NRCS NEW MEXICO

REPORT 2005

The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

For a Fresh Look at 

Your Farm or Ranch
 Every farmer and rancher knows they are at the whim of 

weather, markets, and many other variables. However, ranchers 

can control intensity, frequency, and timing of grazing which 

greatly affect forage production and quality - and protect the 

land. Farmers can manage irrigation water and nutrients.

 It’s not your granddad’s ranch, or your dad’s farm. It may 

be the same property but times have changed. It takes smarter 

farmers and wiser ranchers.

 Get a grip on your bottomline. For a fresh look at your farm 

or ranch, call your local NRCS fi eld offi ce today for conservation 

planning. 
Operations Summary

State Conservation Report:

A brief overview of conservation planning and application achievements.

New Mexico NRCS achieved 534% of its annual goals due to the dedication 

and hard work of its employees.

Cropland Plans Written = 113,100 acres

Cropland Plans Applied = 110,800 acres

Soil Erosion Reduced = 4,064700 tons

Grazing Land Plans Written = 3,212,900 acres

Grazing Land Plans Applied = 2,148,300 acres

Wildlife Habitat Planning = 1,193,000 acres

Watershed Plans Written = 5 on 26,200 acres

Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans Written = 26

Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans Applied = 28

Resources Conservation and Development Program RC&D

New Projects (number) = 20

Completed Projects (number) = 12

On-going Projects (number) = 200

Leveraged funds = $5,793,400

Businesses Created = 14

Jobs Created = 156

Training Workshops = 67

Citizens Served = 309,400

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.
Farm Bill Programs Summary

Summary of Accomplishments - FY2005

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

 1,410 Applications Received

 632 Contracts Signed

 $24,167,503 Allocated

 $24,134,372 Obligated (Dollars are obligated when contract is signed)

 2,755,264 Acres under contract

Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)

 45 Applications Received

 20 Contracts Signed

 $242,860 Allocated

 $224,204 Obligated (dollars are obligated when contract is signed)

Grassland Reserve Program (GRP)

 56 Applications Received

 1 Permanent Easement on 4,066 acres in McKinley County ($813,200 est. cost)

 1 30 year Rental Agreement on 1,760 acres in Union County ($316,800)

Wetland Reserve Program (WRP)

 Permanent Easement obtained on 94 acres in Valencia County

Conservation Security Program (CSP)

 137 Applications Received ($2,115,233 est. cost)

 Figures do not include Texas portion of watersheds

Summary by Watershed

Watershed Applications Contracts FY 2005 Cost

Arroyo del Macho 13 11 $236,855

Carrizo 15 8 $176,971

Gallo Arroyo 6 2 $ 49,142

Mimbres 17 9 $ 43,723

Punta de Agua 2 1 $ 1,210

Taiban 9 6 $162,873

Upper Pecos 34 28 $465,853

Ute 24 14 $227,401

Total 120 79 $1,364,037

Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP)

 6 Easements closed on 174 acres

 1 New Application Funded

 Rio Grande Ag Land Trust ($532,608)
Resource Technology Staff Activities

Streamline and Implement Conservation Programs.

1. In support of the Conservation Security Program (CSP) we developed Enhancement Practices for 

grazing lands, wildlife, crop, and riparian areas, reviewed and updated Field Offi ce Technical Guide 

(FOTG) Quality Criteria, assisted in the update of the CSP Self Assessment Workbook,

 provided 5 weeks of training on CSP planning in Carrizozo, Clovis, Deming, and Ft. Sumner,

 developed 3 land used based Wildlife Habitat Assessment Guides and completed all riparian 

 evaluations for CSP watersheds.

 2. Developed numerical Conservation Practice Physical Effects for EQIP ranking tool.

 3. Coordinated development of Non-Insured Ag. Producers (NAP) drought indexes for Farm Services 

 Agency State Committee.

 4. Provided technical assistance related to Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program in 7 Field Offi ces.

 5. Finalized Coordinated Resource Management Memorandum of Understanding and provided support to 

 NM Soil and Water Conservation Commission on implementation. 

 6. Worked with Inter-agency Weed Action Group to publish NM Strategy for Mgt of Exotic Trees

 7. Worked with the Ecological Site Description Core Group to update Business Plan.

 8. Conducted 5% New Mexico Farm Bill compliance review.

 9. Worked with the State Historic Preservation Offi cer to develop and implement a cultural resources 

 search agreement (ARMS) to streamline cultural resource clearances, let cultural resource clearance 

 contracts on 30 EQIP projects totaling $344,909.00, tracked to completion a total of 360 Section 106 

 cultural resource consultations & 30 contract reports and developed four cultural resource clearance 

 information booklets.

 Enable Conservation Delivery by Modernization and Expansion of Technical Capacity.

 1. Conducted training on Conservation Planning, Range Inventory, Prescribed Burning Certifi cation, 

 Forestland Ecological Site Descriptions, Nutrient and Pest Management, RUSLE II Soil Erosion, and 

 Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning (CNMP) for producers and consultants. 

 2. Worked with agencies & Cooperative Extension Service to update Chemical Weed Guide.

 3. Updated 20% of FOTG Standards and Specifi cations and posted on NM Web site and lead the 

 development of Conservation System Guides (CSG’s) for all land uses. 

 4. Updated NRCS Environmental Assessment format to comply with NEPA and Initiated Conservation 

 Compliance Agreement with Assurances for the Lesser Prairie Chicken. 

 5. Updated all cropland consumptive use numbers for NM.

 6. Provided coordination assistance and review in the completion of ten CNMP’s, revised the CNMP pond 

 sizing tool and developed a white paper on hay storage runoff & solicited a response from EPA through 

 New Mexico AFO/CAFO group.

