clean water act (cwa) cwa agricultural exemptions and associated nrcs conservation practice...
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Clean Water Act (CWA)
CWA Agricultural Exemptions and Associated NRCS Conservation Practice
StandardsNew England Farmers Union
December 12, 2014
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
NRCS in a Nutshell
Our aim is to protect and enhance natural resources on private working lands
We administer and deliver numerous agriculture programs, including but not limited to “Farm Bill” programs, and– We provide technical and financial
assistance to producers to implement Conservation Practices to address identified resource concerns
– We and our customers need to be compliant with U.S., State, and Local Laws
Environmental Compliance NRCS completes an environmental evaluation
to ensure proposed agency actions are compliant with U.S. laws (National Environmental Protection Act, CWA, etc.)
NRCS does not apply for federal or state permits. Our clients are responsible for obtaining needed State and Federal permits.– NRCS strives to inform clients of potential
permit needs => Regulatory agencies make the actual permit determination, not NRCS
– NRCS will provide technical designs needed by regulatory agencies for permit issuance
CWA 404(f)(1)(A)Interpretive Rule
Effective April 3, 2014 All “normal farming” activities
remain exempted from permitting under section 404 and associated 401 permit requirements, but the IR specifically identifies 56 NRCS National Conservation Practices that enhance or protect water quality and exempts them from CWA permitting
All “Normal Farming” exemptions:
Apply to producers involved in NRCS Programs– e.g., Environmental Quality Incentives
Program, Conservation Technical Assistance Program
Apply to producers NOT involved with NRCS Programs
Are self-implementing– Producers/land owners do not need
notification, verification or documentation from the COE or EPA to ensure the activity is exempt
NRCS’ Role Regarding CWA IR Exempted Practices
NRCS Programs– NRCS will follow our normal planning
process– Note: NRCS could use the Conservation
Technical Assistance program to assist producers, but Farm Bill programs are our 1st priority. Workloads will determine NRCS involvement
Producers not in NRCS Programs– Producers will be directed to the
National Conservation Practices website
NRCS’ Role Regarding CWA (Cont.)
NRCS is NOT authorized to administer the CWA For Non-program Participants
– NRCS will NOT confirm or verify a practice is installed to needed criteria and specifications
– NRCS will NOT conduct field visits– We may be able to answer questions relative
to interpreting/understanding standards used in Maine
NRCS will NOT discuss client-specific issues with EPA or COE without a release of information form signed by the producer