Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
348833381
label
USDA [Department of Agriculture]/AmeriCorps - Clinton Library Copies - 1995 Application (for FY96) to the Corporation for National Service 1 [1]
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
348833381
contentType
document
title
USDA [Department of Agriculture]/AmeriCorps - Clinton Library Copies - 1995 Application (for FY96) to the Corporation for National Service 1 [1]
citationUrl
collections
Records of the Office of National Service (Clinton Administration)
AmeriCorps Files
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
348833381
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
otherTitles
311842741-20130661F-Seg3-045-007-2023
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
16a30594b508716b
ocrText
FOIA Number: 2013-0661-F
(3)
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the William J. Clinton
Presidential Library Staff.
Collection/Record Group:
Clinton Presidential Records
Subgroup/Office of Origin:
Americorps
Series/Staff Member:
General Files
Subseries:
OA/ID Number:
24220
FolderID:
Folder Title:
USDA [Department of Agriculture]/Americorps, - Clinton Library Copies - 1995 Application (for
FY96) to the Corporation for National Service 1 [1]
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
S
66
1
8
3
7 Copies
already made
NR NRCS CS
Origina
1
AP Applications
ARKANSAS
TITLE PAGE:
A.
Title of Project:
Rural Water Extension
B: Name of Organization:
USDA, NRCS
C.
Team Type:
RDT
D.
State of Duty Station:
Arkansas
E.
County of Duty Station:
Crittenden
F. Names of counties served
Crittenden
G. Congressional District:
1
H. Name of Site Supervisor:
Mozell Williams
I: Address, phone & fax numbers:
250 Pine Street
Robbins Memorial Building
Marion, Arkansas 72364
Ph: 501-739-3618
FAX: 501-739-3827
J: Name of State Project Director:
Thomas Dominguez
700 West Capitol Rm 5404
Federal Building
Little Rock, AR 72201
Bruce Leggitt
NBA Building
4000 McCain Blvd.
North Little Rock, AR 72116
K.. Address, phone & fax numbers:
L.
Number of Members in PL&E:
0
M. Number of Members in RDT:
1
CRITTENDEN COUNTY RURAL WATER EXTENSION
During the first year of AmeriCorps $90,000 was secured from the
Arkansas State Legislature to extend rural water lines to thirty-five
homeowners who were without drinking water. As of this print water
lines have been extended to seven homes benefiting over 20 people.
These families now have household water who before were hauling water
for domestic use. AmeriCorps members have submitted thirty five
applications to FMHA for financial assistance for household plumbing.
Practically all of the homes without water do not have the plumbing
even if water was made available to them.
The second year will consist primarily of extending water lines to the
remaining households in Crittenden County who are without household
water. It is hoped that the remaining 28 homes will have water on site
by the end of 1996. If SO over 150 individuals will benefit from the
project. Members will be active identifying local plumbers or people
with plumbing skills to aid in the plumbing of these homes. Members
will also conduct a survey of the county to assure that all
residencies without household water have been identified.
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 10
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: Marion, Arkansas
Rural Water Project (One participant - RDT)
SITE SUPERVISOR: Mozell Williams PHONE: (501) 739-3618 COUNTY: Crittendon
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Provide safe & dependable supply of drinking water to the
socially disadvantaged & limited resource residents of
Crittenden County Arkansas.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Extend rural water lines to those residents currently without household drinking water.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
Safe & dependable supply of drinking water will be made available to at least 26 homes in Crittenden
County currently without any form of household water.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
By the number of homes & families receiving a dependable supply of safe drinking water.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
By having water made available to at least 75% of the 26 identified households currently without
running water in Crittenden County.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
180 people.
ARKANSAS
TITLE PAGE:
A. Title of Project:
Limited Resource Farmer Community
Enhancement
B:
Name of Organization:
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
NRCS
C.
Team Type:
RDT & PL&E
D.
State of Duty Station:
Arkansas
E.
County of Duty Station:
Monroe
F.
Names of counties served
Monroe, Lee, Phillips, St.
Francis, Woodruff, & Crittenden
G. Congressional District:
1
H.
Name of Site Supervisor:
Kenneth J. Lee
I:
Address, phone & fax numbers:
Rm 5404 Federal Bldg.
700 W. Capitol Ave
Little Rock, AR 72201-3225
Ph:
501-324-5418
FAX: 501-324-6138
J: Name of State Project Directors:
Thomas Dominguez
700 West Capitol Rm 5404
Federal Building
Little Rock, AR 72201
Bruce Leggitt
NBA Building
4000 McCain Blvd.
North Little Rock, AR 72116
K.
Address, phone & fax numbers:
L.
Number of Members in PL&E:
0
M.
Number of Members in RDT:
1
Summary Page - Limited Resource Farmers
A) Exactly what specific accomplishments were achieved in the first half a
year of the project in meeting the community service objectives and
boosting the personal development of the members.
During the first year the following accomplishments were achieved:
1. Provided training (on a one-on-one basis) to farmers in figuring crop
income and expenses.
2. Provided training to farmers on cash flow analysis.
3. Prepared information that compared the income of vegetables (peas) and
traditional crops (soybeans).
4. Encouraged farmers to join vegetable coop.
5. Assisted project staff in training meetings for farmers.
6. Assisted vegetable coop with developing an annual cash flow projection.
To boost the personal development of the members, the following
accomplishments were achieved:
1. A good understanding of operating loans and youth loans.
2. Active participation in training meetings.
3. Increased knowledge about vegetable production and economics on small
farms.
B) The key elements of the program design for next year. Specifically
describe each new service project to be performed by the members.
The key element of the program for next year is to identify small
farmers who will incorporate alternative crops into their operation.
Hopefully, the additions of alternative crops will help these farmers to
successfully maintain their farms - many small farms are being lost due to
unprofitableness.
As one of the new project services, the members will demonstrate
sustainable vegetables production practices. Small farmers will be shown
how to reduce fertilizer needs and improve soil structure by using chicken
tter on their crops.
There will be a change in management. The members will be co-managed
by our 1890 Horticultural Assistant and the Small Farm Project Director.
The Project Director will provide training to
members in loan packaging and analysis of alternative crops while the
Horticultural Assistant will provide training to the members in vegetable
production.
COMMUNITY SER .CE OBJECTIVES
Objective 14
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: University of Arkansas at Pine
Socially Disadvantaged Farmers (One participant - RDT) Bluff, Arkansas
SITE SUPERVISOR:
PHONE:
COUNTY:
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Identify new alternative crops suitable for the region.
and to provide education and training to small farmers in completing loan applications, assisting in
vegetable production, marketing, and traditional crop production.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
He/she will be involved primarily with educating small farmers about the profitability of vegetables
and small fruits as related to small farms. Farmers will also be trained and assisted in completing
loan applications for operating expenses and purchasing equipment. In addition, farmers will
receive direct training and assistance in vegetable production, marketing and traditional crop
production.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
Socially disadvantaged and small farmers will use better management practices and incorporate
vegetables into their operations. The addition of vegetables should help increase the profitability
of these farms without requiring drastic changes in farm size or equipment enabling more small
farmers to retain and maintain their farms.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
By tracking the number of landowners that add vegetables to their operation and/or improve their
management skills. In addition, success stories will be noted and highlighted.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
By the number of farmers who are informed about alternative crops and improve management practices
as a result of this project. Success will also be gauged by the number of farmers whose income
increased after receiving assistance from the project.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
At least 25 individuals will be given direct assistance with either farm production practices or in
completing operating loan applications.
ARKANSAS
TITLE PAGE:
A. Title of Project:
Holly Grove Housing
B: Name of Organization:
USDA, NRCS
C. Team Type:
RDT
D. State of Duty Station:
Arkansas
E. County of Duty Station:
Monroe
F. Names of counties served
Monroe, Prairie,
Phillips, Lonoke,
Pulaski, Hot Springs,
Saline, Garland, and
Faulkner
G. Congressional District:
1
H. Name of Site Supervisor:
Mayor Lula Tyler
I: Address, phone & fax numbers:
P.O. Box 430
Holly Grove, AR 72069
Ph: 501-462-3422
FAX: 501-462-3580
700 West Capitol Rm 5404
Federal Building
Little Rock, AR 72201
J: Name of State Project Directors:
Thomas Dominguez
700 West Capitol Rm 5404
Federal Building
Little Rock, AR 72201
Bruce Leggitt
NBA Building
4000 McCain Blvd.
North Little Rock, AR 72116
K. Address, phone & fax numbers:
L. Number of Members in PL&E:
6
M. Number of Members in RDT:
3
HOLLY GROVE HOUSING PROJECT
AmeriCorps members have just completed appraisals of over forty
residences in the Dials Creek floodplain within Holly Grove.
Members have worked directly with the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) to ensure guidelines were followed in
the FEMA buyout. Members have provided data to local officials
making it possible for the Governor to fund the Central Arkansas
RC&D Council $25,000 for the purpose of purchasing 7.5 acres of
property within Holly Grove. The property will be used to
construct housing for the displaced residents affected by the buy
out. The housing will consist of 24 multi family units and eight
single family units. FmHA has set aside emergency funds to
construct the units.
This next year will consist of members coordinating with city and
county officials to demolish the vacated structures, coordinating
the relocation of residents out of the floodplain into the new
housing, and aiding residents in making application to FMHA and
HUD for housing loans. Members will also be responsible for
developing plans for the use of property purchased in the buyout.
