2003 Illinois State Report

Natural Resources Conservation Activities

NRCS State Office
2118 West Park Court
Champaign, IL 61821
(217) 353-6600
Web Site: www.il.nrcs.usda.gov

“Conservation may have started as a movement in response to a disaster, but on today’s working lands, it’s simply a way of life,”
—William J. Gradle, State Conservationist

Dear Partner of Conservation;

A great deal of quality conservation occurred during 2003 as the Farm Bill kicked into full force. NRCS staff members are working with SWCD teams, state and federal partners, and many of our Technical Service Providers to put conservation practices on the ground. More of our work is performed with new technology and digital tools, but we are still a federal agency that works one-on-one with clients and who still walk the land to prescribe quality conservation solutions.

As always, there are many traditional natural resource issues and new and emerging issues that NRCS faces in both rural and urban environments. Development of digital soil surveys, protection of prime farmland from development, streambank erosion protection, grazing land enhancements, wetlands and wildlife habitat establishment--all these conservation issues are on NRCS’ list of accomplishments and our “To Do List” for 2004.
—William J. Gradle, State Conservationist

Our Mission...
To provide leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment.

Our Vision...
Harmony between people and the land

Conservation--It Isn’t Fast, But It Lasts
Editorial comment by William J. Gradle

We live in a technological culture where activity occurs at a frenzied pace and where “instant” this and “instant” that is an expected standard. We demand fast modem connections, fast cars, fast food, instant online messaging, fast everything! We demand instant satisfaction of our needs and desires and to go with it, we want immediate results. When we don’t get it, we feel frustrated and somehow unsatisfied. We just don’t get the same sense of accomplishment when we have to wait.

Think back to the many accomplishments of our ancestors and forefathers—the ground they broke, the structures they built, the beautiful creations they crafted. Why is it people travel to places like Rome, Paris, or Egypt? They want to see marvelous creations that took years to create—the pyramids, the Taj Mahal, the ancient cathedrals of Europe. And they are in fact breath-taking creations to see. Without a doubt, they are inspirational. Well, I put conservationists—farmers who are stewards of the land—in the same category.

Did the creators of these long-lasting and inspirational monuments demand immediate results? Did they give up or cut corners when it became obvious that this wasn’t going to be a simple undertaking? Did those who began these monstrous tasks even live long enough to see them through to completion? And if they had been as impatient as we sometimes are today, would we have such wonders to look at and enjoy today? I believe the answer is no.

To me, it’s the same with our conviction and commitment to conservation. We’ve taken on a challenge that may take years or decades to mature or one that we may not ever see come to fruition. Conservation is often a long and arduous task and one that may require more than one generation to fulfill. But I think it’s honorable to take on something so much bigger than ourselves at least once in our lifetime. It gives us, our children, and our society a true sense of perspective. It gives us something to work towards and to struggle to achieve.

We may not always have the privilege of being able to stand back when it’s done and look at it and admire it. We may not be able to measure or witness the long-term benefits our decisions will provide future generations. But even so, it’s still worth dedicating our limited time and resources to a project or even a dream as admirable and honorable as the dream of conservation.

EQIP

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) has been a popular and effective conservation tool. EQIP is a voluntary, incentive-based program designed to protect soil and water resources on farmland. In 2003, NRCS funded 543 EQIP contracts on 88,000 acres that provided more than $9.2 million to landowners to implement conservation plans. These EQIP projects provided soil erosion control, water quality improvements, livestock management practices, waste management, and nutrient management plans on thousands of acres in Illinois. EQIP contracts have doubled since 1997.

EQIP funds were distributed across the state--60% to livestock related projects and 40% to other conservation issues. Projects and applications ranked on critical resource needs and benefits achieved by conservation practices. “EQIP is working well to protect soil and water resources in Illinois. Landowners are eager to put conservation on their working lands and EQIP funds make that possible,” says NRCS State Conservationist Bill Gradle.

