The Forest Service's management of public forestlands play a critical role determining the quality and quantity of waters that flow from the headwaters of most of the major river systems in the West. Together, the Forest Service and the NRCS are also working in urban and suburban areas to reduce storm water runoff and sedimentation through urban and community forestry and conservation programs. Background The Clean Water Action Plan was developed through a cooperative budget planning effort. It sets strong goals and identifies the tools and resources to protect public health and restore our nation's precious surface and ground waters. It is a broad plan that utilizes existing programs and funding, as well as potential new investments to address problems in our watersheds.
Agriculture plays an important role in protecting and enhancing our environmental quality of life.
Sound environmental practices, such as conservation buffers, conservation tillage, forest management, and integrated pest management, help improve water quality, soil health, and wildlife habitat, keeping our agricultural and forestlands economically sustainable and our farmers, ranchers, and foresters globally competitive. In addition, we made a concerted effort to involve the public in developing the plan. For example, in putting together the Unified National Strategy for Animal Feeding Operations, USDA and EPA co-sponsored 11 national listening sessions to discuss the draft strategy and, more importantly, to receive the public's comments. Many of these sessions were co-chaired by USDA Deputy Secretary Rich Rominger and Under Secretary Jim Lyons. We also managed a hotline for the public to receive clarification about the draft strategy.