Natural Resources Conservation Service “Helping People Help the Land” June 8, 2016

“Helping People Help the Land” Natural Resources Conservation Service Over 80 years of service Started in 1935 as the Soil Conservation Service during Dust Bowl era – Primary focus on wind and water erosion – Goal was to retain and improve productive soils Renamed NRCS in 1994 – Conservation leader for all natural resources, including soil, water, air, plants, and animals – Focus on ensuring private lands are conserved, restored, and made more resilient

“Helping People Help the Land” Natural Resources Conservation Service Operates on private lands, directly with producer, landowner, or land manager Technical assistance – conservation planning and implementation Financial assistance – cost-share incentive payments and easement purchases

“Helping People Help the Land” Natural Resources Conservation Service – Over 10,000 employees in over 2,800 locations – NHQ/Centers/State Offices/Service Centers/Support Offices – Service centers in almost every county – Chief/Associate Chiefs/Regional Conservationists – NHQ Offices under direction of Deputy Chief – States operate under direction of State Conservationist

“Helping People Help the Land” Natural Resources Conservation Service Combination of discretionary and mandatory funding – FY16 discretionary funding = $1.024 billion One-year, two-year, no-year – FY16 mandatory funding = $3.322 billion One-year, four-year, no-year Non-appropriated transfer from CCC

“Helping People Help the Land” Natural Resources Conservation Service Discretionary Programs Conservation Operations Account - $851M – Conservation Technical Assistance Program – Soil Survey – Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasts – Plant Materials Centers Watershed Account – $157M – Watershed Operations Program – Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations Program – Emergency Watershed Protection Program

“Helping People Help the Land” Natural Resources Conservation Service Discretionary Programs Watershed Rehabilitation Program - $12M Water Bank Program - $4M Healthy Forests Reserve Program

“Helping People Help the Land” Natural Resources Conservation Service Mandatory (Farm Bill) Programs Financial Assistance Programs – Environmental Quality Incentives Program - $1.53B – Conservation Stewardship Program - $1.23B – Regional Conservation Partnership Program - $93M – Agricultural Management Assistance Program - $5M Easement Program – Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – $419M

“Helping People Help the Land” Natural Resources Conservation Service Mandatory (Farm Bill) Programs Watershed Rehabilitation Program Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentives Program Wetlands Mitigation Banking Program Conservation Reserve Program (TA only) - $47M

“Helping People Help the Land” Natural Resources Conservation Service Mandatory (Farm Bill) Programs Repealed Programs – Agricultural Water Enhancement Program – Chesapeake Bay Watershed Program – Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program – Grasslands Reserve Program – Wetlands Reserve Program – Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program Authority to complete implementation of existing contracts

“Helping People Help the Land” Natural Resources Conservation Service Mission Support Services Human Resources Procurement & Property Financial Management

“Helping People Help the Land” Natural Resources Conservation Service Mission Support Services Old Model – Each State performed its own HR, P&P, and FM activities Personnel actions Obligations and payments – Mission Support staff reported to State Conservationist – NHQ provided policy guidance and oversight – Challenge – potential for 51 different ways to operate

“Helping People Help the Land” Natural Resources Conservation Service Mission Support Services New Model – National service delivery branches perform HR, P&P, and FM activities for entire agency Local support teams interact with service branches Transactions, including personnel actions, obligations, and payments, centralized – Mission Support staff reports to Associate Chief for Operations through CxOs – NHQ continues to provide policy guidance and oversight

“Helping People Help the Land” Natural Resources Conservation Service Mission Support Services New Model – Advantages Single way to operate within support areas Efficiencies gained through specialization and expertise Transactions, including personnel actions, obligations, and payments, centralized Better controls and oversight

“Helping People Help the Land” Natural Resources Conservation Service Mission Support Services FM Service Delivery Branches – Accounts Payable – Accounts Receivable – Travel/Timekeeping/Meeting Management – Budget Support Services P&P Service Delivery Branches – Contract Services – Grants & Agreements Services – Personal Property Services – Real Property Services HR Service Delivery Branches – Performance and Compensation Services – Staffing & Workforce Management Services

“Helping People Help the Land” Natural Resources Conservation Service “If we take care of the land, it will take care of us.” - Hugh Hammond Bennett