Acronym Directory
ac·ro·nym /[ak-ruh-nim]
-noun
a word formed from the initial letters or groups of letters of words in a set phrase or series of words, as Wac from Women's Army Corps, OPEC from Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, or loran from long-range navigation.
Here is a list of acronyms you might here and see when dealing with environmental and agricultural projects. Click on an acronym for further detail on each.
AGENCIES
State
BWSR: Board of Water and Soil Resources
DNR: Department of Natural Resources
DOER: Department of Employee Relations
LCMR: Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources
MPCA: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
MDA: Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture
MES: Minnesota Extension Service
MDH: Minnesota Dept. of Health
MGS: Minnesota Geological Service
OWM: Office of Waste Management
Federal
FS: Forest Service
FSA: Farm Service Agency (formerly ASCS)
COE: Army Corp. of Engineers
EPA: Environmental Protection Agency
NRCS: Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly SCS)
RC & D: Resource Conservation & Development
USACE: United States Army Corp of Engineers (Same as COE)
USFWS: U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service
USGS: U. S. Geological Service
Local, County, Misc.
ASP: Anoka Sand Plain
CRWD: Clearwater River Watershed District
ESD: Environmental Services Department
JPA5: Joint Powers Area 5 (See WCTSA)NFCRWD: North Fork Crow River Watershed District
SRCOLA: Sauk River Chain of Lakes Association
SRWD: Sauk River Watershed District
STRWD: South Two River Watershed District
SWCD: Soil and Water Conservation District
ASSOCIATIONS
State
AMC: Association of Minnesota Counties
CCA: Certified Crop Advisors
DU: Ducks Unlimited
LICA: Land Improvement Contractors Association
MACDE: Minnesota Association of Conservation District Employees
MASWCD: Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts
MAWD: Minnesota Association of Watershed Districts
MLA: Minnesota Lakes Association
MMPA: Minnesota Milk Producers Association
MWA: Minnesota Waterfowl Association
PF: Pheasants Forever
National
NACD: National Association of Conservation Districts
SWCS: Soil and Water Conservation Society
PROGRAMS
State Programs
AgBMP: Agricultural Best Management Practices Loan Program
CLWP: Comprehensive Local Water Planning
MFIP: Minnesota Forestry Improvement Program
PWP: Permanent Wetlands Preserve
RIM: Reinvest In Minnesota
SLR: Streambank, Lakeshore, and Roadside
SRF: State Revolving Fund
WCA: Wetland Conservation Act
Federal Programs
ACP: Agricultural Conservation Program (no longer applicable)
CCRP: Continuous Conservation Reserve Program
CRP: Conservation Reserve Program
CSP: Conservation Stewardship Program
CWA: Clean Water Act
EQIP: Environmental Quality Incentive Program
LTA: Long Term Agreement (no longer applicable)
NPDES: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
SAFE: State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement
WHIP: Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program
WQIP: Water Quality Incentive Program
WRP: Wetland Reserve Program
Misc.
BALMM: Basin Alliance for the Lower Mississippi in MinnesotaCNMP: Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan
DWSMA: Drinking Water Supply Management Area
CAFO: Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation
CTAC: Conservation Technical Assistance Committee
EQA: Environmental Quality Assurance Program
FLEVAL: Feedlot Evaluation Model
LEQA: Livestock Environmental Quality Assurance Program
LIDAR: Light Detection And RangingLWG: Local Work Group
MARL: Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership
MinnFARM: Minnesota Feedlot Annualized Runoff Model
NEMO: Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials
NOV: Notice of Violation
NPEA: Non-Point Engineering Assistance
OLA: Open Lot Agreement
SWPPP: Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
TMDL: Total Maximum Daily Load
TSP: Technical Service Provider
FULL DESCRIPTIONS
AGENCIES
State
BWSR: Board of Water and Soil Resources
BWSR is the state soil and water conservation agency, and it administers programs that prevent sediment and nutrients from entering our lakes, rivers, and streams; enhance fish and wildlife habitat; and protect wetlands. The 20-member board consists of representatives of local and state government agencies and citizens.
For more info visit: http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/
DNR: Department of Natural Resources
The Department of Natural Resources is the agency charged with conserving and managing the state's natural resources. The agency maintains areas such as state parks, state forests, recreational trails, and recreation areas as well as managing minerals, wildlife, and forestry. The agency is currently divided into eight sections Ecological Resources, Enforcement, Fish & Wildlife, Forestry, Lands and Minerals, Waterways, Parks and Trails, and Waters.
