|
Wilmington District |
Wilmington District (Coleman Long) coordinated with Mike Hinton, NC NRCS
Office and they reviewed the draft Action Plan together. They were both
encouraged by the draft Action Plan. Mr. Hinton is also answering these
questions and is coordinating it through the NRCS chain of command. Mr.
Hinton was very happy with the Corps integration of the wetlands
permitting process. |
9/4/2007 |
Q2-Concerns |
|
Mobile District |
-Mobile District Regulatory has developed a Draft field level agreement
for farm pond exemptions between Mobile District and Alabama NRCS. |
9/4/2007 |
Q2-Concerns |
|
Wilmington District |
Wilmington District Regulatory meets regularly with NRCS regarding
permitting issues and the feedback from NC NRCS is that they are very
pleased with the integrated permitting process. |
9/4/2007 |
Q2-Concerns |
|
Jacksonville District |
Stuart Santos of the Regulatory Division has coordinated with the
Florida NRCS concerning the Draft Action Plan and they found no issues
regarding their collaborative efforts. |
9/4/2007 |
Q2-Concerns |
|
South Pacific Division, USACE (includes San Francisco District,
Sacramento District, Los Angeles District, Phoenix Field Office,
Albuquerque District) |
Potential barriers: a) the two agencies have very different cultures;
b) Lack of funds for Corps participation on a consistent long-term basis
in interagency collaborative efforts, particularly watershed planning,
where the Corps does not have an active project. The Corps’ absence in
these efforts is regularly brought to my attention by other agencies and
NGOs. |
9/24/2007 |
Q2-Concerns |
|
South Atlantic Division |
South Atlantic Division recently (August 2007) in conjunction with other
federal agencies to include NRCS hosted a Regional Sediment Management
Watershed Workshop, which focused on evaluating sediment management
within a watershed context. NRCS served on the planning committee and
was also supportive in providing speakers and presentations. |
9/4/2007 |
Q2-Concerns |
|
Walla Walla District |
The Programmatic Sediment Management Plan or PSMP, will be a long-term
plan to guide the Corps and identify feasible sediment management
alternatives for maintaining the navigation channel and impacts to
recreational and other facilities as well as flow conveyance concerns
associated with four dams and reservoirs along the lower Snake River.
The objectives of the plan are to identify ways to reduce the amount of
sediment entering the reservoirs, and identify possible changes to
structures or operations to reduce dredging and associated environmental
impacts. The geographic study area encompasses 32,000 square miles
including all of the watersheds draining into the lower Snake River from
Idaho, Oregon and Washington. |
9/4/2007 |
Q-3 Collaboration |
|
Walla Walla District |
The watershed approach to this plan has already engaged a wide array of
Federal, state and local agencies and Tribes and it is anticipated the
NRCS will continue to play an integral role in the formulation and
implementation of the plan. It is assumed that erosion and
sedimentation from various agricultural practices in the region is a
major contributor to the problem at-hand. We have met with various NRCS
offices who have already contributed data and recommendations toward
analyses we will be undertaking. We will be looking to the NRCS to help
implement the plan and associated recommendations as the Corps does not
have jurisdiction outside of its own project boundaries. It is possible
that future pilot projects could be incorporated as a part of
implementation. |
9/4/2007 |
Q-3 Collaboration |
|
Walla Walla District |
While we have already begun collaboration with NRCS on this project,
formalizing that relationship through the National Action Plan would
help promote a long-term working relationship which will be integral to
plan success. Success with this plan will also improve the management
of water and related natural resources directly meeting the goal of the
Action Plan. For more information, please see the PSMP website at
http://www.nww.usace.army.mil/psmp/ |
9/4/2007 |
Q-3 Collaboration |
|
Portland District |
Without further investigation into viability of specific projects I
cannot suggest any specific projects at this time. However, potentially
there are several potential opportunities for collaboration. Example
areas include: 1. Work on the 2014 negotiation work on the Canada/US
treaty on the management of Columbia/Snake River System; 2. Willamette