COMMUNITY .VICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 1
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: Holly Grove, Arkansas
Renovation Team (9 participants - 6 PL&E/3 RDT)
and Helena, Arkansas
SITE SUPERVISOR: Mayor Lula Taylor
PHONE: (501) 462-3422
COUNTY: Monroe
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Demolish and remove vacated structures, restoring
the wetlands within the 100 year floodplain of Dials Creek.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Demolition of the vacated structures on the floodplain. Loading debris for removal and making
arrangements for removal.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
All lots purchased during the buyout will be cleaned of structures and debris and made ready for re-
use.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
FEMA requires all vacated structures to be moved or demolished. RDT participants will submit plan
for future use. PL&E participants are to destroy structures and clean lots of 42 vacated home
sites. The areas will be made ready for subsequent use.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
100% of the 42 vacated lots must be free of all structures, brush and debris.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
324 residents.
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 2
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: : Holly Grove, Arkansas
Renovation Team (9 participants - 6 PL&E/3 RDT)
and Helena, Arkansas
SITE SUPERVISOR: Mayor Lula Taylor
PHONE: (501) 462-3422
COUNTY: Monroe
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Restore the aesthetics of downtown Holly Grove.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Demolish and clear old store sites that are beyond repair.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
The three old retail outlets that are beyond repair will be destroyed and area cleared thus
improving the aesthetics of downtown Holly Grove.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
Removal of old retail sites will allow for space for merchants to expand or open new businesses.
Old brick will be used to construct dugouts at City Ball field and build new concession stand.
Improve the overall appearance of downtown Holly Grove.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
Clearing of no less than three old retail stores downtown Holly Grove which are beyond repair.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
640 residents
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 3
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: Holly Grove, Arkansas
Renovation Team (9 participants - 6 PL&E/3 RDT)
and Helena, Arkansas
SITE SUPERVISOR: Mayor Lula Taylor
PHONE: (501) 462-3422
COUNTY: Monroe
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Reclaim deteriorated portions of historic cemetery in Helena,
Arkansas.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Participants will work under guidance of Magnolia Memorial Cemetery Association to reclaim
deteriorated portions of Magnolia Cemetery. Activities will include removal of brush and debris,
re-erect tombstones, fill and sod eroded areas, construct V drains and construct hillside steps.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
Stabilize subterranean erosion, improve surface drainage, improve aesthetic quality, allow for
easier access to existing grave sites, expand the operational area of the cemetery, and allow access
to the historical minority grave sites.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
By improving the aesthetic quality of Magnolia Cemetery to the adjoining confederate cemetery. To
bring the Cemetery to a point where the Cemetery association can provide perpetual care.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
By restoring ten acres of the cemetery currently inaccessible to the public.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
Over 4,000 minorities who visit or utilize the cemetery.
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 4
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: Holly Grove, Arkansas
Renovation Team (9 participants - 6 PL&E/3 RDT)
and Helena, Arkansas
SITE SUPERVISOR: Mayor Lula Taylor
PHONE: (501) 462-3422
COUNTY: Monroe
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Restore hardwoods destroyed due to excessive flooding in Dials
Creek floodplain
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Destroy noxious weeds and brush and plant to hardwoods with high tolerance to standing water.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
Restore 20 acres of Hardwoods destroyed by excessive flooding along Dials Creek and within its
floodplain in Holly Grove.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
By restoring the environment on 20 acres of hardwoods to its original use.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
Complete success can only be obtained when 100% of the 20 acres is restored to its original use.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
640 people
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 5
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: Holly Grove, Arkansas
Renovation Team (9 participants - 6 PL&E/3 RDT)
and Helena, Arkansas
SITE SUPERVISOR: Mayor Lula Taylor
PHONE: (501) 462-3422
COUNTY: Monroe
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Improve drainage on Dials Creek within Holly Grove city limits
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Clear foreign debris from Dials Creek channel and small drainage channels serving as tributaries to
Dials Creek.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
One mile of channel will be free of foreign debris thus removing drainage restrictions for the homes
in the Dials Creek flood plain in Holly Grove.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
Unrestricted channel flow of Dials Creek and its tributaries within Holly Grove. Reduce flooding of
permanent dwellings within Dials Creek flood plain with storm frequencies of 25 years or less.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
Reduce flooding caused by storms of 25 years and less in frequency by 10%.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
275 socially disadvantaged residents living within the lowest elevations in Dials Creek floodplain
within Holly Grove.
RKANSAS
ITLE PAGE:
A. Title of Project:
Environmentally Friendly Livestock
Production & ALFDC's Pasture Based
Swine Project
B: Name of Organization:
U.S. Department of Agriculture, NRCS
C. Team Type:
RDT
D. State of Duty Station:
Arkansas
E. County of Duty Station:
Monroe
F. Names of counties served
Monroe, Lee, Phillips, St. Francis,
Woodruff
G. Congressional District:
1
H. Name of Site Supervisor:
Kenneth J. Lee
I: Address, phone & fax numbers:
Rm 5404 Federal Bldg.
700 W. Capitol Ave
Little Rock, AR 72201-3225
Ph: 501-324-5418
FAX: 501-324-6138
J: Name of State Project Directors:
Thomas Dominguez
700 West Capitol Rm 5404
Federal Building
Little Rock, AR 72201
Bruce Leggitt
NBA Building
4000 McCain Blvd.
North Little Rock, AR 72116
K. Address, phone & fax numbers:
L.
Number of Members in PL&E:
8
M.
Number of Members in RDT:
2
Summary Page: Educating and Developing Small Communities, Farms and Businesses
A) The specific needs to be met, particularly as they relate to the Envirornment and Community
Service.
This region suffers a deficiency of economic activity and consequently, employment
opportunities. Furthermore, the community has little understanding of local and global
environmental issues, lacks appreciation for the human health problems that result from
environmental degradation, and does not sufficiently understand the role that agriculture plays in
contributing to the environmental problems through conventional production methods.
The service activities of ALFDC's proposed Youth AmeriCorps project are designed to
educate and train both the participants and the community. These projects will create a greater
awareness of local environmental issues and demonstrate a variety of ways to identify issues and
solve environmental problems. Direct needs will be met through providing more adequate
housing, improving agricultural and environmental practices, and increasing the awareness and
understanding of environmental issues as they relate to the development of small communities.
farms, and businesses.
This will provide a unique opportunity for youth to be trained in sustainable farming
practices, learn new business and leadership skills, and gain new insights into careers dealing
with environment. Contributing valuable services to the community and the opportunity to work
in these areas is of great significance to the youth involved. In communities where there is a lack
of economic opportunities, there is a lack of vision and hope. Serving as AmeriCorps Members,
these youth will have the chance to increase their vision and plans for their own futures, as well
as envision the improvement and stimulation of their communities.
B). The key element of the program design. A description of the administering organization and
identification of primary program partners.
Arkansas Land and Farm Development Corporation (ALFDC) is a public membership
community service organization whose mission is to enhance the quality of life for limited
resource and socially disadvantaged people of rural communities through land retention. family
farm development, and land-based community development.
Incorporated as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization in 1980, ALFDC represents a 42-county
service area encompassing eastern and southern Arkansas, part of which has been designated as
an Enterprise Community.
ALFDC is proposing a comprehensive approach to community issues through the
development of Youth AmeriCorps, a multi-resource rural program. The purpose will be to
enhance the quality of life for limited resource and socially disadvantaged people of rural
communities by putting conservation on the land where our constituents live or own for the
purpose of protecting natural resources and the people residing in the community.
The Youth AmeriCorps group will be trained to develop personal and career skills and to
work in the focus areas designed to meet the needs of the rural community. Training for these
tasks will take place through mentor farmers, classroom session, field trips, and group
discussions. Engaging the participants and the targeted communities in these activities will
enable project objectives to be accomplished.
Several partnerships will assist in the development of this project. Through the year each
of these partners will be contributing in-kind services. The partners include the Arkansas Public
School System, State Land Commission office, Arkansas State University, University Of
Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Rural Economic Community Development Service, Arkansas Forestry
Commission, The Nature Conservancy, and The Natural Resource Conservation Service.
Summary Page
A) Exactly what specific accomplishments were achieved in the first
half a year of the project in meeting the community service objectives
and boosting the personal development of the members.
In meeting the community service objectives of this project, the
Americorps Member has been involved in a number of ALFDC farm
demonstrations. These include okra variety trials, chicken litter use
as a nutrient for alternative crops, beneficial insects involving
control of insects on cabbage crops, and development of small fruits
as an alternative crop in the Delta. These demonstrations reached
approximately 1500 people. The composition of the 1500 who
participated in the demonstrations is approximately 30% limited
resource farmers, 20% youth, and 50% agricultural service personnel,
including USDA and University agents.
The Volunteer also participated in private farm demonstrations by
helping farmers to set up demonstrations of sustainable agriculture
and the reduced rate of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. With the
demonstrations conducted on the private farms of 35 paraprofessional
farmers, an additional 1000 people were exposed to and taught the
benefits cf these practices.
The Volunteer also participated in a 3-day short course on
woodland timber stand improvement at the University of Arkansas at
Monticello. The Volunteer has been able to apply this knowledge in
training vocational agriculture students in forestry management, tree
selection, and shiitake mushroom cultivation. Working with the youth
is a further example of the accomplishments in reducing environmental
hazards and promoting alternative agriculture enterprise
opportunities, as well as advancing the Member's personal development.
B) The key elements of the program design for next year. Specifically
describe each new service project to be performed by the Members.
