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Natural Resources Conservation Service: Difference between revisions
Natural Resources Conservation Service (view source)
Revision as of 23:28, 28 December 2024
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==History== | ==History== | ||
The agency was founded largely through the efforts of [[Hugh Hammond Bennett]], a [[soil conservation]] pioneer who worked for the [[United States Department of Agriculture|Department of Agriculture]] from 1903 to 1952.<ref name="Cook">{{cite web|last=Cook|first=Maurice|title=Hugh Hammond Bennett: the Father of Soil Conservation|url=http://www.soil.ncsu.edu/about/century/hugh.html|work=Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences|publisher=North Carolina State University|access-date=30 September 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720122812/http://www.soil.ncsu.edu/about/century/hugh.html|archive-date=20 July 2011}}</ref> Bennett's motivation was based on his knowledge of the detrimental effects of [[soil erosion]] and the impacts on U.S lands<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/history/bennett.html |title=Biography of Hugh Hammond Bennett |publisher=NRCS |access-date=2008-01-10 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227103851/http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/history/bennett.html |archive-date=2007-12-27 }}</ref> that led to the [[Dust Bowl]] in the 1930s. On September 13, 1933, the Soil Erosion Service was formed in the [[United States Department of the Interior|Department of the Interior]], with Bennett as chief. The service was transferred to the Department of Agriculture on March 23, 1935, and was shortly thereafter combined with other USDA units to form the Soil Conservation Service by the [[Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act]] of 1935.<ref>Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act, P.L. 74-46, {{USStat|49|163}}, {{USC|16|590(e)}}, April 27, 1935.</ref><ref name="archives">{{cite web |url=https://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/114.html |title=Records of the Natural Resources Conservation Service |publisher=[[NARA]] |access-date=2008-01-10 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071207195045/http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/114.html |archive-date=2007-12-07 }}</ref> | The agency was founded largely through the efforts of [[Hugh Hammond Bennett]], a [[soil conservation]] pioneer who worked for the [[United States Department of Agriculture|Department of Agriculture]] from 1903 to 1952.<ref name="Cook">{{cite web|last=Cook|first=Maurice|title=Hugh Hammond Bennett: the Father of Soil Conservation|url=http://www.soil.ncsu.edu/about/century/hugh.html|work=Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences|publisher=North Carolina State University|access-date=30 September 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720122812/http://www.soil.ncsu.edu/about/century/hugh.html|archive-date=20 July 2011}}</ref> Bennett's motivation was based on his knowledge of the detrimental effects of [[soil erosion]] and the impacts on U.S lands<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/history/bennett.html |title=Biography of Hugh Hammond Bennett |publisher=NRCS |access-date=2008-01-10 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227103851/http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/history/bennett.html |archive-date=2007-12-27 }}</ref> that led to the [[Dust Bowl]] in the 1930s. On September 13, 1933, the Soil Erosion Service was formed in the [[United States Department of the Interior|Department of the Interior]], with Bennett as chief. The service was transferred to the Department of Agriculture on March 23, 1935, and was shortly thereafter combined with other USDA units to form the Soil Conservation Service by the [[Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act]] of 1935.<ref>Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act, P.L. 74-46, {{USStat|49|163}}, {{USC|16|590(e)}}, April 27, 1935.</ref><ref name="archives">{{cite web |url=https://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/114.html |title=Records of the Natural Resources Conservation Service |publisher=[[NARA]] |access-date=2008-01-10 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071207195045/http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/114.html |archive-date=2007-12-07 }}</ref> | ||
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===NRCS National Ag Water Management Team=== | ===NRCS National Ag Water Management Team=== | ||
