Can we talk about CSGs some more

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Can we talk about CSGs some more?
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Purpose of this Presentation This is not
intended to be educational. but rather to
raise issues and questions...
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• The role of conservation planning in NRCS
• Historically its been the basis for our technical
  assistance.
• Its the product for the NRCS technology
  delivery system.
• Lots of organizations do natural resource
  planning. Whats the difference?

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• The role of conservation planning in NRCS
  contd
• The concept of quality criteria and the
  inherent objective related to sustainability.
• Conservation planning is who we are.
• Conservation planning is complex. It integrates
  the technology from a number of disciplines, and
  identifies a strategy to address both the needs
  of the land and the objectives of the client.

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• The role of conservation planning in NRCS
• A FUNDAMENTAL TRUTH (according to me) To do
  planning right is a complicated, time-consuming
  process. Automating our assessment tools,
  developing planning software, streamlining
  program rules, developing 14,000 CSGs for each
  field office, having eFOTG and digital
  orthophotography on-line, having TSPs do the
  work, (add your own) will NOT change that
  fact.

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• So, with respect to RMS planning
• Are we doing it?
• Are we even supposed to be doing?
• Does anyone up there know what were doing?
• Is it even possible to do it?

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• ISSUE 1 Plans versus Policy
• My informal survey results when I asked some
  peers about RMS planning (you dont want to
  know)

Is NRCS doing conservation planning according to
policy? (should we tell anyone?)
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• ISSUE 2 What is RMS Planning?
• Confusion over requirements for an RMS plan
  versus a progressive plan. What does the NPPH
  say?
• Does leadership understand the policy regarding
  RMS plans versus progressive plans?
• (Do we want them to?)

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• ISSUE 3 What are the expectations?
• RMS is no longer a goaled performance measure.
• Direct charge.
• Accountability
• Has the Agencys expectation for
• conservation planning changed?
• (.Did I miss the memo?)

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• ISSUE 4 Planning in a Programs Driven World?
• Whats on the dashboard of the NRCS pickup these
  days?
• (A practice standard or a cost list?)
• Do we need to revise the Nine Steps?

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• The NEW AND IMPROVED nine steps of planning
• Determine which programs the client qualifies
  for.
• Wait for the client to pick which practices they
  want.
• Determine how much money the client will get.
• Stop here and re-evaluate program/practice
  selection to maximize .
• Write contract.
• Justify the contract with a nice plan.
• Woops, dont forget the CPA-52 to document there
  is a need.
• Find a TSP to implement the practice.
• Approve the payment without checking the
  practice.

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• Mostly a time/workload issue, but its more.
• Which NRCS document contains ?
• Does our policy reflect reality? Does it need to?

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• ISSUE 5 Technical Capability
• RMS planning is complex. OJT is essential.
• How long between hiring and becoming a DC?
• Can NRCS really enable conservation without
  knowing how to do it ourselves?

Are we living off the technical expertise
developed in the past?
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• ISSUE 6 Technology
• Quality criteria are the foundation for NRCS
  planning. (Is the term non-measurable QC an
  oxymoron?)
• CSP Tier III must meet QC for all resource
  concerns. Oh, really?
• Automation issues.

Do we really have the tools and technology to do
plans per policy?
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• ISSUE 7 Who Should Do Planning?
• TSPs and conservation planning.
• Sequence of planning contracts.
• Does OJT contribute toward training an NRCS
  planner? CCP criteria may be different for
  NRCS/SWCD and TSP.
• Policy on signing plans prohibits TSPs from
  independent conservation planning in support of
  farm bill programs!!!!!!!!
• Does conservation planning represent a unique
  niche for NRCS?

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• ISSUE 8 -
• Out technical delivery system is what makes us
  unique among natural resource agencies.
• The RMS plan is the foundation for our technical
  delivery system.
• The 2002 Farm Bill responsibilities.
• Is there a concern that NRCS is forfeiting a
  strategic advantage?

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• In Closing
• The opinions expressed here are not those of this
  station or its affiliates
• SRCs have a responsibility thats not in your PD.
• Questions for breakout.

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The end.