For more info visit: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/index.html
MPCA: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is a Minnesota state agency that works to monitors environmental quality, offers technical and financial assistance, and enforces environmental regulations for the State of Minnesota. The MPCA finds and cleans up spills or leaks that can affect our health and environment. The MPCA staff develops statewide policies and supports environmental education, working with such partners as citizens, municipalities, businesses, environmental groups, and educators to prevent pollution and conserve resources.
For more info visit: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/
MDA: Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture
Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture's mission is to enhance Minnesotans' quality of life by ensuring the integrity of the food supply, the health of the environment, and the strength of the agricultural economy. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has existed in one form or another for more than 100 years.
For more info visit: http://www.mda.state.mn.us/
MES: Minnesota Extension Service
The Minnesota Extension Service is a non-formal educational program implemented in the United States designed to help people use research-based knowledge to improve their lives. The service is provided by the state's designated land-grant universities. In most states the educational offerings are in the areas of agriculture and food, home and family, the environment, community economic development, and youth and 4-H.
For more info visit: http://www.extension.umn.edu/
LCMR: Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources
The LCCMR is made up of 17 members: 5 Senators, 5 Representatives, 5 citizens appointed by the governor, 1 citizen appointed by the Senate, and 1 citizen appointed by the House. The function of the LCCMR (formerly LCMR) is to make funding recommendations to the legislature for special environment and natural resource projects, primarily from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. These projects help maintain and enhance Minnesota 's environment and natural resources. The LCCMR developed from a program initiated in 1963. Since 1963, over $650 million has been appropriated to more than 1,650 projects recommended by the Commission to protect and enhance Minnesota's environment and natural resources.
For more info visit: http://www.lccmr.leg.mn/
MDH: Minnesota Dept. of Health
The Minnesota Dept. of Health is charged with Protecting, maintaining and improving
the health of all Minnesotans. They respond to disease outbreaks, promote healthy choices, or ensure safe drinking water.
For more info visit: http://www.health.state.mn.us/
MGS: Minnesota Geological Service
OWM: Office of Waste Management
The Office of Waste Management works closely with individual states, industry, environmental groups, tribes, and the public to promote safe waste management. The OWM set national environmental goals, policies, and priorities, assume leadership roles in environmental education; and write flexible, health-based regulations that reflect ecological risks and environmental justice.
For more info visit: http://www.epa.gov/osw/
DOER: Department of Employee Relations
The department administers the state's merit system and provides human resource products and services to 120 state agencies, boards, and commissions; negotiates and administers labor agreements and develops and administers compensation plans covering 36,250 state executive branch employees; and develops, implements, and manages employee and dependent insurance benefits for over 120,000 covered lives and workers' compensation benefits for employees of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches and to quasi-state agencies.
For more info visit: http://www.sos.state.mn.us/index.aspx?page=772
TOP PAGE
Federal
NRCS: Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly SCS)
With the mission of "Helping People Help the Land," the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides products and services that enable people to be good stewards of the Nation's soil, water, and related natural resources on non-Federal lands. With our help, people are better able to conserve, maintain, or improve their natural resources. As a result of our technical and financial assistance, land managers and communities take a comprehensive approach to the use and protection of natural resources in rural, suburban, urban, and developing areas.
For more info visit: http://www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov/
FSA: Farm Service Agency (formerly ASCS)
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is the USDA agency into which were merged several predecessor agencies, including the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS). The ASCS was, as the FSA is now, primarily tasked with the implementation of farm conservation and regulation laws around the country. The Administrator of FSA reports to the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services.
For more info visit: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/
COE (USACE): United State Army Corp. of Engineers
The United States Army Corps of Engineers is a federal agency and a major Army command made up of some 34,000 civilian and military personnel, making it the world's largest public engineering, design and construction management agency. Although generally associated with dams, canals and flood protection in the United States, COE is involved in a wide range of public works support to the nation and the Department of Defense throughout the world.
For more info visit: http://www.usace.army.mil/
EPA: Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or sometimes USEPA) is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress.
For more info visit: http://www.epa.gov/
RC & D: Resource Conservation & Development
The purpose of the Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) program is to accelerate the conservation, development and utilization of natural resources, improve the general level of economic activity, and to enhance the environment and standard of living in designated RC&D areas. RC&D is a NRCS program.