WHIP

The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) is a voluntary program that assists landowners in enhancing areas that provide needed food and cover for many different species of wildlife. In 2003, NRCS applied wildlife habitat improvements with $315,500 in WHIP funds for cost-share on nearly 3,000 acres. Approved WHIP applicants develop plans that include tree planting, buffer or native grassland establishment, wetland or shallow water areas. With the 2002 Farm Bill, WHIP funds have increased and private landowners are eager to enhance wildlife habitat acres.

FRPP

USDA’s Farm and Ranchland Protection Program is administered by NRCS and is designed to keep working farmland in agricultural production by assisting state and local governement and private organizations in acquiring conservation easements on farmland that is at risk of being lost to urban sprawl and development. In 2003 Illinois NRCS received $1.4 million and obligated those funds to the County of Kane to protect 690 acres of farmland in Kane County, IL. Visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs for more facts FPP program goals and requirements.

WRP

The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) is a long-standing and successful program to help landowners create or improve valuable wetland habitat by purchasing long-term or permanent conservation easements. In 2003, NRCS distributed $23.6 million, to compensate Illinois landowners who offered 8,500 acres into the program. WRP continues to be a tremendous program for creating and enhancing wetlands and reducing flooding problems along major rivers, creeks, and tributaries.
 

CRP & CREP

NRCS involvement and assistance with the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) continues to decrease. While NRCS will continue to provide planning assistance, offer technical guidance and standards on soil classifications and seeding mixture recommendations to FSA county staff, less time and effort will be placed on this program, since NRCS does not administer it or receive federal financial funds for CRP. The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) continues to lie in wait, as state funds are uncertain. While this was a popular program, due to the tremendous financial incentives offered, NRCS is uncertain what the future holds for CREP.

RC&D

NRCS administers and staffs the Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) program, designed to address resource and economic development needs of Illinois’ communities. In 2003, another Illinois RC&D area was authorized—Post Oak Flats, which includes Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, and Marion Counties in Illinois. Post Oak Flats has actually been in existence for 12 years and has been active, but now has a full-time RC&D Coordinator and Assistant. The new RC&D office is located in Dietrich, IL and is already up and running. Three other unauthorized RC&D Councils await federal funding—Illini Valley, Lower Sangamon River, and Heartland RC&D. No new RC&D areas will be authorized during FY 2004, but these Councils will keep working in the interim.

NRCS Staffing and Workload

In 2003 NRCS employed 330 full-time staff, supporting teams in 98 Field Offices across the state. NRCS and SWCD teams provide hands-on assistance to landowners and managers by administering 15 federal programs that put soil and water conservation on the land. For the summer of 2003, NRCS employed 20 temporary student interns who assisted with program delivery and received training. Students will most likely be the conservation professionals and leaders of the future.

TSP

As outlined and emphasized in the 2002 Farm Bill, the use of Technical Service Providers (TSP) continued to rise during fiscal year 2003. Illinois leads the nation in the number of registered TSPs (more than 300) and NRCS staff throughout the state have worked hard to get these individuals and companies engaged in existing conservation workload needs. During 2003, most TSPs assisted NRCS by performing Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans for producers, as well as Status Reviews, Wildlife Plans, and Tree Planting Plans. NRCS welcomes the use of TSPs and looks forward to working with them in the future.

CSP

The long-awaited Conservation Security Program (CSP) did not come to life during 2003, but NRCS is now moving forward on finalizing the rules for CSP. During March 2004, NRCS in Illinois held a Public Listening session in Bloomington, IL to gather public comments and suggestions on how CSP should be structured and implemented. On a national level, NRCS held 10 additional sessions, and many other gatherings were organized across the country to collect more than 10,000 comments from private landowners. The information gathered will be used to create a program that will meet the needs of the land as well as the needs and realities of agriculture. For up-to-date details, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp

GRP & GLCI

The Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) was used in 2003 to protect 1,535 acres of grasses and rangeland in Illinois. NRCS provided technical assistance and $683,300 in cost-share funds to Illinois’ landowners in FY 2003. NRCS provided cost-share funds and technical assistance through the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) to improve pastureland, grazing and forage products for optimum health and production of livestock. More than 500 individuals received training and dozens of demonstration projects and workshops were held to assist and educate.