View source for Conservation Effects Assessment Project

{{short description|United States government project}}
The '''Conservation Effects Assessment Project''' ('''CEAP''') was established in 2002 to quantify the environmental impact of the [[United States Department of Agriculture]]'s (USDA) conservation program.<ref name=autogenerated3>[http://www.jswconline.org/content/63/6/590.short The Conservation Effects Assessment Project benchmark watersheds: Synthesis of preliminary findings]</ref>  The project focuses on how [[Drainage basin|watersheds]] are affected.<ref name=autogenerated2>[http://ascelibrary.org/heo/resource/1/jhyeff/v12/i2/p173_s1?isAuthorized=no http://ascelibrary.org/heo/resource/1/jhyeff/v12/i2/p173_s1?isAuthorized=no]</ref>  CEAP monitored 14 benchmark watershed sites.<ref name=autogenerated3 />  The CEAP's vision is to enhance "[[natural resource]]s and healthier [[ecosystem]]s through improved conservation effectiveness and better management of agricultural [[landscape]]s.<ref name=autogenerated1>[https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/nri/ceap/index.html Conservation Effects Assessment Project | Technical Resources | NRCS] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110118032313/http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/nri/ceap/index.html |date=2011-01-18 }}</ref>  The goal is "to improve efficacy of [[water conservation|conservations]] practices and programs by quantifying conservation effects and providing the science and education base needed to enrich conservation planning, implementation, management decisions, and policy."<ref name=autogenerated1 />

[[File:Lygodium microphyllum in Loxahatchee.jpg|thumb|A conserved watershed in the United States]]

==Soil Water Assessment Tool==
The Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) is supported by the USDA [[Agricultural Research Service]].  It is a [[drainage basin|river basin]] scale model used to quantify the impact of land management practices in large watersheds. This tool is located in Grassland, Soil and Research Laboratory in [[Temple, Texas]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://swatmodel.tamu.edu/ |title=SWAT: Soil and Water Assessment Tool |access-date=2011-02-21 |archive-date=2010-06-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100614065114/http://swatmodel.tamu.edu/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Sustaining the Earth's Watersheds-Agricultural Research Data System==
Sustaining the Earth's Watershed-Agricultural Research Data Systems (STEWARDS) was created by a group called the Watershed Assessment Studies a team within the CEAP.<ref>[http://arsagsoftware.ars.usda.gov/stewards/] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101219062047/http://arsagsoftware.ars.usda.gov/stewards/ |date=December 19, 2010 }}</ref>  STEWARDS is a system that consists of a database to allow users to search and analyze various watershed conditions. The anticipated benefits include data preservation, faster data access, and improved ability to collaborate research between watersheds.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://rfflibrary.wordpress.com/2008/12/12/stewards-sustaining-the-earths-watersheds-agricultural-research-data-system/ |title=STEWARDS: Sustaining the Earth’s Watersheds, Agricultural Research Data System « RFF Library Blog |access-date=2011-04-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826040037/http://rfflibrary.wordpress.com/2008/12/12/stewards-sustaining-the-earths-watersheds-agricultural-research-data-system/ |archive-date=2011-08-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Watersheds affected==
{{Prose|section|date=May 2011}}
*Mahantango Creek Experimental Watershed in Pennsylvania
*Reynolds Creek Experimental Watershed in Idaho
*Little River Experimental Watershed in Georgia
*Little Washita River Experimental Watershed in Oklahoma
*Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed in Arizona<ref name=autogenerated2 />