For more info visit: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/rcd/
USFWS: U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is a federal government agency within the United States Department of the Interior dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, and habitats. The mission of the agency reads as "working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people."
For more info visit: http://www.fws.gov/
USGS: U. S. Geological Service
The USGS is a science organization that provides impartial information on the health of our ecosystems and environment, the natural hazards that threaten us, the natural resources we rely on, the impacts of climate and land-use change, and the core science systems that help us provide timely, relevant, and useable information.
For more info visit: http://www.usgs.gov/
The United States Forest Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which encompass 193 million acres (780,000 km2). Major divisions of the agency include the National Forest System, State and Private Forestry, and the Research and Development branch.
For more info visit: (US) http://www.fs.fed.us/ & (MN) http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/index.html
Local, County, Misc.
SWCD: Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation districts are government entities that provide technical assistance and tools to manage and protect land and water resources in U.S. states and insular areas. There are more than 3,000 in the United States. Depending on the state, they may also be known as soil and water conservation districts, soil conservation districts, resource conservation districts, or other similar names. Nationally and within each state, the districts are generally coordinated by non-governmental associations. District borders often coincide with county borders.
For more info visit: http://www.maswcd.org/ or http://www.stearnscountyswcd.net/
Former JPA5 is no longer in existence. See WCTSA.
ESD: Environmental Services Department
The Stearns County Environmental Services Department was organized in 1993 to provide efficient customer service to the general public regarding environmental, land use and environmental health issues.
For more info visit: http://www.co.stearns.mn.us/Government/CountyDepartments/EnvironmentalServices
The majority of Anoka County is located in a geologic region known as the Anoka Sandplain. The Anoka Sandplain is known for its flat topography, sandy soils, and shallow water table. Land use practices in this unique area have far reaching implications. This area is the sources of drinking water for the several major cities, the home for many rare plants, animals and ecosystems, and the site of expanding urban growth boundaries.
The Anoka Sandplain is located in central Minnesota within 13 counties; Anoka, Benton, Chisago, Crow Wing, Hennepin, Isanti, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Ramsey, Sherburne, Stearns, Washington, and Wright. Sixty-eight cities and seventy-four townships are at least partially located within the boundaries.
For more info visit: http://www.anokanaturalresources.com/soil/sandplain.htm
SRWD: Sauk River Watershed District
The Sauk River watershed extends from the Mississippi River near St. Cloud into the eastern portions of Douglas County to within 3 miles of Alexandria. The watershed, like the Sauk River, extends in a northwest to southeast direction. The overall watershed is about 75 miles in length with some areas being up to 20 to 30 miles in width. The Sauk River meanders for 120 miles.
For more info visit: http://www.srwdmn.org/
NFCRWD: North Fork Crow River Watershed District
The North Fork Crow River Watershed District is one of 45 Watershed Districts in the State of Minnesota. The North Fork Crow River Watershed covers parts of Pope, Kandiyohi, Stearns, and Meeker Counties.
For more info visit: http://nfcrwd.org/
CRWD: Clearwater River Watershed District
The Clearwater River Watershed District was established as a unit of local government on April 9, 1975. The Clearwater River Watershed covers parts of Wright, Stearns, & Meeker counties.
For more info visit: http://www.crwd.org/
STRWD: South Two River Watershed District
The South Two River Watershed lies primarily in Stearns County with small portions in Morrison County.
SRCOLA: Sauk River Chain of Lakes Association
The Sauk River Chain of Lakes Association has pledged to improve the water quality of the Sauk River Chain of Lakes in Stearns County, Minnesota. They are involved with water quality monitoring, walleye stocking programs & interactive lake ecology programs with area schools among other projects.
For more info visit: http://www.srcl.org/
WCTSA: West Central Technical Service Area (located in Stearns SWCD)
The West Central Technical Service Area (WCTSA) was established in 2009 as part of the reorganization of the Non-Point Engineering Assistance (NPEA) program. This program was established in 1994 in conjunction with the Agricultural Best Management Practices and Clean Water Partnership Loan Programs, which receive funding from the State Revolving Fund. Eleven joint powers groups of soil and water conservation districts were created statewide in early 1995 to employ professional engineer and technician teams to provide technical assistance in cooperation with member soil and water conservation districts. During the 2009 reorganization, the areas were reduced from eleven to eight.