(AGWAM) | National Ag Drainage Water Management Team (AGWAM) serves 10 states in the Midwest United States in helping to reduce [[nitrate]] levels in soil due to runoff from fertilized farmland. The project began in 2010 and initially focused on the Mississippi Basin area. The main goal of the project is to implement better methods of managing water drainage from agricultural uses, in place of letting the water drain naturally as it had done in the past. In October 2011, The National "Managing Water, Harvesting Results"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/water/manage/?&cid=stelprdb1045304 |title=Ag Water Management Summit | NRCS |publisher=Nrcs.usda.gov |access-date=2013-10-31 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104122714/http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/water/manage/?&cid=stelprdb1045304 |archive-date=2013-11-04 }}</ref> Summit was held to promote the drainage techniques used in hopes of people adopting them nationwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/water/?cid=nrcsdev11_000182 |title=Water Management | NRCS |publisher=Nrcs.usda.gov |access-date=2013-10-31 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104121137/http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/water/?cid=nrcsdev11_000182 |archive-date=2013-11-04 }}</ref><ref>https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/FY2013-Ag-DWM-Progress-Report-to-Leadership.pdf</ref> | ||
====Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting==== | ====Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting==== | ||
Includes water supply forecasts, reservoirs, and the Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI) for Alaska and other Western states. NRCS agents collect data from snowpack and mountain sites to predict spring runoff and summer streamflow amounts. These predictions are used in decision making for agriculture, wildlife management, construction and development, and several other areas. These predictions are available within the first five days of each month from January to June.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/water/snowsurvey |title=USDA NRCS - Natural Resources Conservation Service |publisher=Nrcs.usda.gov |access-date=2013-10-31 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105082759/http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/water/snowsurvey/ |archive-date=2013-11-05 }}</ref> | Includes water supply forecasts, reservoirs, and the [[Surface Water Supply Index]] (SWSI) for Alaska and other Western states. NRCS agents collect data from snowpack and mountain sites to predict spring runoff and summer streamflow amounts. These predictions are used in decision making for agriculture, wildlife management, construction and development, and several other areas. These predictions are available within the first five days of each month from January to June.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/water/snowsurvey |title=USDA NRCS - Natural Resources Conservation Service |publisher=Nrcs.usda.gov |access-date=2013-10-31 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105082759/http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/water/snowsurvey/ |archive-date=2013-11-05 }}</ref> | ||
===Conservation Technical Assistance Program=== | ===Conservation Technical Assistance Program=== | ||
(CTA) | [[Conservation Technical Assistance Program]] (CTA) is a blanket program which involves conservation efforts on soil and [[water conservation]], as well as management of agricultural wastes, erosion, and general long-term sustainability. NRCS and related agencies work with landowners, communities, or developers to protect the environment. Also serve to guide people to comply with acts such as the Highly Erodible Land, Wetland (Swampbuster), and Conservation Compliance Provisions acts. The CTA can also cover projects by state, local, and federal governments.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/technical/cta/?&cid=nrcs143_008365 |title=Purpose of the CTA Program | NRCS |publisher=Nrcs.usda.gov |access-date=2013-10-31 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104121001/http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/technical/cta/?&cid=nrcs143_008365 |archive-date=2013-11-04 }}</ref> | ||
===Gulf of Mexico Initiative=== | ===Gulf of Mexico Initiative=== | ||
[[Gulf of Mexico Initiative]] is a program to assist gulf bordering states (Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas) improve water quality and use sustainable methods of farming, fishing, and other industry. The program will deliver up to 50 million dollars over 2011–2013 to apply these sustainable methods, as well as wildlife habitat management systems that do not hinder agricultural productivity, and prevent future over use of water resources to protect native endangered species.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/home/?&cid=stelprdb1046039 |title=Gulf of Mexico Initiative | NRCS |publisher=Nrcs.usda.gov |access-date=2013-10-31 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104121133/http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/home/?&cid=stelprdb1046039 |archive-date=2013-11-04 }}</ref> | |||
===International programs=== | ===International programs=== | ||
