FY15 IWM Practices – NRCS Programs
2014 Mississippi Delta Irrigation Summit
December 10, 2014
Stoneville, MS
Paul B. Rodrigue, NRCS, Supervisory
Engineer, Area IV (Delta)
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
(Disclaimer: Trade names/products/suppliers are used solely to provide specific information and for instructional
purposes. Mention of a trade name does not constitute a guarantee of the product by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture or any other agency or individual nor does it imply endorsement by the Department or the Natural
Resources Conservation Service over comparable products that are not named.)
CLIENT GATEWAY (coming soon to the web)
STRATEGY 5.1 - NRCS will implement a Client Service Gateway concept that utilizes a variety of technologies and
approaches to enhance customer service and increase NRCS’ efficiency in serving its clients.
When NRCS spends more time in the field, there will be an overall decrease in the opportunity to assist clients through
office telephone calls and walk-in traffic. In order to maintain customer service in a mobile-enabled business model, it is
critical that NRCS provide alternative and effective ways for clients to interact with NRCS.
The Client Service Gateway concept initially focuses around the establishment of a self-service website, but could
eventually encompass an array of technologies (telephone, kiosk, etc.) that will allow clients to perform many transactions
without direct interaction with NRCS staff. Not only will this strategy allow NRCS employees to utilize their time more
efficiently, it also presents the opportunities to provide more flexible, 24/7 services to NRCS’ growingly diverse clientele.
Key concepts for a Client Service Gateway include:
The Gateway will allow clients to enter varying levels of detail, from basic contact information to more detailed data about
their operation. The Gateway will be geo-enabled to facilitate clients to identify their area of interest or provide additional
geographic information. The Client Service Gateway will also incorporate a screening component as described in Strategy
4.2 that will assist clients to determine their basic eligibility and the applicability of NRCS technical or financial assistance
to meet their objectives. It is envisioned that the Gateway will be designed as not just an entry point for clients, but also as
a tool that NRCS staff will use to gather initial information from a client requesting assistance.
- The Client Service Gateway will be designed to clarify the relationship between technical and financial assistance, and
reinforce the focus on addressing natural resource concerns.
- The Gateway will be designed to accommodate a full range of services for the client, with flexibility to utilize the Gateway
to provide more information as their comfort level in working with NRCS in this manner grows.
FY15 How NRCS Practices can assist
Irrigation Water Management
- 587 Flowmeter (fixed or portable)
- 449 – IWM (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced) – Phaucet is a part of an IWM plan
- 449 – Irrigation Water Management Device (4 sites per contract, not depths)
(soil moisture sensor, atmometer), 1 Soil Compaction tester per
contract
- 443 – Irrigation System, Surface and Subsurface - Surge valve
- 533 – Basic, Intermediate or Advanced Pump Automation
- 442 – Sprinkler System
- conversion from furrow to overhead
- drop nozzles
(will cover each of these in more detail)
FY15 NRCS F/A programs
- be sure you have an application in for FY15
- November 21 was application cutoff for 1st ranking pool
- February 20, 2015 is application deadline for 2nd ranking pool
- 2/5 Irrigation History required for all irrigation/water conservation practices
cannot assist in bringing new land under irrigation
- Cooperator identifies irrigation history on eligible lands
must have been capable of irrigating 2 out of last 5 years
- NRCS verifies history by checking YMD permit coverage as of October
of the current year.
- YMD is here, check your coverage and if need be get it corrected for
next year. Coverage has to have been in place for the years
documented
(at least the last 2, 2014 and 2013 Irrigation seasons)
FY15 Programs
F/A Programs: possible sources of F/A
1) County EQIP: anticipate 7% reduction from FY14
- Water Quantity, Sedimentation, Grazing Land, Forestry, Animal Waste
- County Workgroup allocates funding to each resource concern and
determines ranking
2) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) – NEW for FY15
Partner Proposals in three project groups, pre-proposal
- Critical Conservation Area (2 in MS)
- Nationwide and Multi-state Projects (3 in MS)
- Single State Projects (2 in MS)
3) MS Water Conservation Management Project (MWCMP) – RISER
- Funded in in FY14 (application deadline over)
- May be funded in FY15
Note: NRCS does not provide “cost-share”. The F/A offered does not relate directly
to the cost a cooperator may incur to install/implement the Conservation Practice.