For more info visit: http://www.stearnscountyswcd.net/pages/WestCentralTechnicalServiceArea/
ASSOCIATIONS
State
AMC: Association of Minnesota Counties
The Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) is a voluntary, non-partisan statewide organization that has assisted the state's 87 counties in providing effective county governance to the people of Minnesota since 1909. The association works closely with the legislative and administrative branches of government in seeing that legislation and policies favorable to counties are enacted. AMC also provides educational programs, training, research and communications for county officials.
For more info visit: http://www.mncounties.org/
MACDE: Minnesota Association of Conservation District Employees
MACDE provides a means of communication between district employees to exchange information and ideas that encourage unification and coordination of our district programs. Helps to establish and support a continuing education program for all district employees. Provides input into the activities of MASWCD and the Board of Water and Soil Resources, to increase the contribution of district employees and effectiveness of districts and their programs. Informs district employees of current events and job opportunities. Strives to maintain a stable and harmonious working relationship between districts, employees, supervisors and cooperating agencies.
For more info visit: http://www.macde.us/
MASWCD: Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts
MASWCD is a nonprofit organization which exists to provide leadership and a common voice for Minnesota's soil and water conservation districts and to maintain a positive, results-oriented relationship with rule making agencies, partners and legislators; expanding education opportunities for the districts so they may carry out effective conservation programs.
For more info visit: http://www.maswcd.org/
MAWD: Minnesota Association of Watershed Districts
The Minnesota Association of Watershed Districts provides educational opportunities, information and training for watershed district managers and staff through yearly tours, meetings and quarterly newsletters.
For more info visit: http://www.mnwatershed.org/
MMPA: Minnesota Milk Producers Association
The Minnesota Milk Producers Association promotes a positive image for the dairy industry and protects milk producer's business interests and way of life.
For more info visit: http://www.mnmilk.org/
MLA: Minnesota Lakes Association
Ducks Unlimited is a private waterfowl and wetlands conservation organization. DU conserves, restores, and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North America's waterfowl.
For more info visit: http://www.ducks.org/
MWA: Minnesota Waterfowl Association
Minnesota Waterfowl Association is a statewide nonprofit organization is dedicated to the preservation, creation and restoration of wildlife habitat in Minnesota. The MWA, through proceeds from memberships, fundraisers and donations, has benefited waterfowl and other wildlife over 35 years.
For more info visit: http://www.mnwaterfowl.com/
Pheasants Forever is dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education and land management policies and programs. There are more than 600 Pheasants Forever chapters across the U.S. and Canada, accounting for over 120,000 current members,
For more info visit: http://www.pheasantsforever.org/ or http://www.stearnscountyswcd.net/pages/PheasantsForever/
LICA: Land Improvement Contractors Association
The Land Improvement Contractors of America is an organization of earth moving contractors who care about the environment. Concerned contractors who worked to conserve the land and water resources started LICA in 1950. Today we have members and state chapters coast to coast. Their conservation ethic has continued to be and will continue to be the hallmark of LICA.
For more info visit: http://www.licanational.com/
The Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) program is a membership service of the American Society of Agronomy (ASA). Any public, commercial or independent adviser, who counsels farmers, ranchers or other agricultural entities and can meet the rigorous standards of the CCA program is encouraged to participate.
For more info visit: https://www.certifiedcropadviser.org/ & http://www.stearnscountyswcd.net/page/35
National
NACD: National Association of Conservation Districts
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is the nonprofit organization that represents America's 3,000 conservation districts and the 17,000 men and women who serve on their governing boards. Conservation districts are local units of government established under state law to carry out natural resource management programs at the local level. Districts work with millions of cooperating landowners and operators to help them manage and protect land and water resources on all private lands and many public lands in the United States.
For more info visit: http://www.nacdnet.org/
SWCS: Soil and Water Conservation Society
The Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) is a professional and scientific membership society. The mission of the organization is to foster the science and art of natural resource management for sustainability.
For more info visit: http://www.swcs.org/
PROGRAMS
State Programs
AgBMP: Agricultural Best Management Practices Loan Program
The AgBMP Loan Program is a water quality program that provides zero interest loans to local units of government who in turn provide low interest loans to farmers, rural landowners, and agriculture supply businesses. The purpose is to encourage agricultural Best Management Practices that prevent or reduce runoff from feedlots, farm fields and other pollution problems identified by the county in local water plans.