River Floodplain Restoration work; and 3. Emergency response
coordination. |
9/4/2007 |
Q-3 Collaboration |
|
South Atlantic Division |
In 1998 to 2004, NRCS (Georgia State Office) had a representative serve
on the ACF and ACT Compact Negotiations Federal Interagency Team. The
Team was organized to advise and assist the two Federal Compact
Commissioners as they attempted to negotiate and resolve the ACT and ACF
Water Wars between the states of Alabama, Georgia and Florida. |
9/4/2007 |
Q-3 Collaboration |
|
Mobile District |
Mobile District coordinates routinely with the Alabama NRCS regarding
the Tombigbee River Channel Morphology Study. There are many partners
in this effort and NRCS is involved through the Resource Conservation
and Development (RC&D) Program. |
9/4/2007 |
Q-3 Collaboration |
|
Mobile District |
Tombigbee River Channel Morphology Study: There are many partners in
this effort. NRCS is involved through the Resource Conservation and
Development (RC&D) Program. |
9/4/2007 |
Q-3 Collaboration |
|
Mobile District |
In 2005, Mobile District formed a state and federal interagency team
called the North Georgia Water Resources Agency, to assist them in the
plan formulation of several ecosystem restoration and watershed projects
in Georgia. The interagency team includes members from NRCS, USGS,
USFWS, EPA and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The team
worked together to develop a stream restoration planning tool called the
Ecosystem Response Model, which is currently being certified by the
Ecosystem Restoration Planning Center. |
9/4/2007 |
Q-3 Collaboration |
|
South Pacific Division, USACE (includes San Francisco District,
Sacramento District, Los Angeles District, Phoenix Field Office,
Albuquerque District) |
The topics of Real Estate and Related Issues, Impediments,
Opportunities, and Collaboration Regarding Use of Authorities and
Funding are of specific interest and should be retained on the list of
initiatives. Through our work with military customers we may be able to
facilitate cooperative arrangements between NRCS and installations.
There may be opportunities to support each other by providing NEPA/ESA,
NHPA and related products and services. Through NRCS we may be able to
explore opportunities for cooperation and partnering with local Resource
Conservation Districts (RCDs) and Resource Conservation and Economic
Development Programs (RCE&D). |
9/24/2007 |
Q-3 Collaboration |
|
South Pacific Division, USACE (includes San Francisco District,
Sacramento District, Los Angeles District, Phoenix Field Office,
Albuquerque District) |
Collaboration with NRCS, and other agencies, pertaining to better
evaluation and if possible mitigation of post fire runoff and erosion
and the effects upon both economic and ecological damages. Note that
damages from post fire runoff cross agency missions and multiple
jurisdictions. The benefits to the taxpayer and nation’s environment in
a coordinated evaluation and mitigation of damages would be numerous. |
9/24/2007 |
Q-3 Collaboration |
|
South Pacific Division, USACE (includes San Francisco District,
Sacramento District, Los Angeles District, Phoenix Field Office,
Albuquerque District) |
Collaboration Regarding Use of Authorities and Funding. To implement
terms of a USFWS biological opinion for routine operation of Isabella
Dam and Reservoir, the Corps worked closely with NRCS to leverage
authorities NRCS had for conservation easements that the Corps did not
have. The effort was very successful. |
9/24/2007 |
Q-3 Collaboration |
|
South Pacific Division, USACE (includes San Francisco District,
Sacramento District, Los Angeles District, Phoenix Field Office,
Albuquerque District) |
The Virgin River Watershed Analysis is one of 5 General Expenses funded
studies being conducted by the Corps. We are currently collaborating
with other stakeholders, including NRCS in Utah, Arizona, and Nevada.
See the message inserted below from NRCS where potential collaboration
related to this study is suggested. Partnering with RCS on other
similar efforts such as completion of a Rapid Watershed Assessment to
follow the GE study is something that could be added to the National
Plan. Other such opportunities may exist within the other 4 GE
watershed studies as well |
9/24/2007 |
Q-3 Collaboration |
|
Mobile District |
|
9/4/2007 |
Q-3 Collaboration |
|
Seattle District |
Comment on “Rehabilitation of Aging Dam/Levee Infrastructure”. Very
broad category, identifying some specific actions would be helpful.