Next year's program will include the member's participation in:
1) Environmentally friendly livestock production and ALFDC's pasture
based swine project; 2) Construction and operation of a solar
greenhouse; 3) Demonstration of renewable bio mass fuels using wood
pellet stoves as an alternative woodland enterprise for sawmill
operators; 4) Operation of a grain storage facility; and 5) Training
youthful offenders in the Wilderness Institute.
Partnerships have been developed for each of these new projects.
New partnering organizations include Winrock International, The Nature
Conservancy, and DuPont Chemical Company.
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 6
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: Arkansas Land & Farm
(10 participants - 8PL&E/2RDT)
Development Corporation
Fargo Team
(ALFDC) in Fargo, Arkansas
SITE SUPERVISOR: Kenneth J. Lee
PHONE: (501) 324-5418
COUNTY: Monroe
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Improve housing conditions for low income residents.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Renovate and upgrade over 25 houses providing homes for low income families and the homeless,
provide maintenance repair to homes of low income residents.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
Improvement of housing for 25 families.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
By the number of residents housed annually by the project.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
By compliance with county and city housing codes.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
25 families.
j
.iv
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 7
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: : Arkansas Land & Farm
Fargo Team
(10 participants -8PL&EX2X07
Development Corp
(ALFDC) in Fargo, Arkansas
PHONE: (501) 324-5418
COUNTY: Monroe
SITE SUPERVISOR: Kenneth J. Lee
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: To provide a more diversified farming operation for
limited resource farmers
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Explore row crop production alternatives and environmentally friendly livestock production.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
Greater diversity of income sources for limited resource farmers.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
By 30% of limited resource farmers in the area diversifying into alternative farming.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
50% of limited resource farmers receive a cash income from alternatives farming.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
Over 400 limited resource farmers.
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: Arkansas
SITE SUPERVISOR: Kenneth Lee
COUNTY: Monroe
OBJECTIVE STATEMENT: Gather and process recyclable waste products.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Composting crop residue and manure utilizing sawdust from saw mill for mulching small tree
orchards. Investigate business potential, i.e. wood pellet stoves and bio sod grass
production.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
Greater environmental awareness and new businesses being created from recycling waste.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
We will determine the impact by measuring the amount of recyclable waste produced.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
25-30 tons will be processed.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
90 families, which represent 270 people.
04/24/95 16:01
916 527 6836
USDA SCS AREA 1
1
002
1. TITLE PAGE:
A) Title of Project: Fuel Reduction Project
B) Name of Organization: NRCS, High Sierra RC&D
C) Team Type: RDT
D) State of Duty Station of Americorps Members: CA
E) County of Duty Station of Americorps Members: Placer, Nevada, and
El Dorado counties
F) Names of counties served by Members: Placer, Nevada, El Dorado,
and Amador counties
G) Congressional District of duty station of the Members: 4 and 2
H) Name of Site Supervisor: Bob Roan
I) Address, phone number, and fax number of site Supervisor:
251 Auburn Ravine Road, Auburn, CA 95603
Phone: (916) 823-5687 Fax: (916) 823-5504
J) Name of state project manager: Manuel Roman
K) Address, phone number, and fax number of state project manager:
2121-C 2nd Street, Davis, CA 95616; Phone: (916) 757-8244
Fax No: (916) 757-8381
L) Number of Members in Public Lands & Environment Teams: 0
M) Number of Members in Rural Development Teams:
5
04/24/95
16:01
916 527 6836
USDA SCS AREA 1
003
SUMMARY PAGE:
HIGH SIERRA RC&D AMERICORPS CLUSTER - FUEL REDUCTION PROJECT
A) Three watershed ecosystem fuel reduction demonstration
projects have been developed and implemented. Wildfire and fuel
reduction training sessions for area schools were conducted.
Resource maps were prepared for two selected watersheds; a third
is in process. Provided assistance to local landowners during
the January floods: Conducted damage survey reports and follow-
up assistance to landowners in planning repairs to damaged farm
lands and rural homes. Community information workshops were
scheduled; information and agendas developed. Rural Development
grant was submitted for one watershed.
B) Members will work directly with landowners on fuel reduction
plans including educational activities incorporating
environmental needs to protect property and natural resources.
Members will assist landowners with methods and programs to
implement the plans once formulated. An education and
information program on fuel reduction needs will be provided in a
4 county area to inform local citizens of the need for and
methods to handle excess natural fuels.
FY-96 AmeriCorps Renewal
Auburn Cluster
The Auburn Cluster is a rural development project. Our fuel
reduction project impacts directly on two of the listed
objectives: Water Quality/Watershed Protection and Community
Development. We have requested six AmeriCorps members for the
two objectives.
Objective: Water Quality/Watershed Protection
What is the work to be done? Fuel reduction plans will be
developed with private land owners in identified watersheds.
Along with planning, we will identify methods and programs to
implement those plans.
What is the desired results? Key watersheds will have reduced
natural fuel levels which will limit property and resource damage
from wildfires. This will result in a healthy environment, clean
water and protected natural resources.
How will you measure the quality and impact of the work?
Implementation of the plans, as designed, will be the measure of
quality. Impact will be the degree that we can limit the extent
of damage due to wildfire.
What is the standard of success? The standard is to have eight
communities (watersheds) with a fire safe and healthy
environment.
How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work?
Direct benefit to about 600 families. Indirect benefit will be
the four counties because of reduced threat of wildfire.
How many members will work on this objective? Six members.
What is the cluster site for this group? Two members in each
site, Grass Valley (Nevada County), Auburn (Placer County) and
Placerville (El Dorado County).
Objective: Community Development
What is the work tc be done? An education and information
program on fuel reduction needs will be provided to the
communities in the four county area.
What is the desired results? A better informed local citizenship
on the need for and the methods to handle excess natural fuels.
How will you measure the quality and impact of the work? The
measure of success is how many communities request assistance and
begin work on developing fuel reduction plans. Quality will be
measured by the amount of environmental considerations are placed
in their plans.
What is the standard of success? Success will be to have five
communities per county in the process of developing fuel
reduction plans.
How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work? All
residents of the four county area will receive these benefits.
How many members will work on this objective? Six members.
What is the cluster site for this group? Two members at each
site Grass Valley, Auburn and Placerville.
00/01 '00 01:14
-->12026900639
Pg. 02/03
TITLE PAGE
A) Title of Project: Watershed Recovery - California NRCS
B) Name of Organization: USDA Natural Resources Conservation
Service
C) Team Type: Rural Development
D) State of Duty of AmeriCorps Members: California
E) County of Duty station of AmeriCorps Members: Sonoma,
Mendocino
F) Names of counties served by Members: Marin, Sonoma,
Mendocino, Lake
G) Congressional District of duty station of the Members: 1,
6
H) Name of site supervisor: Lisa Woo Shanks
I) Address, phone number and fax number of site supervisor:
1301 Redwood Way, Ste. 170, Petaluma, CA 94954; (707) 794-
1242, (707) 794-7902
J) Name of state project manager: Tim Cattron
K) Address, phone number and fax number of state project
manager: 2121-C 2nd St., Ste 102, Davis, CA 95616-5475;
(916) 757-8300; (916) 757-8381
L) Number of Members in Public Lands and Environment Teams:
0
M) Number of members in Rural Development Teams: 5
00/01 '00 01:15
-->12026900639
Pg. 03/03
SUMMARY PAGE
A) Specific accomplishments achieved in the first half a
year of the project in meeting the community service
objectives and boosting the personal development of the
Members.
* Met with 14 watershed community groups to discuss
stewardship and management practices to reduce pollution to
streams, and improve salmonid habitat.
* Water quality fact sheets developed for dairymen to
monitor creeks for pollutants. Trained 10 dairymen in the
use of ammonia test kits. Successfully met with a number of
agencies (Regional Water Quality Control Board, Department
of Fish & Game) to discuss proper monitoring procedures,
conditions, and regulations.
*
EWP work - Outreach and information dissemination for
landowners in Big Sulphur Creek while assisting NRCS
staff gather data and coordinate duties with other
local, state, and federal agencies. Sandbagging efforts on
levee along San Pablo Bay for farmer during flooding
emergency.
* Implementation of planting plan on ranchlands which
includes over 700 plants consisting of 15 species in
conjunction with a suburban elementary school.
* Obtained funding from Sonoma County Fish and Wildlife
Advisory Board in the amount of $5,000 to fence off
riparian corridors on two dairies.
* Produced initial draft for hillside vineyard erosion
control brochure.
B) The key elements of the program design for next year.
Specifically describe new service project to be performed by
the Members. Describe any major changes in management
structure or partner organizations.
Key Elements: Pollution reduction focusing on a watershed
basis. Watersheds include Stemple Creek, Petaluma River,
Sonoma Creek, tributaries to the Russian River, and
tributaries to Clear Lake.
New Service Projects: Petaluma River watershed and Sonoma
Creek watershed targeted for watershed pollution reduction.
Major Changes: Develop partnership with Bureau of Land
Management for AmeriCorps for cooperative efforts in
watershed pollution control.
AmeriCorps
FY-96 Renewal Application
Petaluma Cluster
Objective 1: Emergency Flood Recovery Work
Work to be done: Survey property damage and provide technical
assistance after flood events on the Russian River, its
tributaries, and other north coast streams and rivers.
Desired result: Landowners will learn and implement measures to
reduce sedimentation into important salmon spawning tributaries
to recover from the floods and to protect from further damage due
to flooding.
