National 303(d)/TMDL Webinar Series Tuesday, May 2nd, 1:00-3:00 pm EST Coordinating With Agricultural Partners Across Clean Water Act Programs National 303(d)/TMDL Webinar Series Tuesday, May 2nd, 1:00-3:00 pm EST Overview slide

Erika Larsen Nonpoint Source Control Branch Office of Water, US EPA The National Nonpoint Source Program and Engagement with the Agriculture Community Erika Larsen Nonpoint Source Control Branch Office of Water, US EPA

Outline Agricultural Partners for Nonpoint Source Programs National Nonpoint Source Agricultural Programs and Initiatives NPS Program Engagement with Agriculture and Opportunities for 303(d) Engagement Q and A

Agricultural Partners for Nonpoint Source Programs

Partners for on-the-ground agricultural projects and landowner engagement USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) National Association of Conservation Districts Soil and Water Conservation Districts Industry Service Providers: i.e. Certified Crop Advisors (CCAs) and Agricultural Retailers 4R Nutrient Stewardship Programs supported by The Fertilizer Institute, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and other partners Nonprofits and NGO’s Conservation Technology Innovation Center (CTIC) The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Watershed groups, locally led producer networks etc. State Departments of Agriculture

Forums for Agricultural Research, Coordination, Education and Science Universities Land-grant Universities Water Quality Labs Extension Service USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Professional/Scientific organizations and Coalitions: American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, Soil Science Society of America (ASA/CSA/ASA or Tri-societies) Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) Agricultural Drainage Water Management Task Force National Working Group on Cover Crops and Soil Health

USDA and §319 Agricultural Projects Are complementary with §319 and best deliver water quality results when leveraged: the two programs share goals, rely on local partners and voluntary landowner action §319 funds expand and complement USDA funds: provides planning framework and flexibility to support all aspects of watershed implementation, while USDA mainly funds cost- share for on-the-ground practices and some technical assistance The 319 program has documented ~674 waterways restored through NPS projects – USDA programs and conservation districts played important roles in about half these successes

Agriculture-319 Investments (2008-2013)

National Nonpoint Source Agricultural Programs And Initiatives

National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) Multiyear effort launched by in FY12; NRCS coordinates with EPA and state WQ agencies to address Ag sources NRCS directs portion of EQIP funds ($25-33M annually) to water quality-focused practices in small watersheds (currently 197) impaired by nutrients, sediment and pathogens from animal agriculture State agencies are monitoring water quality in at least one NWQI watershed per state While some challenges persist, NWQI continues to be an excellent opportunity to build partnerships between EPA, NRCS, State water quality agencies, and watershed partners Pilot watershed program initiated in FY17 emphasizes collaboration, conservation planning and watershed planning prior to conservation practice implementation

Hypoxia Task Force 5 Federal Agencies and Tribes: 12 State Agencies: US Army Corps of Engineers US Environmental Protection Agency US Department of Agriculture US Geological Survey National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Tribal Water Council 12 State Agencies: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Wisconsin Each state is represented by either the Agriculture, Environmental Quality, or Natural Resources agency Current Priorities Tracking progress towards our goal, Developing nonpoint source measures Priorities for Collaboration with SERA-46 Continuing to develop partnerships

HTF and Land Grant Universities Promote/Support Research and Extension Southern Extension and Research Activities committee no. 46 (SERA-46) is a formal USDA committee ~25 Researchers and extension specialists from each HTF state Land Grant University Goal is to share expertise and key information across state boundaries SERA-46 and HTF have a shared list of priorities for collaboration to address State key needs and challenges to meet HTF goal Strengthening Networks across multiple parties in the MARB Conservation Systems Research and Outreach Monitoring, Calibration and Validation EPA providing moderate grants to further this work Seeking financial support from HTF Federal Agency members and other, non- governmental sources

Agricultural grants fuel other partnerships CCAs and ag retailers are a primary source of information for farmers. EPA is enhancing water quality-focused training opportunities to these groups through a series of grants, including: Connecting certified crop advisors and conservation districts Two grants to train ag industry, CCAs and other consultants on conservation systems and watershed planning efforts that protect water quality Grant with land-grant universities to enhance understanding of soil health and water quality interactions

EPA Office of Wastewater Management’s Collaborations with Animal Agriculture General EPA’s Office of Water and the animal agriculture stakeholders are working together to protect water quality through voluntary collaborations that supplement regulatory programs.   Animal Agriculture Discussion Group To facilitate open dialogue, EPA established the Animal Agriculture Discussion Group (AADG) in 2013—an informal group of representative stakeholders from the major animal agriculture sectors (pork, poultry, beef, dairy), USDA, academia, and states. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Pork Producers Council, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, United Egg Producers, National Milk Producers Federation, Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, individual producers, and integrators are among core participants. The group convenes via meetings and calls, as well as on farms and at agricultural events around the country, to keep lines of communication open and develop a shared understanding of how to enhance agricultural practices and maintain clean water. Nutrient Recycling Challenge EPA has partnered with pork and dairy producers, USDA, and environmental and scientific experts to host the Nutrient Recycling Challenge, a competition to find affordable technologies that take nutrients from livestock manure and create valuable products. For more information, contact: Joseph Ziobro: Ziobro.Joseph@epa.gov

NPS Program Engagement With Agriculture

Enhancing EPA and State Relationships with NRCS to advance water quality results State Level: Be an active participant and stakeholder in NRCS’ decision-making process with your state agency partners Engage NRCS in a dialogue about State water quality priorities and share data and information Explore how you can partner with NRCS in other ways to advance water quality and assist NRCS when possible Other opportunities (attend field days, etc.)

Enhancing EPA and State Relationships with NRCS to advance water quality results EPA Regions and HQ Participate in NRCS meetings/site visits and include NRCS in regional meetings Engage with NRCS on water quality goals and share information on programs, training, etc. Bring in other partners of interest and form working groups where appropriate Highlight productive partnerships

Agriculture Engagement: coordination between 303(d)/TMDL and NPS programs State/regional nonpoint source programs have forged relationships with agricultural community Engage with state/regional NPS contacts: Ongoing efforts Opportunities to engage State and Regional NPS Contacts: https://www.epa.gov/nps/state-contacts-nps-programs

Erika Larsen, Nonpoint Source Control Branch Questions? Erika Larsen, Nonpoint Source Control Branch Larsen.Erika@epa.gov