Conservation Planning Process for CNMPs

1. Conservation Planning Process for CNMPs Barry L. Kintzer, P.E. Consulting Engineer

2. Introduce the 9-step NRCS planning process • Become familiar with NRCS requirements for conservation planning related to CNMP development and conservation practices. Objectives

3. Conservation Planning Process • Six Resources that are addressed by a Resource Management System • Soil • Water • Air • Plants • Animals • Humans

4. Conservation Planning Process • Quality Criteria for Soil Erosion

5. Conservation Planning Process • Quality Criteria for Water Quality

6. CNMP Water Quality Soil Erosion Working Toward an RMS Conservation Plan Conservation Planning Process • Soil • Water • Air • Plants • Animals • Humans RMS

7. Conservation Planning Process

8. Nine Steps of Conservation Planning: • 1. Identify Problems • 2. Determine Objectives • 3. Inventory Resources • 4. Analyze Resources • 5. Formulate Alternatives • 6. Evaluate Alternatives • 7. Make Decisions • 8. Implement Plan • 9. Evaluate Plan Conservation Planning Process

9. Phase I Collection and Analysis Phase II Decision Support Phase III Application and Evaluation Conservation Planning Process

10. Step 2 Determine Objectives Step 1 Identify Problems Phase I Collection & Analysis Step 3 Inventory Resources Step 4 Analyze Resources Conservation Planning Process

11. Conservation Planning Process 1. Identify Problems

12. Conservation Planning Process 1. Identify Problems • Client’s Perspective & Planner’s Knowledge • Consider Client’s Concerns • Planner May Identify Other Problems, Concerns and Opportunities • On-Site Visit • Document Resource Problems

13. Conservation Planning Process 1. Identify Problems • Resource Problem Checklist • Client: Field: Date: • A. Soil • 1. Erosion • Sheet and Rill • Wind • Concentrated Flow • Classic Gullies • Streambank • Irrigation Induced • Soil Mass Movement • Roadbank, Scour Area • Other

14. Conservation Planning Process 1. Identify Problems • Resource ProblemsQuality Criteria • Soil Erosion Soil Loss “T” Value • Water Quality >10 ppm NO3- • Air Quality No Complaints • Pest Management >2% Yield Loss • Crop Yields Typical Productivity • Labor Defined by Client

15. Conservation Planning Process 2. Determine Objectives

16. Conservation Planning Process 2. Determine Objectives • Desired Future Condition • Defined by the Client and the Planner • Objectives are Documented: • Written • Specific • Measurable • Time Reference

17. Conservation Planning Process 2. Determine Objectives • Three Objective Categories: • Social • Economic • Environmental

18. Conservation Planning Process 2. Determine Objectives Economic ObjectiveGoalsTarget Make Farm More Profitable This Year $10,000 + Increase Crop Yields 5 Tons/Acre 27 Ton/Acre Increase Value of Farm Before Retirement 5%/Yr Social Objective Minimize Labor on Farm Son May Not Farm 1 Full Time County Can’t Blame Me Good Citizen Compliance Environmental Objective Reduce Soil Erosion Keep Soil in Place < 5 Tons/Acre Protect Water Quality Do The “Right” Thing < 10 ppm Nitrates

19. Conservation Planning Process 3. Inventory Resources

20. Conservation Planning Process 3. Inventory Resources • General Inventory Methods • Procedural • Observation • Predictive • Deduction • Initial Inventory Becomes Benchmark • Documentation: • Farm Environment/Operations • Physical Resources • Economic/Social Concerns

21. Conservation Planning Process 3. Inventory Resources • Soil • Slope = 5%, L=400 feet on fields used to grow Corn Silage • Refer to Soil Survey and Map for T values • Water • Applying 200 Lbs Nitrogen per Acre on Corn Silage fields • Nitrogen and Phosphorus a water quality concern in the watershed, Estimate 12 ppm N in Groundwater • Air • Odors from animal feeding operation are offensive to neighbors • Plants • Continuous Corn for Silage, Typical Yields- 22 Tons/Acre • Pest Damage Reduces Yields • Animal • Occasional Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game Use • Human • Farm Labor May be Limited, Farm Machinery in Good Condition

22. Crop Pasture/Hay Headquarters Conservation Planning Process 3. Inventory Resources L=400 Ft. S=5%

23. Conservation Planning Process FIRI WEQ 4. Analyze Resource Data

24. Conservation Planning Process 4. Analyze Resource Data • Define Resource Conditions & Limitations • Use Worksheets, Models & Other Tools • Compare Benchmark & Future Condition • Professional Judgment

25. Conservation Planning Process 4. Analyze Resource Data • Soil • Soil Erosion from RUSLE2- A = 7 Tons/Acre/Year > T = 5 Tons/Acre/Year • Erosion rates could be reduced by using a conservation cover and/or using residue management. • Water • Nitrate Leaching Estimated at 100 lbs/Acre/Yr. • Nitrate leaching can be reduced to acceptable levels by practicing proper nutrient management, waste utilization and irrigation water management. • Air • Odors from animal feeding operation are offensive to neighbors. • Offensive odors can be reduced using tree and shrub plantings. • Plants • Pest Damage Reduces Yields • Pest damage can be reduced by practicing proper pest management which will increase yields.

