Fiscal Year 2003: Performance Report U.S. Department of Agricultire Natural Resources Conservation Service

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NRCS carried out a major work load to administer the financial assistance pro- grams authorized in the 2002 Farm Bill. NRCS is also responsible for develop- ing, continuously updating, and dissemi- nating soils information, and other science -based resource data and technical tools and information, that are needed for good stewardship of natural resources. Conservation Practice Standards are used, in planning and application, to pro- tect and enhance resources on private lands. Conservation Practice Standards are maintained in the Field Office Technical Guide, and are available on the Internet. NRCS continuously works to improve internal business processes and streamline program administration to ensure that front -line staff can better serve customers. Figure 2 shows how the NRCS work- force spent their time in 2003. Partnerships NRCS is the key Federal member of a unique Federal, State, and local partner- ship dedicated to natural resource conser- vation. The core partners are NRCS; conservation districts, which are local units of government created under State law; and State conservation agencies. Approximately 8,700 employees of State agencies and conservation districts work jointly with NRCS field staff to deliver an integrated program. NRCS also works closely with local Resource Conservation and Development (RC &D) Councils, which are non - profit entities whose mem- bers represent units of government and civic organizations within an identified area. In addition to these traditional part- ners, NRCS works with Tribal govern- ments in government -to- government relationships and cooperates with flood control districts, irrigation districts, fire districts, Federal agencies, and private sec- tor organizations. NRCS provides leadership to the National Cooperative Soil Survey, a partnership that includes other Federal agencies, State and local units of govern- ment, Land Grant Universities, and the private sector. Figure 1. Distribution of NRCS staff years among major program groups in FY 2003. Conservation Operations 69% Source: FY 2005 Budget Explanatory Notes Figure 2. Use of NRCS staff time in FY 2003. Staff Years 3500 25% 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0- RC &D 4% Water Resources Programs 5% Farm Bill Programs 22% Planning Application & Program & Science & Training Communications Management Admin. Support Assistance Maintenance Contract Technology & Relations & Supervision Infrastructure Management Activities Source: NRCS Conservation Information System, Report 1.3 Fiscal Year 2003 Performance Report