Administrative Agency:

Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

Program Goals:

Providing technical expertise to authorized projects to develop a watershed plan that is submitted for agency approval of a watershed project.

Resource Provided:

Technical and financial assistance.

Eligibility:

Public and private landowners are eligible but must have a qualified sponsoring organization. See NRCS website for details.

Alaska Program Status:

This program is actively used in Alaska.

Comments:

NRCS watershed activities in Alaska are voluntary efforts requested through conservation districts and units of government and/or tribes. The watershed activities are led locally by a "watershed management committee" that is comprised of local interest groups, local units of government, local tribal representatives, and any organization that has a vested interest in the watershed planning activity. This committee provides direction to the process and provides the decision-making necessary to implement the process. Technical assistance is provided to the watershed management committee through a "technical advisory committee" comprised of local, state, and federal technical specialists. These specialists provide information to the watershed management committee as needed to make sound decisions. NRCS also provides training on watershed planning organization and process.

Program Contact:  (Primary Contact listed first.)

Phil Naegele, Assistant State Conservationist
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture
800 W. Evergreen, Suite 100
Palmer, AK 99645
Phone: (907) 761-7757
Fax: (907) 761-7790
e-mail: phil.naegele@ak.usda.gov
Web site: http://www.ak.nrcs.usda.gov