tsp role in water quality improvement dennis pate director of planning september 2005
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TSP Role in
Water Quality Improvement
Dennis Pate
Director of Planning
September 2005
Who is Validus?
• For profit, limited liability company• USDA Approved Technical Service
Provider (TSP)
• Work with crop & livestock producers
Validus Provides Technical Help
• Peer Reviewed Science/newest field trials • Experience to assist producers from over
170 Validus planners with over 4000 years of experience
• Assist in:– Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning
(CNMPs)– Conservation Planning– Documenting Benchmark Conditions for CSP– Implementing Record Keeping System– Education / Training (MOU with NRCS)
What is a TSP?
• Person / Group certified by USDA– Technically qualified:
• Planning• Practice application
Why Use TSP’s?
• As Conservation Professional:– Technically correct– As much conservation as possible– As quickly as possible
Why Use TSP’s? (cont)
• As a client:– Choice: Some prefer no government
involvement• Past experience• Hearsay• Confidentiality
– Perhaps more timely– “State of the Art” technology
Why Use TSP’s? (cont)
• As a TSP:– Technically / legally correct– As much conservation as possible– As fast as possible– Profit
Much in Common
More Cons. Technical Timely Best Use of
Group Applied Quality Service Taxpayer $$Profit
Agencies X X X X
Clients X X X ?
TSPs X X X X X
With Common Ground, Why the Slow Pace?
• Fear—why? Getting it all done?• New• Cumbersome Process• Lack of Trust• Convinced clients they should get 100%
Result?
• Less conservation taking a longer time for clients expecting quality timely assistance to:– Plan– Apply– Keep records
How do we Fix It?
• COOPERATE• COMMUNICATE• Figure out roles Locally
• Encourage clients to do more than the minimum
What Should TSP’s Do?
• Stay qualified:– Technical– Legal
• Help promote conservation• Assist clients plan AHEAD of programs• Help with records• Encourage Clients
– Specs
• Communicate with Agency• Other?
Validus “Example Promotion for CSP”
• Get a conservation plan or CNMP• Implement your conservation plan or
CNMP• Keep good records
• When you do this, at least some part of your operation will likely be eligible.
Validus “Example of Promotion for Planning”
• Meet EPA storm water discharge standards (if you feed livestock).
• Get ready for CSP (the Conservation Security Program).
• Review your operation for efficiencies (Look at costs, reductions).
• Be a good neighbor and steward.
What Should Agency Folks Do?
• Assure TSP is qualified• Help promote more (not minimum)
conservation – Planning– Application– Records
• Follow TSP rule / Standards & Specifications
• Assist in efficiency / profit
What Should Agency Folks Do? (cont)
• Don’t add requirements at every level• Provide what you say you will when you
say you will• Figure out how TSP can help YOU in your
job• Communicate with TSPs
Communication
• Think of TSP as “another district”– Rules– Legislative Contacts
• Local Needs• Another source or TA• How goes it?
What Can or Should We Do Together?
• Communicate with one another• Promote more conservation• Promote client financial involvement in
technical assistance FOR PLANNING• Encourage Ag to do more than the
minimum– Conservation Planning– Conservation Application– Record Keeping
Validus “Example More than Minimum”
State NMP CNMPCons. Plan
State Regs. EPA CAFO ? EQIP waste facility CSP eligibility CSP higher tier
Validus “Example Financial Involvement”
• Financial help for planning?
--Conservation Plan --maybe from NRCS
--CNMP --Some TSP assistance from USDA
--Some state loans
Validus “Example Financial Involvement” (cont)
• Is planning financial help needed?
--IF
• The planning, when implemented, with good record keeping basically:
-- Provides an “insurance policy” for AFO
storm water discharge
--Assures CSP participation for 5-10 years
Summary
We have much in common
More Cons. Technical Timely Best Use of
Group Applied Quality Service Taxpayer $$Profit
Agencies X X X X
Clients X X X ?
TSPs X X X X X
Summary (cont)
• We have some items to overcome• WE HAVE OPPORTUNITY--if we fail to
cooperate as agency and private sector conservationists, we should be ashamed:– Will = frustrated customers– Will = less conservation– Will = longer time to reach our environmental
goal
