Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Listening
Session
Discussion: Vicky Drew, NRCS-EQIP Program Manager, provided a brief
history of EQIP introduced in the 1996 Farm Bill and re-authorized in the 2002
Farm Bill. Vicky attracted audience attention to the four National Priorities
posted in the conference room and passed out a handout.
• Water Quality
• Air Quality
• Soil Erosion
• Wildlife Habitat
Vicky asked attendees to consider the following questions:
• What emerging natural resource issues are not addressed by the current
national EQIP priorities?
• What modifications, if any, are needed to the four existing National
priorities? Do the existing priorities continue to reflect the critical national
resource needs and concerns? Should more or less emphasis be placed on these
priorities?
Vicky passed out the Rhode Island USDA-NRCS EQIP ranking criteria identifying
how Rhode Island is addressing National Priorities. The criteria are a
combination of national and local concerns.
Eric Scherer, NRCS, passed out
a Current National Priorities worksheet and addressed each of the four National
Priorities in detail. He asked each of the attendees to consider what they know
about Rhode Island resources and identify those which are higher priority items.
Water Quality
Discussion:
Kris
Stuart, SRICD, asked if the emphasis was on impaired watersheds. Liz Scott, RI
DEM, commented that RI 303d list does not identify sediment and pesticides in
water bodies. She noted that water bodies are currently only assessed for
nutrients and bacteria. She agreed that emphasis should be placed on impaired
water bodies. She noted that most of the waterways in Rhode Island have not been
assessed and data does not exist. Vicky Drew stated that “pathogens” should be
added to the national priorities as the #1 cause of impairment to water quality
in Rhode Island. The discussion continued regarding the distance of agricultural
activity to a water body as a concern. Vicky noted that Rhode Island EQIP
ranking considers distance in terms of level of severity. Further discussion
included danger to shell beds and public drinking water.
Paul Nunes, RI Producer, commented that public education on causes of impairment
to water quality was needed. He identified homeowners’ lawn care practices as
possible areas of concern. Eric Scherer recommended that our partner agencies
might be better prepared to provide education outreach; what NRCS does is one
part of the solution. He believes that the public unfairly places responsibility
on agriculture for producing the problem. The recommendation was made to promote
organic “style” principles in home lawn care using the growing popularity of
organic products as an incentive. Liz mentioned emphasizing the means within the
national priorities rather than focusing on goals. Vicky noted that measures to
achieve the National Priorities are included in the EQIP Manual. Loren Thurn, RI
Agriculture Council, noted for the record that IPM does more than organic and
the focus should be on sustainable practices.
Judy Doerner redirected the discussion to energy. Eric Scherer agreed that
energy is an important concern and should be added to the national priorities
list. The discussion centered on bio-fuel production and use. The focus is
shifting away from fossil fuels as new technologies are developed. Judy asked
how important energy is relative to the national priorities. Eric pointed out
that alternate fuel may or may not impact the Air Quality national priority.
Paul Nunes recommended USDA play a role in educating farmers on alternative
energy. Eric clarified bio-fuels and cost savings recommending interested
producers review the Energy Calculator on the NRCS National website. The Energy
Calculator is currently available only in “Draft” form.
Tom Sandham, ERICD, brought up the number of trips a producer takes across a
field and the importance of sustainable agriculture measures.
Air Quality
Discussion: Eric noted that air quality was a larger concern in the
western United States due in part to tilling and burning. Rhode Island lacks a
means to measure air quality in terms of agricultural practices. Richard Pace,
EcoAsset Markets, indicated the regional greenhouse gasses study might provide
some information. All agreed that emphasis should be placed nationally not
locally. Ken Ayers agreed that the most agriculture can do to improve air
quality is plant cover crops.
Soil Erosion
Discussion: Eric introduced soil erosion national priority. Richard Pace
asked Liz about sediment in Narragansett Bay. Liz remarked that sediment was
present in the Bay, but that it difficult to determine the source. She believed
it more likely from storm water from road sanding practices. She agreed that
sedimentation in Rhode Island rivers is the result of RI sandy soils. Tom
Sandham see the larger problem as invasive wildlife (geese) feeding on cover
crops planted to decrease soil erosion. Tom introduced the problem of invasive
species as a possible national priority. Greg Mannesto suggested harvesting the
geese. The discussion continued on geese and manmade soil erosion. All agreed
that manmade erosion is no longer a problem in Rhode Island.
Habitat
Discussion: Eric introduced the concept of habitat for at-risk species.
Currently, Rhode Island does not have many threatened or endangered species;
however, there are several “other species of concern” within the state. Kevin
Cute raised a point about aquatic invasive plant species and whether agriculture
plays a role. Once again, invasive species was asserted as a primary concern in
Rhode Island.
