NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM PLAN OF WORK

Anticipated Outcomes:

• Increase tree planting to meet current and future environmental, economic, and social needs.
• Improve awareness of alternative income opportunities through agroforestry practices.
• Improve shelterbelt and windbreak sustainability.
• Determine potential for providing educational programming in riparian zone development and restoration.

Educational Program:

• Develop partnerships with organizations and landowners to provide demonstration sites and workshops which promote tree planting, increase awareness of agroforestry practices and income opportunities, and improve shelterbelt and windbreak sustainability.
• Develop and distribute news releases, bulletins, brochures, slide sets, and videos.
• Provide a comprehensive web site which provides North Dakota forestry information, tree identification, tree problem identification and management, and contact information for forestry professionals in North Dakota. This site would be used by natural resource professionals and the general public.

Evaluation Plan:

• Utilize North Dakota Forest Service annual report of tree planting numbers.
• Survey growers, processors, and marketers of agroforestry products in North Dakota (to develop base-line information).
• Survey landowners for awareness of windbreak management/renovation practices and adoption of such practices (to develop base-line information).
• Assess and evaluate the potential to provide programming in riparian zone development and restoration.

Situation:  North Dakota rangelands are a diverse array of plant communities which support wildlife, domestic livestock, insects, other life forms, and recreational opportunities for both residents and non residents. Disagreements regarding priority of use often arise since this network of interests compete for use of resources and contribute economically to the state. Understanding the many sides of these conflicts, including private and public lands, can be a complex process, but it is necessary to find win-win solutions which will protect this vibrant resource and satisfy the desires of those who value it.

Anticipated Outcomes:

• Public and Private Land Easements. Gain an increased understanding of the types of easements being offered, what to be aware of and look for in an easement, what the different easements will do and their limitations, the situations where a certain type of easement fits, and options for the parties involved to dissolve the easement agreement (including potential penalties).

Educational Program:

• Develop a circular to address easement questions and explain the types that are currently being used by federal, state, and other organizations.
• Conduct a training session to highlight the numerous easements available and discuss the issues surrounding public and private land easement. Examples of various easements will be shared with attention given to the problematic areas of the easement which historically have caused disagreement.

Evaluation Plan:   Provide a pre-training questionnaire and the same instrument post-training to determine knowledge gained. Monitor circular requests.

Situation: Animal feeding operations across all industries are expected to comply with the requirements of the Clean Waters Act and the Clean Air Act. While larger operations (>200 AU's) require an "approval to operate" from the Department of Health, even smaller operations should adopt waste management practices to minimize impact on water and air quality. Existing animal feeding operations have the potential to reduce water pollution through structural or management changes. Changes in the livestock industry to larger and more intensive operations increase the potential for surface and ground water pollution unless facilities are well constructed and managed.

Anticipated Outcomes:

• Enable producers to assess if their facilities and waste management practices measure up to regulatory requirements.
• Educational information that will allow producers to select and manage a waste management system that suits their operation.
• Resource inventory listing custom applicators, consultants, contractors and testing laboratories.
• Reduce the impact of animal feeding operations on surface water, ground water and air quality.

Evaluation Plan:

• Baseline survey of producers and extension agents at the program outset. At the end of the 4 year program, a follow-up survey will aim to identify any changes in practices.
• Participants in training/education events will be asked to rate the relevance and impact of the information presented.

Situation:   Weed, insect, and disease problems are major production constraints for ND agricultural producers. The use of pesticides to control these pests have been clearly demonstrated. Herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides were applied one or more times to 18.8, 1.3, and 0.6 million acres, respectively in ND in 1996. In urban settings, it is estimated that nearly 25% of ND's population uses pesticides in yard, garden, or home situations. Obviously, pesticide use is widespread throughout the state. However, the vast majority of the population is at the same time concerned about real and/or perceived adverse impacts pesticide use is having on the environment and on human health.

The trend towards increasing restrictions on pesticides is clear as the public and regulators become wary of their use. Pesticide use is becoming more complicated by the introduction of genetically modified crops, emerging application technology, and highly technical use guidelines.

Educating agricultural and urban users about the safe and effective use of pesticides will minimize their use, maximize their benefits, and alleviate the general public's fear about health and environmental degradation. Educating the general public about the scientific basis of pesticide risks versus benefits will result in reasoned debate in public policy making.