==Partnerships==
{{Prose|section|date=May 2011}}
Lead USDA agencies
*[[Natural Resources Conservation Services]] (NRCS) which works to reduce soil erosion while also enhancing water supplies and improving water quality.<ref>[https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ NRCS Conservation Programs | NRCS]</ref>
*[[Agricultural Research Service]] which is the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s research department.<ref>[http://www.ars.usda.gov/aboutus/aboutus.htm ARS : About ARS]</ref>
*[[National Institute of Food and Agriculture]] another section of the USDA.<ref>[http://www.nifa.usda.gov/about/about.html About NIFA] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430000305/http://www.nifa.usda.gov/about/about.html |date=2011-04-30 }}</ref>
*[[Farm Service Agency]](FSA), a government agency that equal serves farmers, ranchers and agricultural partners through agricultural programs that benefit all Americans.<ref>[http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=about&subject=landing&topic=ham History and Mission]</ref>
*[[U.S. Geological Survey]] (USGS)is an impartial science organization that provides the public with information on the ecosystems and environment.<ref>[http://www.usgs.gov/aboutusgs/ About USGS]</ref>
*[[United States Fish and Wildlife Service]] a bureau within the [[Department of the Interior]] their goal is to conserve and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants.<ref>[http://www.fws.gov/help/about_us.html About the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]</ref>
*USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) is the primary source for economic information and research within the USDA.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ers.usda.gov/AboutERS/ |title=ERS/USDA - About ERS |access-date=2011-04-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110428122253/http://www.ers.usda.gov/AboutERS/ |archive-date=2011-04-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[USDA Forest Service]] manages national forests and public grasslands.<ref>[http://www.fs.fed.us/aboutus/ US Forest Service - About Us]</ref>
*[[U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]] (EPA)'s mission is to protect the environment as well as human health. They ensure that federal laws to ensure human and environmental health are implemented and enforced.<ref>[http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/whatwedo.html Our Mission and What We Do | About EPA | US EPA]</ref>
*[[U.S. Bureau of Land Management]] (BLM), makes sure that the water in the watersheds is clean and that there is an adequate supply.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/more/soil2/water.html |title=Water |access-date=2011-04-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125052054/http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/more/soil2/water.html |archive-date=2012-01-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] (NOAA), focuses on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere, it is a federal agency.<ref>[http://www.noaa.gov/about-noaa.html NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - About NOAA]</ref>

Additional partners
*International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies is the point place for state fish and wildlife agencies. The represent the state agencies on Capitol Hill on important conservation and management policies.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fishwildlife.org/index.php?section=focus-areas |title=The Voice of Fish & Wildlife Agencies: Focus Areas |access-date=2011-04-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218232902/http://www.fishwildlife.org/index.php?section=focus-areas |archive-date=2010-12-18 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Soil and Water Conservation Society]] (SWCS) is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization. They advocate for science-based practice, programs, and policy and conservation professionals.<ref>[http://www.swcs.org/en/about_swcs/ Soil and Water Conservation Society - About SWCS]</ref>
*[[The Nature Conservancy]] protects the land and water in order to preserve the plants, animals, and natural communities.<ref>[http://www.nature.org/aboutus/visionmission/index.htm Vision & Mission | The Nature Conservancy] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425134150/http://www.nature.org/aboutus/visionmission/index.htm |date=2011-04-25 }}</ref>
*[[The Wildlife Society]] addresses national and international issues that effect current and future North American wildlife. The society is made up of professional wildlife conservationists.<ref>[http://joomla.wildlife.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=117&Itemid=299 The Wildlife Society - Position Statements] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704124842/http://joomla.wildlife.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=117&Itemid=299 |date=2011-07-04 }}</ref>
*[[Land-grant university|Land-grant colleges and universities]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite web |title=CEAP |url=https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Technical/nri/ceap/ |accessdate=2007-11-01 }}
* {{cite web |title=Natural Resources Conservation Service |url=https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/ |accessdate=2007-11-06 }}
* {{cite web |title=Conservation Effects Assessment Project Bibliographies |url=http://wqic.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=7&tax_level=3&tax_subject=595&topic_id=2422&level3_id=6990&level4_id=0 |accessdate=2007-11-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091211042402/http://wqic.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=7&tax_level=3&tax_subject=595&topic_id=2422&level3_id=6990&level4_id=0 |archive-date=2009-12-11 |url-status=dead }}
*{{cite web |title=Conservation Effects Assessment Project |url=https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/nri/ceap/index.html |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110118032313/http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/nri/ceap/index.html |archivedate=2011-01-18 }}
{{Refend}}

{{ES Government}}
{{USDA agencies}}

[[Category:Irrigation in the United States]]
[[Category:United States Department of Agriculture programs]]