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<br />". <br /> <br />TechnicaI QuaIity <br /> <br />Project funding generally requires additional local staff because of <br />accelerated on-farm implementation schedules. These "new" employees generally <br />are unfamiliar with project functional responsibilities in planning and <br />compliance certification. Participants must be adequately oriented and <br />trained. Their technical assistance should emphasize project goals with a <br />workable understanding of the standards and specifications. They must certify <br />that the implementation of conservation will produce planned results for <br />individuaI fields within the contracts. This prevents work fragmentation such <br />as a break in continuity between planning, design, application and follow-up <br />certification. <br /> <br />Technical expertise is of the utmost importance in a project such as this. A <br />well-trained, well-rounded staff is necessary. Current data is essential as <br />well as new technology advances. The use of standardized material, wherever <br />possible, wilI speed up routine activities. <br /> <br />Project funding typically requires additional equipment. To accomplish soil, <br />water and plant management, additionaI equipment such as water stage <br />recorders, truck-mounted backhoes, neutron probes, measuring flumes and weirs, <br />and other new or different equipment may be needed. With the new equipment <br />goes a need for training in the use of the equipment. <br /> <br />The irrigation vater aaoagement program can be implemented concurrently with <br />the construction activities. Soil moisture monitoring, water measurement and <br />irrigation scheduling can be started as instruments and faciIities become <br />functional. The irrigation water management program may have access to other <br />than SCS water management or measuring assistance. The Irrigation Management <br />Service (IMS) and information from private consultants should be utilized <br />where applicable. All avaiIable data should be used and correlated. <br /> <br />Other "tools" which may be of value would include: complete irrigation <br />guides, continued observation and documentation of physical impacts and <br />Operations, Maintenance and Replacement (OM&R) costs by specific practices, <br />applicable computer software, farmer-conservation workshops and tours, <br />subscriptions to irrigation magazines On current technology, and <br />telecommunications capabiIities. <br /> <br />Project funded conservation syatems should have OK&R incIuded as an integral <br />part of the original plan. This should include requirements for follow-up <br />activities to insure project components are functioning as designed. <br /> <br />After some work has been completed, the staff becomes more familiar with the <br />local people and contractors. Efforts should be made to use a process of <br />Contractor and Par8er Certification. It is probabIe that some contractors and <br />farmers could be certified by SCS to determine whether or not work is <br />performed according to plans and specifications. This might cover practices <br />such as land leveling, concrete ditch lining and irrigation turnouts. <br /> <br />All jobs would be subject to periodic spot checks. This will usually maintain <br />work quality. Contractors who have SCS approval to certify a specific volume <br />of work benefit by going to the next job instead of scheduling a field <br />cheCk. The removal of certification will occur if standards and specifictions <br />are not followed. <br /> <br />- 40 - <br />