Measure quality and impact of work: 75% of contacts will make
improvements to reduce sedimentation into creeks. Impact is
significant because the Russian River is listed as an impaired
waterbody by the State. Sedimentation is one of the problem
areas.
Standard for success: 75% of landowners contacted will implement
practices to reduce sedimentation.
Number of Individuals will benefit: 50
Number of members working on objective: 3
Cluster site: Petaluma
Objective 2: Conservation Measures
Work to be done: Training in Conservation Planing and
Conservation Practices will be provided to private landowners in
accordance with the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments
(Clean Water Act).
Desired result: Private landowners will complete a conservation
plan, along with accompanying pollution reduction practices on
their farms and ranches. Conservation practices will be applied.
Measure quality and impact of work: One 6-week course, and 1
short course will be held for ranchers and farmers in
conservation planning. These will be done in cooperation with UC
Cooperative Extension and other partner agencies.
Standard for success: 50 landowners will participate in training
courses on conservation planning.
Number of Individuals will benefit: 400
Number of members working on objective: $ 5
Cluster site: Petaluma
Objective 3: Conservation Education
Work to be done: Assistance with Adopt-A-Watershed program
(helping describe watershed processes on field trips for grades
K-12). Assistance with schools working with endangered species
habitat protection on a local watershed project. Provide training
on significance and improvements to riparian habitat at
sustainable agriculture workshops for ranchers, farmers and
landowners.
Desired result: Children and adults will learn about watersheds
and the importance of riparian areas.
Measure quality and impact of work: Work with 10 schools on
Adopt-A-Watershed and Endangered Species habitat protection.
Additional teachers will be recruited into the educational
programs. Adults will become aware of, and participate in
watershed stewardship efforts.
Standard for success: Additional teachers will implement the
programs in their classrooms. Ranchers, farmers and landowners
will become aware of watershed impacts and participate in
watershed wide efforts, including protecting and improving.
riparian habitat.
Number of Individuals will benefit: 350
Number of members working on objective: 6
Cluster site: Petaluma
Objective 4: Salmon and Fishery Recovery
Work to be done: Stream inventory for critical salmonid habitat.
Riparian habitat restoration on private lands.
Desired result: Inventory of salmonid habitat and problem areas
that need restoration. Riparian habitat will be restored on
private lands.
Measure quality and impact of work: Results will be shared with
landowners, and they will allow habitat restoration on their
property.
Standard for success: 50% of landowners contacted will allow
restoration efforts on their property.
Number of Individuals will benefit: 50
Number of members working on objective: $5
Cluster site: Petaluma
Objective 5: Water Quality and Watershed Protection
Work to be done: Landowner outreach on the benefits of watershed
stewardship. Training for dairy farmers in water quality
monitoring will be provided. Agricultural land users will be
helped to plan and install watershed protecting practices.
Desired result: New watershed stewardship groups will form and
existing groups will strengthen. Dairy farmers will learn to test
for polluted water on their dairy. Land users will learn to
manage their property to protect watersheds from erosion and
pollution.
Measure quality and impact of work: 2 new watershed groups will
form; 4 existing watershed groups will become more active in
riparian habitat restoration. 20 dairy farmers will be trained in
water quality monitoring.
Standard for success: Watershed stewardship groups will become
actively involved in restoration efforts. Dairy farmers will do
water quality monitoring on their farms.
Number of Individuals will benefit: 220
Number of members working on objective: $5
Cluster site: Petaluma
Objective 6: Community Development
Work to be done: Assist watershed stewardship groups in forming,
and provide assistance to existing watershed groups.
Desired result: Watershed stewardship groups will be formed or
strengthened consisting primarily of landowners.
Measure quality and impact of work: 4 new watershed stewardship
groups will be formed. 2 existing watershed groups will be
strengthened.
Standard for success: Watershed groups will indicate success of
assistance at end of AmeriCorps term.
Number of Individuals will benefit: 500
Number of members working on objective: $5
Cluster site: Petaluma
EVRCD
P.02
Redlands Rural Development Team
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Rural Development Team
California
San Bernardino County
San Bernardino and Riverside Counties
Congressional District: Jerry Lewis 40
James R. Earsom
25809 Business Center Dr.
Redlands, California 92374
(909) 799-7407 FAX: (909) 799-1438
Timothy D. Cattron
2121-C 2nd St., Suite 102
Davis, California 95616-5475
(916) 757-8302 FAX: (916) 757-8382
No. in Public Lands and Environment Team: 0
No. in Rural Development Team: members ! 5
EVRCD
P.03
The AmeriCorps members in the Redlands Field Office have made several
accomplishments. The main accomplishments have been with the dairies. The Redlands
Field Office had a backlog of approximately 30 dairies to be surveyed, which with out the
assistance of the AmeriCorps would not have been worked on. The AmeriCorps have
surveyed, designed the plan, and presented the plan to the dairy owner for 7 dairies.
Another accomplishment has been the implementation of pollution reduction programs
such as the NPDS Stenciling Project and Managing Non Point Source Pollution for Water
Quality. Both projects will help reduce damaging pollutants from our waters and soils.
The personal development of the AmeriCorps members has also been improved. The
Members have received training in several fields that have increased their awareness and
knowledge. Several AmeriCorps have received CPR/First Aid Certification. All of them
have learned surveying techniques, map reading, safety procedure, computer usage,
irrigation systems, conservation planning and design among others.
The key elements for the in coming program will be conservation measures, conservation
education, water quality and watershed protection, and community service. In
conservation measures, the Members will plan, design, and install conservation practices.
Conservation education will be given to schools, teachers, homeowners groups, and the
general public. The AmeriCorps will plan, present, and install practices for water quality
and watershe I protection. Community service performed by the ME mbers will benefit
dairy owners, public and private land, schools, and the community as a whole. There
will be no major changes in management structure or partner organizations.
EVRCD
P. 02
OBJECTIVES FOR THE REDLANDS FIELD OFFICE
1. Conservation Measures
2. Conservation Education
3. Water Quality and Watershed Protection
4. Community Service
1. Conservation Measures
What is the work to be done?
Members will plan, design, and install conservation practices including waste
management systems, irrigation systems, and erosion control structures.
What is the desired result?
Conservation practices installed that save water and reduce pollution
How will you measure the quality and the impact of the work?
Quality will be based on how well the NRCS standards are followed during
installation and the landowners satisfaction.
What is the standard for success?
100% of the installations pass inspection and achieve purpose for which designed.
80% rated high quality by NRCS District Conservationist.
How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work?
30 farms or dairies plus several thousand down stream residents.
How many members will work on this objective?
Seven AmeriCorps members will work on this objective.
What is the cluster site for this group?
The cluster sites will be the Redlands Field Office, the East Valley Resource
Conservation District and the Inland Empire West Resource Conservation District.
2. Conservation Education
What is the wok to be done?
Present conservation information to schools, teachers, homeowners groups, and the
general public.
What is the desired result?
More people will become aware of the contribution that they can make to improve
the environment.
How will you measure the quality and the impact of the work?
EVRCD
P.03
Use evaluation interviews or forms to rate success of presentations based on
audience judgement.
What is the standard for success?
At least one known community environmental improvement made from each
presentation such as a tree planting, cleanup project, mulching, wildlife enhancement, or
erosion control project.
How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work?
Presentations will be made to 1,000 k-12 students, 5 landowner or other organized
groups, and 2 workshops or environmental fair booths.
How many members will work on this objective?
Seven AmeriCorps members will work on the objective at different intervals and/or
as a group.
What is the cluster site for this group?
The cluster sites will be the Redlands Field Office, East Valley Resource
Conservation District, and the Inland Empire West Resource Conservation District.
3. Water Quality and Watershed Protection
What is the work to be done?
Plan, present, and install conservation measures that will restore and protect
watersheds and reduce flooding.
What is the desired result?
Plans completed and presented to stakeholders resulting in practices applied.
Watersheds protected and flooding reduced.
How will you measure the quality and the impact of the work?
Planning will be checked for compliance to NRCS guidelines and practice
applications will be according to NRCS specifications. Landowner judgement will also be
used as a measure.
What is the standard for success?
80% of practices recommended in watershed plans ad presented to the public will
be implemented. 100% will pass inspection by NRCS District Conservationist.
How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work?
7 dairies and several thousand down stream users. 25 mountain property owners.
How many members will work on this objective?
Seven AmeriCorps members as a group and/or on individual basis.
What is the cluster site for this group?
EVRCD
P. 04
The cluster sites are the Redlands Field Office as the main site and two sub-sites
which are the East Valley Resource Conservation District and the Inland Empire West
Resource Conservation District.
4. Community Service
What is the work to be done?
The work that will be performed to the community will be surveys of various sites
including dairies, public and private land; educational programs for students of various
ages, irrigation plans for growers, and community activities as they become available.
What is the desired result?
Community improvement, reduction of pollution on the natural resources,
assistance to individuals, and community awareness on conservation.
How will you measure the quality and the impact of the work?
Community and individuals response to the assistance, surveys, and number of
conservation measures installed.
What is the standard for success?
80% of community environmental improvements will be judged high quality by
NRCS District Conservationist.
How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work?
Two counties which include approximately 20 communities and several thousands
of individuals.
How many members will work on this objective?
Seven AmeriCorps members either as a group or on an individual basis.
What is the cluster site for this group?
Cluster sites will include the Redlands Field Office as the main station and the East
Valley Resource Conservation District and the Inland Empire West Resource Conservation
District as the two substation.