Regulatory offices should be involved in the discussion early for the
reasons discuss in the paragraphs above. |
9/4/2007 |
Watershed Planning and Implementation |
|
Galveston District |
On Holistic Watershed Approach and Water Resources Activities: We
encourage these initiatives. Participation in watershed level studies
by traditional Corps sponsors has been limited |
9/4/2007 |
Watershed Planning and Implementation |
|
Galveston District |
On Watershed Technology Exchange: The development and application of
ecological models for watershed studies should also be included. |
9/4/2007 |
Watershed Planning and Implementation |
|
Galveston District |
On Addressing Non-Monetary Benefits for Watershed Projects: There
already is a HQ initiative underway to address this issue, which is very
complex, has been studied and debated a long time, and is far from being
resolved. We suggest you work with Rennie Sherman, CECW-PB, rather than
begin a new initiative. |
9/4/2007 |
Watershed Planning and Implementation |
|
Galveston District |
On Agricultural Water Quality Modeling Collaboration: Make sure your
budget and schedule include model certification or approval, as
appropriate. |
9/4/2007 |
Watershed Planning and Implementation |
|
South Atlantic Division |
Funding is also a fundamental issue. The Districts have limited
resources (money and time) to properly coordinate with NRCS and other
Federal agencies. The overhead funding is very limited, and most often
Districts are unable to send people to conferences or to network with
stakeholders and partners such as the NRCS. For this action plan to be
successful, Districts must receive some sort of funding to support these
efforts. |
9/4/2007 |
Watershed Planning and Implementation |
|
South Atlantic Division |
We should note that there is a Headquarters budgeted item under
Miscellaneous GI that was originally to coordinate with the old SCS
(CAT CLASS 181). The name has been since changed to Cooperation With
Other Water Agencies, and it is only funded at minimal levels. |
9/4/2007 |
Watershed Planning and Implementation |
|
Wilmington District |
-NRCS participates on Wilmington District’s John H. Kerr 216 Study
Interagency Team. The District is evaluating the operation of the John
H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir and will develop a report on the advisability
of modifying the structures or the structure’s operation and for
improving the quality of the environment in the overall public interest. |
9/4/2007 |
Watershed Planning and Implementation |
|
Savannah District |
The largest and ongoing interaction with NRCS is the cooperating agency
agreement that NRCS and USACE established for the Russell Creek Water
Supply Reservoir for Dawson County, Georgia. In this role NRCS and
USACE both are following the NEPA process while simultaneously following
each respective agency's other processes (Section 404 CWA, cultural
resources review, etc.). It is this role that is fascinating, fun, and
above all productive. Within this cooperative approach and the
pre-application process, big issues are dealt with (T and E,
jurisdictional determination, alternative review, mitigation,....). |
9/4/2007 |
Watershed Planning and Implementation |
|
Savannah District |
Ultimately the Section 404 permitting process will go much quicker (and
smoother) once a USACE required Public Notice is issued. In many
conversations with the other federal agencies participating in this
process they have told me of the delight they have in working on this
project because of the technical reliability of NRCS and because of the
absence of political frictions that often occur when local entities
bring their political agents to the table.” |
9/4/2007 |
Watershed Planning and Implementation |
|
South Pacific Division, USACE (includes San Francisco District,
Sacramento District, Los Angeles District, Phoenix Field Office,
Albuquerque District) |
Watershed Technology Exchange. Technology sharing to include GIS layers
and approaches to gather and recording certain types of information.
Also consider including soils management and erosion control. |
9/24/2007 |
Watershed Planning and Implementation |
|
South Pacific Division, USACE (includes San Francisco District,
Sacramento District, Los Angeles District, Phoenix Field Office,
Albuquerque District) |
Perhaps some consideration should be given to Fed-Fed partnering of the
sort discussed in the attached (i.e., where the Corps can partner with a
Federal land owner, similar to how we do it now with the non-Fed ones,
to do restoration projects). |
9/24/2007 |
Watershed Planning and Implementation |
|
Kansas City District, USACE |
Addressing Non-Monetary Benefits for Watershed Projects – Any effort
that creates a rational process for converting practices into comparable
credits with common definitions will resolve many problems. Great! |
9/24/2007 |
Watershed Planning and Implementation |
|
Kansas City District, USACE |
Watershed Training – The Corps PROSPECT Course Regulatory IV should be
looked at as an example of this kind of training collaboration. |
9/24/2007 |
Watershed Planning and Implementation |
|
Kansas City District, USACE |
Watershed Technology Exchange – Good. Efforts should be made to allow
automatic/digital information exchange between NRCS systems and the
Corps OMBIL Regulatory Program Module database. GIS layers of NRCS
completed WRP and conservation practices sites will help the Corps avoid
permit decisions that go contrary to those NRCS completed activities.
