Rhode Island State Technical Committee

January 19, 2005
USDA Conference Room
Warwick, RI

Attending:  Rob Swanson and Rosemary Edwards, FSA; Marc Cohen, ASRWWA; Mike Pezza, FSA State Committee; Judy Doerner, Mike Merrill, Eric Scherer, Vicky Drew, and Reena Shaw, NRCS; Tom Sandham, ERICD; Gregg Cassidy, RI DEM; Richard Pace and Peter Gengler, EcoAsset Markets; Tom Abbott, RI-DEM Forestry; Elizabeth Scott, RIDEM/OWR; Gina DeMarco, NRICD;  Loren Thurn, RI Agricultural Council: Ken Ayers, RI DEM, Division of Agriculture. 

Introductions, Review Agenda and Opening Comments

Judy Doerner, NRCS-RI State Conservationist, welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending.  She asked that those in attendance introduce themselves around the table.  She reviewed the agenda (attached) and asked for comments or new items.  Judy handed out a postcard mailer on the upcoming Agricultural Outlook Forum 2005 scheduled for February 24-25, 2005 in Arlington, VA.  This annual USDA Forum is an opportunity for the public to hear USDA’s early take on 2005 planting, market and trade prospects.  More can be learned by going to the web site www.usda.gov/oce/forum.

Farm Viability

Ken Ayars, Chief, RI DEM, Division of Agriculture reported that they are watching federal legislation on specialty crops where a bill has been passed by Congress and signed by the President that will provide funds to states to help fund Farm Viability grants.  The Division is working on several changes in the state regulations to allow for on farm cheese manufacturing.  Rhody Fresh is doing very well and there is an effort to also market farm fresh eggs.  The Division hopes to see movement on federal funding for a meat processing plant in the state.  Rhode Island Ag Day is tentatively scheduled for May 11^th, and Ken will be sending out more information via email.

Conservation Security Program (CSP)

Discussion:  Judy Doerner provided a quick overview of the 2005 program effort in RI.  Vicky Drew, Program manager provided a PowerPoint presentation on the structure of the program, program eligibility, how the three tiers and the enhancement payments will work.  She provided draft handouts of 2005 CSP Enhancement list with costs and the New Practice list.  The STT members reviewed both documents and offered suggestions and changes to be incorporated into the documents.  These documents, along with other program information will be placed on the RI NRCS Home webpage.

Liz Scott recommended looking at the RI 303d list and see if some water bodies could be identified along with their watersheds where nutrient impairment was an identified pollutant. She will see if staff at RIDEM can look at these impaired sites at the 8, 10 and 12 HUC levels.

Conservation Innovative Grants (CIG)

Discussion: Judy provided a fact sheet on the CIG program.  There is $15 million available for FY 2005.  This grant program is also a voluntary program and is being offered as part of the EQIP program with additional funds provided to the state.  This program is aimed at funding proposals that address resource issues on farm operations on a watershed/regional basis.  The deadline for this program is March 28^th and Judy encouraged those in attendance to consider the program, pass along the information to others and consider submitting a proposal.   More information can be found at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig.

Conservation Partnership Initiative (CPI)

Discussion:  Judy provided a handout on the CPI Fact Sheet.  This grant program has a deadline for proposals to be into the RI NRCS State Office by close of business on February 17, 2005.  Eligible grants for this voluntary program would be focused at fostering conservation partnerships that focus technical and financial resources on conservation priorities in watersheds of special significance and other geographic areas of environmental sensitivity.  The grant amounts range between $50,000 and $200,000.  Additional information on how the Initiative works can be found on the website http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cpi.  Judy discussed the proposed RI DEM Riparian Assessment/Inventory project that might be developed into a proposal for consideration again this FY.  She encouraged the Team to read over the materials and work with partners to submit any proposals that would meet the intent of the program.

Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program (FRPP)

Discussion:  Vicky announced that the FRPP RFP is out and applications are due April 5^th.  Rhode Island has $3.1 million this year for FRPP.  She handed out the RI NRCS fact sheet ”USDA Funds Available to Assist Farmland Protection Programs” to those present that contained more details.

Grassland Reserve Program

Discussion:  Vicky Drew, GRP program manager announced that Rhode Island NRCS is looking for applications for GRP.  The original deadline for application was in December, but with the amount of funding provided to NRCS this year, there was still an opportunity for applications to be submitted by March 25^th and encouraged the STT to pass the word along to those individuals and groups who might be interested.

Update of Conservation Practice Standards

Discussion:  Eric Scherer presented a list of the NRCS Engineering Conservation Practice Standards that have been reviewed and will be put into the Field Office Technical Guide for use by staff and partners.  There is still an opportunity to comment on other review drafts and they can be obtained from Eric.  Liz Scott suggested that some of the NRCS conservation practice standards could be useful in the RI Stormwater Management Manual.  Eric agreed to work with Liz to explore this possibility.

NRCS EQIP Program Public Hearing

Discussion:  Judy explained to the group that NRCS requires the states to provide periodic assessments and reviews of the state EQIP program by holding public hearings.  The intent of the hearing is to review national and state priorities and determine if they are working or is there a need for a change and what would that change be.  She suggested that the next STT meeting could be held in conjunction with this public hearing so that the STT could participate and hear comments from the public who would attend.  She also suggested providing the STT with an opportunity to participate in a field tour of sites in Rhode Island where EQIP program delivery has been provided.  It was decided to have the combined STT and EQIP public hearing on March 22, 2005 and have the tour on March 11^th.

Other Business

Rob Swanson introduced Marc Cohen from the Atlantic State Rural Water Association.  His position is funded by USDA and focuses on source water protection.  Marc covers Connecticut and Rhode Island and is looking for individuals in the state to make contact with about needs and opportunities.  It was suggested that he contact the staff at the URI working on Farm-Assist projects.  Several STT members offered contact names for him to consider.

Next Meeting:  March 22, 2005

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