FY15 Programs
F/A Programs: possible sources of F/A
Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) – NEW for FY15
- Critical Conservation Area (3 in MS)
- Longleaf Pine (South MS)
- Delta Sustainable Water Resources (Delta)
- Tri-State Conservation Program (2 Delta Counties)
- Nationwide and Multi-state Projects (3 in MS)
- Rice Stewardship (Delta, riceland)
- Water Conservation and Migratory Bird Habitat (YMD counties)
- Pipe Planner for Furrow Irrigation
- Single State Projects (2 in MS)
- Migratory Bird Habitat Development (Delta)
- Wildlife Habitat Restoration for Wildlife and Water Resources (Delta)
- These are in the second phase of ranking, so nothing is set yet (projects or funding)
FY15 NRCS F/A programs
Major Funding Pools
- County EQIP: priorities set by Local Work Group
- Historically Underserved
- Specialty Crop
- Livestock Initiative
- Small Ruminant Farmer Initiative
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regional Conservation Partnership Program – partner proposals (mid-Jan)
- not sure yet what funding MS will have this year
- Replaces MRBI, CCPI-Delta, AWEP
- Mississippi Water Conservation Management Program
- not sure yet what funding MS will have this year
________________________________________________________________
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
- Pumping Plant Automation and Monitoring
Water Conservation/Irrg Practices
- field(s) must have been irrigated
(capable of) 2/5 last years.
- Cooperator required to provide
completed “Irrigation History” form
- Applies to all programs
(e.g. EQIP, AWEP, CCPI, Small
Farmer, etc.) and participants
(e.g. Non-HU, HU, Small Farmer,
etc.)
- Validated with YMD Coverage map
GM_440_515__F - Amend. 84 - October 2011
515.52 Land Eligibility
(5) Have irrigated two out of the last five years to
install a water conservation or irrigation-related
practice.
Work Plan Area
Areas outside of permit
coverage are not eligible
for water
conservation/irrigation
practices.
Typical issues:
- pivot corners or less than
full circle
- fields where original
coverage was never
identified or changed.
- NRCS works with hole
fields, not just specific
acres.
E.g. pads cannot be
installed on perimeter of
field that does not have
100% eligible acres.
MS Water Conservation Management Project – FY14
Irrigation Water Management; includes both per acre for management and IWM devices
(e.g. soil moisture sensors)
MS Water Conservation Management Project – FY14
Irrigation Water Management; includes both per acre for management and IWM devices
(e.g. soil moisture sensors)
NRCS F/A Programs Quick Facts
- There is no longer such a thing as “Cost-share”, only “Financial Assistance”.
- NRCS cannot estimate the cost of any practice.
- It is up to the Cooperator to determine if the F/A is adequate to assist in
implementing the practice.
- NRCS addresses Resource Concerns, and plans practices to such
- NRCS designs to the minimum needed to address the Resource Concern
- Cooperators can exceed minimums at their own expense so long as the practice
still meets specifications.
- e.g. design 410 top width 12 ft, Cooperator wants and builds 18 ft top
width pipe length and slopes must be correct for new top
width.
- e.g. design 24” diameter pipe, Cooperator wants 30”
ii, oi, embankments, slopes, Aux spillway, etc, must be correct for the 30”
Adherence to All
Laws, Regulations, and Permits
- must insure compliance if receiving USDA benefits
- HEL, SWAMPBUSTER
- State Drainage Law
- State Water Withdrawal Permits, etc.
- County Permits (e.g. landleveling)
- cultural resources, etc.
Don’t get upset at Field Office personnel,
they are just doing their job!!
Conservation Compliance
Changes mandated through the 2014 Farm Bill require them to have on file a
Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification (AD1026). The Farm Bill relinked highly erodible land conservation and wetland
conservation compliance with eligibility for premium support paid under the
federal crop insurance program.
"It's important that farmers and ranchers taking the right steps to conserve
valuable farm and natural resources have completed AD-1026 forms on file at
their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office," said Vilsack. "This will ensure they
remain eligible for crop insurance support."
For farmers to be eligible for premium support on their federal crop insurance, a
completed and signed AD-1026 form must be on file with the FSA. Since many
FSA and Natural Resource Conservation (NRCS) programs have this requirement,
most producers should already have an AD-1026 on file. If producers have not
filed, they must do so by June 1, 2015.
