NORFOLK — A Local Working Group that provides advice on the priorities for many U.S. Department of Agriculture conservation programs will meet 5-7 p.m. March 28, in Norfolk.
The public is encouraged to attend and express their natural resource concerns at this meeting, which will take place at the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (NRD) office, 1508 Square Turn Boulevard. Ideas generated from the public will help the USDA tailor its natural resource programs to meet the needs identified locally.
There is a Local Working Group in each of the NRDs. Membership on the Local Working Group includes federal, state, county, tribal or local government representatives, according to Robin Sutherland, district conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), whose agency guides the Local Working Group.
“The Local Working Group recommends to the NRCS state conservationist how conservation programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) or Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) would be used most effectively in their area,” Sutherland said.
This Local Working Group allows local input into how federal dollars are spent, Sutherland said.
“This recommendation can include special target areas, cost-share rates on conservation programs, which conservation practices should have cost assistance or how many dollars could be needed,” Sutherland said.
Typically, Nebraska NRCS obligates anywhere between $45 million to more than $75 million to farmers and ranchers statewide through NRCS conservation programs.
These programs have helped landowners and operators make natural resource improvements to their land, water or wildlife. This funding was allocated according to the priorities set by the Local Working Group.
For more information about the NRCS and the programs and services it provides, people may go online to www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov.
