conservation planning process for cnmps cnmp core curriculum section 2 — conservation planning

Conservation Planning Process for CNMPs

CNMP Core Curriculum

Section 2 — Conservation Planning

CNMP Development Core Training Curriculum

These course materials have been developed as a cooperative effort between five land-grant universities and The Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Ames, Iowa 50011, (515) 294-4111.

Copyright © 1995-2006, Iowa State University of Science and Technology. All rights reserved.

Copyright Information

Objectives

• Introduce the 9-step NRCS planning process

• Become familiar with NRCS requirements for conservation planning related to CNMP development and conservation practices.

Required Materials• National Planning Procedures Handbook, Exhibit

1 – Sample Resource Checklist. • National Statement of Work Template for a

Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP)

• National Statement of Work for Waste Storage Facility (313)

• National Statement of Work for Nutrient Management (590)

• Supplemental Materials – National Planning Procedures Handbook.

http://policy.nrcs.usda.gov/scripts/lpsiis.dll/H/H_180_600.htm. Accessed 29 November 2005.

http://policy.nrcs.usda.gov/scripts/lpsiis.dll/H/H_180_600.htm.%20Accessed%2029%20November%202005

http://policy.nrcs.usda.gov/scripts/lpsiis.dll/H/H_180_600.htm.%20Accessed%2029%20November%202005

• Six Resources that is addressed by a Resource Management System– Soil– Water– Air– Plants– Animals– Humans

Conservation Planning Process

• Quality Criteria for Soil Erosion


ResourceConcern

Descriptionof Concern

NationalQuality Criteria

MeasurementUnits

AssessmentTools

Soil Erosion – Sheet and Rill

Detachment and transport of soil particles caused by rainfall splash and runoff degrade soil quality.

Sheet and rill erosion does not exceed the Soil Loss Tolerance “T”.

Tons/Acre/Year – average annual tons of erosion reduced per acre for the field or planning area/unit

Visual assessmentErosion-bridge (OR Ag TN 51); Rangeland Soil Quality Information Sheet -- Water ErosionRUSLE IIWEPPSoil Quality Information Sheet - Erosion

• Quality Criteria for Water QualityConservation Planning Process

ResourceConcern

Descriptionof Concern

NationalQuality Criteria

MeasurementUnits

AssessmentTools

Water Quality – Excessive Nutrients and Organics in Surface Water

Pollution from natural or human induced nutrients such as N, P, and S (including animal and other wastes) degrades surface water quality.

Nutrients and organics are stored, handled, disposed of, and managed so that surface water uses are not adversely affected.

Non Measurable

SVAP (Stream Visual Assessment Protocol – USDA/NRCS)National Engineering Handbook, Part 651, Ag. Waste Mgt. Field HandbookSurface water chemical/particle sampling and assayField application and managementOregon Water Quality Decision Aid Local Fertilizer GuidesNitrogen Water Quality Screening Tool, Phosphorous IndexWater Quality TN 1 Fertilizer Storage and Handling Worksheet– Livestock Manure Storage Worksheet– Livestock Yard Management WorksheetBiosolids


Working Toward an RMS

Conservation Plan

Soil Erosion

WaterQuality

RMS

CNMP

Soil

Water

Air

Plants

Animals

Humans


1. Identify Problems2. Determine Objectives3. Inventory Resources4. Analyze Resources5. Formulate Alternatives6. Evaluate Alternatives7. Make Decisions8. Implement Plan 9. Evaluate Plan

Nine Steps of Conservation Planning:

Phase ICollection

andAnalysis

Phase IIDecisionSupport

Phase IIIApplication

andEvaluation


Step 2Determine

Objectives

Step 1Identify

Problems

Step 3Inventory

Resources

Step 4Analyze

Resources

Phase ICollection

&Analysis


Conservation Planning Process1. 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


Resource Problem ChecklistClient: Field: Date:

A. Soil1. Erosion

a. Sheet and Rill b. Wind c. Concentrated Flow d. Classic Gullies e. Streambank f. Irrigation Induced g. Soil Mass Movement h. Roadbank, Scour Area i. Other


Resource Problems Quality CriteriaSoil 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

Conservation Planning Process2. Determine Objectives


• Desired Future Condition• Defined by the Client and the Planner• Objectives are Documented:

– Written– Specific– Measurable– Time Reference


• Three Objective Categories:– Social– Economic– Environmental


Economic Objective Goals Target

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

Conservation Planning Process3. Inventory Resources


• General Inventory Methods– Procedural– Observation– Predictive– Deduction

• Initial Inventory Becomes Benchmark• Documentation:

– Farm Environment/Operations– Physical Resources– Economic/Social Concerns


Soil• Slope = 5%, L=400 feet on fields used to grow Corn Silage • Refer to Soil Survey and Map for T valuesWater• 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 neighborsPlants• Continuous Corn for Silage, Typical Yields- 22 Tons/Acre• Pest Damage Reduces YieldsAnimal• Occasional Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game UseHuman• Farm Labor May be Limited, Farm Machinery in Good Condition

L=400 Ft.S=5%

Crop

Headquarters

Pasture/Hay


3. Inventory Resources

L=600 Ft.S=5%


3. Inventory Resources


WEQ

FIRI

4. Analyze Resource Data

Conservation Planning Process4. Analyze Resource Data

• Define Resource Conditions & Limitations• Use Worksheets, Models & Other Tools• Compare Benchmark & Future Condition • Professional Judgment


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.


