2-4 -- Arkansas Rural Development Conference, Hot Springs, AR

14-17 -- National RC&D Council Meeting, Albuquerque, NM

22-26 -- Teachers Conservation Workshop, Monticello

23 -- Program Managers Meeting, State Office

24-25 -- Management Team Meeting, State Office

July

12-15 -- SWCS 64th International Conference, Dearborn, MI

14 -- Program Managers Meeting, State Office

15-16 -- Management Team Meeting, State Office

16 -- State Office Quarterly Meeting

Comings & Goings

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