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<br />,;.. <br />,;.. <br />Ul <br />..... <br /> <br />As with the demonstration projects and the hydrologic units, <br />the regional project effort will draw heavily on the experiences <br />of current water quality activities and available agricultural <br />and economic research information. Information gathered on <br />the effects of water quality practices will be used in other <br />problem areas. <br /> <br />Agricultural Conservation Program (ACP) <br />Water Quality Special Projects <br /> <br />Program funds are reserved by ASCS at the national level to <br />fund Water Quality Special Projects developed by county <br />Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation (ASC) <br />committees. Project emphasis Is on improving the quality of <br />ground water and surface water that has been impaired by <br />agricultural nonpoint sources. Various conservation <br />measures authorized under the ACP are available to solve <br />problems identified in the project plans. The projects are <br />administered by ASCS with educational and technical <br />assistance provided by ES and SCS. <br /> <br />Flexibility is built into the concept of Water Quality Special <br />Projects. These projects can be used to solve problems <br />identified in the hydrologic unit areas and demonstration <br />projects and those identified. locally that may also provide <br />significant public benefits to nonagricultural interests. Projects <br />may additionally be designed to support State 319 nonpoint <br />source objectives. <br /> <br />Technology Development and Transfer <br /> <br />Technology development and transfer are crucial elements of <br />the Department's water quality and quantity objectives. <br />Improved technology-such as the "best management <br />practices" shown in table 3-means better technical assis- <br />tance to farmers, ranchers, and policy officials and more <br />efficient program management. Updating and strengtheniag <br />field office technical guides with the best available technical <br />information and other educational resources is an essential <br />part of technology development. <br /> <br />The primary technology objectives will be to (1) develop <br />workiag procedures that evaluate the effects of agricultural <br />activities on water quality and quantity and (2) formulate <br />resource management systems that improve water quality. <br />The evaluation procedures will be linked to coacurrent <br />economic evaluations. To more accurately determine the <br />effects of agricultural contaminants and the level of remedial <br />action required, technology for determining the sources of <br />pollutant loads in watersheds aad aquifer recharge areas will <br />be developed through the USDA interagency research effort. <br /> <br /> <br />Regional project initiatives include providing <br />education and technical assistance to projects <br />such as the Puget Sound National Estuary where <br />forestry and dairy operations are affecting fishery <br />habitats. <br /> <br /> <br />9 <br />