04/26/95 WED 11:16 FAX 916 757 8382
USDA NRCS Calif
5.
002
Lancaster/Somis Rural Development Corps
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Rural Development Team
California
Los Angeles and Ventura Counties
All Congressional Districts in Los Angeles
and Ventura Counties
Team Supervised by Robert L. Dean
44811 N. Date Ave., Suite G
Lancaster, CA 93534
(805) 945-2604 FAX (805) 942-5503
Somis Site supervision by Stephen E. Jewett
3380 Somis Road
P.O. Box 260
Somis CA 93066
(805) 386-4489 FAX (805) 386-4890
State Project Manager is Timothy D. Cattron
2121-C 2nd Street, Suite 102
Davis, CA 95616-5475
(916) 757-8302 FAX (916) 757-8382
Number in Public Lands and Environment Team: 0
Number in Rural Development Team: 5
04/26/95 WED 11:17 FAX 916 757 8382
USDA NRCS Calif
1
003
The AmeriCorps members in the Lancaster/Somis cluster made achieved their goals to
this time. Notable accomplishments are the various assistances given to those
devastated by the Southern California fire storms followed by the recent rains.
Members met with representatives of the Los Angeles Country Fire Department, L.A.
County Board of Supervisors, Eaton Canyon Recovery Alliance, City of Pasadena,
Town of Altadena, Orange County, City of Laguna, Ventura County Fire Protection
District, homeowners associations, and others to prepare mitigation plans to protect
residents and their properties along the rural interface with the urban areas. Members
then proceeded to provide assistance to residents to apply the measures called for in the
mitigation plans. The measures called for mitigation plans developed in L.A. and
Orange counties provide protection for some 6000 residents. The total area involved in
these fires, and therefor covered by mitigation plans and technical advice are 92,382
acres. In addition, members prepared and distributed news releases, brochures, and
booklets telling residents what they can do, and landscaping they can plant to offer a
measure of protection from fire, flood, and the resulting damage in the future.
Each member has developed a plan for personal development. They have been offered
CPR/First Aid training and each has learned to plan specific conservation measures to
protect land and its resources and how to work with community residents to apply those
plans. They have learned safety, emergency response to communities, map reading,
computer use, design of public information material, fire and flood hazard mitigation
practices, writing skills, engineering principals of mud flows, and windbreak design
principals.
The key elements for the coming program will be to: complete individual visits and
calls to residents to apply measures called for in the mitigation plans, establish
vegetation and wind break trees in the Antelope Valley (Los Angeles County) to
improve air quality and reduce soil erosion caused by wind, provide a quarterly
newsletter to provide resource protection information and describe AmeriCorps
members activities, and provide assistance to communities in Los Angeles and Ventura
counties to reduce fire hazard by managing burnable materials residents properties.
They will assist rural residents in these two counties to install measures to reduce soil
erosion and repair erosion that has already taken place. Member education and team
building will be emphasized. No major change in management structure or partners is
planned at this time.
1. TITLE PAGE:
A Title of Project:
Lancaster/Somis Rural
Development Corps
B Name of Organization:
USDA, NRCS
C Team Type:
RDT
D State of Duty Station:
California
E County of Duty station:
Los Angeles and Ventura
F Names of counties served:
Los Angeles and Ventura
G Congressional District:
All Congressional Districts in
Los Angeles and Ventura
Counties
H Name of site supervisor:
Stephen E. Jewett
I Address, ph/FAX number:
3380 Somis Road, P.O. Box 260,
Somis, CA 93066,
Ph: (805) 386-4489
FAX: (805) 386-4890
J Name of state Project Dir.: :
Timothy D. Cattron
K Address, ph/FAX number:
2121-C 2nd Street, Suite 102
Davis, CA 95616
Ph: (916) 757-8302
FAX: (916) 757-8382
L Number of Members in PL&E:
0
M Number of Members in RDT:
5
CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL SERVICE
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service SITE: California
SITE SUPERVISOR: Stephen E. Jewett
COUNTY:
NO OF MEMBERS: 5
CLUSTER: Lancaster
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENT: 1
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Work with Antelope Valley Homeowners Association by providing assistance in developing and
putting in action a plan which will protect residents along with their personal properties
from soil erosion due to high winds.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
The residents of Antelope Valley (in and around the Lancaster area) have a workable
protection plan which meets the need of the community.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
Review developed plan, interview 10 home owners and tour area to determine the level of
protection and satisfaction.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
Customer satisfaction along with meeting the standards set by NRCS.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
200 participants directly. 75,000 individuals indirectly.
6. How many members will work on this objective?
Five
7. What is the cluster site for this group?
Lancaster
CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL SERVICE
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service SITE: California
SITE SUPERVISOR: Stephen E. Jewett
COUNTY:
NO OF MEMBERS: 5
CLUSTER: Lancaster
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENT: 2
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Present conservation information to schools, teachers, homeowner groups, and the teneral
public.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
More people will become aware of the contribution that they can make to improve the
environment.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
Use evaluation interviews or forms to rate success of presentations based on audience
judgement.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
At least one known community environmental improvement made from each presentation such as
a tree planting, cleanup project. mulching, wildlife enhancement, or erosion control
project.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
Presentations will be made to 2,000 K-12 students, 5 landowner or other organized groups
and 2 workshops or environmental fair booths.
6. How many members will work on this objective?
Five
7. What is the cluster site for this group?
Lancaster/Somis
CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL SERVICE
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service SITE: California
SITE SUPERVISOR: Stephen E. Jewett
COUNTY:
NO OF MEMBERS: 5
CLUSTER: Lancaster
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENT: 3
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Plan, present, and install conservation measures that will restore and protect watersheds
and urban housing from flooding and debris flows caused from aftermath of wildfires.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
Plans completed and presented to stateholders resulting in practices applied. Watersheds
protected and flooding reduced.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
Planning will be checked for compliance to NRCS guidelines and practice application will
be according to NRCS specifications. Landowner judgement will also be used as a measure.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
80% of practices recommended in watershed plans and presented to the public will be
implemented. 100% will pass inspection by NRCS District Conservationist.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
200 participants directly. 75,000 individuals indirectly.
6. How many members will work on this objective?
Five
7. What is the cluster site for this group?
Lancaster/Somis
02/27/1992 01:37 16192420203
MDRCD
PAGE 02
1. TITLE PAGE:
A) Title of Project:
Desert Soil Survey Accelertion/Chemehuevi Indian Tribe Outreach
B) Name of Organization:
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
C) Team Type
Rural Development Team
D) State of Duty Station of AmeriCorps Members:
California
E) County of Duty station of AmeriCorps Members:
San Bernardino County
F) Names of counties served by Members:
San Bernardino County
G) Congressional District of duty station of the Members:
40
H) Name of site supervisor:
Rick Aguayo
I) Address, phone number, and fax number of site supervisor:
USDA NRCS
18484 Hwy. 18, Ste. 195
Apple Valley, CA 92307
Phone (619) 242-2906
Fax
(619) 242-0203
J) Name of state project manager:
Tim Cattron
K) Address, phone number, and fax number of state project manager:
USDA NRCS
2121-C 2nd Street, Ste. 102
Davis, CA 95616-5475
Phone (916) 757-8300
02/27/1992 01:37 16192420203
MDRCD
PAGE 03
L) Number of Members in Public Lands and Environment Teams:
O
M) Number of Members in Rural Development Teams: 5
02/27/1992 01:37
16192420203
MDRCD
PAGE 04
2. SUMMARY PAGE
A) Exactly what specific accomplishments where achieved
in the first half a year of the project in meeting
the community service objectives and boosting the
personal development of the Members.
Assistance has been provided directly or indirectly
to the soil mapping of approximately 80,000 acres on
3 new soil survey sites. Vegetative data collection
is in progress that will be used for the development
of non-typical ecological site descriptions.
Community outreach activities related to the soil
survey efforts are continuing. AmeriCorps Members
have been working with school districts on
educational materials related to soils. On specific
activity, the "Soil Saver Club" program has enabled
over 5,000 elementary students to actively
participate in a hands on educational experience.
Other outreach efforts on educating high school
students, girl scouts, and teachers on soils and its
importance to the environment has been provided by
my AmeriCorps Members.
02/27/1992 01:37
16192420203
MDRCD
PAGE 05
B) The key elements of the program design for next
year. Specifically describe each new service
project to be performed by the Members. Describe
any major changes in management structure or
partner organizations.
CONSERVATION MEASURES:
Conservation measures application on the Chemehuevi
Indian Reservation. Assistance will be provided to
the Tribal staff in the establishment, management,
and marketing of their planned agricultural program.
The intent of this element is to provide assistance
to enable the Tribal staff to continue this farming
operation on their own.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:
Assistance will be provided to the Chemehuevi Indian
Tribal planners in coordinating planning efforts;
working with private contractors, and assisting them
with grant application preparation. The Chemehuevi
Tribe has many long term goals that have not been
realized for more than 20 years due to many reasons.
They are attempting to move forward with some of
these goals, but will need some additional
assistance. Assistance on the implementation of the
Master Recreational Plan and establishment of the
Native plant nursery is planned for this fiscal
years program.