Likewise, if NRCS has a GIS layer of Corps Regulatory Mitigation Sites,
it would help ensure protection of those sites. |
9/24/2007 |
Watershed Planning and Implementation |
|
Kansas City District, USACE |
Integrated 404 Permitting Process – We engage this issue every day at
the District and NRCS State Office level. Our greatest success,
although it was very painful for the first 3-4 years, was the 1994 Ag
MOA. That agreement drove the creation of local operating procedures.
When Congress changed the FSA to the point that the 1994 MOA no longer
worked, we took a number of steps backward. We continue to explore
Regional General Permits with NRCS to make this work. |
9/24/2007 |
Watershed Planning and Implementation |
|
Kansas City District, USACE |
Stream Restoration/Mitigation Design – Good, this will end or avoid some
current duplication of effort. Efficient use of public resources. In
KS, we have been collaborating with NRCS, ERDC, and a NGO on some stream
issues and to seek a common understanding of the factors causing channel
instability. |
9/24/2007 |
Watershed Planning and Implementation |
|
Kansas City District, USACE |
Western States Watershed Study – There is an existing conflict between
the need for water for mitigation actions and other uses. It would be
good to include this issue in the study. |
9/24/2007 |
Watershed Planning and Implementation |
|
Kansas City District, USACE |
Collaboration Regarding Use of Authorities and Funding – We need to
include measures so that shared mitigation efforts don’t get double
counted in the national roll-up reports. |
9/24/2007 |
Watershed Planning and Implementation |
|
Savannah District |
Over the years, Savannah District has maintained a relationship with the
NRCS, as they have many programs of a smaller scale than the Corps
programs. Thus, the Savannah District has been able to help many of
their potential clients find a solution to their smaller water resource
problems by referring them to the NRCS. |
9/4/2007 |
Watershed Planning and Implementation |
|
Charleston District |
Charleston District coordinates with NRCS during the planning of civil
work projects. |
9/4/2007 |
Watershed Planning and Implementation |
|
Seattle District |
Comments on the "Integrated 404 permitting Process" section - It is
especially important to have discussions early
in the planning process so the Corps can give advice on the permitting
ramifications. Also, the permit application needs to be provided in
sufficient time to make it through the permit review process without
making it a fire drill response. Too many times the DA permit
applications are an after thought and the Corps is portrayed as a
hindrance to restoration activities. Even projects that are to be of
benefit to the environment must comply with the various environmental
laws and receive permits. This early coordination is especially
important to ensure compliance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species
Act and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and to
fulfill Tribal trust responsibilities. Designation of a Federal lead
and close cooperation is necessary to complete these consultations which
must be finished for a DA permit to be issued. |
9/4/2007 |
Wetlands Conservation and Compliance |
|
Seattle District |
Would suggest combining the sections on "NRCS Wetlands Delineation
Training Course" and "Corps Wetland Delineation Manual” as they cover
the same subject - wetland delineation. |
9/4/2007 |
Wetlands Conservation and Compliance |
|
South Atlantic Division |
The wording of the second paragraph on page 1, “Wetland Creation,
Restoration and Enhancement” should be changed to delete “Creation” and
“Enhancement”. It is not within the Corps Civil Works Planning policy
to enhance or create wetlands. The Corps is authorized to restore
wetlands and aquatic ecosystems, but we can not enhance or create.