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.

Step 6Evaluate

Alternatives

Step 5Formulate

Alternatives

Step 7Make

Decisions

Phase IIDecisionSupport


Conservation Planning Process5. 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

5. Formulate Alternatives

Conservation Cover

Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment

Other Practices

Irrigation Water Management

Nutrient Management

Pest Management

Upland Wildlife Habitat Management

Waste Utilization


Conservation Cover


CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR CROPLAND- ALTERNATIVE 1

RESOURCE CONCERNS CONSERVATION PRACTICES

Soil Erosion, Sheet & Rill Access Road - 560

Water Quantity, Water Management for Irrigated Land Conservation Cover - 327

Water Quality, Groundwater; Nutrients and OrganicsIrrigation Pipeline, High Press Underground Plastic – 430DD

Water Quality, Surface Water; Nutrients and Organics Irrigation System, Sprinkler - 442

Water Quality, Surface Water; Suspended Sediments and Turbidity Irrigation Water Management - 449

Air Quality, Undesirable Odors from Agricultural Sources Manure Transfer - 634

Plant Management, Nutrient Management Nutrient Management - 590

Plant Management, Pests Pest Management - 595

Animal Habitat, Wildlife Food Pumping Plant for Water Control - 533

Upland Wildlife Habitat Management - 645

Waste Utilization – 633

Water Well – 642

Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment - 380














Waste Utilization - 633

Water Well - 642














Residue Management , No Till/Strip Till – 329A


Waste Utilization - 633

Water Well - 642


Conservation Planning Process6. 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


Alternative #1 for Crop Land Use

Conservation PracticesConservation Cover Upland Wildlife ManagementPest Management Nutrient ManagementWaste Utilization Irrigation Water ManagementWindbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment

Positive Impacts Negative ImpactsReduce Soil Erosion 4 T/Ac/Yr Labor 1/4 Hr/Ac/YrIncreased Crop Yields 5 T/Ac/Yr Costs $25/Ac/YrReduced Odor Complaints High Installation CostImprove Water QualityImprove Wildlife Habitat



Conservation PracticesConservation Cover Nutrient Management Pest Management Irrigation Water Management Waste Utilization

Positive Impacts Negative ImpactsReduce Soil Erosion 4 T/Ac/Yr Labor 1/2 Hr/Ac/YrIncreased Crop Yields 5 T/Ac/Yr Costs $15/Ac/YrReduce Odor Complaints Moderate Installation CostImprove Water Quality



Conservation PracticesResidue Management, No Till/Strip Till Waste UtilizationNutrient ManagementIrrigation Water Management

Positive Impacts Negative ImpactsReduce Soil Erosion 2 T/Ac/Yr Labor 3/4 Hr/Ac/YrReduce Odor Complaints Costs $5/Ac/YrImprove Water Quality Reduced Crop YieldsLow Installation Cost

6. Evaluate Alternatives

Headquarters

Pasture/Hay


Conservation Planning Process7. Make Decisions

Conservation Planning Process7. Make Decisions

• The Planner Provides Information– Alternative Conservation Management

Systems

• The Client Makes an Informed Decision• The Decision is Documented

– Conservation Plan (CNMP)

Step 8Implement

Plan

Step 9Evaluate

Plan

Phase IIIApply

&Evaluate


Conservation Planning Process8. Implement Plan

Conservation Planning Process8. 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

Conservation Planning Process9. Evaluate Plan

Conservation Planning Process9. 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

Conservation Planning ProcessNRCS National Planning Procedures Handbook

NPPH Contains Guidance for Conservation Planning

• Part 600 contains CNMP Technical Guidance.

• Exhibit 15 explains the required format and content of a CNMP.

Conservation Planning ProcessStatement of Work for CNMP

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/references/

Conservation Planning ProcessStatements of Work for Conservation Practices

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/Standards/nhcp.html

Questions?


conservation planning process for cnmps cnmp core curriculum section 2 — conservation planning

Documents

conservation planning

surface water quality

water erosion rusle

surface water pollution

surface water uses

conservation practices

step nrcs planning process

rill erosion