26. Conservation Planning Process 4. Analyze Resource Data • Animal • Occasional Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game Use • Adequate habitat exists to support waterfowl migrations and upland game but could be improved by using wildlife habitat plantings. • Human • Farm Labor May be Limited, Farm Machinery in Good Condition • Labor inputs can be reduced through better management.

27. Step 5 Formulate Alternatives Phase II Decision Support Step 7 Make Decisions Step 6 Evaluate Alternatives Conservation Planning Process

28. Conservation Planning Process 5. Formulate Alternatives • Alternatives Achieve Client’s Objectives • Address All Resource SWAPA+H Problems • Develop Several Alternatives: • High Cost/Low Management Inputs • Moderate Cost/Moderate Management Inputs • Low Cost/High Management Inputs • Alternatives Developed with Input from the Client

29. Conservation Cover Conservation Planning Process 5. Formulate Alternatives Conservation Cover Other Practices Irrigation Water Management Nutrient Management Pest Management Upland Wildlife Habitat Management Waste Utilization

30. Conservation Planning Process 5. Formulate Alternatives

31. Conservation Planning Process 5. Formulate Alternatives

32. Conservation Planning Process 6. Evaluate Alternatives • Conservation Effects for Decision Making • Compare “Benchmark” to “Future Condition” Effects • Estimate Change in Effects • Evaluate Impacts as Positive or Negative • Effects on Resource Problems • Social, Economic, Environmental

33. Conservation Planning Process 6. Evaluate Alternatives Alternative #1 for Crop Land Use Conservation Practices Conservation Cover Upland Wildlife Management Pest Management Nutrient Management Waste Utilization Irrigation Water Management Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment Positive ImpactsNegative Impacts Reduce Soil Erosion 4 T/Ac/Yr Labor 1/4 Hr/Ac/Yr Increased Crop Yields 5 T/Ac/Yr Costs $25/Ac/Yr Reduced Odor Complaints High Installation Cost Improve Water Quality Improve Wildlife Habitat

34. Conservation Planning Process 6. Evaluate Alternatives Alternative #2 for Crop Land Use Conservation Practices Conservation Cover Nutrient Management Pest Management Irrigation Water Management Waste Utilization Positive ImpactsNegative Impacts Reduce Soil Erosion 4 T/Ac/Yr Labor 1/2 Hr/Ac/Yr Increased Crop Yields 5 T/Ac/Yr Costs $15/Ac/Yr Reduce Odor Complaints Moderate Installation Cost Improve Water Quality

35. Pasture/Hay Headquarters Conservation Planning Process 6. Evaluate Alternatives

36. Conservation Planning Process 7. Make Decisions

37. Conservation Planning Process 7. Make Decisions • The Planner Provides Information • Alternative Conservation Management Systems • The Client Makes an Informed Decision • The Decision is Documented • Conservation Plan (CNMP)

38. Conservation Planning Process Step 8 Implement Plan Phase III Apply & Evaluate Step 9 Evaluate Plan

39. Conservation Planning Process 8. Implement Plan

40. Conservation Planning Process 8. Implement Plan • The Client Implements the Plan • Planner and Technical Specialists Provide Technical Assistance to Implement Practices Identified in the Plan • Surveys • Final Designs • Job Sheets, Drawings & Specifications • Inspections • Operation & Maintenance

41. Conservation Planning Process 9. Evaluate Plan

42. Conservation Planning Process 9. Evaluate Plan • Client & Planner Evaluate Plan • Are Practices Functioning as Intended? • Is the Plan Meeting Objectives? • Are Plan Modifications Needed? • Is Additional Maintenance Needed? • Planning is an Ongoing Process

43. Conservation Planning Process NRCS National Planning Procedures Handbook NPPH Contains Guidance for Conservation Planning

44. Summary • NRCS uses a 9 step planning process • Alternatives should be offered to the owner/operator • The owner/operator makes the final decision on alternative to implement BUT • Alternative selected must meet RMS level for: • SOIL • WATER

45. Summary(continued) • Proper conservation planning requires: • Considerable time • Appropriate expertise – interdisciplinary approach • $$$$$ - sufficient funding