Conservation Activities in West Virginia
2006 Annual Report

Helping People Help the Land

This report gives a highlight of the conservation accomplished in West Virginia in 2006. As always, NRCS accomplishments would not be possible without the conservation-minded farmers and leaders who make wise decisions that protect our natural resources. Conservation on West Virginia’s private lands is carried out by only a few, but we all benefit from it economically, socially, and environmentally. 

The following are some examples of 2006 achievements that improved water quality, reduced soil erosion, increased wildlife habitat, and improved management of crop and grassland in West Virginia:

• Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) reduced soil erosion by 383,881 tons. This is equivalent to 3.6 square miles of land covered by 1 inch of soil. Or this amount of soil would fill a hole more than 1000 feet wide, 1000 feet long, and 100 feet deep.
• Six grassland technicians completed 10,500 acres of grazing management plans. Thirty four technical specialists assisted 200 farmers to better manage 13,800 acres of pastureland. The estimated value of increased meat production is $1,300,000. Approximately 75 educational activities reached over 7200 farmers.
• Watershed technical assistance protected 2.5 million acres and benefited 1.1 million people (63 percent of the State of West Virginia) with flood damage reduction, recreation, and/or water supply.
• Wildlife habitat management plans and contracts were completed on 14,143 acres for 86 West Virginia landowners.
• Funding was available for 247 EQIP applications, totaling $5,482,243.
• Through AMA, Five Sustainable Organic & Truck Crop Farming contracts received $119,407 in financial assistance.
• 29 Manure Transfer-Nutrient Management contracts were funded for $130,787.
• Conservation System Plans were written for 27,595 acres of cropland and 71,251 acres of grazing land.
• Together, the six RC&D Councils completed 636 projects serving 873,003 citizens: 3825 people developed new skills through workshops and training events, 368,700 acres of watershed or area-wide conservation plans developed, 245 acres of wildlife habitat improved, and 5,430 feet shoreline protected.
• In 2006, $1,886,185 in federal FRPP funds were provided to protect 1,035 acres of farmland with an easement value of $3.7 million.
• The Plant Materials Center serves Appalachia by evaluating plants for their ability to solve specific conservation problems related to climate, the rugged topography, soil limitations, various land uses, fish and wildlife needs and desires of the landowners.
• Modern soil survey information is available for the entire state of West Virginia. In fiscal year 2006, update mapping was completed on over 586,551 acres. Development of digital soils data is ongoing for all counties in West Virginia. Currently, there are 41 of West Virginia’s 55 counties in digital format posted to the NRCS website.
• For the first time in many years, West Virginia avoided the widespread flooding that triggers EWP implementation.

I congratulate West Virginia's farmers, ranchers, and others for being good stewards of the natural resources on their property. I appreciate the excellent assistance provided by NRCS and other conservation partners in making 2005 successful.

Kevin Wickey
State Conservationist
West Virginia

Our Employees - Our Strength

NRCS employees serve all 55 West Virginia counties from 31 field offices across the state. Staff includes engineers, conservationists, technicians, soil scientists, RC&D coordinators, and volunteers. These employees work hand-in-hand with land users to conserve natural resources on private lands.

West Virginia Conservation Partnership

NRCS accomplishes our mission by working closely with West Virginia’s 14 Conservation Districts and six Resource Conservation and Development Councils. These locally elected or appointed community leaders ensure that local conservation concerns are met. The WV Conservation Agency and NRCS balance their specific local needs with a coordinated state and national conservation effort.

Conservation Technical Assistance

Conservation planning and application comprises the foundation of the Natural Resources Conservation Services’ (NRCS) programs and services. Technical assistance may be provided to landowners whether or not they are enrolled in a USDA conservation program. NRCS promotes planning a total resource management system. This is a sustainable approach taking into account all of the natural resources in the planning area.

Conservation Planning

Conservation planning is the cornerstone of NRCS services. A conservation plan outlines the different practices or measures that a landowner may take to protect the natural resources on his or her property. A plan may address only one natural resource issue, or may be comprehensive, addressing all of the natural resources on the landowner’s acreage with several conservation practices.

Conservation Application

Conservation application involves the implementation of the conservation plan. This includes the actual construction of conservation practice or practices recommended by the conservation planner and are typically done by the landowner or a contractor. The conservation application process is complete when all planned conservation practices are implemented.

2006 Farm Bill Financial Assistance in West Virginia Highlights.

2006 Reports at the following links:

• Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA)
• Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA)
• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
• Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP)
• Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP)
• Private Grazing Land Assistance
• Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D)
• Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Programs
• Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)
• Soil Survey Program

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