DC Talking Points December, 2007 Farm Bill Update Last week the logjam in the Senate was broken when Democrat and Republican leaders agreed to limit the number of amendments to 20 for each party.  It is unknown if any amendments will be related to conservation issues.  American Farm Bureau Federation chief lobbyist Mary Kay Thatcher is predicting that we may not see a Farm Bill until spring, and the threat of a presidential veto still looms.  CRP and WRP authority will expire at the end of December, and no new applications for these programs can be accepted beginning January 1 unless a new bill is passed, or the current bill is extended.  Existing contracts for these programs will continue to be serviced. 2007 Program Update Fiscal Year 2007 program obligations were as follows: * Environmental Quality Incentive Program obligated approximately $10.9 million, * Wetland Reserve Program obligated about $9.5 million, * Wetland Habitat Incentive Program obligated about $416,000, and * Conservation Security Program payments for prior year contracts amounted to approximately $8.7 million. 2008 EQIP Sign Up Sign up is under way for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for Fiscal Year 2008.  EQIP applications are accepted on a continuous basis, and are being reviewed and ranked every two weeks until funds are exhausted.  So far, $5.35 million has been allocated in the first two two-week cycles.  In 2007, $10.9 million in EQIP was utilized for conservation practices in Indiana. EQIP funding for 2008 is expected to be about the same level. SWCD Capacity Building Opportunities SWCDs have two opportunities for capacity building.  One is to remove shared space costs from rent expenses if support for USDA programs can be documented on a simple form; and the other is submitting proposals for Contribution Agreements for technical assistance or administrative support.  Additional information is being provided through e-mailed letters to staff and supervisors, and in IASWCD Weekly Updates. Rapid Watershed Assessments NRCS is spearheading a partnership effort to conduct Rapid Watershed Assessments for all 8-digit watersheds in the state.  RWAs will help identify resource issues to help focus technical and financial assistance to areas of greatest resource concerns, identify conservation needs in relation to requested dollars, serve as a ‘benchmark’ resource inventory, and help local decision makers make informed decisions.  The final assessment tool should be available in time for Annual Conference.  The next step will be to create assessment matrices for six pilot 8-digit watersheds, which will outline which management practices need to be utilized to address resource concerns, and the costs associated with those practices. FSA Consolidation Plan The FSA Consolidation Plan has been approved for nine offices, and signed by acting USDA Secretary Chuck Conners.  NRCS is working closely with affected SWCDs to make final decisions about these opportunities. NRCS Staffing Updates Colt VanNatta selected for District Conservationist in Fayette County at the Connersville Field Office effective 1-6-08.   Mary Jo Woodruff selected for Soil Conservationist on the Programs Staff at the State Office in Indianapolis effective 1-6-08.  Mary Jo has been the District Conservationist in Hancock County.   William Kutter selected for WREP Coordinator position at the Terre Haute Field Office effective 1-6-08.   Kathleen Judd selected for the Area Program Specialist at the North Vernon Area Office effective 1-20-08.   Angela Runshe selected for District Conservationist in Boone County at the Lebanon Field Office effective 1-20-08.   Joshua Richardson selected for District Conservationist in Wayne County at the Richmond Field Office effective 2-3-08 Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Best wishes for a great year of NRCS and the Districts working together on conservation in 2008!