C.E.A.P.C.E.A.P.

Conservation

Effects

Assessment

Project

Wayne M. Maresch

Director

Resources Inventory & Assessment Division USDA - NRCS

Measuring the Environmental Benefits Measuring the Environmental Benefits of Conservationof Conservation

The Conservation Effects The Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP)Assessment Project (CEAP)

Scope of CEAPScope of CEAP

LAND USE GROUPS

Cropland, including CRP Grazing lands Wetlands

Scope of CEAPScope of CEAP

RESOURCE CONCERNS

Water Quality Soil Quality Water Conservation Air Quality Wildlife Habitat Ecosystem Health Livestock Operations

Scope of CEAP Scope of CEAP

Conservation Programs: EQIP Environmental Quality Incentives Program CRP Conservation Reserve Program WRP Wetlands Reserve Program WHIP Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program CTA Conservation Technical Assistance Program CSP Conservation Security Program GRP Grassland Reserve Program

Why CEAP?Why CEAP?

OMB requests for outcome reporting.

Increased demand for accountability reporting associated with the 2002 Farm Bill.

2002 Farm Bill Conference Report. Other voices both inside and outside of government were calling for better accountability.

NRCS Strategic Planning Deputy Area was developing a new performance reporting system that included effects of conservation practices.

ChallengesChallenges

More research is needed on the effects of conservation practices, especially off-site effects.

Existing databases are inadequate for use in quantifying the benefits of conservation practices. New databases need to be developed.

For some land uses and resource concerns, analytical approaches need to be developed.

Meeting these challenges is expensive and will take time.

Implementing CEAPImplementing CEAP

Initial focus is on cropland, including CRPWater QualitySoil QualityWater Conservation

The most common conservation practices will be addressed first.

As the project progresses, efforts will be made to expand the coverage of resource concerns, land uses, and conservation practices.

CEAP Steering Committee

Interagency Advisory Group(ERS, ORACBA, FS, EPA, USGS,

FWS, others)

CEAP Executive Steering Committee(NRCS, ARS, NASS, FSA, CSREES)

Watershed Assessment Studies

National Assessment

Organization Chart for CEAPOrganization Chart for CEAP

National AssessmentNational Assessment

The purpose of the national assessment is to

provide an accounting of the environmental benefits obtained from USDA conservation programs for reporting at the national level.

The focus is on developing approaches, methodologies, and databases to produce estimates of benefits based on scientific findings.

Literature Review on the Effects of Literature Review on the Effects of Conservation PracticesConservation Practices

4-volume annotated bibliography of publications that address the effects of conservation practices has been completed by the National Agricultural Library. (available at www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/NRI/ceap)

Synthesis of cropland literature forthcoming Synthesis of wildlife benefits forthcoming

National Assessment ComponentsNational Assessment Components

1. CEAP Cropland Component

2. CEAP Wetlands Component

3. CEAP Grazing Lands Component

4. CEAP Wildlife Component

5. CEAP Animal Waste Component

Status of National Assessment ComponentsStatus of National Assessment Components

Cropland Wetlands Grazing Lands

Wildlife Animal Waste

Establish taskforce

Completed Completed Completed Completed Completed

Develop approach

Completed Completed In process In process

Plan of Work

Completed In process

Data Collection

In process In process

Modeling/

Estimation

In process In process

Reporting

Questions? Comments?Questions? Comments?

Visit the CEAP Website at:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/nri/ceap