Creating Partnerships: EPA R8, NRCS, and States

Why work with NRCS? NRCS has strong relationships with ag producers NRCS has strong technical expertise in areas that EPA generally does not NRCS is promoting Soil Health (reduces contaminants to streams, captures carbon, reduces soil erosion) NRCS and Region 8 EPA Share Common Goals: Protecting Water and Resources While Ensuring Viable, Sustainable agriculture NRCS has $$ Great people to work with! EPA needs NRCS more then NRCS needs EPA so it needs to be EPA’s job to keep the connection

History The region had lost our connections with NRCS state offices Some states had more of a connection, some had minimal In 2013, the Region began a concerted effort to reconnect, reinvigorate, and partner with NRCS focusing on nutrients and water quality Building off of our NWQI watersheds and seeking ways to further protect and restore 303d listed waterbodies through the 319 and TMDL program Learning from Utah NRCS office and the work combined with the state 319 program

Creating the Opportunities First, we had to get to know our NRCS counterparts and their programs Hosted a state, NRCS, EPA meeting with a one day focus on NRCS programs Initiated 2-3 times year conference calls with states and NRCS Looked for meetings and opportunities where we could connect (State Technical meetings, NACD conference, 319 taskforce, training on conservation practices, etc. ) We were open to any opportunity where we could work with and learn from NRCS Goal to develop water quality projects in each state that involved all agencies Including attending NRCS training if available and able.

Results of the Partnerships - CO Lower Arkansas River Basin (agriculture) Background – selenium, uranium, nutrients, and water quantity compact State requested EPA assistance EPA stakeholder group – sets meetings, invites stakeholders, compiles notes, facilitates CDPHE is key player for EPA EPA R8 & North Dakota NRCS rotational assignments to each office

Results of the Partnerships - CO Outcome of stakeholder meetings: State has identified local partners and funding multiple projects to research BMPs; NRCS identified additional NRCS funding for conversion to sprinklers and cover crops; Stakeholder group is facilitating a partnership between several ag producers and the state who is funding soil health (ex. cover crop seeds); watershed plan/alternative plan jointly developed

Results of the Partnerships - ND North Dakota Close communication & coordination between EPA and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDH) good working relationship between NDDH & NRCS EPA-NRCS rotational assignments in 2015 nutrient reduction and soil health focus getting to know the players

Results of the Partnerships – ND Incorporation of cost-share, EQIP, and carry-over cooperative agreement funding between NRCS and NDDH Working with soil conservation districts in their watersheds Resulting in Broad-based agricultural partnerships: Nonpoint Source 319 BMPs & NRCS conservation practices; 303(d) impairments; and TMDLs

Results of the Partnerships - SD Currently seeking to develop a joint EPA-NRCS-State nutrient reduction project Established monthly calls which continue to expand to include more partners in South Dakota Current plan is to ID watershed with a significant resource, still healthy watershed, utilize NRCS training of ag specialists to work with producers and implement Nutrient Management Plans Possibly nutrient management planning and/or soil health NRCS whole farm planning?

Lessons Learned Lead by Asking Questions and Expressing Interest in Their Agricultural Programs Meet on-site, at their location Identify areas where there is common ground and similar goals – concentrate on the win/win EPA Role - Offer to Bring Groups Together and Facilitate Discussions. Do the background pieces so that the other partners can easily and simply engage. Be Patient and Tireless – may take several years to really take off – be prepared for a winding path and enjoy even the smallest of successes along the way.

EPA Role in Engaging NRCS/States/Partners Set up the meetings and invite the players Set the table and expect over time, the table will need to expand Sit back and enjoy the potluck