United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service		 Maryland Go to Accessibility Information
Skip to Page Content




Maryland State Technical Committee

July 22, 2009

Assistant State Conservationist (ASTC) for Programs Mark Rose welcomed 20 members of the State Technical Committee (STAC) on behalf of State Conservationist (STC) Jon Hall. Mr. Hall was attending a meeting at national headquarters. Members introduced themselves.

Subcommittees

Nutrient Management – Bill Angstadt presented a report of the group’s June 16th meeting and provided minutes for distribution. The subcommittee’s recommendations were sent to Jon Hall prior to this meeting. Their recommendations included the following:

  • Continue to identify high priority areas.
  • Set up small group workshops for poultry growers beginning September, 2009, to develop Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans (CNMP) utilizing a model from California.
    • Lynne Hoot announced that the Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts (MASCD) is submitting a Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) for this endeavor.
  • Continuation of the poultry litter alternative use practice.
  • NRCS should set up and deliver a “summit” to address use exclusion targeting Frederick and Washington counties.
  • Explore the opportunities to provide 100 percent for structural practices.

Mark Rose and Tom Morgart thanked the group for their work. Feedback and progress on recommendations will be discussed at the next STAC meeting.

Forestry – Dan Rider reported for Subcommittee Chair Steve Koehn. The group met on July 9, 2009. Mr. Rider shared the following highlights:

  • State Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI) grant was submitted for invasive species.
  • An inter-agency Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is nearing completion.
  • Developing a unified document for Forest Stewardship Plans – Section 106.
  • The subcommittee plans to highlight training needed to become a Technical Service Provider (TSP). Currently, there are no registered TSPs for forestry plans.
  • Investigating the State law which does not allow “stacking” multiple programs for cost-share.

Tom Morgart advised the group that USDA, NRCS has defined “non-industrial private forestland.”

Local Work Groups

Tom Morgart handed out minutes of the Upper Shore Local Workgroup Meeting. The resources staff’s comments/responses to the workgroup’s recommendations were highlighted in italics.

Mark Rose asked the STAC to encourage other local work groups to meet and send their suggestions/recommendations to Jon Hall.

Resources

Living Fences – The MD NRCS Resources Staff discussed this potential practice presented by Mark Dixon of McInnis Agroforestry at the April 22nd meeting. Anne Lynn, State Resource Conservationist, said that her investigation indicated that there is not an approved NRCS technical specification for a “living fence;” therefore, cost-share cannot be provided. Elmer Dengler, NRCS State Grazing Specialist, offered to contact his contact with National Agroforestry. Mr. Dixon was also encouraged to review Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) criteria as he may wish to apply.

Programs

Mark Rose announced that the “sweep date” for current year funds is scheduled for August 15th. NHQ will pull back dollars that have not been utilized for applications.

Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) – Tom Morgart reported that applications totaling $342,000 of Maryland’s $342,175 allocation have been selected for funding. Thirty-three (33) percent of these applications have been obligated. There are over $120,000 in applications that have not been funding. We have requested additional funding from headquarters.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) – Maryland received an allocation of $6,857,483. We have selected applications to fully utilize these funds with $458,000 being held for State CCPI and Conservation Innovative Grants (CIG). Thirty-three (33) percent of these applications have been obligated.

National Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI) – National headquarters selected a proposal from the Pinchot Institute to link ecosystem markets on the Delmarva through the Bay Bank ($25,000 in 2009). Producers will sign up for conservation practices and work with partners to evaluate their operation for potential sale of carbon or nutrient credits.

Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative (CBWI) – Applications for Maryland’s $1,285,085 have been selected for funding. One percent of these have been obligated. There are 199 unfunded applications with a calculated value of $4.2 million and offices are still receiving applications. At this time, no additional funds are available from NHQ. MD State Technical Advisory Committee Page 3 July 22, 2009

State Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI) Grants – Maryland selected a proposal from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Service ($93,000 for 2009) to control invasive species to restore native plant communities. Producers will apply for selected forestry practices and other practices through this program.

Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP) – Tiffany Laws reported that we have selected $167,000 in applications for funding. The remaining $324,550 will be returned to headquarters for states with unfunded applications.

Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GRP) – Ms. Laws advised that Maryland did not receive funding to fully fund the 10 applications we received. The goal is to fully fund the rental agreements and partial easement applications received. Mark Rose added that rate caps have been provided to the STAC for comment.

Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) – States have been given limited information on this new program. In preparation for the start of CSP, Maryland has identified the following priority resource concerns: air quality, soil erosion, soil quality, water quality, and water quantity.

CSP will provide supplemental payment to participants that agree to adopt resource-conserving crop rotations to achieve beneficial crop rotations. In coordination with Delaware, Maryland has chosen corn – wheat – soybeans.

Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) – Mark Rose provided information on the “geographic rate cap” for STAC review. They were developed utilizing a market analysis completed in 2009. The process for a review of the 09 market analysis is in process.

Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP) – Maryland has received $4 million in funding and two (2) applications for seven (7) properties which can all be funded if eligible. Those applications are from the Lower Shore Land Trust and the Eastern Shore Land Trust.

Federal Register notes are posted for comment for the FRPP program until August 3rd.

New Business

NRCS is holding a National Listening Session on Conservation Programs at the Regional Conservation Meeting on July 27 in Solomons, Maryland. Handout was provided by Carol Hollingsworth.

Carol also noted that comment is open on NRCS’ general delivery system until August 11th. See National NRCS homepage.

Lynne Hoot advised us that MASCD will be holding TSP training on October 19th. MD

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Field Day co-sponsored by NRCS will be held on September 12th.

Next Meeting – The next STAC meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, 2009, 9:00 AM to Noon, site to be determined.

< Back to State Technical Committee