 7. Updated all riparian related standards and specifi cations and ESD’s in response to congressional line 

 item and HB2.

 8. Completed and fi eld tested Stream Visual Protocol tool, worked with the Salinity Development Team 

 to develop & test pilot of a national Salinity Course and Developed a chapter on P sinks, training 

 exercise, materials etc. for the NRCS Environment Course.

 9. Nine riparian area evaluation and restoration projects were completed and provided technical assistance 

 on 8 Stream bank restoration projects and 30 well developments.

 10. Alkali Muhley was released from the Los Lunas Plant Materials Center for use on riparian areas and 13 

 Plant Materials publications were released.
Resource Inventories and Assessments Section

Summary of Accomplishments - FY2005

Soil Survey Program

1. Mapping has been completed and digitizing underway on Santa Fe Area soil survey 

 update.

2. Two soil survey reports were printed in 2005. These are the Chaco Culture National 

 Historical Park and Jicarilla Apache Nation.

3. The soil survey manuscript of McKinley County has been submitted for printing. 

4. The soil survey update of White Sands Missile Range and surrounding private and 

 public lands is underway. The area includes parts of Dona Ana, Otero, Sierra, Lin 

 coln, Socorro, and Torrance County. 

5. We will begin the soil map updating work in Torrance County this year.

6. Since October 1, 2004, we have hired 2 new soil scientists. 

7. The Soil Data Mart has been populated with 37 survey areas to date. We will be add 

 ing digital maps for Curry, southwest Quay, and eastern San Juan counties soon.

8. Web Soil Survey released; http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov 

GIS Program

1. Soil Survey map compilation was completed all soil survey areas of New Mexico this 

 year and soil survey digitizing is underway on 3 additional survey areas. 

2. Digital map fi nishing completed for the publication maps of McKinley County Area 

 soil survey.

3. We completed installation and training of the new Customer Service Toolkit using 

 ArcGIS 8.3. The Customer Service Toolkit is the primary tool used to develop con 

 servation plans, maps, and contracts.

4. Geospatial data is being kept current in all fi eld offi ces. 

5. Work on the Watershed Boundary Digitizing completed. Is under review for national 

 certifi cation at this 

6. New aerial photo fl ight has been conducted and expect delivery of new digital maps 

 for all counties soon.

NRI Program

1. Completed the FY2004 fi eld inventory on 170 primary sampling units (PSUs) and 

 begun the 168 PSUs for 2005-2006 Rangeland Health Study. 

2. Supported the NRI-Conservation Effects Analysis Project (CEAP) to determine the 

 effectiveness of conservation practices in achieving conservation program objectives.
Engineering Activities

Summary of Accomplishments - FY2005

Construction was completed on Phase IV of the Truth or Consequences Flood Control project, in April 2005, a $2.4 million contract. 

Funds were procured and design completed to perform grouting repair at Caballo #4, 

Wardy-Hedgecock Dam. Repair to be performed under contract in late 2005.

Designs were completed on wastewater facilities for nine dairies under the EQIP 

program. Design work is in progress on several additional dairies. It is expected that 

8 additional dairies will require NRCS design assistance in FY 2006. 

Design work on ditch improvements on the acequia project, East Puerto de Luna is 

now 95% complete.

Updates of 115 Engineering Conservation Practice Standards, Specifi cations, and 

New Mexico job sheets were performed. 

Direct assistance and policy guidance were provided to NRCS fi eld engineers and 

technicians in the development of numerous design and construction projects for acequia improvements and agricultural waste projects.

Geological and Geotechnical investigations were provided to support engineering 

work on numerous projects through a variety of NRCS programs. 

In addition to serving New Mexico, design assistance was provided to the states of 

Arizona and Utah through the Southwest Multi-State Design Team, including assistance provided to Arizona on White Tanks #3 Watershed rehabilitation project, Florence FRS repair design, seismic assessment studies for Utah NRCS dams, and EWP 

assistance for Utah and Arizona projects. 

 

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.
Personnel Actions Since July 2005

STUDENTS BACK IN SCHOOL:

Art Ariaz, Jr., Range Science, Las Vegas

Lewis Beck, Soil Conservationist, Deming

Thomas Casados, Range Science, Los Lunas

Nathan Combs, Range Science, Ft Sumner

Chambliss Lantana, Soil Conservationist, Portales

Brian Schwebke, Civil Engineer, Las Cruces

Marcy Torres, Taos

Kristi Wright, Soil Conservationist, Clovis

REASSIGNMENT:

Justin Riggs, Student Trainee (Soil Scientist), Las Cruces 

PROMOTION TO ANOTHER AGENCY

Liz Reisinger, Human Resources Manager to Department of Energy, Alb., NM

Jim Parr, Contract Specialist, to Department of Energy, Alb., NM

PROMOTION:

Kelly Mullen, Secretary, State Offi ce

Guy Blackwolf, Rangeland Management Specialist, Grants

Michael Shivers, District Conservationist, Socorro

Santiago Misquez, Area Resource Conservationist, Socorro

Rosabeth Garcia-Sais, from NRCS-Madison, WI, to State Administrative Offi cer, 

 State Offi ce

Dan Murray, Hydraulic Engineer, State Offi ce to NRCS Beltsville, MD

NEW HIRES:

J. Mike Jones, Soil Conservationist, Las Vegas

RESIGNATIONS:

Andrea Romero-Yepes, Soil Conservationist, Estancia

TRANSFER TO ANOTHER STATE:

Bill Ellis, State Administrative Offi cer to NRCS, Temple, TX