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United States Natural 101 SW Main Street, Suite 1300
Department of Resources Portland, Oregon 97204-3221
Agriculture Conservation (503) 414-3200
Service Fax: (503) 414-3103
May 9, 2000
Mark Walker
Director of Public Affairs
Northwest Power Planning Council
851 SW Sixth Avenue, Suite 1100
Portland, Oregon 97204
Dear Mr. Walker:
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) would like the Northwest Power Planning Council to consider a recommendation for the Fish and Wildlife amendment process. We recommend that the NRCS, working with the Oregon Conservation Partnership, be funded to assist in implementing the Council's Fish and Wildlife Program on private farm and ranch lands.
With additional funding, NRCS could focus its staff resources on those sub-basins prioritized for implementation through the Council's process. By utilizing NRCS and the Oregon Conservation Partnership, the Council obtains access to our delivery and communication network with private landowners. The core partnership is made up of the NRCS, USDA Farm Services Agency, USDA Rural Development, Oregon Association of Conservation Districts, individual soil and water conservation districts, Oregon Association of Resource Conservation and Development Areas, Oregon Department of Agriculture, and the Oregon Soil Conservation Commission. The Partnership is expanded at the local level to include watershed councils, tribes, environmental and user groups, in addition to other federal, state and local agencies needed to fully address resource needs.
Our planning process is based on a locally-led, voluntary system trusted by farmers and ranchers. Through it, NRCS provides the best science available for habitat and watershed restoration with appropriate design standards to asure quality service. NRCS provides a trained, proficient staff who live in the communities they assist. Accountability is achieved through our on-line Performance & Results Measurement System (PRMS), employee planning certification program, and annual status reviews.
Working together increases the opportunities to leverage all of our programs to get conservation-on-the-ground.
Sincerely,
The Natural Resources Conservation Service works hand-in-hand with
Th American people to conserve natural
resources on private lands. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER