NRCS Alaska News

October 30, 2006

In This Issue

NRCS Organizational Structure Change

State Conservationist Bob Jones announced on Friday that the organizational structure of Alaska NRCS will be change to be more reflective of the line and staff structure of the agency.  Effective immediately, the supervision of District Conservationists will be the responsibility of the State Conservationist. 

The Assistant State Conservationist (OP) position that previously supervised all DCs will retain all the remaining duties and responsibilities that are currently assigned to the position.

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Technical Committee Forms Subsistence Subcommittee

The State Technical Committee meeting was held in Anchorage October 24 to discuss the FY07 EQIP and WHIP policy, ranking criteria and practice/cost lists. The meeting was well attended by representatives from state and federal agencies, non-profits, tribes, and conservation experts.

The FY07 drafts of the EQIP and WHIP policy, ranking criteria and practice/costs lists will be updated on the NRCS website next week.  Comments will be taken until November 17, and should be made directly to Assistant State Conservationist for Programs Tom Hedt at Thomas.hedt@ak.usda.gov.

One of the recommendations the committee made is the development of a subcommittee to evaluate how subsistence resources are included in the EQIP and WHIP programs.  Tom Hedt will be forming a subcommittee from State Technical Committee members, the State Biologist, and the State Public Affairs Specialist.  The subcommittee hopes to have its first meeting in late November.

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Three Landowners Receive Acquisition Offers

The Matanuska River Terrace Erosion Area Acquisition Pilot Project moved forward a step in early October by offering three property owners a combined total of $433,000 for their land.  These three landowners submitted the highest ranked applications to the voluntary program which attracted a total of 13 applicants.

Once all the properties have been inspected for hazardous substances and materials, the structures will be demolished.  The next step will be the restoration process. 

This pilot project is specifically intended to acquire a fee title interest by the Matanuska- Susitna Borough from the landowners who choose to participate in the program.  Following the acquisition of the fee interest from the landowner, the Borough will attach and record stipulated covenants to the deed which will govern the land use and management of the acquired properties.

It is hopeful the idea of implementing “green planning” along rivers in Alaska will not only protect land owners from loss of structures - and possibly life - but also increase riparian habitat for fish and other wildlife.  We have already had many calls from landowners who did not apply to this year’s pilot program to inquire if it will be available again.  We hope so.

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Testing Tree Planting Provenance Standards– It’s Almost Rocket Science

“What trees can I plant.” is one of the first questions landowners ask when presented with the option of tree planting as a means for reforestation. Tree and Shrub Establishment Conservation Practice Standard 612 directs planners to select native species with a local provenance.  Provenance is French word meaning “the local area you are from.”  Technical guidance states you should always select seedlings from a local provenance. John Alden’s research publication provides provenance maps for Alaska that isolates most of the state in 100 mile polygons as a guide for respecting provenances.

This is not always true, as demonstrated by District Conservationist Mark Kinney who is standing near a Sitka spruce on Kodiak. This tree’s provenance is 1000 miles to the south.  Although not always recommended, trees of the same species but from different seed source locations that are proven to be viable can be an option for landowners.

Afognak Native Corporation (ANC) has been testing Sitka spruce varieties for 20 years and they have found a number of promising selections to base their reforestation projects on.

The process of evaluation is a long-term research study on plant growth, tolerance to cold, branching habit and other considerations. Numerous tree varieties are planted and compared to each other over a long period of time. These test plantings are highly manicured sites that have identical soil, aspect, and site preparation conditions.  After planting the trees are measure for height, caliper and general health.  These trees are re-measured on a periodic basis to evaluate their performance. The goal is to give the tree enough time and seasons to ensure they are truly suited for the site and will result in a tree that survives to harvest maturity.

Often times trees planted will do very well at an early age and then have some particular problem. This was evident in Maine where white pines were planted for years on abandoned farms that had soils formed from marine deposits. Early growth was exceptional but these trees would stagnate when they reach 25 to 35 feet tall and succumb to a variety to insects and pests.  Before a selection is made the researcher/practioner needs to be sure that future investments will not turn into trees akin to the ratty white pine found on thousands of acres in Maine.

ANC has been using a Sitka spruce with province from the Juneau area for many years and they are expecting <20 percent additional growth when compared to native Sitka spruce.  They have more than 20 years of trials that have led them to this decision.  The tree Mark Kinney is standing by has shown some initial promise of 40 percent faster growth. In dollars that means a greater profit by shorter rotation ages. From a societal and environment point of view, this means forest mature quicker and sequester atmospheric carbon faster. The difference between “Plus” Sitka spruce and Afognak Sitka spruce may play a role in global climate change. Where is this tree from? Well as with most preliminary research there is a liability in leaking the next super tree variety and its is best to wait for the results before anybody invest too many dollars on incomplete data and results.

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Plant Materials Center Leader Visits Alaska

Jim Briggs from the West National Technology Support Center (WNTSC) visited the Alaska Plant Materials Center (PMC) for the first time in his tenure as leader of the program in the west on October 10, 11, and 12.  This trip completed his goal to visit each of the PMCs in the west and evaluate how collaborations between the PMCs and NRCS could be more effective, ways to strengthen the partnership, and how to facilitate program delivery for both entities.  The Alaska program is different than most other states.  Most PMCs are operated and staffed by the NRCS.  In Alaska the PMC is operated by the State of Alaska through the Division of Agriculture. 

