Rhode Island State Technical Team (STT) Meeting notes

April 5, 2007
USDA Conference Room
Warwick, RI

Attending: Rob Swanson, FSA; Roylene Rides at the Door, Michael Moorman, J. Eric Scherer, RI NRCS; Ken Ayars, RI DEM Division of Agriculture; Michael Pezza, State Committee, FSA; Tom Sandham, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District: Tom Abbott, RI DEM, Division of Forest and Environment; Elizabeth Scott, RI DEM Office of Water Resources; Gregg Cassidy, RI DEM, Office of Sustainable Watersheds; Marghertia Pryor, US EPA: Stu Nunnery, RICAPE.

Introductions, Review Agenda, and Opening Comments

Roylene Rides at the Door, NRCS-RI State Conservationist, welcomed everyone and introduced the new Assistant State Conservationist for Programs, Michael Moorman and asked that attendees introduce themselves. Roylene told the Team members that Mike has responsibility for all Farm Bill programs (EQIP, EQIP-CIG, WHIP, FRPP, AMA, GRP) and the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP). She indicated that Joe Bachand, Resource Conservationist will be working for Mike and will be providing program assistance to field staff on a one-on-one basis to assist them with contract, policy and procedural issues.

Fiscal Year 07 Budget and Farm Bill Updates

Roylene provided a brief update on the RI NRCS FY 07 Financial Assistance budget (see handout). She indicated to the Team that USDA, NRCS will continue to operate under a Continuing Resolution for the remainder of the fiscal year (until September 30, 2007).

She indicated that the funds levels for WHIP might change due to a recent request to states for fish passage projects that could be funded out of a national fund of $ 5 million and currently RI NRCS staff are pulling together the requested information to be submitted by this coming Monday to our National Office. This could potentially mean an additional increase to RI’s WHIP allocation of up to $1 million.

Roylene also presented a handout (attached) for “Key Program Dates” for FY 07 programs. The states have a very short turn around time on several key programs, particularly the Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP). Availability of funds for this program was just recently announced and proposals are due April 27th. The June 1st deadline for all WHIP and EQIP applicants to be in our system (Protracts) with signed agreements/contracts is critical, because the national office will ‘sweep’ all un-obligated funds from states at this time for redistribution to states with contracts ready to be funded.

Roylene mentioned that she is still working with the RI State Conservation Committee (SCC) and the three Conservation Districts on signing an agreement for the SCC to administer Rhode Island’s state Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) effort. An agreement is being drafted for review by the SCC next week and it is hoped that a Request for Proposals (RFP) will be forthcoming in the near future. This year RI’s CIG will be making available $178K to applicants. The National CIG has been out and closed to applications earlier this year.

ACTION ITEM: The STT members are encouraged to review the national CIG guidelines (website: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig/) to become familiar with many of the requirements that will appear in the State CIG when the RFP is issued.

Roylene asked Eric Scherer to provide to the Team members with a briefing on the Rapid Watershed Assessment (RWA) effort that RI NRCS is hoping to utilize in its watershed and area-wide planning process. Eric explained that RI NRCS hoped that by adopting this ‘broad brush assessment’ process, and by working in conjunction with our state, local, federal and NGO partners, RI might be able to better identify resource needs and concerns at a level that could then lead to more detailed plan development with action items. This might include identification of programs, staff and fund to be used in addressing resource issues and concerns. The following information was copied off of the national NRCS RWA website (http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/rwa/) and examples of a RWA and guidelines are on the site. NRCS has invited its National Water Management Center (NWMC) to come to RI for a presentation on how RWAs can be developed, “lessons learned” and recommendations to improving the RWA process. They are looking at demonstration on the Pawcatuck River watershed (10 digit HUC) to show how a RWA can be developed.

Overview

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is encouraging the development of rapid watershed assessments in order to increase the speed and efficiency generating information to guide conservation implementation, as well as the speed and efficiency of putting it into the hands of local decision makers.

Background Information

Rapid watershed assessments provide initial estimates of where conservation investments would best address the concerns of landowners, conservation districts, and other community organizations and stakeholders. These assessments help land-owners and local leaders set priorities and determine the best actions to achieve their goals.

These assessments are conducted by watershed planning teams traveling through each watershed, meeting with landowners and conservation groups, inventorying agricultural areas, identifying conservation opportunities and current levels of resource management, and estimating impacts of these opportunities on the local priority resource concerns. This concept closely mirrors what has been used in the Klamath Basin.

