NRCS Action Plan for Fish, Wildlife

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NRCS Action Plan for Fish, Wildlife and Wetlands
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Everything we do on the land affects Fish and
Wildlife!
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Fish and Wildlife-Associated Recreation Partici
pants 82 million Expenditures 108 billion
Hunting and fishing expenditures 57
billion Wildlife Watching Expenditures 38
billion
USFWS 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting,
and Wildlife-Associated Recreation
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1996 Farm Bill Emphasized Wildlife
2002 Farm Bill Reemphasized Wildlife!
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1996 Wildlife Scoping Team products
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Framework for the Future Goals (1996) 1.
Implement wildlife-related agency policy 2.
Expand the role of biologists in the
planning process 3. Marketing and training to
incorporate wildlife into planning 4. Use
partnerships to enhance wildlife planning
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1996
Barriers I. Staffing II. Setting
Priorities III. Training IV. Tools V.
Administrative VI. Client Concerns VII. Single
Resource Planning Focus
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Many actions have been taken to address issues
and barriers, while many others remain.
Fish and wildlife and wetlands technology
development has been the focus of the Wildlife
Habitat Management Institute, and Wetland Science
Institute, and Watershed Science Institute
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December, 2003
Chief Knight called together a new task force to
review NRCS fish, wildlife and wetlands needs.
NHQ WHMI WSI OE WSSI IAFWA USFWS WMI WHC NFWF PF
NRCS Field/State
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Primary needs were identified and prioritized

• Initial charge was technology and training
  needs
• However
• Issues related to program management and
  policy were also addressed

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General Needs

• Technology development and training
• Need a better understanding of fish and
  wildlife response to farm bill programs
• Need to increase training to improve wildlife
  assistance in conservation planning

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General Needs

• Policy and program management
• Need to consider fish and wildlife in all
  aspects of planning
• Need biological input in planning
• Need to work closely with partners,
  particularly state agencies and NGOs
• Need for NRCS leadership to fully embrace
  wildlife
• Need to develop policy and manage programs to
  maximize fish and wildlife benefits

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178 specific needs (31 high-priority)
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Technology needs addressed by WHMI 1997-2004
Projects funded 70 Products produced
63 Products nearing completion 15 Products
in the Pipeline 34
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178 specific needs (31 high-priority)
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Action Plan
From the 31 highest priority needs, 11 action
items were prioritized
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High Priority Actions
1. Assess the impact of all practices supported
by conservation programs on fish and wildlife.
Action Continue efforts of WHMI via the
Wildlife and Wetland Technology Teams to document
fish and wildlife response to conservation
practices.
Action Ensure CEAP captures fish and wildlife
effects.
Technology development
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High Priority Actions
2. In response to the Administrations net
wetland gain initiative, improve the timeliness
and effective-ness of wetland restoration,
enhancement, and creation practices on WRP
acreage.
Action Quantify restoration backlog on enrolled
lands.
Action Identify and remedy program delivery
constraints, including additional TA funding
needs, to maximize wetland functions on WRP.
Policy and management
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High Priority Actions
3. Develop and implement the management
infrastructure necessary for NRCS
easement programs.
Action Continue to provide states with easement
management assistance and training.
Action Acquire easement management expertise
within NRCS NHQ to provide assistance to states.
Policy and management
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High Priority Actions
4. Revise or develop state-level strategic plans
for WHIP operation and ranking process to focus
on highest priority wildlife needs.
Action Issue national guidance to require
states to focus program on highest priority
wildlife needs and develop implementation plans
accordingly.
Policy and management
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High Priority Actions
5. Provide flexibility for managing vegetation
(in CRP) to maximize wildlife habitat quality,
including necessary treatments during the nesting
season.
Action Work with FSA to develop guidance that
allows greater management flexibility for the
purpose of maximizing wildlife habitat quality.
Policy and management
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High Priority Actions
6. Continue to develop and evaluate wetland
restoration, enhancement, and creation technology
to maximize wetland benefits from WRP.
Action Continue to refine and develop wetland
technology, including evaluation of completed WRP
projects.
Technology development
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High Priority Actions
7. Continue emphasis on wetland hydrology
restoration, enhancement, and creation (for WRP).
Action Continue to refine wetland hydrology
restoration technology.
Action Review and evaluate implementation of
hydrology restoration technology.
Technology development
Policy and management
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High Priority Actions
8. Provide strong national leadership to ensure
EQIP addresses fish and wildlife concerns.
Action Issue national policy to require states
to develop EQIP ranking factors and other program
elements to maximize fish and wildlife benefits
Action Maximize fish and wildlife benefits in
selection of Conservation Innovation Grants
Policy and management
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High Priority Actions
9. Require biology job approval authority for
biology-related practices (e.g., wetland
restoration, creation and enhancement, wildlife
upland management, and wildlife wetland
management).
Action Issue national policy that requires
field staff to demonstrate appropriate skills
before being authorized to plan, design and
approve certain biology practices.
Policy and management
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High Priority Actions
10. Institutionalize regional wildlife habitat
restoration and management courses in NEDC.
Action Charge NEDC and TSCs to develop and
offer regional training courses on fish and
wildlife habitat restoration and management.
Policy and management
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High Priority Actions
11. Expand work with partners to supplement
limited funding and utilize biological expertise
of partner organizations.
Action Issue national guidance to emphasize
working with partners to implement WHIP.
Action Involve partners in TSP process.
Action Participate in fish and wildlife
professional societies.
Policy and management
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Action items for the remaining high-priority fish
and wildlife needs are included in the Action
Plan.
Administration and Agency Issues and
Initiatives Program Needs WHIP CRP
WRP EQIP GRP Field Office Tech Guide
Needs General Training Needs General Technology
Needs Partner Concerns
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