United States
Natural
18484 Hwy. 18, Ste. 195
Department of
Resources
Apple Valley, CA 92307
Agriculture
Conservation
Phone (619) 242-2906
Service
FAX (619) 242-0203
Subject: PGM-FY-96 Renewal Application
April 13, 1995
Summary for the Apple Valley FO
To: Tim Cattron
Information Systems Director
Davis State Office
I. Objective 1: Emergency Flood Recovery Work (Not Applicable)
II. Objective 2: Conservation Measures
1. What is the work to be done?
Providing daily assistance to the Chemehuevi Indian Tribal staff in the establishment,
management, and marketing, initially, of 100 acres of irrigated cropland.
Windbreak planting around cropland, community park area.
2. What is the desired result?
The desired result is to enable the Chemehuevi Indian Tribal staff to be able to manage and
market the agricultural cropland on their own, and also to create employment opportunities for
the youth.
3. How will you measure the quality and the impact of the work?
Besides the obvious, the establishment of agriculture on the reservation, an increase in job
opportunities related to this agriculture program.
4. What is the Standard for Success?
Initially it will be the establishment of agriculture on the reservation, and windbreak plantings.
The ultimate standard for success will be the ability of the Tribal staff to manage their farming
operation and market their crops on their own.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work?
The Chemehuevi Indian Tribal affiliation is 604 with 132 members living on the reservation
with the remaining 472 living off reservation.
6. How many members will work on this objective?
One (1) with a strong agronomic and farming background.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability,
political beliefs and marital or familial status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of
program information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA Office of Communications at (202) 720-5881 (voice) or (202) 720-7808) (TDD).
To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250, or call (202) 720-7327 (voice) or (202) 720-1127
(TDD). USDA is an equal employment opportunity employer.
7. What is the cluster site for this group?
Member will be part of the Apple Valley Field Office cluster group.
III. Objective 3: Conservation Education (Not Applicable)
IV. Objective 4: Salmon and Fishery Recovery (Not Applicable)
V. Objective 5: Water Quality & Watershed Protection (Not Applicable)
VI. Objective 6: Community Development
1. What is the work to be done?
Assist Chemehuevi Indian Tribal planners in coordinating planning efforts, working with
private contractors, and assisting them with grant application preparation.
Assist Chemehuevi Indians with the implementation of the Master Recreational Plan that has
been developed by the NRCS.
Assist establishment of native plant nursery that will be used to grow plants that were used by
Tribal ancestors for food and medicinal purposes.
2. What is the desired result?
Establishment of native plant nursery, recreational improvement opportunities for adults and
youth. Intangible results would be realized such as pride in achieving their long term goals.
Community improvement and enhancement. Potential increase in employment opportunities
for youth at the reservation.
Recreational improvements will enable reservation residents and visitors access to facilities that
they do not currently have available to them.
Obtaining of grants to assist them financially to either begin or complete many of the projects
planned, or provide funding for employment or training opportunities on the reservation.
3. How will you measure the quality and the impact of the work?
The quality and the impact of the work will be the obvious improvements that are constructed
on the reservation and the response from the Tribal members.. Other intangible impacts will
be the sense of community pride for their reservation and sense of accomplishment by Tribal
residents.
4. What is the Standard for Success?
Establishment of native plant nursery.
Completion of a portion of the Master Recreational Plan
a. Sodding of baseball field
b. Automated irrigation system for baseball field
c. Soccer field with irrigation system
d. Initiate plans and develop funding strategies for planned community swimming pool and
gymnasium.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work?
The Chemehuevi Indian Tribal affiliation is 604 with 132 members living on the reservation
with the remaining 472 living off reservation.
6. How many members will work on this objective?
One (1) with a strong background in regional/area planning with grant writing capabilities.
7. What is the cluster site for this group?
Member will be part of the Apple Valley Field Office cluster group.
VII. Objective 7: Soil/Vegetative Resource Inventories
1. What is the work to be done?
Accelerate collection and input of soils data to be digitized on approximately 400,000 acres of
land.
Develop digitized maps (3), one per reservation of baseline vegetation data to be used for
ecological site descriptions.
Distribute available soils data and digitized soils maps and inform base planners on how to use
data.
Assist surrounding communities with the expansion of soil survey activities to areas currently
lacking soils data. Approximately 8 million acres will need soil survey data to assist land use
planners, environmentalist, ranchers, and farmers to better utilize and protect the natural
resources. In order to expand the soil survey activities, members will coordinate meetings
with other federal, state, and local government agencies on the status of ongoing soil survey
activities and the need for this soils data for their lands.
2. What is the desired result?
Improved resource planning which will enable base planners and others to protect and/or
conserve the endangered species while allowing the military to continue with their military
training exercises.
Acceleration of resource data to planners, community leaders, environmentalists and
individuals both on and off the base.
Reduction of land use planning conflicts resulting from a better understanding of the natural
resources, enabling environmental planners and military decision makers to make land use
decisions that are more compatible with the training activities and the needs of the
environment.
3. How will you measure the quality and the impact of the work?
Quality of digitized maps will be compared to original source materials.
Quality of soils and vegetative data collected will be reviewed by technical specialist for
accuracy and completeness.
Community impact will be measured through discussions, and direct interaction with base
planners acting as the primary measuring tools.
4. What is the Standard for Success?
Digitizing efforts will follow NRCS standards and specifications in addition to the standards.
Data gathering for soils and vegetation will follow NRCS standards and specifications.
Five (5) presentations or displays at each soil survey site area which will expand the
community awareness of the benefits and uses of existing soil surveys and current surveys in
progress.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work?
The 3 military reservations are used extensively for desert military training or for testing of
new aircraft. Indirectly, the entire nation will benefit from the services provided by the
AmeriCorps Program. The acceleration of the availability of soils and vegetation data will
enable base decision makers to develop plans that will protect or conserve areas for endangered
species and still allow them to continue their military training that is necessary for national
security. Individuals directly benefiting from this program will be the environmental planners,
engineers, and ecologists on each of the bases.
6. How many members will work on this objective?
Six (6) members, with 2 members being assigned to each of the 3 military reservations.
7. What is the cluster site for this group?
Members will be part of the Apple Valley Field Office cluster group.
Rick Aguayo
District Conservationist
Apple Valley Field Office
TITLE PAGE:
A. Title of Project:
Water Conservation Initiative
B: Name of Organization:
U.S. Department of Agriculture, NRCS
C. Team Type:
RDT
D. State of Duty Station:
Florida
E. County of Duty Station:
Duvall
F. Names of counties served
Duvall
(Up to 15)
G. Congressional District:
3rd, 4th & 6th
H. Name of Site Supervisor:
Allen Moore
I: Address, phone & fax numbers:
5542 Dunn Ave.
Jacksonville, FL 32113
Ph: (904) 232-2871
FAX: (904) 765-7172
J: Name of St Project Director:
Jerry Joiner
K. Address, phone Sc fax numbers:
Federal Bldg, Room 248,
401 S.E. 1st Ave
Gainsville, FL 32601
Ph: (904) 338-9506
FAX: (904) 338-9574
L. Number of Members in PL&E:
0
M. Number of Members in RDT:
in
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Project Name
The AmeriCorps Water Conservation Initiative in Duval County,
Florida.
Location
The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) Jacksonville Field Office in Duval
County, Florida.
Natural Resources Conservation Service 5542 Dunn Avenue
Jacksonville, FL 32218
Needs to be Met
The needs to be met relate to protecting the natural environment.
Specifically, this project will help protect the drinking water
supplies in Duval County upon which approximately 800,000 people
rely.
Key Elements of Design
The project will enroll five full time Rural Development Corps
participants who will serve with the Mobile Irrigation Lab (MIL).
Duvall currently has no MIL team. While performing MIL tasks,
the participants will inform residents about the Home Fuel Oil
Recovery Program.
Administering organization and Primary Partners
The administering organization is the NRCS. The primary partner
is the DSWCD. Additional partners consist of the St. Johns River
Water Management District.
Mission
The project mission is to conserve and protect the drinking water
supply of Duval County. It will do this by recruiting and
training the participants to educate residents about landscape
water conservation and threats to groundwater quality from
abandoned home fuel oil tanks.
Annual Objectives
1.) Recruit a diverse workforce.
2.) Train participants in water conservation issues.
3.) Conduct public information activities on landscape
irrigation and the home fuel oil recovery program.
4.) Conduct on-site MIL evaluations.
Budget
All operating costs such as training, transportation, equipment,
supplies, and office space will be provided by the partner
agencies. The estimated value of this contribution is $47,450
per year.
PROJECT SETTING
Location
The AmeriCorps project will serve Duval County, which is located
on the Northeast coast of Florida and has a total area of 774
square miles.
Economic Profile
Duval County youth are confronted with a poverty level of 9.8
percent. They are also subject to a per capita income of
$19,011, which is relatively low when considering that Duval
County is a major transportation center and the headquarters for
large corporations. With few opportunities for technical
training, Duval County's youth have limited access to employment
in the surrounding industries. As a result, many young people
edge ever closer to the poverty level. Foreseeing a dismal
future for themselves and their communities, they often resort to
desperate measures, such as crime. This may be one reason why
Duval County has an exceptionally high rate of both violent and
nonviolent crime. The existence of an AmeriCorps project will
assist those young adults who yearn for something better.
Hydrology
Groundwater accounts for 99 percent of total freshwater
withdrawals in Duval County, while the remaining 1 percent is
derived from surface water sources. The Floridan aquifer system
underlies all of Florida, and parts of Alabama, Georgia, and
South Carolina. In Duval County the Floridan aquifer system is
the principal water supply source and supplies 91 percent of the
total groundwater withdrawals. Duval County is comprised of
poorly drained soils, which are impermeable and subsequently
allow no recharge to the Floridan aquifer. Unfortunately, the
existence of impermeable soils does not prevent the aquifer from
being contaminated by industrial discharges, landfill leachates,
and fuel spills.