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=== Soil === | === Soil === | ||
There is a long history of the federal Soil Survey Program,<ref>{{cite web |title=Soil Survey |url=https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/soils/survey/ |access-date=2020-11-01 |publisher=NRCS}}</ref> including federal scientists and cooperators working through the [[National Cooperative Soil Survey]] (NCSS).<ref>{{cite web |title=National Cooperative Soil Survey |url=https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/soils/survey/partnership/ncss/ |access-date=2020-11-01 |publisher=NRCS}}</ref> Soil survey products include the ''Web Soil Survey,''<ref>{{cite web |title=Web Soil Survey |url=https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx |access-date=2020-11-01 |publisher=NRCS}}</ref> | There is a long history of the federal Soil Survey Program,<ref>{{cite web |title=Soil Survey |url=https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/soils/survey/ |access-date=2020-11-01 |publisher=NRCS}}</ref> including federal scientists and cooperators working through the [[National Cooperative Soil Survey]] (NCSS).<ref>{{cite web |title=National Cooperative Soil Survey |url=https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/soils/survey/partnership/ncss/ |access-date=2020-11-01 |publisher=NRCS}}</ref> Soil survey products include the ''Web Soil Survey,''<ref>{{cite web |title=Web Soil Survey |url=https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx |access-date=2020-11-01 |publisher=NRCS}}</ref> | ||
the ''NCSS Characterization Database''<ref>{{cite web |title=National Cooperative Soil Survey Soil Characterization Database |url=https://ncsslabdatamart.sc.egov.usda.gov/ |access-date=2020-11-01 |publisher=NRCS}}</ref> and many investigative reports and journal articles.<ref>{{cite web |title=NRCS Soils |url=https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/soils/home/ |access-date=2020-11-01 |publisher=NRCS}}</ref> In 2015 NRCS began broad support of | the ''NCSS Characterization Database''<ref>{{cite web |title=National Cooperative Soil Survey Soil Characterization Database |url=https://ncsslabdatamart.sc.egov.usda.gov/ |access-date=2020-11-01 |publisher=NRCS}}</ref> and many investigative reports and journal articles.<ref>{{cite web |title=NRCS Soils |url=https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/soils/home/ |access-date=2020-11-01 |publisher=NRCS}}</ref> In 2015 NRCS began broad support of soil health, which incorporates less tillage and more cover crops to reduce erosion and improve the diversity of the soil.<ref>{{cite web |title=Soil Health |url=https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/soils/health/ |access-date=2020-11-01 |publisher=NRCS}}</ref> Information is maintained in the [[SSURGO|Soil Survey Geographic database]] (SSURGO) dataset.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/survey/geo/?cid=nrcs142p2_053627 |title=Description of SSURGO Database |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website=nrcs.usda.gov |publisher=NRCS |access-date=February 18, 2021 |quote=}}</ref> | ||
===Water=== | ===Water=== | ||
Water pollution related to agricultural practices is addressed in several NRCS programs which provide financial and technical assistance.<ref>{{cite web |title=Water |url=https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/water/ |access-date=2020-11-01 |publisher=NRCS}}</ref> Nutrient pollution caused by excessive nitrogen and phosphorus in farm surface runoff depletes oxygen levels and creates algal blooms in lakes, streams and rivers, harming aquatic life.<ref name="Oenema">{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/j.jhydrol.2004.07.044 |volume=304 |issue=1–4 |title=Effects of lowering nitrogen and phosphorus surpluses in agriculture on the quality of groundwater and surface water in the Netherlands |year=2005 |journal=Journal of Hydrology |pages=289–301 |last1=Oenema |first1=Oene |last2=van Liere |first2=Lowie |last3=Schoumans | first3=Oscar|bibcode=2005JHyd..304..289O }}</ref> Excessive sedimentation and pathogens from agricultural pollution can also have major impacts on water quality, and some NRCS projects focus on these problems with land owners and their water systems. | |||
==== Water management ==== | ==== Water management ==== | ||