When a farmer completes the AD-1026, FSA and NRCS staff will outline any
additional actions that may be required for compliance with the provisions.
In addition, producers planning to conduct activities that may affect their HEL or
WC compliance, for example removing fence rows, conducting drainage
activities, or combining fields, must notify FSA by filing form AD-1026.
FSA will notify NRCS, and NRCS will then provide highly erodible land or
wetland technical evaluations and issue determinations if needed.
Civil Law of Drainage
The philosophy of this body of law is to keep the status quo at the point that water
flows across property boundaries. A landowner may change how water flows across
his own property in any way he desires. But he may not change the location at
which it exits his property nor the character of that flow.
A lower landowner is obligated to receive the natural flow of water from the higher
property and may not act to block it.
There is nothing in the law that precludes multiple property owners from banding
together for an agreement to change the drainage across their combined
properties. Once in place, the new arrangement becomes what each owner, and all
who purchase from them, must honor.
A violation of the Civil law of Drainage is a civil tort. An aggrieved party may sue for
damages and/or an injunction to have the drainage change reversed to the
condition before the change. The right to sue extends to all affected downstream or
upstream owners, not just the adjacent owner. One who changes drainage without
regard to their neighbors can learn a very expense lesson. But all states have a
statute of limitation and once the time has run without legal action, any drainage
change made becomes the natural and normal flow that owners must honor.
NRCS cannot violate Drainage Law in planning or design.
Planning
•
•
•
•
•
•
Identify Resource Concern
Determine objectives of cooperator/program
Inventory Resources
Analyze resource data
Formulate alternatives (minimum needed to address resource concern)
Evaluate Alternatives
(F/A, ease of installation, performance)
• Make decisions w/cooperator (can they complete contract with F/A offered)
• Implement plan
• Evaluate plan (what can we do better next time)
- NRCS plans for the resource concern, then matches to program/practice.
515.81 Eligible Conservation Practices
B. Ineligible Practices
Ineligible conservation practices are those:
(i) Where the sole purpose is to enhance production without an identifiable
conservation benefit.
(ii) That the producer has already adopted.
(iii) That the producer is likely to apply without EQIP financial assistance, such as:
• Land management practices that are commonly accepted and implemented by the
agricultural community, as determined by the Designated Conservationist with advice
from the Local Work Group.
• Practices a producer is required to establish as a result of a judicial or court action.
• Practices required for repeated violations as determined at the State level.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------MS Delta
- documented site visit/field survey identifies conservation need
- waivers only for 410 – classic gully, Flowmeters FY15
- adopted if started before Contract signed and Approved design provided. For FY15
you will have to sign a Design Transmittal Cover letter.
WAIVERS
- 410 Grade Stabilization - classic gully
- 587 – Flowmeter for FY15
- A waiver does not guarantee that the Cooperator will ever receive F/A.
It just keeps the practice from being considered “existing”.
EQIP
Toolkit/Protracts/Design
- payment amount may be less than the contract amount based upon final
design, implementation of practice, checkout
- Advise you to get designs/requirements before signing a contract
- be sure you can do the work required for the F/A offered
THE Practice DESIGN
- the practice DESIGN is absolute, part of contract.
- Cooperator agrees to follow by signing the EQIP contract, therefore the
cooperator needs to know what the DESIGN calls for, $$ to be paid.
- if there is deviation from the design,
FO must approve and document change(s)
- DESIGN, like standards, sets minimums and what will be paid for, if
cooperator exceeds, OK, but NRCS provides F/A for the minimums.
NEW: FY15: Design packet Cover Letter, before or at Contract signing
Applying for Programs
- Submit an Application (there are different cutoffs for various ranking pools)
- NRCS has a continuous sign-up, applications can be taken at any time
- an application may have to wait for next ranking pool cutoff or program
funding
- Applications are ranked (based on environmental benefits/program priorities)
- typically the more practices, the higher ranking
- Applications are funded according to the ranking and funding availability
(there are typically 3 to 4 times more applications than funds)
- Designs for practices are completed and the planned offered financial assistance (F/A)
is calculated
- Cooperator is offered Contract with identified F/A
- Cooperator can accept or decline
- Will you be able to meet contract requirements with F/A offered?
- Check with suppliers and contractors on estimated costs to you?