Benefits of these Activities

While these rapid assessments provide less detail and analysis than full-blown studies and plans, they do provide the benefits of NRCS locally-led planning in less time and at a reduced cost. The benefits include:

Quick and inexpensive plans for setting priorities and taking action
• Providing a level of detail that is sufficient for identifying actions that can be taken with no further watershed-level studies or analyses
• Actions to be taken may require further Federal or State permits or ESA or NEPA analysis but these activities are part of standard requirements for use of best management practices (BMPs) and conservation systems
• Identifying where further detailed analyses or watershed studies are needed
• Plans address multiple objectives and concerns of landowners and communities
• Plans are based on established partnerships at the local and state levels
• Plans enable landowners and communities to decide on the best mix of NRCS programs that will meet their goals
• Plans include the full array of conservation program tools (i.e. cost-share practices, easements, technical assistance)

Eric passed out a publication (attached) of the RI RC&D Area on “The RI River and Stream Continuity Project”. This project is an example of the outcome of a RWA. Ideally, the RWA would indicated that one of the 10 didgit HUC watershed resource concerns would be wildlife (fisheries) habitat issue (blocked stream crossings for trout) and as a result of a request by clients (in this case the Wood-Pawcatuck River Watershed Association and Trout Unlimited) would be to develop a watershed plan (at the 12 digit HUC) to address the issue. And as a result of this planning effort, staff and funding resources (TU, WPWA, NRCS) are identified to address the resource issues.

Action Item: Eric will invite STT members to the RWA demonstration by the NWMC for the third week of April to gather their input into the process and explore opportunities and benefits of this process.

FY 07 Farm Bill Updates

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

Mike Moorman discussed the draft NRCS RI Bulletin No. 300-7-XX, “Ranking Break Point for EQIP and WHIP FY 2007 Applications (attached). This draft bulletin was sent out several weeks ago to the STT members to review for use in the FY 2007 application ranking process. Mike explained the range of ranking points for EQIP and the recommended ‘cut off’ point for approval of applications for non-forestry management practice and for forestry management only applications. A question rose on the overall ranking score of an application must be in the 80% level. Mike clarified this point (item 2 for EQIP non-forestry management practices). He agreed to make sure this point was clear in an edit of the Bulletin.

ACTION ITEM: Mike will edit item no 2 of the EQIP non-forestry Management Practice section to clarify only those applications that rank within the top 80% of the total points attainable will be considered for funding. It should be noted that even though an application ranks in the top 80%, it will be funded only if funds are available.

Mike Moorman continued to update the Team members on the current status of EQIP applications, using a handout (attached with change in funding amount), showing total Financial Assistance funds allocated to RI, the number of applications submitted (eight were deemed to be ineligible for one reason or another), the number that have been ranked at the 1240 point cut off level, the counties represented by applications and aggregate funding by county. Because not all applications have been finalized with cost estimates, the total amount of funds obligated may raise above the $2.3 million level.

Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)

Mike reviewed the RI Bulletin 300-7-XX for the WHIP program and a handout (attached) on the FY 2007 WHIP applications status.
A question was asked by the Team about input/comments provided at the last STT meeting on the ranking tool. Staff indicated that these comments were valuable and staff reviewed the tool to include most all of the comments and recommendations. The updated ranking tool was requested to be sent out to the STT for a second review once the updates were posted. A copy of the EQIP ranking criteria can be found on the website (http://www.ri.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/EQIP.html). It was also mentioned that the FY 2007 cost list in on this website.

Mr. Moorman mentioned that for FY 2008 Program the national office is developing a new tool for costing of conservation practices called a “Payment Schedule”. This is being done as a result of a recommendation by the (Congressional) Office of Management and Budget (OMB) based upon an audit of our Farm Bill programs. Payments Schedules will be conservation practice based, may have 1 to 5 scenarios per practice (e.g. deer fencing, permanent fencing- wire, permanent fencing – wood, temporary fencing), each with its own unit price payment schedule. This new system will eliminate the need to collect receipts and invoices from clients, reduce paperwork and assist in a more uniform costing system across program areas.

Wetland Reserve Program (WRP)

There are some large projects in the works using WRP funds and due to a “new” interpretation of the policy for WRP, additional riparian areas in the state can be considered eligible for easements and restoration funds. This new interpretation of policy allows for those existing and potential wetland areas that are connected by riparian corridors to now consider the corridor as eligible lands. Joe will be working with staff and partners on getting this information out.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program - Conservation Innovation Grants (EQIP - CIG)

Mike Moorman provided some additional background on the CIG state proposal for FY 2007 and answered some general question (including amount of funds available - $178,000 for FA for FY 2007). He indicated that more information would become available once the agreement with the SCC was signed. Again, members were encouraged to look at the national website. Liz Scott asked about the funding of innovative technology like fish waste from hatcheries and it treatment through land application. The NRCS staff mentioned that a similar discussion was held with DEM Fish and Wildlife and Hatcheries staff about a year ago during a discussion on Deer control strategies and that this in fact would most likely be an eligible concept as it could apply to private land owners engaged in an land-based aquaculture operation. CIG allows state agencies and universities to apply for CIGs if the proposal meets/addresses the requirements listed in the RFP.

ACTION ITEM: Mike will send out to Team members the state RFP when it becomes available.

Grassland Reserve Program (GRP)

GRP funds were not reauthorized for FY 2007. Currently there is only one GRP contract still open and it will need to be completed this fiscal year of funds will be recovered by the national office.

Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA)

AMA funds were not reauthorized for FY 2007. There are several five year contracts still open that will need to completed or cancelled this year, otherwise these funds will be recovered by the national office.

Wetland Reserve Program (WRP)

All current WRP projects are on target. Several of the Team members wanted to know more about how WRP works. It was mentioned that Mike Moorman will holding a WRP briefing/informational session with staff from CRMC. Staff from DEM was interested in a session also.

ACTION ITEM: Mike will be setting up a WRP briefing/informational session with CRMC and will contact DEM staff (Ken Ayars / Liz Scott?) to set up one for DEM staffs. Mike will be asked to provide a handout on WRP to all STT members and possibly see if they might be able to attend the DEM briefing.

Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP)

Mike Moorman handed out a copy of the announcement “USDA Funds Available to Assist Farmland Protection Programs”. This document provides a summary of key changes to the FY 2007 announcement of funds availability.

Ken Ayars asked for clarification on the second highlight in the document concerning eligible farmland meeting prime farmland and national and state historic designations and it was mentioned that FRPP could consider either, together or separately. This lead to more discussion on looking at those site with historical significance only where the site is not currently being actively farmed. Ken mentioned that other sections of RI DEM had applications for land preservation that would not qualify for RI ALPC funding because they are not actively being farmed, but did have a historical use for farming and might be considered as national and/or state historical sites. Ken will follow up with DEM staff on this. Roylene discussed the use of FRPP funds for culturally significant sites by American Indians and ow flexible the program is.

Mike indicated that there is a short turn around time on the application for FRPP funds and that there may not be a backlog of applications ready to for FY 2007, especially based upon the need to close on easements within 18 months of funds being committed. A discussion on the possibility of increasing open contracts to the 50% cost share level occurred and Mike will be looking into this.

ACTION ITEM: Mike Moorman will follow up soon with Ken on the idea of RI DEM submitting applications for FRPP funds for sites that might qualify.

Farm Viability

Ken Ayars reported that Rhode Island Ag Day is set for May 22nd at the State Capital this year and encouraged all to get the word out and to attend.

ACTION ITEM: Eric Scherer will contact NRCS Public Affairs Specialist and the RC&D Coordinator to make sure they have the date and are considering being at Ag Day again.

Ken announced that the inaugural event for the first RI Agricultural Hall of Fame will be at this year’s RI Ag Day.

Ken mentioned the success of the first year’s effort of the Rhody Warm blanket and the due to some recent press, advanced orders are coming in and new growers are expected to participate in hopes to keep up with requests.

The Farm to School program is going well, this program bring local, farm fresh produce directly to the public schools in Rhode Island.

This year the Division of Ag is expecting approximately 30 Farmers Markets to be open around the state.

The meat processing effort (according to Tom Sandham) is going well (first shipment is out), the members are now working with a Vermont butchering operation. The group is looking at how they can do more direct marketing to the public. One retail store is now selling locally produced beef.

Rhode Island Center for Agriculture Promotion and Education (RICAPE)

Stu Nunnery, Executive Director, RICAPE, provided an update on the FARM WAYS program, and that they expected to have another successful Tour RI 2007 bus tour of ag operations this summer with 55 riders going to three farms – each of which has benefited from NRCS programs. See the following website for more information: http://www.rifarmways.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/activities.detail/locID/17/index.htm.

RICAPE is applying for a Rural Business Enterprise Grant this year to develop an economic impact study of RI's farms engaged in alternative enterprises. They will be exploring data and information beyond what NASS traditionally collects to identify what other factors can be employed when assessing farm operation viability including Ag tourism factors.

The Children’s Garden Network has received 40 grant applications and seven grants will be awarded for the 2007 term. A second phase of the program is being developed to provide services and such to other interested schools. Roylene mentioned NRCS’s interest is providing plant materials assistance to RI schools through the Children’s Garden Network and is connecting RICAPE to our regional Plant Materials Center in Cape May who is developing a program with Future Farmers of America and other young adult groups.

Stu asked that partners consider providing any information on their programs and other activities of interest to the farming community to be sent to him so they can be included in the RI FarmWays website back office.

Stu passed out copies of a publication, Edible Rhody that has recently been launched as part of a national franchise called Edible Communities. This new publication will focus on farms, food production and consumption. Stu also passed out a copy of the Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) Annual Marketing Publication in which RI FarmWays is one of the program highlighted.

Mr. Nunnery also mentioned a newsletter which emanates from the RI FarmWays website. Called the Fence Post, to date more than 300 folks from around RI and several other states have subscribed and beginning in May will receive a monthly edition focused on seasonal RI FarmWays events and activities.

Stu mentioned that there is a new therapeutic riding operation - The Turning Pointe - in Ashaway, RI located on Ramrod Farm on Collins Road that may be interested in some technical assistance from NRCS if not already receiving it. The Director is Laura Pointek. He asked if NRCS could follow up.

ACTION ITEM: Eric Scherer will contact NRCS district conservationist and request follow up on this opportunity.

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