For more info visit: http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/grants/loans/agbmploan.aspx & http://www.stearnscountyswcd.net/pages/AgBMPLoanProgram/
CLWP: Comprehensive Local Water Planning
Comprehensive Local Water Management is the adoption and implementation of local water management plans that are based on local priorities. As a general-purpose unit of government, counties, with their planning and land-use authorities, are uniquely positioned to link many land-use decisions with local goals for surface and groundwater protection and management.
For more info visit: http://www.co.stearns.mn.us/Environment/WaterResources/ComprehensiveWaterPlanning
MFIP: Minnesota Forestry Improvement Program
The Reinvest In Minnesota Grant was established to encourage private citizens and organizations to help fund the acquisition and development of critical fish and wildlife habitat by having their donations of land or cash matched from a special state fund.
Eligible Projects include the acquisition and enhancement of critical habitat, which includes but is not limited to restoring wetlands, improving forest habitat, planting critical winter cover, protecting undisturbed plant communities, preserving habitat for rare plant and animal species, protecting native prairie and grasslands, and preserving spawning and reproduction areas for fish.
For more info visit: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/grants/land/rim.html
PWP: Permanent Wetlands Preserve
SLR: Streambank, Lakeshore, and Roadside
A State Revolving Fund (SRF) is a fund administered by a U.S. state for the purpose of providing low-interest loans for investments in water and sanitation infrastructure (e.g., sewage treatment, stormwater management facilities, drinking water treatment), as well as for the implementation of nonpoint source pollution control and estuary protection projects.
The North American Wetlands Conservation Act authorizes a wetlands habitat program, administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service, which provides grants to protect and manage wetland habitats for migratory birds and other wetland wildlife in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
For more info visit: http://www.fws.gov/birdhabitat/grants/nawca/Act.shtm
Federal Programs
ACP: Agricultural Conservation Program (no longer applicable)
CCRP: Continuous Conservation Reserve Program
USDA Farm Service Agency's (FSA) Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a voluntary program that helps agricultural producers safeguard environmentally sensitive land. CRP participants plant long-term, resource-conserving covers to improve the quality of water, control soil erosion, and enhance wildlife habitat. In return, FSA provides participants with rental payments and cost-share assistance.
For more info visit: FSA CRP & http://www.stearnscountyswcd.net/pages/ConservationReserveProgram(CRP)/
CRP: Conservation Reserve Program
USDA Farm Service Agency's (FSA) Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a voluntary program that helps agricultural producers safeguard environmentally sensitive land. CRP participants plant long-term, resource-conserving covers to improve the quality of water, control soil erosion, and enhance wildlife habitat. In return, FSA provides participants with rental payments and cost-share assistance.
EQIP: Environmental Quality Incentive Program
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) was reauthorized in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm Bill) to provide a voluntary conservation program for farmers and ranchers that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible national goals. EQIP offers financial and technical help to assist eligible participants install or implement structural and management practices on eligible agricultural land.
For more info visit: http://www.stearnscountyswcd.net/pages/EnvironmentalQualityIncentivesProgram(EQIP)/
LTA: Long Term Agreement (no longer applicable)
WHIP: Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program
The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program is program established by the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (the Farm Bill) to promote voluntary implementation of on-farm management practices to develop habitat for wetland and upland wildlife, threatened and endangered species, fish and other types of wildlife using cost-share payments and technical assistance.
For more information visit: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/whip/
WQIP: Water Quality Incentive Program (WQIP is no longer available)
The Water Quality Incentives Program was authorized in the 1990 farm bill and administered by the Farm Service Agency. It was repealed and replaced by the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) in the 1996 farm bill. It provided cost-share assistance to implement comprehensive water quality protection plans and was funded by earmarking a portion of the Agricultural Conservation Program.
The Wetlands Reserve Program is a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides technical and financial support to help landowners with their wetland restoration efforts. The NRCS goal is to achieve the greatest wetland functions and values, along with optimum wildlife habitat, on every acre enrolled in the program. This program offers landowners an opportunity to establish long-term conservation and wildlife practices and protection.
For more info visit: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/wrp/
NPDES: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
As authorized by the Clean Water Act, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States. Point sources are discrete conveyances such as pipes or man-made ditches. Individual homes that are connected to a municipal system, use a septic system, or do not have a surface discharge do not need an NPDES permit; however, industrial, municipal and other facilities must obtain permits if their discharges go directly to surface waters.
