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,~ " N Cl) tl.) e.u FACT SHEET ;~ ,< i..llllIlI.....1'1I1I, 1.11.;.....:::<" ~::;: i: ;:,' '>~:f~~I._.::,:..I.".fJ',..I~.'::~j.:.":l~:l ';::,\: ~" t+ ,.:.:':':.:.:.:.:~. ::::::t::::~::)&N\hi:~h+::hH:L:::t::::~::::~::::: ' ~.. ..~, :::::::::::::tf:1r:::::::;:::/).:...... ", ,', .~.:.:,:.:.:.:.:,:.:,:.:.~,' i:tit\:::::h::;::;::::::\::::~~.:..,.........:~:..:,:.:.:.:.:.:.::t~.>:.:.:.:.:~ :.:.:.>:.:.:,' ::::i:::::~ii:J:::i~h)):~::w:nmki:i:itdji , Dealing with water quality Is really nothing new for the Soil Conservation Service (SCS). Our work literosloD con~ trol over the past S5 years has had many benefits - and one has been to maintain ,or Improve water quality, espedally for surface water. Since many pollutants attach to soil partldes, redudng eroslonand the resultant sediment ofteJl reduces the pollutants reachlnll a water body. The wQrk has been accomplished throuRh a number ofpr!!S!:!!ms. ' CONSERVATION The mechanism by which SCS providestechniCai assistance to landusers is authorized ' TECHNICAL under public Law 73.76. The assistance primarily consists of the development ,and im- ASSISTANCE plementation of conservation plans which address the resource concerns of the landusers. The plans have always addressed the soi~ water and related resources. However, with the revision of the Field Office Technical Guide, a more specific em. phasis will be placed on each ofthe resources: soil, water, air,plants and .nim~I.. With respect to water, both quantity and quality must be considered in each resource management system. GREAT PLAINS CONSERVATION PROGRAM PUBLIC LAW 566 RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT This program has been used for more than 30 years to deal with the effects, of the vari- able climate in the Great Plains region. It has been targeted primarily to water conser- vation practices; however, because of the nature of the program, water quality has also benefited by reducing sediment, An entire farm or ranch operating unit must be entered into the contract, and all resource problems and concerns must be addressed. The SCS national office has begun to set aside part of the annual funding allocation for the Great Plains Program to target critical water quality areas. States compete for these funds by snbmitting proposals for water quality projects. Over the years, the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act has been respon- sible for installing many flood control dams, as well as the associated land treatment. The result, although not necessarily the original intended purpose, has been ,an im. provement in the water quality in those treated watersheds due to a decrease in sedi- ment loading. The program does provide for projects which have specific water quality benefits. Cost-sharing to producers is limit~d to 50 percent of the average in- stallation cost for enduring praCtices. ' " The purpose of the Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Program is to accelerate conservation, develop and utilize natural resources to improve the general level of economic activity and enhance the environment and standard of living in an authorized multi-county area. Water quality improvements are one eligible purpose for cost-sharing under RC&D. The project must be intended to control agriculturally related sources of pollution and correct specific water use impairments. Federal fund- ing is very limited for pursuing projects, but RC&D councils are gaining success in finding private sources of funds,