August 1, 2008

SUBJECT:  MGT – NRCS Field Priorities

File Code: 330-0

            TO:  All NRCS Employees

First I would like to thank you all for your hard work implementing conservation in Indiana over the first three quarters of this fiscal year.  This has been an unusual year regarding Farm Bill extensions, continuing resolutions and an election year. There have been several events that could have taken you off task, but you have stayed the course.  I have been able to get out to the field to visit with many of you and witness the devastation of our June flood.  As I think about all that has happened this year it is hard to imagine we are now in the forth quarter of the fiscal year. 

The long anticipated Farm Bill has arrived and this signals a new era of conservation for Indiana.  This passing of the new bill also brings with it some final allocations from headquarters and creates new opportunities for landowners to commit to conservation.  As you know, this usually creates some new deadlines and last minute items that need our attention.  You will find listed below field priorities the Indiana NRCS Leadership Team has identified to help us finish strong for FY 2008.

All employees must be engaged in accomplishing these priority activities over this final quarter.  If you are under pressures to complete work other than these priorities, please consult with your Area Conservationist or other appropriate Leadership Team member.   

Field Priorities for August 1 through September 30, 2008

1.                  Implement EWP Exigent Project Agreements.

2.                  Review/Justify existing WRP agreements which have open obligations for restoration activities by August 8 per IB 300-8-23.

3.                  Complete on-site field verifications and contract reviews in Protracts for CSP 08-01 signup by August 15.

4.                  Obligate EQIP and WHIP funds for flood damaged practices by August 25.

5.                  Obligate EQIP funds into 08 contracts by August 25.

6.                  Accept Floodplain Easement Program and WRP applications.

a)   Obligate into contracts when funded.

7.                  Continue EWP Non-Exigent projects

8.                  Certify and process CSP payments for FY08 by September 15.

9.                  Service active EQIP, WHIP, CSP and WRP contracts.

a)      Work to ensure all practices scheduled for 2008 are installed.  

10.              Report progress in PRS and Points (RC&D), including the items of Brief Technical Assistance and CRP-2’s serviced, which are reported outside of the normal Performance Measures.

11.              Service the ECP requests we have Technical Assistance responsibility for once program funding is received.

12.              Continue to service FY 2008 Continuous CRP and CREP applications and contracts.

13.              Continue to accept applications for all programs.

14.              Service AD-1026 requests and continue to work on any existing backlog.

15.              Service funded GRP, LARE and 319 practices scheduled for FY 2008 installation.

16.              Assist with other partner programs as requested.

When we focus on our priorities it will better position our clients to take advantage of all the conservation opportunities that are available.

Thank you all for your hard work and dedication to helping people help the land in Indiana.

/s/

JANE E. HARDISTY
State Conservationist

cc:        Kenneth Culp, State Director, FSA, Indianapolis, IN
            Gail Peas, Conservation Program Specialist, FSA, Indianapolis, IN
            Nola Gentry, Chair, State Soil Conservation Board, Indianapolis, IN
            Tammy Lawson, Director, Division of Soil Conservation, ISDA, Indianapolis, IN
            Jerod Chew, Asst. Director, Division of Soil Conservation, ISDA, Indianapolis, IN
            Jennifer Boyle, Executive Director, IASWCD, Indianapolis, IN
            Jim Droege, President, IASWCD, Mount Vernon, IN

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