The practice of water management focuses on the efficiently controlling the flow of water while causing the least amount of damage to life and property.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web |url=https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/water/manage|title=USDA NRCS - Natural Resources Conservation Service<!-- Bot generated title -->|website=usda.gov|access-date=8 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502091305/https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/water/manage/|archive-date=2 May 2018}}</ref> This helps to provide protection in high risk areas from flooding. | The practice of water management focuses on the efficiently controlling the flow of water while causing the least amount of damage to life and property.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web |url=https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/water/manage|title=USDA NRCS - Natural Resources Conservation Service<!-- Bot generated title -->|website=usda.gov|access-date=8 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502091305/https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/water/manage/|archive-date=2 May 2018}}</ref> This helps to provide protection in high risk areas from flooding. Irrigation management is the most efficient way to use and recycle water resources for land owners and farmers.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Drainage management is the manipulation of the sub-surface drainage networks in order to properly disperse the water to the correct geographical areas.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/water/manage/?&cid=nrcs143_010853 |title=Drainage | NRCS |publisher=Nrcs.usda.gov |access-date=2013-10-31 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104120958/http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/water/manage/?&cid=nrcs143_010853 |archive-date=2013-11-04 }}</ref> The NRCS engineering vision is constantly making improvements to irrigation systems in a way that incorporates every aspect of water restoration.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/?ss=16&navtype=SUBNAVIGATION&cid=STELPRDB1042824&navid=120160210000000&pnavid=120160000000000&position=Feature*&ttype=detail&pname=Conservation%20Engineering%20Division%20|title=Conservation Engineering Division (CED) | NRCS|publisher=Nrcs.usda.gov|access-date=2013-10-31|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108003130/http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/?ss=16&navtype=SUBNAVIGATION&cid=STELPRDB1042824&navid=120160210000000&pnavid=120160000000000&position=Feature*&ttype=detail&pname=Conservation%20Engineering%20Division%20|archive-date=2016-01-08}}</ref> | ||
==== Water quality ==== | ==== Water quality ==== | ||
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== Supported organizations == | == Supported organizations == | ||
=== Great Basin Plant Materials Center === | |||
(NACD) | [[Great Basin Plant Materials Center]] (GBVPMC)''',''' based in Fallon, Nevada<ref>{{cite web|title=Great Basin Plant Materials Center|url=http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/nvpmc/|work=USDA NRCS|access-date=22 October 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008234758/http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/nvpmc/|archive-date=8 October 2010}}</ref>, was established in 2006. It serves Nevada, California, and parts of Utah and Oregon. The center's main purpose is to combat the damage done by invasive plant species in the area, which have greatly damaged ecosystems in the Great Basin. They also aid in restoring ecosystems damaged by fires, [[climate change]], drought, or other natural disasters. The centers provide native plants to help restore these damaged areas. They also work on developing plant organisms and technologies that are suited for the dry, high salt content soil of the area.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/nvpmc/ |title=Great Basin Plant Materials Center | NRCS Plant Materials Program |publisher=Plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov |access-date=2013-10-31 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104121138/http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/nvpmc/ |archive-date=2013-11-04 }}</ref> | ||
=== National Association of Conservation Districts === | |||
[[National Association of Conservation Districts]] (NACD) is a non-profit agency that serves 3,000 conservation districts across the United States. There are about 17,000 individuals who serve on the governing boards of conservation districts. Local conservation districts work with landowners to help manage land and water resources. The mission of NACD is to provide leadership and a unified voice for natural resource conservation in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nacdnet.org/about/index.phtml|title=About NACD|publisher=Nacdnet.org|access-date=2013-10-31|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020055920/http://www.nacdnet.org/about/index.phtml|archive-date=2012-10-20}}</ref> The NACD grew in the 1930s from a statewide operation in Oklahoma, and many independent districts, to a unified National organization in 1946. | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*[[Conservation technical assistance]] | *[[Conservation technical assistance]] | ||
*[[Honey Hollow Watershed]] | *[[Honey Hollow Watershed]] | ||
*[[Resource Management System]] | *[[Resource Management System]] | ||
== References == | == References == | ||