(a) Executive Summary

As described in the National Planning Procedures Handbook (NPPH), a conservation plan:

• Includes a record of the client's decisions and supporting information for all resource concerns.
• Meets Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG) quality criteria for each natural resource (soil, water, air, plants, and animals).
• Takes into account economic, cultural, and social considerations.

The plan describes the schedule of operations and activities needed to solve identified natural resource problems, and takes advantage of opportunities, at a conservation management system level. The needs of the client, the resources, and Federal, State, and local requirements will be met.

A conservation plan may contain only information relating specifically to a particular program, or it may be a part of an overall resource management system in which numerous conservation programs are utilized to meet the natural resource needs. The following table indicates the conservation program, the name given to a conservation plan under that program, and the additional requirements that exist for conservation programs. Throughout the rest of this part, the term "conservation plan" will be associated with all the plans listed below.

(b) Purpose

The conservation planning process and plan used for any program should:

• Emphasize sustainability of natural resources.
• Be based on ecological, economic, cultural, and social considerations.
• Include the producer's objectives and decisions for the farm or ranch unit of concern.

(c) Conservation Planning and Technical References

Technical references and policy for guiding conservation planning include:

• National Planning Procedures Handbook (NPPH)
• National Food Security Act Manual (NFSAM)
• FOTG

• Natural resources quality criteria
• Resource management system guidance
• Conservation practice physical effects
• Conservation effects for decision making

• General Manual

• 180 GM, Part 409, Conservation Planning Policy
• 190 GM, Part 410, Compliance with NEPA and Endangered Species
• 420 GM, Part 401, Cultural Resources

• Part 500, Conservation Programs Manual, Locally Led Conservation

(d) Compliance with Laws and Regulations

It is the participant's responsibility to ascertain and comply with any and all applicable program or regulatory requirements. The NRCS assistance with development or acceptance of a conservation plan will not be deemed to constitute compliance with program or regulatory requirements administered or enforced by another Federal, State, or local agency.

(e) Third Party Sources

The participant is responsible for implementing the conservation plan. Besides NRCS, a participant may utilize conservation planning, practice implementation, and certification services from approved sources as long as they meet the program's objectives. Part 504 of the CPM outlines the procedures and guidelines for third-party technical assistance.

(f) Responsibilities When Developing A Plan

Whenever possible, the conservation plan should be developed with both the owner and the participant (if different) to ensure continuity of the plan and that the conservation plan meets the objectives of the land user and landowner. The following table shows specific areas of responsibility.

(g) Technical Error

If a technical error is discovered in the conservation plan or contract support document, NRCS shall:

• Immediately contact the appropriate participant.
• Inform other agencies involved with contract implementation, if necessary.
• Work with the participant to revise the conservation plan or contract support document to meet program standards. The participant should be given a reasonable amount of time to implement the revised conservation plan.

(h) When Approval on Plans is not given

If conservation plans are not approved or acceptable to NRCS, NRCS will:

• Determine the reasons for non-approval or non-acceptance.
• Determine the corrective actions to be made.
• Document action taken.
• Advise, as appropriate, the:

• Participant
• Plan preparer
• Affected agencies and certifying organization, if appropriate

For more information on third party technical assistance, consult Part 504.

(i) Working with Multiple Participants

When appropriate, the conservation plan may be used to pool or group participants to accommodate resource conservation practices that overlay lands owned or controlled by more than one participant. All program beneficiaries must agree to develop the area wide conservation plan.

(a) Determination of Planning Area

The producer, with assistance from the designated conservationist or qualified non-USDA planner, will determine the planning area. At a minimum, the planning area must be the land that will meet the purposes and goals of the program from which the producer is seeking assistance. In many cases, the program(s) portion of the conservation plan may cover all or part of the participant's land base. For any NRCS conservation program, planning is encouraged on the whole farm, ranch, or other land unit operation, but it is not required.

(b) Determination of Conservation Management System Levels

While a resource management system is encouraged for all conservation programs, it is not always required. Different portions of the farm may possess different management system levels.