Population Growth & Water Demands
Duval County's current population is approximately 700,000, and
is the 7th most populous of 67 counties in Florida. Duval
County's population is projected to increase by 19 percent to
over 800,000 by the year 2010.
Currently, total freshwater withdrawals to serve Duval County
average 156 million gallons per day (MGD). The tremendous
population growth in Duval County will result in a 221 MGD of
freshwater withdrawals by the year 2010. Huge water withdrawals
in Duval County already result in temporary water restrictions,
and in some instances render privately owned wells inoperable for
several days, because of the decline in groundwater levels.
Irrigation Water Use
Irrigation water use consists of four categories: agriculture,
commercial landscaping, residential landscaping, and golf
courses. Agricultural use includes water used to irrigate all
crops, nurseries, and improved pasture. Irrigation accounts for
approximately 30 percent of the total freshwater withdrawals.
Figure 1 illustrates the exorbitant amount of water that is
utilized for irrigation purposes. The proportion of water used
for irrigation is unnecessarily high and is mainly a result of
improper landscape irrigation.
WATER QUANTITY AND QUALITY PROBLEMS
Introduction
Population increases are affecting the quantity and quality of
ground and surface waters in Duval County. Increasing
groundwater withdrawals are hastening the intrusion of saltwater
into the freshwater zones of the Floridan aquifer. Increasing
groundwater withdrawals are also reducing the flow from springs,
which sustain the St. Johns River. The potential for
contamination of the Floridan aquifer from abandoned home fuel
oil tanks continues to threaten drinking water sources.
Saltwater Intrusion
Population growth in Duval County is causing increased water
withdrawals from the Floridan aquifer, which subsequently is
causing a decline in the water levels of the Upper Floridan
aquifer. In recent years the water level surface has been
steadily declining at a rate of about one-third to three-fourths
foot per year. This is directly attributed to increased pumping
in Duval County. Water level declines of more 20 to 40 feet have
occurred in Duval County as a result of increased pumping. This
is accelerating the intrusion of saltwater in the freshwater
zones of the Floridan aquifer. The incidence of saltwater
intrusion is expected to continually increase as population
growth causes greater withdrawals on groundwater resources. This
is important because recharge to the aquifer from precipitation
is negligible in Northeast Florida.
Irrigation Runoff
Improper irrigation practices in urban and agricultural sectors
are prevalent in Northeast Florida. The use of pesticides and
fertilizers in combination with irrigation systems on crops and
landscapes result in nutrient laden runoff, which endanger
fragile ecosystems and ever decreasing potable water supplies.
St. Johns River
Pollutants such as nutrients, pesticides, toxins, and bacteria
occur in continually increasing amounts in the St. Johns River
and surrounding tributaries. Increasing groundwater withdrawals
threaten to decrease spring discharges into the St. Johns River,
which may consequently diminish the river's flow. This will
exacerbate existing water quantity and quality problems.
Contamination
The advanced deterioration of home fuel oil tanks pose a
considerable threat to the Floridan aquifer. Tens of thousands
of abandoned underground oil tanks remain filled or partially
filled with oil in Duval County. The risk of aquifer
contamination is alarming because just one gallon of oil can
contaminate one million gallons of water. If the oil is not
removed, ground and surface water contamination will inevitably
occur as the tanks deteriorate and oil leaks into the soil.
PROCESS
Identification
Several agencies and groups in Florida have been cooperating to
solve the problems described above. The St. Johns River Water
Management District (SJRWMD), as well as the other four water
management districts in Florida are all developing water supply
plans which are intended to set a framework around water use
decisions in order to ensure an adequate supply of water while
maintaining the functions of natural systems and the overall
quality of water resources. All of these plans contain water
conservation elements.
Important tools to help achieve water conservation objectives are
Mobile Irrigation Labs (MILs). MILs conduct on-site evaluations
of irrigation system efficiency and make improvement
recommendations to the irrigation system operator. MILs have
proven to be a popular and effective means of achieving water
conservation in urban and agricultural settings. Currently there
are nine MILs operating in Florida and several more have been
proposed. All government agencies in Florida are facing severe
budgetary restrictions making it difficult to fully fund new
initiatives such as MILS. Therefore, almost all MILs are funded
by partnerships of sponsoring organizations.
The partnership members are continually searching for additional
partners and recognize that the AmeriCorps Program may offer an
opportunity to expand the partnership and build a more diverse
base of support for water conservation in Florida. The Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Duval Soil and Water
Conservation District (DSWCD), and the SJRWMD are currently
cooperating to establish an MIL in Duval County.
Concern for water quantity is compounded by efforts to sustain
water quality in Duval County. The DSWCD has received a grant
from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to
establish a Home Fuel Oil Recovery Program (HFORP), which will
provide a valuable service for communities by recovering and
recycling home fuel oil from abandoned underground or above
ground tanks. This service will directly contribute to the
protection of ground and surface water sources in Duval County.
Establishment of Specific objectives
The interagency planning process established the following
objectives:
1. Educate residents and businesses about water use and
environmental impacts in the Northeast Florida ecosystem.
2. Provide an on-site irrigation system evaluation service
which gives detailed specific instructions on how the
individual can help protect the environment by conserving
water.
3. Inform residents about the risks to groundwater from
abandoned home fuel oil tanks and how the HFORP can prevent
groundwater contamination.
4. Develop a cadre of young Floridians with an understanding
of the complex Northeast Florida ecosystem.
5. Nurture the environmental, service, learning and work
ethics of the participants by providing them with a
meaningful and challenging way to contribute to society.
Benefits
The Rural Development corps participants will receive an
educational stipend, which will be provided by the Corporation
for National and Community Service. The participants will work
1,812 hours for $12,000 and have 9 holidays with 40 hours of
personal leave each year when in service. The living allowance,
FICA, health insurance, child care, and support costs will be
funded by the NRCS National Office.
The participants will develop valuable working skills which can
be used throughout their lives. These include public speaking,
ability to collect and analyze data, teamwork, writing,
organizing, and professional work ethics. In addition they will
gain exposure to the landscape irrigation industry and knowledge
of the environmental issues facing Florida.
Likewise the community benefits through the reduced threat of
water shortage and contamination. The community will become
educated in wise use of landscape irrigation practices and the
potential risks from abandoned home fuel oil tanks.
DESIGN
Structure
This AmeriCorps project will consist of five full time Rural
Development Corps participants who will serve as apprentice MIL
technicians on the proposed DSWCD MIL. While performing MIL
tasks, the participants will inform residents about the HFORP. A
majority of the MIL evaluations will be conducted on urban
irrigation systems.
The DSWCD currently has two employees. The employees will serve
as the mentors for the AmeriCorps participants. After the
training period, the five Rural Development Corps participants,
in two teams of two, will conduct irrigation system evaluations
and provide information about the HFORP to landowners. The
membership on the MIL team will rotate among all five
participants. This will allow for one person to work in the
office to input and evaluate data.
Specific Activities
The Rural Development Corps team will undertake the following
activities in order to achieve the established objectives.
1) Receive on-the-job training from the mentors about water usage
and environmental impacts in Northeast Florida. This will include
working with the DSWCD MIL team in action as well as a basic
orientation to the groundwater hydrology and environmental issues
in Northeast Florida.
2) Provide information to the public about MILs and the
availability of the HFORP by staffing information booths at
street fairs and malls, making presentations at elementary
schools and homeowners association meetings as well as other
community events.
3) Conduct field evaluations of urban irrigation systems. The
evaluations consist of the following steps:
a)
Visual inspection of system
b)
Pressure variation check
c)
Flow variation check
d)
Distribution uniformity check
e)
Landscape evaluation
£)
Make recommendations for irrigation system improvement
Location
The headquarters for the MIL will be the Jacksonville Field
office of the NRCS. The address is:
Natural Resources Conservation Service
5542 Dunn Avenue
Jacksonville, FL 32118
Partnerships
The proposed MIL will be funded by a partnership of sponsoring
organizations including the SJRWMD, the DSWCD and the NRCS. The
partners are actively seeking additional partners such as private
water purveyors and municipalities. Currently, the-FDEP is a
partner in the HFORP. The existence of an AmeriCorps project in
the county will allow the partners to further leverage their
funds and facilitate inclusion of additional partners.
Evaluation and Monitoring
The evaluation and monitoring of the MIL component of this
project will be done according to the criteria of the NRCS
Progress Reporting System and the Automated Data System for Water
Quality. The evaluation of the progress and performance of the
Rural Development Corps participants will be done using a
performance appraisal and employee development system similar to
the one used by the NRCS.
Typical Week
Approximately one day per week will be spent in a staff meeting
or training session. The staff meeting will deal with
organizational details. The training session will deal with the
following:
1) Technical issues involved with MIL evaluations and the
HFORP (including on-the-job training in the field).
2) Broader "context" issues to provide the participants with
a more complete understanding of the environmental issues
facing Northeast Florida.
3) Social issues in order to foster civic values.
The rest of the week will be spent performing duties such as
informing residents about the HFORP, educating landowners about
water conservation, conducting MIL evaluations, and providing
follow up assistance.
Training Plan
An ad hoc committee is currently developing a statewide training
plan for all MIL operators. It will be completed before any
AmeriCorps participants are hired. The training plan will
address the technical aspects of conducting a MIL evaluation such
as checking water pressure, water distribution uniformity,
collecting, and evaluating data and making recommendations.
