USDA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICEUSDA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERSU.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

NATIONAL PARTNERSHIPNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP

2009 National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration2009 National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration

July 24, 2009July 24, 2009

Doris Washington, NRCS Liaison to the USACEDoris Washington, NRCS Liaison to the USACE

Jeannette Baker, USACE Liaison to the NRCSJeannette Baker, USACE Liaison to the NRCS

USACE/NRCS National

Partnership Agreement

Purpose

“To promote a long term working

relationship to improve the relationship to improve the

management of water and related

natural resources under the missions and authorities of NRCS and USACE.”

US ArmyUS Army

Corps of EngineersCorps of Engineers

Integrated Water Resources Planning

NRCS Corps

Overarching Strategy in NRCS Overarching Strategy in NRCS

Strategic plan is:Strategic plan is:

To provide information and

assistance to encourage and enable

locally led, watershed-scale

conservation.

Objective 1.2 in the Corps CW Objective 1.2 in the Corps CW

Strategic Plan is:Strategic Plan is:

To support the formulation of

regional and watershed solutions to

water resources problems.

Partnership Goals

I. Mutual support of Cooperative Conservation

II. Initial Collaborative Efforts:

- Watershed planning and implementation

- Wetland creation, restoration, and enhancement

- Natural disaster recovery- Natural disaster recovery

III. Coordinate in other areas

IV. Support and encourage field implementation teams

US ArmyUS Army

Corps of EngineersCorps of Engineers

Communication and Coordination

- Promote informal coordination at all levels

- Establish points of contact by subject matter

Implementation

- Responsibilities

Other Agreement Aspects

- Responsibilities

- National/Field level involvement

- Staff support

- Exchange of goods and services

US ArmyUS Army

Corps of EngineersCorps of Engineers

Partnership ChallengesPartnership Challenges

- Timing of different processes

- Baseline condition determination

- Compatible use agreements

- Cost sharing issues- Cost sharing issues

- Using land value as cost share

- Differing program goals

- Emphasis on different benefits

US ArmyUS Army

Corps of EngineersCorps of Engineers

Potential SolutionsPotential Solutions

- Pre-Project Coordination

- Project specific Standard Operating Procedure

- Inclusive Communication Strategies

- Persistence

US ArmyUS Army

Corps of EngineersCorps of Engineers

Partnering in Ecosystem Restoration Partnering in Ecosystem Restoration

Emiquon EastEmiquon East

– Emiquon Preserve is 7,000 acres along the western bank of the Illinois River

– Approx. 6,300 acres placed in a 30 year WRP easement (WRP)easement (WRP)

– Prior to being converted to cropland, site was floodplain consisting of a complex series of backwater wetlands and lakes

US ArmyUS Army

Corps of EngineersCorps of Engineers

Emiquon EastEmiquon East

– Historic site Leveed in 1924

and purchased by TNC in late

1990s

– Enrolled in Wetland Reserve

Program 2006 with planting Program 2006 with planting

initiated in 2007 under a WRP

Restoration Plan

– Corps Feasibility started 2006

US ArmyUS Army

Corps of EngineersCorps of Engineers

Emiquon East PartnersEmiquon East Partners

Natural Resources Conservation ServiceWetland Reserve Program (WRP) funding, technical support and some restoration

The Nature ConservancyConservation planning, acquired land, key ecological attributes

U.S. Army Corps of EngineersHydrological connectivity, structural improvements

US ArmyUS Army

Corps of EngineersCorps of Engineers

Bosque River Watershed InitiativeBosque River Watershed Initiative

- Bosque River Basin entering Lake Waco is 1,652 acres

- Drinking water for 200,000+ people

- Water quality problems waste treatment facilities and agriculture

- $10 million authorized by the Water Resources Development Act of 2007)Resources Development Act of 2007)

- Requires 25% matching from landowners

- NRCS developed the Ecosystem Restoration Project Plan in August 2008

- Memorandum of Agreement signed by USACE, Ft. Worth District and NRCS State Conservationist, Texas

US ArmyUS Army

Corps of EngineersCorps of Engineers

Bosque River Watershed Initiative Bosque River Watershed Initiative

PartnersPartners

– Natural Resources Conservation Service

– U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

– Texas Water Development Board

– Texas Water Resources Institute

– Texas A&M University

– Spatial Sciences Lab– Spatial Sciences Lab

– Texas Institute of Applied Environmental Research

– Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board

– Local Soil and Water Conservation Districts

– Brazos River Authority

US ArmyUS Army

Corps of EngineersCorps of Engineers

Bosque River Ecosystem RestorationBosque River Ecosystem Restoration

- Accelerated the installation of conservation practices on conservation lands

- Improved overall quality of life within watershedof life within watershed

- Significant Cost Benefit ratio of 1:1.64. Every $1 spent will result in $1.64 in benefits to landowners and the public.

US ArmyUS Army

Corps of EngineersCorps of Engineers

Partnership Action PlanPartnership Action Plan

- Jointly Developed Document

- Identifies Collaborative Initiatives (Policy/Programmatic, Data/Tools/Training, Individual projects/Studies)

- Provides a structure of where to go next

- Mechanism to implement National Partnership Agreement

US ArmyUS Army

Corps of EngineersCorps of Engineers

20082008--20092009

Action Plan HighlightsAction Plan Highlights

- 2008 USACE/NRCS Senior Leader Review reached concurrence on Action Plan

- 2008/2009 Collaborative Training to deliver Wetland Restoration and Enhancement Course (NRCS, FWS, and USACE $30K)

- 2008/2009 Design Construction Management Proposal for Roller Compacted Concrete Lift Joint Study ($75K)

- 2008/2009 Technology Service Collaboration with HEC Flood Risk Management Tool (FRM) and HEC River Assessment System (RAS $47.5K)

US ArmyUS Army

Corps of EngineersCorps of Engineers

20082008--20092009

Action Plan HighlightsAction Plan Highlights

- 2009 Interagency Levee Task Force

- 2009 Regional Flood Risk Management Committee

- 2009 Missouri River Basin Activities (NRCS 1FTE)

- 2009 National Conference for Ecosystem Restoration Collaborative planning and participation ($70K)

- 2009 Wetland Delineation Training ($20K)

US ArmyUS Army

Corps of EngineersCorps of Engineers

Learn More About USACE/NRCS

National Partnership

– Brochure:

– Partnership Website:http://wmc.ar.nrcs.usda.gov/partnerships/COE/agreement.html

US ArmyUS Army

Corps of EngineersCorps of Engineers

Questions?

“NRCS-Helping People Help the Land”

“USACE- Ready, Relevant, Responsible, Reliable”

Contact Information

Jeannette Baker, Civil Works, USACE (703) 428-6116

Doris Washington, NWMC, NRCS, (501) 210-8910