Q: What is your vision for watershed-based, locally-led conservation as we approach a
new century?

A: I can't emphasize the importance of locally-led conservation enough. We take it very
seriously and do everything we can to have conservation districts and others join us as
we set priorities for the work that we do. Locally-led conservation brings with it a local
commitment that makes conservation efforts more successful ... and makes more
efficient use of all our resources. We in NRCS must make sure that our conservation
partners--conservation districts, state conservation agencies, Resource Conservation
and Development councils and others--are factored into everything we do. It is of
critical importance that we move forward in unison with our partners, making sure that
the locally-led concept becomes our way of doing business. With watershed-based,
locally-led conservation; a strong science-based technical assistance program; and
strong partnerships, we have the ability to see that this nation has the resources and
support it needs to conserve and protect conservation on America's private lands.

Q: How will NRCS respond to the increasing need for technical assistance during a
time of declining resources and staff?

A: There is probably never enough staff to do what needs to be done. We have more
work to do today than we had in 1980 when we had 3,000 more employees. Yet the
need and demand for NRCS technical assistance has increased-whether it's Pfiesteria
in the Chesapeake Bay, safe drinking water or salinity in the Colorado River. To
address this, I am placing a focus on helping our field people get conservation on the
land. I want to eliminate bureaucratic burdens on both our employees and on our
valued customers. We're also putting together a good workload analysis that will show,
by state, what the workload is. I need to advance what we know the needs are and let
the public policymakers know what we can and can not do with what's provided.

Q: Do you see any unique issues or needs for NRCS to address in the Southeast?

A: Several come immediately to mind--conservation buffers, the deteriorating
watershed infrastructure and nutrient management.

National Conservation Buffer Initiative: NRCS created and helped launch the National
Conservation Buffer Initiative, which will protect water quality, wildlife habitat and
provide many more environmental benefits. USDA is seeking to install two million miles
of conservation buffers throughout the country by Year 2002. In the Southeast, there's
a public-private partnership underway to help farmers install conservation buffer
practices on their land in a two-year Southeast Conservation Buffer Campaign.

Deteriorating Watershed Infrastructure: America's watershed conservation needs are a
challenge that needs a solution. More than half of the 10,400 project dams and
thousands of soil and water conservation practices constructed in these projects are
more than 30-years-old. In the next 10 years, we'll see more than 1,000 structures
reach the end of their designed life span. This is a complex issue. The responsibilities
of NRCS, sponsors and others, plus the many environmental and social concerns--
liability, funding, safety and public health--tend to complicate our work. The
rehabilitation of some of these dams will be even more challenging than when the
structures were originally designed and built. I personally feel that our agency has a
moral obligation to see that public safety and health are protected. Given the
resources, both technical and financial, we are committed to assisting sponsors in
addressing the rehabilitation needs of these aging projects. We need everyone
involved to step up and help protect this investment. We need to raise awareness,
encourage debate, find funding and develop new partnerships.

Nutrient Management: As it relates to livestock operations, nutrient management has
become a national issue and is another area that needs some common sense
solutions. The voluntary, incentive-based approach must be explained and advocated.
We need to talk about the many examples of how landowner buy-in will achieve
sustainable and lasting goals. NRCS must remain focused on helping landowners--not
regulating them.

Southeast Watershed, Volume 1, Issue 2, November 1998