After meeting with PMC and NRCS staff and touring the facilities, Jim was truly impressed at the scope and variety of activities and how different they are from many of the other PMCs in the west.  Even though there are differences here, he still had many suggestions for the NRCS Resources staff and State Conservationist Bob Jones that will be evaluated for future consideration to improve the partnership.

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Engineering Training Takes Place in Homer

The third and final version of Engineering Training was conducted in Homer October 16 through 18.  The trainees spent time learning the finer points of level surveying, well and pipeline design, pond inventory and evaluation, and trail and boardwalk inventory and evaluation.  Training was attended by Homer Soil Conservationists Craig Sanders and Ronnie Maurer; Kenai District Conservationist Meg Meuller; Bethel District Conservationist Andy Oxford;  Anchorage District Conservationist Crystal Leonetti; Civil Engineer Jane Standifer-Trenton; Anchorage Soil Conservationist Chet Fitzgerald; and Delta Junction Soil Conservationist Meghan Lene.  Trainers were State Design Engineer Aimee Rohner, Civil Engineer Jeff Rypka, and Civil Engineer Technician Brant Dallas. 

First morning was spent indoors discussing policy, surveying, and livestock watering systems.  After lunch we traveled to a local site and applied the newfound knowledge.  The site was surveyed for pipelines and options were discussed.  Day two found everyone huddled over drafting paper, survey notes, and calculators working up the design for the livestock watering system.  The final and third day found us back in the field doing an inventory and evaluation on a WHIP pond site and trail and walkway. 

With the information gleaned at this session the attendees have a better grasp of engineering applications in NRCS Alaska.

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Veterans Day Message

As the shadows lengthen on another year and winter gathers, our minds race forward to the pleasures of the holiday season. Let us take a moment to express our gratitude to the veterans of liberty this holiday season and through out the year.

It is easy for us to consider Thanksgiving the start of the holiday season, seeing as this is the tradition many of us grew up with. It certainly is true that we here in America have much to be thankful for. Not least among these things is the freedom to celebrate our religious and political independence as we deem appropriate.  For this we must thank the veterans of this nation. From the bridge at Concord to the streets of Baghdad, brave Americans have stood to defend these basic rights.

There are 24.5 million veterans in America who come from all walks of life and every ethnic group that make up our great nation. These men and women came forward when called to defend and preserve the freedoms we have inherited from our forefathers.

Here in Alaska we have a higher percentage of veterans then any other state. Seventeen percent of Alaskans over 18 are veterans. Many continue to serve as members of the Guard and Reserve. These men and women willingly transform from civilian to military occupations to insure liberties we have inherited are preserved for future generations of Americans. They willingly go forth to assist other peoples secure some of these same basic rights for themselves and there posterity.  

I humbly ask that as we approach Veterans Awareness Week, Women Veterans Day, Veterans Day, and the more traditional holiday season that we take a moment from time to time to acknowledge our veterans. Please recognize the sacrifices veterans have made and continue to make on our behalf. Remember as you celebrate each holiday, attend a religious gathering, or speak your thoughts, that someone is protecting your freedom to do so.

In closing I will ask for a special thought for one of our own whose patriotism carries him far from home and family this holiday season. 

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Employee Conduct

When an NRCS employee uses the Travel card or PCMS card, they are responsible for knowing the program rules applicable to the particular card.

The Administrative Staff is now fully staffed.  We are conducting monthly audits.  If you are unsure of the proper use of either card please contact the administrative staff prior to proceeding.  This is a friendly reminder that the misuse of either of these cards can result in anything from suspension to removal.

Guidance for "offical use" of the travel card is: http://www.ocio.usda.gov/directives/doc/DR2300-001.htm.

For the PCMS card they can be found at: http://www.ocio.usda.gov/directives/doc/DR5013-006.htm.

The department regulations don't spell out every situation. If you don't understand and misuse either card it becomes a conduct issue, you can be suspended, not promoted, and, in some cases, fired.

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Personnel Actions

New Staff

• Christopher Savastio, Soil Scientist, Fairbanks, reporting December 10.

• Rick Pierson, Soil Conservation Tech, Delta Junction, reporting January 07.

Details

• Andy Oxford, Bethel District Conservationist, detailed to Homer as Soil Scientist, reporting March 07.

• Mitch Michaud, State Forester, detailed to Madagascar, reporting October 31 for three weeks.

Performance Awards

• Brian Bourdon

• Heather Oleson

• Andy Oxford

• Ryan Maroney

• Kristi Hicks

• Jim Hazlett

• Mike Odegard

• Al White

• Paul Coffey

• Mike Mungoven

• Ted Cox

• Phil Naegele

• Joe Moore

• Cassie Storms

Quality Step Increase

• Karin Sonnen

Spot Award from Alaska Staff

• Sandra Stewart, Budget Analyst, TN

• Mary Murray, HR, Washington DC

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