Transcript TSP Role in Water Quality Improvement

TSP Role
in
Water Quality
Improvement
Dennis Pate
Director of Planning
September 2005
Who is Validus?
• For profit, limited liability company
• USDA Approved Technical Service
Provider (TSP)
• Work with crop & livestock producers
Validus Provides Technical Help
• Peer Reviewed Science/newest field trials
• Experience to assist producers from over
170 Validus planners with over 4000 years
of experience
• Assist in:
– Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning
(CNMPs)
– Conservation Planning
– Documenting Benchmark Conditions for CSP
– Implementing Record Keeping System
– Education / Training (MOU with NRCS)
What is a TSP?
• Person / Group certified by USDA
– Technically qualified:
• Planning
• Practice application
Why Use TSP’s?
• As Conservation Professional:
– Technically correct
– As much conservation as possible
– As quickly as possible
Why Use TSP’s? (cont)
• As a client:
– Choice: Some prefer no government
involvement
• Past experience
• Hearsay
• Confidentiality
– Perhaps more timely
– “State of the Art” technology
Why Use TSP’s? (cont)
• As a TSP:
–
–
–
–
Technically / legally correct
As much conservation as possible
As fast as possible
Profit
Much in Common
More Cons.
Group
Applied
Technical
Timely
Best Use of
Quality
Service
Taxpayer $$
Agencies
X
X
X
X
Clients
X
X
X
?
TSPs
X
X
X
X
Profit
X
With Common Ground, Why the
Slow Pace?
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•
•
•
•
Fear—why? Getting it all done?
New
Cumbersome Process
Lack of Trust
Convinced clients they should get 100%
Result?
• Less conservation taking a longer time for
clients expecting quality timely assistance
to:
– Plan
– Apply
– Keep records
How do we Fix It?
• COOPERATE
• COMMUNICATE
• Figure out roles Locally
• Encourage clients to do more than the
minimum
What Should TSP’s Do?
• Stay qualified:
– Technical
– Legal
•
•
•
•
Help promote conservation
Assist clients plan AHEAD of programs
Help with records
Encourage Clients
– Specs
• Communicate with Agency
• Other?
Validus “Example Promotion for
CSP”
• Get a conservation plan or CNMP
• Implement your conservation plan or
CNMP
• Keep good records
• When you do this, at least some part of
your operation will likely be eligible.
Validus “Example of Promotion for
Planning”
• Meet EPA storm water discharge standards
(if you feed livestock).
• Get ready for CSP (the Conservation
Security Program).
• Review your operation for efficiencies
(Look at costs, reductions).
• Be a good neighbor and steward.
What Should Agency Folks Do?
• Assure TSP is qualified
• Help promote more (not minimum)
conservation
– Planning
– Application
– Records
• Follow TSP rule / Standards &
Specifications
• Assist in efficiency / profit
What Should Agency Folks Do? (cont)
• Don’t add requirements at every level
• Provide what you say you will when you
say you will
• Figure out how TSP can help YOU in your
job
• Communicate with TSPs
Communication
• Think of TSP as “another district”
– Rules
– Legislative Contacts
• Local Needs
• Another source or TA
• How goes it?
What Can or Should We Do
Together?
• Communicate with one another
• Promote more conservation
• Promote client financial involvement in
technical assistance FOR PLANNING
• Encourage Ag to do more than the
minimum
– Conservation Planning
– Conservation Application
– Record Keeping
Validus “Example More than
Minimum”
State NMP
State Regs.
EPA CAFO
EQIP waste facility
CSP eligibility
CSP higher tier
4
?
CNMP
4
4
4
4
Cons. Plan
4
4
4
4
4
Validus “Example Financial
Involvement”
• Financial help for planning?
--Conservation Plan
--maybe from NRCS
--CNMP
--Some TSP assistance from USDA
--Some state loans
Validus “Example Financial
Involvement” (cont)
• Is planning financial help needed?
--IF
• The planning, when implemented, with good record
keeping basically:
-- Provides an “insurance policy” for AFO
storm water discharge
--Assures CSP participation for 5-10 years
Summary
We have much in common
More Cons.
Group
Applied
Technical
Timely
Best Use of
Quality
Service
Taxpayer $$
Agencies
X
X
X
X
Clients
X
X
X
?
TSPs
X
X
X
X
Profit
X
Summary (cont)
• We have some items to overcome
• WE HAVE OPPORTUNITY--if we fail to
cooperate as agency and private sector
conservationists, we should be ashamed:
– Will = frustrated customers
– Will = less conservation
– Will = longer time to reach our environmental
goal
Questions & Discussion
Denise Pate, Director of Planning
Validus
515-278-8002
[email protected]