Fact Sheet No. 11: What Is a Conservation Plan?

What Is a Conservation Plan?

A conservation plan is a resource inventory and an analysis of conservation opportunities focusing on solutions to resource problems. It will assess the condition of the soil, water, animals, and plants on the ranch and will contain a schedule for implementing practices to protect and enhance these basic resources. The rancher or farmer works with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conservationist to develop the plan and is the decision-maker in the process.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service has conducted this program of voluntary soil and water conservation planning and implementation with private landowners and decision-makers for over 50 years. The first exposure many ranchers have to NRCS may be with the adoption of a single practice such as a spring development or an erosion control structure in a gully. The incentive to apply this practice, in addition to their recognition of a resource problem, is the cost share payment available from the USDA Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ANRCS). Just as the federal assistance by NRCS is guided and shaped for local needs through the local Resource Conservation District, so are the selection of practices to be cost shared decided upon by a local county committee of landowners or their agents elected to the position.

What types of assistance can I receive?

• Technical assistance is provided by NRCS. They will help you plan a program for your individual situation, and they can design or prescribe specific practices.
• Advice regarding range management practices such as seeding, grazing, weed control, and fertilization may be obtained from the Cooperative Extension farm advisor in your county.
• Financial assistance is available through cost sharing when the projects are part of a qualified plan to reduce erosion.
• The Agricultural Conservation Program (ACP) administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) will cost share up to $3,500 per farm per year. The percent of the project cost that this program covers depends upon the amount of soil being saved. To participate in this program, the landowner must implement an approved plan (developed with NRCS) with specifications. There is a requirement that practices be maintained for a certain number of years.
• Cost shared practices are determined by the county ACP committee and may include:
• Planned grazing systems
• Fencing to control grazing
• Stock water development
• Gully and headcut repairs
• Stream bank repair
• Sediment retention, erosion, or water control structures
• Seeding for vegetative cover improvement
• Wildlife habitat improvement
• Erosion control structures.

How can I implement a plan?

• Contact the Natural Resources Conservation Service in your area. Work with the conservationist to develop a plan.
• Submit the plan through NRCS for cost sharing approval.
• After cost sharing approval is received, complete the work. (It may be contracted or you can do it yourself.) Submit copies of the bills to the proper cost sharing agency for payment.
• Maintain the practice for the required length of time.
• As a consideration, supply NRCS with a personal evaluation of the project after its completion.

Adapted from:

Fact Sheet No. 2, Watershed Education Program for San Luis Obispo County, University of California Cooperative Extension, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401