For more info visit: http://www.epa.gov/oecaerth/monitoring/programs/cwa/npdes.html
The Clean Water Act is the primary federal law in the United States governing water pollution. Commonly abbreviated as the CWA, the act established the goals of eliminating releases of high amounts of toxic substances into water, eliminating additional water pollution by 1985, and ensuring that surface waters would meet standards necessary for human sports and recreation by 1983. The Clean Water Act does not directly address groundwater contamination. Groundwater protection provisions are included in the Safe Drinking Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Superfund act.
For more info visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clean_Water_Act
CSP: Conservation Stewardship Program
The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is a voluntary conservation program that encourages producers to address resource concerns in a comprehensive manner by:
- Undertaking additional conservation activities; and
- Improving, maintaining, and managing existing conservation activities.
CSP is available on Tribal and private agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest land in all 50 States and the Caribbean and Pacific Islands Areas. The program provides equitable access to all producers, regardless of operation size, crops produced, or geographic location. The Secretary of Agriculture has delegated the authority for CSP to the NRCS Chief.
For more info visit: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/new_csp/csp.html
SAFE: State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement
Owners and operators of certain cropland in designated geographic areas may enroll eligible land in a new continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) conservation practice titled State Acres For wildlife Enhancement (SAFE), also known as CP38. USDA has approved SAFE proposals to address state and regional high-priority wildlife objectives. SAFE practices provide the flexibility to meet the specific needs of high-value wildlife species in a participating state or region. Conservation practices currently offered under CRP are fine-tuned through SAFE to improve, connect or create higher-quality habitat to promote healthier ecosystems in areas identified as essential to effective management of high-priority species. USDA's goal is to restore or enhance 500,000 acres of wildlife habitat.
For more info visit: http://www.apfo.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/safe08.pdf
Misc.
TSP: Technical Service Provider
Technical Service Provider are professionals who have been certified to providide technical assistance to landowners and farmers under one of the Farm Bill conservation programs. The premise behind the TSP process is that the demand for technical assistance to do conservation work is increasing and will exceed the current staffing capacity of the NRCS. Technical assistance includes conservation planning and design, installation and checkout of approved conservation practices.
For more info visit: http://techreg.usda.gov/FAQInfo.aspx
CAFO: Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation
A Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) is an animal feeding facility that confines animals for more than 45 days in an area that does not produce vegetation during the growing season. The term "CAFO" was first coined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to describe facilities that have a potential pollution profile.
For more info visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concentrated_Animal_Feeding_Operations
Since October 2000, livestock producers having open feedlots with fewer than 300 animal units (AU) had the option to sign an OLA, whereby they committed to correct their open lot runoff problems in exchange for a flexible time schedule for compliance and a conditional waiver from enforcement of penalties for past violations of water quality standards.
For more info visit: MPCA Open Lot Agreement
FLEVAL: Feedlot Evaluation Model
A model used to calculate the amount of pollutants coming from a feedlot. The Feedlot Evaluation Model (1982) was developed by the Agricultural Research Service for prioritizing feedlot pollution potential based on a single 25yr 24 hr event. MinnFARM has replaced FLEVAL for this process.
MinnFARM: Minnesota Feedlot Annualized Runoff Model
MinnFARM was developed to calculate the annual pollutant loading from a feedlot in
Minnesota. The model is based in part on algorithms from the Feedlot Evaluation Model (1982) model developed by the Agricultural Research Service for prioritizing feedlot pollution potential based on a single 25yr 24 hr event. With a limited number of inputs, MinnFARM estimates annual pollutant loadings for COD, Phosphorus, Nitrogen, BOD5 and fecal coliforms at the end of a defined treatment area.
For more info visit: MinnFARM Users Guide
Conservation districts convene a local work group comprised of the district board members and key staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff, Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees and key staffs, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service and other Federal, State, and local agencies interested in natural resource conservation.
For more info visit: http://www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/lwg.html
NPEA: Non-Point Engineering Assistance
Non-Point Engineering Assistance provides engineering assistance to private landowners, via soil and water conservation districts, for a variety of non-point water quality management practices.
For more info visit: http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/outreach/engineering/nonpoint.html
EQA: Environmental Quality Assurance Program
The EQA program provides incentive funding (up to $5000 per farm) to help
Minnesota dairy producers achieve environmental quality standards on their farms that help assure the community and environmental regulators that EQA Certified dairies represent "Excellence in Environmental Stewardship".