Also, Regulatory projects are most often restored wetlands as well so I
would limit the discussion to just restoration of wetlands. |
9/4/2007 |
Wetlands Conservation and Compliance |
|
Mobile District |
On page 6, “Corps Wetland Delineation Manual. Mobile District made a
comment that there was a recent correction to the Corps Wetland
Delineation Manual - The Atlantic and Gulf Coast supplement goes off
notice on 28 Aug 2007. Comments will be reviewed and a final decision
is pending for Mobile District. |
9/4/2007 |
Wetlands Conservation and Compliance |
|
Galveston District |
On Wetlands Compliance and Regulatory: We recommend adoption of
consistent HGM functional assessments for wetland delineations by both
agencies. In accordance with subsequent Corps guidance, the National
Action Plan (NAP; Fed Reg 1997) provided the strategy for the Corps and
Federal agencies to follow to implement the HGM approach for assessing
wetland functions. HGM was designed to satisfy the need for better
information on wetland functions within the programmatic requirements of
the Clean Water Act Section 404 Regulatory Program where time and
resources are limited. This methodology increases the accuracy of
wetland function assessments, allows for replication, and reduces the
amount of time required to conduct a wetland function assessment. |
9/4/2007 |
Wetlands Conservation and Compliance |
|
Galveston District |
SWG has initiated and participated in the development of additional HGM
regional guidebooks. For smaller projects, or where a regional HGM
guidebook has not been developed, SWG has recently begun utilizing HGM
“interim” models for wetland functional assessment. These are a product
of continued coordination with NRCS to develop “streamlined” HGM models
that won’t “over-burden” the Regulatory Program. NRCS developed an
initial set of HGM “interim” models through interagency workshops in
response to the 1997 NAP. These interim models were produced and
calibrated for the geo-region by regional experts for use in
administering NRCS programs, and we support this effort. |
9/4/2007 |
Wetlands Conservation and Compliance |
|
Galveston District |
On Integrated 404 Permitting Process: Both agencies should work to
streamline their processes in order to facilitate the Corps’ abandonment
determination calls for prior converted croplands. |
9/4/2007 |
Wetlands Conservation and Compliance |
|
Galveston District |
On NRCS Wetlands Delineation Training Course: We are unaware of such
courses or invitation to participate. Please note that NRCS courses must
include the ongoing 10 eco-regional supplements to the 1987 Wetland
Delineation Manual in order to be compliant with Corps requirements. |
9/4/2007 |
Wetlands Conservation and Compliance |
|
Galveston District |
On Corps Wetland Delineation Manual: We have been participating in the
regional manual development. Coordination has been successful. Testing
for the Atlantic and Gulf Coast Supplement will commence 15 AUG 07 and
public comment period will end on 23 AUG 07. The action plan should be
revised consistent with the new regional boundaries. |
9/4/2007 |
Wetlands Conservation and Compliance |
|
Seattle District |
*We have not partnered with NRCS on projects in Regulatory, but, we have
recently issued a permit and are working on a permit modification for a
restoration project at Potter Slough on Willapa Bay. |
9/4/2007 |
Wetlands Conservation and Compliance |
|
Kansas City District, USACE |
NRCS field staff have identified consistency issues between Corps
Regulatory Offices. Primarily, the inconsistencies include response
time for requests to the Corps for identification of non-wetland Section
404 Waters, permit determinations (NWP, Standard Permit, and exemptions)
and permit requirements. NRCS is aware that the new 5 June 2007
post-Rapanos Jurisdictional Determination (JD) process is causing
significant delays in the Corps’ response time. These delays cause
planning and funding concerns for NRCS and the general public. The
development of an “Exemption Determination Form” could eliminate
unnecessary delays for activities that are determined to be exempt from
regulation, regardless of the jurisdictional outcome. |
9/24/2007 |
Wetlands Conservation and Compliance |
|
Kansas City District, USACE |
The development of a Regional General Permit for NRCS practices that
benefit the environment and require DA authorization, may streamline the
permitting process, standardize mitigation and special conditions, and
minimize unnecessary delays and backlogs. (NOTE: Under the JD Guidance
Regulatory Guidance Letter 07-01, HQ Corps can issue waivers to allow
the use of preliminary JDs for some categories of General Permits.
Exercising this option would provide the greatest restoration of
customer service to NRCS and USDA Program Participants.) |
9/24/2007 |
Wetlands Conservation and Compliance |
| Kansas City District, USACE |
NRCS KS and Kansas City District, USACE are partnering to develop a
Regional General Permit (RGP) for NRCS designed and approved agriculture
conservation practices. The purpose is to create a streamlined
permitting process for activities that provide environmental benefits
and meet the needs of producers. The statewide application of such
practices under the umbrella of the RGP, and its special conditions,
will enhance and protect vital land and aquatic resources as well as
provide appropriate mitigation measures where they are required. This
is consistent with the missions of both organizations. |
9/24/2007 |
Wetlands Conservation and Compliance |
|
Kansas City District, USACE |
NRCS KS and Kansas City District, USACE have established successful
protocol for dealing with Swampbuster and unauthorized 404 activities.
