DC Talking Points        October 2008

 

Flood Recovery Resource

 

Two Indiana Guide Sheets - Soil Quality Reclamation for Spring Flood Damaged Fields and Cover Crops to Reclaim Soil Quality in Flood Damaged Fields were issued this summer to assist producers and planners in assessing flood damages and providing a framework for recovery.  Additional information is now available to support these Guide Sheets, and includes estimated costs of cover crops and organic materials as a framework when working with producers to reclaim their soil quality.  The information is available at http://www.in.nrcs.usda.gov/intranet/Bulletins/2008%20Bulletins/bulletin450-8-3.html.  NRCS encourages SWCDs to consider utilizing these resources for Clean Water Indiana funding opportunities relative to flood recovery.

 

Cooperative Working Agreements

 

District Conservationists are asked to annually review the Cooperative Working Agreement with the SWCD Board to ensure all local partners are familiar with the roles and responsibilities outlined in the agreement.  For example, the Cooperative Working Agreement is the document where the partners adopt the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG) as the guidance for technical standards, and NRCS agrees to maintain and update the FOTG.  As always, NRCS welcomes the opportunity to work with partners on any needed adjustments to technical standards, or the need to develop new standards.

 

Farm Bill

 

While USDA will not complete publication of Farm Bill Program rules within the 90-day target contained in the 2008 Farm Bill, excellent progress has been made on the Conservation Title to date.  During the past three months, NRCS has planned and developed regulatory work plans for 12 major programs and initiatives contained in the bill, and drafted rules for several conservation programs that are undergoing policy review at multiple levels of the Executive Branch.  As soon as the new program guidelines are available, any program changes will be shared with all partners. 

 

Indiana NRCS is also gathering input from the State Technical Committee on suggestions for the FY 2009 programs on the following dates:

·        WHIP/CRP/WRP Sub-Committee Meeting October 8; 9:30 – 3:00; NRCS State Office

·        EQIP Sub-Committee October 15; 9:30 – 3:00; NRCS State Office

·        Indiana State Technical Committee Meeting October 21; 1:00 – 4:00; NRCS State Office