Kansas State Technical Committee Minutes - May 2003

Kansas State Technical Committee (KTC) Meeting
Thursday -  May 1, 2003
9:30 a.m. - NRCS Conference Center
747 Duvall - Salina, Kansas

Harold L. Klaege, State Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) gave the welcome and opening remarks. Introductions were made.

Bill Fuller, State Executive Director, Farm Service Agency (FSA), made his staff introductions and turned the meeting over to Rod Winkler, and Dennis Gaschler.

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)

Rod Winkler, Conservation Specialist, and Dennis Gaschler, Program Specialist, FSA, presented the Management Activity Development Team (CRP Subcommittee) draft on required CRP management practices. (Handout on Management Activity Development Team dated March 25, 2003, is attached).

The following are the recommended changes made by the KTC as a supplement to the DRAFT Minutes of the Management Activity Development Team, March 25, 2003, meeting.

1. Prescribed Burning
1. The KTC recommended prescribed burning for soils with an “I” value of 86 or greater (these are highly sandy soils) which must be completed during the period April 15 thru April 30.  Prescribed burning for all other soils must be completed February 1 thru April 15.
2. Cannot burn in consecutive years on the same acreage.
2. Interseeding
1. If interseeding in CP25, Rare and Declining Habitat, only native species shall be used.
2. The interseeding shall be limited to species not established in the original mix for plant diversity.
3. Light Disking
1. Current procedure states that light disking can occur on practices CP1, CP2 and CP10. The KTC recommendation was to include practices CP4B, Permanent Wildlife Habitat (Corridors), Noneasement and CP4D, Permanent Wildlife Habitat, Noneasement.
4. Brush Management
1. Discussion was centered in regards to the name of the practice.  It was suggested the title be changed to Invasive Tree Control (in lieu of using the term Brush Management).  It was mentioned by Harold Klaege, NRCS, that regardless of the title used, the Technical Standards would remain the same.
2. This practice will be limited to practice CP10.
5. Managed Haying and Grazing
1. Managed haying and grazing was recommended as an available option to the producer as a permitted activity, under management practices without cost-share. This option would be available only once every three years on utilized CRP acreage.
2. Managed grazing will be permitted any time throughout the year with a required forage management plan.  The grazing period will be limited to the length of time based upon either the specified animal unit stocking rate or the minimum residue height.
3. Managed haying will be only be permitted from July 15 thru August 15.  A required forage management plan will be required.  Managed haying will be limited to 50 percent of the contract acres.

The required management activities that are proposed for each of the CRP practices are attached.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

Gaye Benfer, Soil Conservationist, Conservation Programs Staff, NRCS, gave an update of the EQIP information. The final EQIP Rule should be out by May 15, 2003

• EQIP Proposed Rule comment period closed March 12, 2003. We are hoping the Final Rule will be out by May 15, 2003.
• EQIP subcommittee met April 3, 2003, and reviewed:
• Cost-share rates – including those for limited resource and beginning farmers
• Incentive payments
• At-risk species habitat – national priority not addressed in ranking criteria
• EQIP subcommittee will meet again on May 20, 2003, to review EQIP Final Rule and make FINAL recommendations to the full committee on May 22, 2003.
• Allocations have been received
• $11,960,500 – Regular EQIP
• 3,508,500 – Ground Surface Water Conservation

Meeting adjourned at 12:50 p.m.

Attachments

Management Activity Development Team (CRP Subcommittee)

CRP Management Practices

The required management activities that are proposed for each of the CRP practices are listed below. The producer could select one or all for fulfilling the required management activity.

*  Interseeding on the perimeter of the planting.

** First Prescribed Burn is considered maintenance and not eligible for cost-share assistance.

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