EQIP Listening Session Conclusion
Discussion:
Vicky Drew, Program Manager, passed out a
national and local Resource Concerns Checklist for attendees to evaluate current
listed concerns identifying them as “high,” “medium,” or “low” concern. She
noted that she would bring the three additional concerns to the attention of the
national office:
• Pathogens
• Energy
• Invasive Species
Attendees were asked to complete (including their comments and recommendations)
the Current National Priorities Checklist and the Resource Concerns Checklist
and return for compilation. Findings from the compilation will be forwarded to
the national office.
Farm Viability
Discussion: Ken Ayers, Chief, RI DEM, Division of
Agriculture, reported on the progress recently made in Rhode Island for federal
grants in agriculture. Ken described the success of the Agricultural Tourism
seminar earlier this month and the excitement expressed by Rhode Island’s
agriculture community. Ken indicated further progress has been made on promoting
Rhode Island beef and poultry and there is the possibility of a local operating
meat processing facility for locally raised meat products. Additionally,
progress has also been made on local cheese manufacturing. Ken announced that
four additional Farm Markets would be in operation this season bringing the
state total to 24 Farm Markets. He said local interest in direct marketing in
Rhode Island was increasing. Ken announced the upcoming Annual Agriculture Day
at the State House is tentatively scheduled for May 11, 2005.
Agricultural Management Assistance Program
(AMA)
Discussion: Vicky Drew,
Program Manager, introduced attendees to the AMA ranking process and passed out
the AMA ranking handout. She informed the group that past AMA ranking worksheets
have historically favored irrigation concerns, but this year would attempt to
focus on reducing wildlife damage to crops, i.e., deer fencing. Vicky pointed
out that there are three primary sections for AMA ranking:
• Deer Damage
• Pond and Irrigation
• Diversification
Farmers were asked to provide data for the percent of deer damage over the past
three years. Farmers were also asked to indicate whether they were granted an RI
DEM special permit to hunt deer. Bonus points will be awarded to farmers with a
Business Plan.
Ken Ayers asked whether damage to cover crops was included in the crop damage
review. Vicky indicated that it was not specifically addressed.
Ranking will take place in April for AMA, EQIP, Grassland Reserve Program (GRP),
and Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP).
Grassland Reserve Program (GRP)
Discussion: Judy
introduced GRP as an easement program that allows for the purchase of
development rights or long term leases on grasslands that are 5 acres or more.
Vicky Drew, Program Manager, described the mowing restrictions that are causing
reduced interest by some landowners. Vicky indicated the primary concern of GRP
is to protect grasslands from development and conversion to non-grassland uses;
the secondary concern is to protect habitat. Eric Scherer described the proposed
Rhode Island approach to habitat protection. NRCS Biologist Andy Lipsky will
assess each parcel for GRP in terms of wildlife habitat, specifically nesting
birds. Andy’s analysis will be part of the comprehensive conservation plan for
the grassland parcel. Detailed discussion resulted from Eric’s announcement.
Greg Mannesto expressed grave concern about grassland mowing and the impact on
wildlife habitat.
Tom Sandham expressed concern about invasive plant species in terms of the
mowing restrictions. He would like consideration of invasive plant species to
part of the comprehensive conservation plan and mowing practices. The decision
was made to give bonus points to landowners who agree to “multiple resource
protection,” i.e., including wildlife habitat protection. Judy rejected Greg’s
request to play a decisive role in developing conservation plans for wildlife.
The decision was made to allow Andy Lipsky to assess and develop conservation
plans for wildlife.
The first round for applying ended December 15, 2004 with no applications
received. The next round ends March 25, 2005. Currently, four GRP applications
have been received.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Policy
Discussion: Vicky
passed out the “draft” EQIP policy for review. The EQIP Policy reflects past
State Technical Team (STT) decisions with the exception of the shaded areas on
the handout. The STT was asked to review the handout and provide feedback on the
shaded areas to Vicky. Stabling operations that do not also produce a product do
not qualify for funding in EQIP.
Conservation Security Program (CSP)
Vicky announced that CSP was an opportunity for producers in Scituate Reservoir
and Pocasset Watersheds that they would likely not have again for eight years.
The CSP application process includes completion of a lengthy workbook by the
producer and a two to three hour interview with NRCS staff. CSP sign up starts
March 28, 2005 and is open for 60 days, closing May 27, 2005.
Other Business
Eric Scherer passed out the complete list or resource concerns including
measures and severity. He asked the STT to review for discussion at a future
meetings. Judy asked for STT feedback on the Tour that took place March 11,
2005.
Next meeting: May 25, 2005.
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