State Technical Committee Meeting Minutes

**November 7, 2001**

Rosendo Trevino opened the meeting those present were:

  ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
  Ken Leiting       Martin Sweetser   Scotty Abbott     James Bostwick

  Denise Smith      Richard Becker    David Seery       John Romero

  Wayne Lindsey     Wally Murphy      Callie Gnatkowski Stacey Carr

  Alton Henderson   Lyle Lewis        Maurcer Murphy    Brian Greene

  Dennis Garcia     Peter Monahan     Tim Herfel        Terell Baker

  Andy Rosenan      Fidel Lorento     Mike Neubeiser    Rosendo Trevino

  Cindy Nycz                                            
  ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------

Ken Leiting passed out handouts on proposed Farm Bill for 2003.

-   Farm Security Act of 2001 HR2646 (passed the House)

-   Farm and Ranch Equity Act of 2001 S1571 (Introduced into the Senate)

-   Agriculture, Conservation and Rural Enhancement Act of 2001 S1628
    (Introduced into the Senate)

-   Comparative Analysis of Conservation Provisions HR2646 and S1571

Mike Neubeiser gave an update on Environmental Quality Incentive Program
for FY2001.

> Statewide Concern (Water Resources)

-   Received 104 applications for a total of \$841,743 funded 82 with
    \$493,436 obligated

-   (Tribal) Received 9 Tribal applications for a total of \$44,958

> Statewide Concern (Grazing Lands)

-   Received 79 applications for a total of \$1,256,607 funded 65 with
    \$943,813 obligated

-   (Tribal) Received 17 applications for a total of \$331,897 funded 11
    with \$147,315 obligated

> Geographic Priority Areas

-   Received 238 applications for a total of \$4,029,482 funded 185 with
    \$3,009,180 obligated.

> Soil and Water Conservation Assistance

-   Received 227 applications for a total of \$4,217,920 funded 19 with
    \$565,700 obligated.

There are 28 Geographic Priority Area that are approved for FY2002
funding.

Lyle Lewis from US Fish and Wildlife Service spoke on Threatened and
Endangered Species.

-   Safe Harbor Conservation -- a determination is made of baseline
    provisions so that the landowner is not held at a higher level than
    what was original.

-   Habitat Conservation -- plan project so as not to harm habitat or
    species.

-   Candidate Conservation -- prevent candidate from being listed by
    agreeing to certain standards.

Environmental Impact

-   No effect on species

-   May effect but not likely (USFWS concurrence)

-   Adversely effect (USFWS - will need formal consultation process)

State Technical Committee Minutes for November 7, 2001 2.

The earlier coordination with USFWS the fewer problems will arise. That
way concerns can be addressed at they come up. USFWS need to be involved
if the species is in jeopardy or if there will be any adverse effects
because of the project.

The committee expressed concerns when dealing with:

-   Watershed health

-   Compromise when benefit is to all habitats

-   Consult with landowners for input (Tribal lands that are effect by
    silver minnow)

-   Shorter forms -- can tier off of larger plans

-   Noxious weed problem -- can be treated without effecting endangered
    plants (Salt Cedar)

SW Willow Flycatcher -- create new habitat elsewhere (not enough
research). Could possible work around habitat and destroy salt cedar
bushes that are not possible habitat. A solution maybe to take out
strips of salt cedar leave some for habitat.

-   Educate public

-   Need to sustain Rural life style

Scotty Abbott handed out a pamphlet on Conservation Reserve Enhancement
Program (CREP) and showed a video. CRP was started in 1980, CREP is a
new program which has not been implemented in New Mexico yet. The state
governor needs to be a partner to be approved. FSA will be setting up a
committee for this program. Denise Smith and Richard Becker volunteered
to be on the committee.

The next meeting is scheduled for February 6, 2002.

+--------------------+------------------+------------------------------+
| Cindy Nycz         |                  | Ken Leiting                  |
|                    |                  |                              |
| Reporter           |                  | State Resource               |
|                    |                  | Conservationist              |
+--------------------+------------------+------------------------------+