1. Role of the Conservation Plan To provide a written framework to help the client: understand their SWAPA + H+E resources & concerns, think holistically about science-based treatment alternatives to address resource concerns, identify the best treatment to meet the needs of the land and their management objectives, comply with federal, state, and local laws & regulations, understand the specifications and maintenance requirements for selected practices. NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE The Conservation Plan North Carolina

2. Role of the Conservation Plan - continued To serve as a record of the clients decisions. To support a cost-share contract. NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE The Conservation Plan North Carolina

3. Writing for the Client Your narratives are where you communicate what the client has decided to do. Narratives are decisions -- not choices. Customizing the plan. The client must be able to understand it the next day. Use terms and words the client understands. Watch for NRCS and FOTG jargon. NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE The Conservation Plan North Carolina

4. The Plans Appearance The Plan represents your organization and you as a planner. Clients equate a professional looking plan with a technically sound product. (and visa versa!) The client will be spending a lot of money based on your plan. NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE The Conservation Plan North Carolina

6. Organizing the Plan Field office discretion on plan organization & filing -- not planner discretion. Must be consistent within office. Either 6- or 2-part folders. A tri-fold (3-part) may soon be available. With 2-part folders, normally maintain cost-share contract(s) in separate folders/files. NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE The Conservation Plan North Carolina

7. Organizing the Plan in a Six-Part Folder The Conservation Plan North Carolina Conservation Plan Map Soils Map Soils Legend & Interp.s Other Maps (Topos, etc) Cons. Plan Map Legend Decisions/Narratives Part 1Part 2 SWCD Coop. Agreement

8. Organizing the Plan in a Six-Part Folder The Conservation Plan North Carolina Part 3Part 4 Specifications (Job Sheets) Nutrient & Pest Mgt Plans Grazing Plans NC-CPA-52 Inventories, Worksheets NEPA, NHPA, etc Docum.* WHEP, Other Plan Support Engineering Designs * May only be in case file.

9. Organizing the Plan in a Six-Part Folder The Conservation Plan North Carolina Cost-Share Contracts Contract Support Documents Cons. Assistance Notes* Part 5Part 6 General Correspondence* HEL/WC Plan/Documents Envelope for archive, misc.* * May only be in case file.

10. Organizing the Plan in a Two-Part Folder The Conservation Plan North Carolina Conservation Plan Map Soils Map Soils Legend & Interp.s Other Maps (Topos, etc) Cons. Plan Map Legend Decisions/Narratives Part 1Part 2 Specifications (Job Sheets) NC-CPA-52

11. Organizing the Plan in a Two-Part Folder The Conservation Plan North Carolina Cons. Assistance Notes Case File EnvelopeClient Envelope HEL/WC Plan/Documents General Correspondence Inventories, Worksheets, Other Documentation NEPA, NHPA, etc Docum.* WHEP, Other Plan Support Inventories, Worksheets, Other Documentation NEPA, NHPA, etc Docum.* WHEP, Other Plan Support

12. Common Errors in Plans RECORD OF DECISIONS Use the current practice standards when developing conservation plans. Examples of old practice names: Conservation Tillage, Planned Grazing System, Trough or Tank. Practice narratives should be written to communicate with the landowner. Practice narratives should be written as decisions NOT recommendations or alternatives. The Conservation Plan North Carolina

13. Common Errors in Plans GENERAL Do not load up the Plan with unnecessary paper, e.g. practice standards, etc. Organize the file to communicate with the client. Check to verify that O&M information has been provided. Make sure that the plan and supporting documentation matches up. If plan says, …according to attached job sheet, then be certain to have included the attachment and completed it properly. The Conservation Plan North Carolina