- Government Financial Assistance is an incentive payment and does not
represent a % of the actual cost the Cooperator may incur
- Cooperator signs contract – implementation must begin within 12 months
- contract must typically be completed within 24 months.
- F/A is earned up to the contact amount.
- if 100% of outlined requirements are not installed, F/A earned may be less
than shown in the contract.
FY15 EQIP Changes
(all Programs where practice is eligible)
449 – IWM – 3 Levels for FY15
- BASIC, INTERMEDIATE, and ADVANCED levels (paid after irrigation season
upon providing necessary irrigation records (e.g. irrigation record,
sensor readings, Phaucet field designs, IWM Plan, etc.)
- Cooperator developed IWM Plan required as part of Irrigation Records
(no longer a FO responsibility)
- F/A is for MANAGEMENT, this management must be documented
533 – Pumping Plant
Pump Automation – 3 levels for FY15
- BASIC – timer, float switch, or other automatic STOP
- INTERMEDIATE – remote monitoring and ability to START or STOP remotely
- ADVANCED - remote monitoring and ability to START and STOP remotely
449 – Irrigation Water Management
Acres are total IWM acres in CONTRACT
1) Basic IW M 30 acres or less (acre) – Implementation by the Cooperator of
a written IWM plan with requisite record keeping, minimum two
selected methodology, and evaluation.
2) Basic IW M more than 30 acres (acre) 3) Intermediate IW M 30 acres or less (acre) - Implementation by the
Cooperator of a written IWM plan with requisite record keeping,
minimum three selected methodology, and evaluation.
4) Intermediate IW M more than 30 acres (acre) 5) Advanced IW M 30 acres or less (acre) - Implementation by the
Cooperator of a written IWM plan with requisite record keeping,
minimum four selected methodology, and evaluation.
6) Advanced IW M more than 30 acres (acre) -
449 – Irrigation Water Management
CORE REQUIREMENTS of all IWM Levels:
1) The Cooperator is required to prepare an IWM Plan.
2) A Web Soil Survey soil map of the fields to be included.
3) Producer will irrigate using a scheduling program of their choice (i.e.
checkbook method).
4) The producer will keep records of all irrigations and all calculations that
lead to the decisions concerning irrigation.
5) The landowner will provide copies of these records of irrigation and a
written plan that evaluates the irrigation process for the season
with a proposal on what improvements will be tried for the next
season to improve the irrigation process on the contracted land.
6) This will all be submitted after harvest each season for each year of
contract.
449 - IWM
BASIC – In addition the landowner will do all the CORE plus two or more of the
following:
_____ Soil moisture will be determined by using the feel and appearance
method
_____ Irrigation volumes and times will be obtained from energy or water
district bills. All records are keep on paper and all calculations are
made by hand
_____ Weather data will be collected by use of local weather stations in the
area of the farm
_____ Software such as computer hole selection (i.e. Phaucet or Pipe Planner) is
being used to help determine more efficient ways irrigate.
_____ Furrow Diking
449 - IWM
INTERMEDIATE: In addition the landowner will do all the CORE plus three or
more of the following:
_____ Soil moisture being determined by in-field moisture sensors with data
recorders collecting data at specified intervals. The data from the
moisture sensors is downloaded manually by the operator.
_____ Manual flow measuring devices either permanent or portable are used to
obtain irrigation flows and volumes applied throughout the growing
season. Some digital readings are being recorded such as the soil
moisture devices but manual downloads are required
_____ Either electronic or written record for each irrigation cycle, duration and
volume will be recorded for each field under contract
_____ Weather station will be installed at the field level and records of
temperature, rainfall and wind will be manually collected.
_____ Surge valve will be utilized to build soil water profile to benefit plant water
use and decrease soil erosion
_____ Software such as computer hole selection (i.e. Phaucet or Pipe Planner) is
being used to help determine more efficient ways irrigate.
_____ Furrow Diking
449 - IWM
ADVANCED: In addition the landowner will do all the above plus four or more of the
following:
_____ Soil moisture being determined by in-field moisture sensors and relayed
back to the landowner via telemetry.
_____ Permanent flow measuring devices are used to obtain irrigation flows and
volumes applied throughout the growing season. Digital readings are
being recorded and data sent via telemetry
_____ Weather station will be installed that digitally records temperature, rainfall and wind
and sent data via telemetry
_____ Software such as computer hole selection (i.e. Phaucet or Pipe Planner) is
being used to help determine more efficient ways irrigate.
