1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. Agricultural Partners for Nonpoint Source Programs

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Agriculture-319 Investments (2008-2013)

9. National Nonpoint Source Agricultural Programs And Initiatives

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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:

15. NPS Program Engagement With Agriculture

16. 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.)

17. 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

18. 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:

19. Erika Larsen, Nonpoint Source Control Branch
Questions?
Erika Larsen, Nonpoint Source Control Branch