When a participant agrees, NRCS should help them develop a conservation plan using conservation practices and management systems that, when implemented meet quality criteria established in the Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG) for treatment of soil, water, air, plant, and animal resources.

The following table indicates the level of management system requirements for each program.

(c) Existing Conservation Plans

The producer does not need to replace an existing conservation plan developed by a natural resource professional if the conservation plan meets the requirements of that particular program. For example, a conservation plan that was originally designed for EQIP may fit WHIP requirements or vice versa.

(a) Format and Content

The conservation plan, format and content, will be recorded in accordance with NPPH, Section 600.3, Plan Format and Content.

(b) Required Information - Descriptions

The conservation plan will include the following descriptions:

• The prevailing farm or ranch enterprise(s) and operations that may be relevant to conserving and enhancing the natural resources.
• The relevant natural resources related to the conservation and environmental objectives of the plan, including soils types, rangeland types and conditions, proximity to water bodies, wildlife habitat, or other relevant characteristics and the change or impact on the resource base.
• The natural resource problems and opportunities, and related economic and social considerations.
• The producer's specific conservation and environmental objectives.
• The conservation management system(s) and the practices to be implemented to achieve the objectives.
• The schedule for implementing the conservation practices, including timing and sequence.
• Any restricted uses, when applicable.
• Any new technologies or interim practices, when applicable.

(c) Required Information - Goals and Objectives

Include, to the extent practicable, the following information relative to goals and objectives:

• The specific, quantitative or qualitative goals for achieving the conservation and environmental objectives of the participant.
• Information that will enable evaluation of the effectiveness of the plan in achieving the objectives and will enable evaluation of the degree to which the conservation plan has been implemented.

(d) Additional Requirements

Include the following additional information:

• Documentation of compliance with NEPA and other Federal, State, tribal, and local laws.
• An environmental evaluation, including cultural resources inventory.
• Conservation practice cost and requested program level of cost share in the contract support document.
• Aerial photography or conservation plan map identifying the parcel of land, including soils mapping and interpretations.
• Conservation practice job sheets, requirements, engineering designs, and management information.
• Operation and maintenance requirements for conservation practices.
• Details on relevant "partnership" arrangements needed to implement the conservation plan.
• Any other provisions or documentation determined necessary or required according to NPPH, Part 600.31 or 120 GM, Part 404.
• Approval signatures.

(e) Program Specific Requirements

The following table compares and contrasts the additional conservation plan requirements required by program in addition to those outlined in paragraph 505.02b.

(f) Contract Support Document

The Contract Support Document (NRCS-LTP-11), a program supplement to the conservation plan, will include:

• Conservation practices to be applied, with or without program payments, as a condition of the program contract
• Estimated conservation practice extents
• Schedule of conservation practice installation and management
• Cost-share or other program payment rates

(g) Plan Map

The conservation plan map may be an aerial photocopy, hand drawing, digital orthophotoquad, computer-generated drawing, or other suitable map of the area under agreement. It should include all activities for each program and must show:

• Title block
• Boundary of the conservation plan and appropriate tract
• Acres of the conservation plan
• Field numbers
• Location and boundary description of the planned area
• For WRP, this would also include a boundary of the easement or agreement area
• Land use, including restored wetlands
• Existing and planned natural resource conditions for:
• the wildlife habitat type (WHIP)
• the planned wetland system using the modified cowardin system
• Conservation practice locations
• Other important features, such as access points, cultural resource and utility locations
• Map scale and north arrow
• Date Prepared

(h) Signature Requirements

After all elements for the conservation plan and the Contract Support Document (NRCS-LTP-11) are developed and properly assembled, they should be signed by the following:

• All participants or the designated agent(s) who signed the program application
• A Conservation District representative
• The designated conservationist
• Other necessary partners, if they are providing additional funding or other services for the conservation plan, pursuant to a formal agreement

Note: If a Conservation District exists but an approval signature cannot be obtained, the designated conservationist may approve the plan with the concurrence of the State Conservationist.