Anticipated Outcomes:

• Agricultural pesticide users will become aware of real and perceived risks of pesticide use upon the environment and upon human health. This will result in more judicious pesticide use decisions and ultimately lessen any adverse impacts on the environment.
• Urban pesticide users will become aware of real and perceived risks of pesticide use upon the environment and upon human health. This will result in more judicious pesticide use decisions and ultimately lessen any adverse impacts on the environment.
• The general public will be able to ascertain the difference between the real risk of pesticides and the perceived risk of pesticides based on sound scientific facts.

Educational Program:

• Program delivery methods will include meetings, distance education programs and informational circulars.
• Information about safe and effective use of pesticides will be disseminated via the worldwide web.
• Mass media articles and stories will be used to educate the general public about pesticide safety and environmental issues.

Evaluation Plan:   Surveys of program participants will be used to determine attitude changes. The North Dakota Poison Center will monitor and report the number of accidental pesticide exposures. The North Dakota Department of Agriculture will monitor and report the number and type of complaints and violations of the pesticide law. Evaluation information will be used to assess program effectiveness, identify areas for improvement, and to ascertain emerging pesticide issues.

Situation: Food production must be maintained to support both human nutrition and economic vitality of the state. However, food production systems should be managed to minimize the adverse effects on the environment for the long-range sustainability of agriculture and our society. Management of agriculture should include consideration of erosion, soil quality, air quality and the impacts of agriculture on greenhouse gas emissions and sequestration.

Anticipated Outcomes:   Increased awareness of the need to integrate management of nutrients and ag-chemicals for farm production with the conservation of resources and the maintenance of soil and water quality.

Educational Program:

• Programming for basic farm production practices will include providing information on increasing nutrient efficiency, site-specific management, recognition of environmentally sensitive areas and soils, and properties of nutrients and ag-chemicals which affect movement, persistence and special hazards to soils and the environment.
• GIS training through the use of digital mapping to recognize environmentally sensitive soils and situations.
• Instruction in the use of diagnostic tools, such as soil testing and new soil sampling techniques, will be emphasized to reduce over-application of nutrients.
• Renewed emphasis will be applied to manure management to create awareness in the difference between the nutrient value of manure and "disposal" applications.
• Programming goals will be met through use of weaving information into existing programs, such as the annual Soil and Soil Water Training, through county and area meetings on nutrients and ag-chemical use, and pesticide certification training. Material will also be distributed using written circulars/bulletins, news releases and other media.

Evaluation Plan:  Attendees of meetings will be asked to evaluate the program and to indicate if the content will make an impact on their business/farming operations and in what way.

Situation:   Management of water on the land is an important function that affects timely access to fields, livestock operations, wetlands, streams and water quality. The extended wet period experienced over the past 7 years has filled the wetlands and other depressional areas, raised the level in most of the glacial drift aquifers to record heights, prevented planting on millions of acres in different parts of the state each year, inundated roads, damaged normal road drainage routes and increased streambank erosion. The excess water problem has pitted the people who want to drain water against those living downstream.

Although many water problems are addressed in the political realm, there is a need for education on wetland easements, rules and regulations governing riparian areas and use of proper drainage design.

Anticipated Outcomes:   Agricultural producers and other interested parties will gain an understanding of their legal rights regarding wetland easements, wetland contracts and practices that can take place within a wetland. Agricultural producers and others (water resources boards, environmental organizations, etc.) will become more aware of the effects riparian areas have on water quality and stream health. Agricultural producers, township officials and other interested parties will become aware of the proper use and design of drainage systems.

Educational Program:   Educational materials (circulars, fact sheets, etc.) will be developed to address important topics in each of the three main areas cited above. Training opportunities in the form of workshops, demonstrations, field days and seminars will be conducted (most likely in conjunction with other scheduled events organized by other NREM components and government or private agencies).

Evaluation Plan:   Specific educational needs for water management are variable across the state. A survey needs to be conducted on a county by county basis to determine the extent of the problems caused by water. Key people, knowledgeable about water problems in each county, will be identified and contacted. Based on the results of the survey, educational materials and other educational offerings will be developed. Results from the survey will contribute to identification of regional problems that can be addressed by educational programs through appropriate Multi-county Program Units (MPU's).

Situation:  Maintenance and protection of the quality of water resources is a goal shared by the majority of North Dakotans. Data show that water resources vary with respect to the type and intensity of impacts. Results from water monitoring programs conducted by EPA and ND Dept. of Health indicate that most water contamination originates as non-point source. Delivery of nonpoint source contaminants to water resources is related to the processes of runoff and leaching. Although urban areas contribute to the problem, the shear magnitude of land under agricultural production dictates programmatic emphasis on this sector of human activity.

Programs that deliver management recommendations designed to control nonpoint source pollution rely on knowledge of the relationship between natural variability and man's activities. Effective water protection programs require accurate characterization of the pollution source with respect to specific water resources. Educational programs and tools are needed that help individuals and communities assess the potential impacts of nonpoint source pollution to their local water resources. Assessment efforts based on objective interpretation of natural resource data will ultimately reduce costs associated with contamination remediation and reduce costs related to unnecessary activities in areas of low vulnerability.

Anticipated Outcomes:

• Agricultural producers will reduce/prevent water degradation from plant nutrients.
• Agricultural producers will reduce/prevent water degradation from pesticides.
• Agricultural producers will reduce/prevent water degradation from animal wastes.
• Agricultural producers will protect/improve quality of private well water.
• Policy makers will facilitate citizen actions to protect/improve quality of private well water and public water systems.

Educational Programs:

• Deliver Water Resources Sensitivity Assessment program (in cooperation with the ND Dept. of Agriculture) statewide; however, focusing on the following counties: Mountrail; Pembina; Rolette; and Towner.
• Maintain and update water resource sensitivity maps by county on the ABEN server.
• Deliver Surface Water/Pesticide Sensitivity Assessment program (in cooperation with the ND Dept. of Agriculture and U.S. Fish and Wildlife) to land managers affected by the Endangered Species program.
• Deliver concepts of water quality protection to North Dakota youth via conservation tours and camps.
• Deliver statewide Farmstead Assessment program via workshops and meetings.
• Deliver water resource protection from pesticides via Pesticide Applicator Certification program.
• Deliver training to septic system installers via workshops.

Evaluation Plan:

• Survey field staff regarding activities related to the outcomes listed above.
• Trends in nutrient and pesticide use will be followed based on Agricultural Statistics Reporting Service data.
• Participation in meetings, workshops, etc. will be monitored.
• Program participants will be surveyed to determine quality and practicality of information presented.
• Conduct program follow-up to determine use of adoption of tools and recommendations for water quality protection.
• Monitor web contacts at GIS/Assessment Page.

Situation:   Since settlement, significant changes have occurred to the North Dakota landscape. With the changes in production agriculture and the expanding urban environment in ND, prairie ecosystems have been changed to become a new environment for wildlife species. These changes in North Dakota's landscape have challenged private and public land managers to develop new techniques to incorporate wildlife management practices, integrated pest management, and maintain and improve a healthy and compatible ecosystem.

Anticipated Outcomes:

• Animal Pest Management. Gain an understanding of animal pests and their relationship to urban and agricultural development. Promote a working relationship with existing agencies to develop a unified and consistent knowledge base for animal pest management.
• Integrating wildlife into agricultural and urban environments. Stimulate interest in creating a compatible relationship between wildlife, agriculture, and expending urban development. Promote a working relationship with existing agencies to develop a unified and consistent knowledge base for integrating wildlife into agriculture and urban environments.
• Prescription grazing for wildlife habitat enhancement. Disseminate existing information on compatible grazing systems that enhance wildlife habitat. Promote a working environment with existing agencies to develop plans for a unified and consistent knowledge base of prescription grazing for wildlife enhancement.
• Water resources. Help develop increased educational opportunities for our audiences in the understanding of wetlands and riparian functions as related to wildlife water needs. Promote a working environment with existing agencies to develop plans for a unified and consistent knowledge base of North Dakota water resources.

Educational Programs:

• As educators, provide assistance to help with the implementation and development of wildlife habitat practices that do not conflict with agriculture and wildlife.
• Evaluate existing educational materials and develop new educational resources as needed to address anticipated outcomes.
• Develop a network of agencies which provide technical assistance to rural and urban landowners.

Evaluation Plan:  A coordination meeting will be held in FY2000 with interested agencies and groups to determine the need for and the extent which Extension will commit resources to achieving the anticipated outcomes. From this meeting, a more detailed plan will be developed addressing the need for further development of materials and direction of assistance to the public and/or other agencies relating to the anticipated outcomes.