_____ Water levels in the reservoir/tailwater pit or combination of will be measured with the
data being obtainable through digital recorders and sent via telemetry.
_____ Remote starts to pumps have been installed or will be in the first year of
contract and this will be started in the second year and landowner will
have the ability to operating the pumps from cell phone or personal computer.
(telemetry)
_____ Surge valve will be utilized to build soil water profile to benefit plant water use and
decrease soil erosion
_____ Fuel levels of the pump are recorded and sent via telemetry
_____ Furrow Diking
449 – IWM Device
- Soil Moisture Sensor
- manual
- recording
- telemetry
4 field sites per contract (not sensor depths)
- Soil Compaction Tester – ONE per contract
- IWM Device: OTHER - with Area Engineer approval (e.g. atmometer)
533 – Pump Automation
BASIC
- The power unit can be stopped based upon a timer, water level sensor,
or other IWM type device (typically does not apply to Center Pivots).
INTERMEDIATE
- Remote Start or Stop is required for ALL Intermediate Pump Automation.
This system requires telemetry.
_____ Diesel Engine Control/Monitoring ( 533 Intermediate required)
- The power unit can be stopped or started remotely.
- The RPM can be monitored remotely.
- Engine shutdown times can be set to occur automatically.
- Alert criteria can be set that provides specific conditions in which to shut
down the engine and/or notify the operator of problems on their
cell phone or other identified electronic device (e.g. tablet).
- Monitoring of other power unit parameters - dashboard (rpm, energy
consumption, oil pressure, etc.). 2 or more unit parameters must
be monitored.
533 – Pump Automation
ADVANCED
- Remote Start and Stop is required for ALL Advanced Pump Automation.
This system requires telemetry.
_____ Diesel Engine Control/Monitoring ( 533 Advanced required)
- The power unit can be stopped and started remotely.
- The RPM can be monitored and changed remotely.
- Engine shutdown times can be set to occur automatically.
- Alert criteria can be set that provides specific conditions in which to
shut down the engine and/or notify the operator of problems on their
cell phone or other identified electronic device (e.g. tablet).
- Monitoring of other power unit parameters - dashboard (rpm, energy
consumption, oil pressure, center pivot location, etc.). 3 or more
unit parameters must be monitored.
442 – Sprinkler
1) Center Pivot System: surface to
overhead system
- 0.30 in/day design requirement,
alternating drops, wobble/rotator
type nozzles
2) Renovation of existing sprinkler
system
- installation of drops, mounted to
outside trusses, alternating sides
(to decrease instantaneous
application rate, in/hr)
443 – Surge Valves
- Surge valve and controller
- to decrease tailwater requirement,
increase opportunity time for infiltration
(3 siphon tubes, then 2 tubes, then 1 tube)
Picture credit: growingmagazine.com
587 – Flowmeters
- fixed or portable flowmeter
- manual read
- recording
- telemetry
Pads and Pipes, Landleveling
356 – DIKE (pads) – minimum 1.5 ft above field elevation (not tail ditch) on
bottom of field
587 – Structure for Water Control (flashboard riser pipes) – inlet cannot be set
more than 0.5 ft (0.75 ft for zero grade) below field elevation (not tail
ditch). Pipe can be sunk in ground if outlet permits, and steel plate
welded on from to set inlet.
464 – Landleveling – if used with 436 – Delta Tailwater Pit, 436 yardage must be
taken out of landleveling yardage. Otherwise National Office considers
it “double-paying” for yardage.
464 is not a stand alone practice, must be used in conjunction with 356/587.
587 – Structure for Water Control
- reduced PR for FY15 for pipe practices
- Risers will have boards installed to design winter flood depth from Nov.1Feb.15 as a minimum. Additionally, for risers installed under water
quantity, boards will be in place to design elevation during active
irrigation (flood, furrow, pivot, etc.).
554 – Drainage Water Management has separate, distinct requirements.
Irrigation Water Management
Begins
With
Flow Measurement
(flowmeter)
QUESTIONS
Thank you for your diligent, hard work and efforts on
behalf of the Delta’s Resource Concerns!
Natural Resources Conservation Service