Both agencies have collaboratively established appropriate
mitigation/restoration measures that fulfill the requirements of the
respective programs. |
9/24/2007 |
Wetlands Conservation and Compliance |
|
Kansas City District, USACE |
For Missouri, NRCS MO and Kansas City District (as the Lead District for
Missouri, and with the other Missouri Corps Districts) developed and
implemented a RGP for NRCS funded PL 566 Watershed Structures. |
9/24/2007 |
Wetlands Conservation and Compliance |
|
Kansas City District, USACE |
NRCS wetlands Delineation Training Course – We have collaborated locally
in the past on joint delivery of the local version of the Corps Prospect
Course Regulatory IV in both MO and KS. NWK in recent years has not had
the resources to continue to provide trainers and materials to this
effort. We have had limited opportunity to participate in NRCS
organized training. This needs to be worked with the teams working on
the 1987 Manual regional update efforts. |
9/24/2007 |
Wetlands Conservation and Compliance |
|
Kansas City District, USACE |
Data Sharing Activities – HQ USACE, HQ EPA and HQ FWS are currently
collaborating on the development and populating of a shared national
geospatial database for wetlands. NRCS and USGS have been identified as
potential participants in this effort. The USACE automated information
system to populate this system is currently being deployed to all Army
Corps Districts, and the EPA is in the initial stages of their system
development. FWS currently has an existing data system capable of
linking to the USACE data base. Discussions are being planned to
explore integrating NRCS as a participating partner in this interagency
effort. Efforts are also underway on the utilization of the USACE web
enabled geospatial system to provide standards-based data transfers
(Data on Demand) and web services that would allow wetlands,
restoration, watershed and other types of data to be made electronically
available to both the USACE, NRCS, other federal, state and local
agencies, and the public. |
9/24/2007 |
Wetlands Conservation and Compliance |
|
Kansas City District, USACE |
After the 2005 withdrawal of the 1994 Ag MOA
(http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/regulatory/USDA%20Withdrawal%20Ltr.pdf ),
NWK engaged with both NRCS KS and MO to look at implementing local
operating agreements. We made it as far as drafts in both states, but
other events overtook that effort. Although we communicate well and
frequently with NRCS MO, we need to renew that effort. In KS, we have
developed and have maintained an informal operating procedure for a good
collaborative working relationship for Swampbuster Compliance issues
that are also potential Section 404 Clean Water Act Violations. These
include joint field visits, wetland determinations and
restoration/mitigation plan development. Generally NRCS takes the lead
with USDA participants with NWK in a collaborative role, as the fear of
loss of USDA subsidies is a bigger motivator than potential Corps legal
action. |
9/24/2007 |
Wetlands Conservation and Compliance |
|
Kansas City District, USACE |
Corps Wetland Delineation Manual – NWK is leading the testing of the
Great Plains Supplement in KS. NRCS is providing soil scientists,
biologists, and a hydrologist. This technical expertise contribution by
KS NRCS is critical to the success of this mission. |
9/24/2007 |
Wetlands Conservation and Compliance |
|
Jacksonville District |
Jacksonville District (Regulatory) has partnered with NRCS and they have
signed a Local Operating Agreement with NRCS concerning the coordination
of wetland delineations between the two agencies |
9/4/2007 |
Wetlands Conservation and Compliance |
|
Galveston District |
On Wetland Creation, Restoration, and Enhancement: We are interested in
cross-agency wetland restoration training courses. |
9/4/2007 |
Wetlands Creation, Restoration, and Enhancement |
|
Kansas City District, USACE |
We have experienced some problems with NRCS limits on data sharing due
to FSA Privacy Provisions. The March 2007 reissuance of Nationwide
Permit 27 seems to have resolved other issues with the RCS Wetland
Reserve Program coordination. |
9/24/2007 |
Wetlands Creation, Restoration, and Enhancement |
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