For more info visit: http://www.extension.umn.edu/county/goodhue/EnvQualit%20Assurance.pdf
LEQA: Livestock Environmental Quality Assurance Program
Minnesota livestock producers have a new voluntary and proactive way to address water quality issues on their land through the Livestock Environmental Quality Assurance Program (LEQA). With funds from the environmentally-dedicated sales tax, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture has launched the program to help livestock producers take the initiative on a non-regulatory basis to evaluate water quality issues and implement appropriate practices.
For more info visit: http://www.mda.state.mn.us/news/government/livestock.aspx
CPO: Conservation Plan of Operations
SWPPP: Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
A plan for stormwater discharge that includes erosion prevention measures and sediment controls that, when implemented, will decrease soil erosion on a parcel of land decrease off-site nonpoint pollution.
For more info visit: http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/swppp.cfm
TMDL: Total Maximum Daily Load
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) is a regulatory term in the U.S. Clean Water Act (CWA), describing a value of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a body of water can receive while still meeting water quality standards. Alternatively, TMDL is an allocation of that water pollutant deemed acceptable to the subject receiving waters.
TMDLs have been used extensively by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state environmental agencies in implementing the CWA by establishing maximum pollution limits for industrial wastewater dischargers. EPA published regulations in 1992 establishing TMDL procedures. Application of TMDL has broadened significantly in the last decade to include many watershed-scale efforts. This process incorporates both point source and nonpoint source pollutants within a watershed.
NEMO: Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials
NEMO (Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials) was created in the early 1990's to provide information, education and assistance to local land use boards and commissions on how they can accommodate growth while protecting their natural resources and community character. The program was built upon the basic belief that the future of our communities and environment depend on land use, and, since land use is decided primarily at the local level, education of local land use officials is the most effective, and most cost-effective, way to bring about positive change. NEMO is a national network, with programs in over 30 states.
For more info visit: http://nemonet.uconn.edu/
BALMM: Basin Alliance for the Lower Mississippi in Minnesota
BALMM is a locally-led alliance of land and water resource agencies formed to coordinate efforts to protect and improve water quality in the Lower Mississippi River Basin in Minnesota.
For more info visit: http://www.umbsn.org/news/balmm_updates.shtml
MARL: Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership
The MARL program (Southwest Minnesota State University) is a dynamic leadership development program for active and engaged adult agricultural and rural leaders in Minnesota.
Every two years a class of approximately 30 participants are selected following an open application and interview process. The goal is to have 2/3 of the participants be involved in production agriculture. The other 1/3 of the participants are business, civic, government, and organization leaders in agriculture and rural Minnesota.
These leaders participate in a series of nine in-state seminars, a national study tour, and an international study tour. The in-state seminars are three days in length and are held in nine different locations across the state of Minnesota. The national study tour is up to a week long and is held in Washington, DC. The international study tour is up to two weeks long and is held in a different country or more than one country abroad.
For more info visit: http://www.smsu.edu/marl/
CNMP: Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan
Comprehensive nutrient management plans (CNMPs) have become an integral part of the regulatory permitting and environmental stewardship for large, and in some cases medium and small, animal feeding operations (AFOs). A CNMP is developed to assist an AFO owner/operator in meeting applicable local, tribal, state, and federal water quality goals or regulations. CNMPs are developed in accordance with NRCS conservation planning policy and EPA guidance. The CNMP fits within the total resource management objectives of the entire farm/animal feeding operation. It identifies management and conservation actions necessary to meet clearly defined nutrient management goals aimed at reducing excess nutrients in soil and water. Conservation practices may include manure and wastewater handling and storage, land treatment practices, and feed practices.
For more info visit: NRCS Nutrient Management
DWSMA: Drinking Water Supply Management Area
A drinking water supply management area (DWSMA) is the Minnesota De
Department of Health (MDH) approved surface and subsurface area surrounding a public water supply well that completely contains the scientifically calculated wellhead protection area and is managed by the entity identified in a wellhead protection plan. The boundaries of the drinking water supply management area are delineated by identifiable physical features, landmarks or political and administrative boundaries.
For more info visit: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/water/index.html
CTAC: Conservation Technical Assistance Committee
LIDAR: Light Detection And Ranging
LiDAR is an optical remote sensing technology that can measure the distance to, or other properties of a target by illuminating the target with light, often using pulses from a laser. The MnDNR is currently using LiDAR to create a high-resolution elevation model of the entire state. More Info