Participants will receive orientation about the HFORP from
district staff in order to properly inform residents.
Recruitment, Placement, and Supervision
Because of the necessity to collect and evaluate numerical data,
and the intense interaction with the public, Rural Development
Corps participants are needed to ensure the success of this
AmeriCorps project.
The NRCS District Conservationist will get the word out by
conducting a wide-spread media campaign. In addition the
District Conservationist will network with leaders from the
various communities in Northeast Florida. This will include
elected officials, clergy, social service providers, academic
advisors and others. This project will be open to applicants to
the national AmeriCorps pool of applicants. The NRCS District
Conservationist will be responsible for the selection of the
Rural Development Corps participants for this project.
All participants will be at the same level with regard to salary,
benefits and responsibility. The existing MIL operators will be
mentors and provide much of the on-the-job training. The
District Conservationist will provide official supervision.
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 6
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: Duvall County, Florida
Water Conservation (5 Members - RDT)
SITE SUPERVISOR: Allen Moore
PHONE: (904) 232-2871
COUNTY:
Duvall
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Conduct public information activities on landscape.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Staff information booths at fairs and make presentations to schools and homeowners associations.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
Promote a community awareness about the extreme environmental risks, such as saltwater intrusion,
associated with tremendous demands on the Floridan aquifer & other drinking water resources.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
By the number of events attended and the number of requests for assistance. Also, an informal
census taken at functions, a poll will be given by Members to participants.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
Presentations will be made at 24 events. 50 requests will be made for assistance.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
10,000 county residents
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 7
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: Duval County, Florida
Water Conservation (5 Members - RDT)
SITE SUPERVISOR: Allen Moore
PHONE: (904) 232-2871
COUNTY: Duvall
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Conduct on-site MIL evaluations.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Conduct field evaluations and evaluations on urban irrigation systems and prepare reports for the
irrigation users on the MIL recommendations.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
Users learn efficient operation of their irrigation systems and save millions of gallons of water
per year.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
By measuring the actual water savings per year; NRCS will calculate the AWS.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
54 million gallons will be saved per year.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
2,100 people
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 8
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: Duvall County, Florida
Water Conservation (5 Members - RDT)
SITE SUPERVISOR: Allen Moore
PHONE: (904) 232-2871
COUNTY: Duvall
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Assist the Duval Soil & Water Conservation District (DSWCD)
with their Home Fuel Oil Recovery Program (HFORP) by
conducting public information activities.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Conduct public information activities on the HFORP, make presentations to schools and homeowners
association and other community events. Development and distribution of pamphlets & displays.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
Residents will be more knowledgeable regarding the risks of home fuel oil tank deterioration.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
By tabulating the number of residents that have taken advantage of this DSWC service and by the
gallons of home fuel oil that has been retrieved as a result of the HFORP. The goal is 48,000
gallons per year.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
Noting the number of interested customers who request the HFORP services.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
Will inform hundreds of residents about the HFORP and thereby involving the community in protection
of their water resources. Potential 10,000 county residents.
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 9
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: Duvall County, Florida
Water Conservation (5 Members - RDT)
SITE SUPERVISOR: Allen Moore
PHONE: (904) 232-2871
COUNTY: Duvall
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Conduct on-site nutrient management assessment.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Assess the fertilizer usage of urban landscape managers by interviewing them. They will help
develop plans to properly utilize nutrients.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
A reduced risk of ground and surface water contamination from nutrient runoff from overuse of
fertilizer.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
By assessment of the amount of fertilizer used before plan development and after plan development.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
NRCS Technical Guide and 5% reduction in fertilizer use.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
Approximately 2,100 people
TITLE PAGE:
A.
Title of Project:
Water Conservation Initiative
B:
Name of Organization:
U.S. Department of Agriculture, NRCS
C.
Team Type:
RDT
D.
State of Duty Station:
Florida
E. County of Duty Station:
Dade
F. Names of counties served
Dade
(Up to 15)
G.
Congressional District:
17th & 23rd
H.
Name of Site Supervisor:
Doug Ulmer
I:
Address, phone & fax numbers:
15600 SW 288th St. Suite 402
Homestead, FL 33033
Ph: (305) 242-1218
FAX: (305) 242-1292
J:
Name of St Project Director:
Jerry Joiner
K.
Address, phone & fax numbers:
Federal Bldg, Room 248,
401 S.E. 1st Ave
Gainsville, FL 32601
Ph: (904) 338-9506
FAX: (904) 338-9574
L.
Number of Members in PL&E:
0
M.
Number of Members in RDT:
5
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Project Name
The AmeriCorps Water Conservation Initiative in Dade County,
Florida.
Location
The United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS), Homestead Field Office in Dade
County, Florida.
Natural Resources Conservation Service
15600 SW 288th St., S-402
Homestead, FL 33033
Needs To Be Met
The needs to be met relate to conserving and protecting the
natural environment. Specifically, this project will help
protect the drinking water supplies in Dade County upon which 1.9
million people rely.
Key Elements of Design
The project will enroll five full time Rural Development Corps
participants who will serve with the Mobile Irrigation Lab (MIL).
Once trained, the new Americorps team will serve as an Urban
team. Currently, the MIL technicians work only on agriculture
land.
Administering Organization and Primary Partners
The administering organization is the NRCS. The primary partner
is the SDSWCD. The South Florida Water Management District is an
additional partner.
Mission
The project mission is to conserve and protect the drinking water
supply of Dade County, Florida. To help accomplish this, five
full time Rural Development Corps participants will serve as
assistants to the South Dade MIL and to other SDSWCD projects.
Annual Objectives
1)
Recruit a diverse workforce.
2)
Train participants in water conservation issues.
3)
Conduct public information activities on landscape
irrigation.
4)
Conduct on-site landscape irrigation system
evaluations, assist the SDSWCD in their composting
project and other projects.
Budget
All operating costs such as training, transportation, equipment,
supplies and office space will be provided by the administering
organization or through additional grant funds from partner
agencies. Estimated value of these contributions is $38,000 per
year.
PROJECT SETTING
Location
The AmeriCorps project will serve Dade County, which is located
on the Southeast coast of Florida.
Dade County is the third largest county in the state and has a
total area of 1,945 square miles.
Economic Profile
Dade County is a land of extremes. Intermingled throughout areas
01 tremendous wealth are areas of tremendous poverty. These
socioeconomic contrasts lead to tension and conflict. South
Florida, especially Dade County, is known for the viciousness of
criminal attacks, especially by youths, who lash out because they
foresee a bleak future for themselves and their community.
Attempting to understand the actions of the despairing youth is
not difficult when considering that Dade County has an
unemployment rate of 7.7 percent, which is compounded by a 14.2
percent poverty level. The existence of an AmeriCorps project
will assist young adults to create a better life for themselves.
Groundwater Resources
Dade County is underlain by two major aquifer systems: the
Biscayne and the Floridan.
Because the deeper Floridan aquifer in this area, contains
nonpotable water due to a high dissolved mineral content, the
Biscayne aquifer is the principal water-bearing aquifer for Dade
County as well as the entire Southeast coast of Florida. The
Biscayne aquifer varies in thickness from 40 to 150 feet. It
occurs at or near the land surface in some places and is located
under urbanized areas of Dade County. It is comprised of
numerous limestone cavities, and is estimated to yield up to
7,000 gallons per minute from large public supply wells. Because
the Biscayne aquifer is considered to be one of the most
permeable aquifers in the world and extremely vulnerable to
contamination, and it is the sole source of drinking water for
more than 4 million people in Southeast Florida, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency has designated it as a "sole-
source aquifer" under the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 (Public
Law 93-523). Unfortunately, the Biscayne aquifer has been
directly contaminated in some places by industrial discharges,
landfill leachates, and fuel spills.
Hydrology
Rainfall patterns in this region are highly seasonal and average
54. inches annually. Approximately 65 percent of the annual
rainfall amount occurs during the wet season (June through
October) when demands are moderate. Only 35 percent occurs
during the dry season (November through May) when demands are
largest due to the influx of tourists and winter residents.
Because of the variability in rainfall, there is a need for large
water storage reservoirs in this area. These reservoirs are
called Water Conservation Areas, which are an integral part of
the Central and Southern Florida Project (C&SF), the regional
water management system. The C&SF Project was originally
designed to provide drainage for agricultural and urban
development, flood protection, and water supply. During recent
droughts the system has not been able to meet existing urban and
agricultural demands, resulting in water shortages. The C&SF
water management system is also used to recharge coastal aquifers
by regulating the flow of water in canals during periods of low
rainfall and drought. Flow infiltrates back and forth between
canals to the aquifer, depending upon water levels.
Population Growth & Water Demands
Dade County is the most populous county in the state having over
1.9 million residents and is projected to increase 21 percent to
over 2.3 million by the year 2010.
The present total demand for all freshwater uses in Dade County
is approximately 579.1 million gallons per day (MGD) and is
projected to increase to 796 MGD by the year 2010.
Irrigation Water Use
Irrigation water use consists of four categories: agriculture,
commercial landscaping, residential landscaping, and golf
courses. Agricultural use includes water used to irrigate all
crops, nurseries, improved pasture, and livestock watering.
Irrigation accounts for approximately 40 percent of the total
freshwater withdrawals. Figure 1 illustrates the excrbitant
amount of water that is utilized for irrigation purposes. The
proportion of water used for irrigation is unnecessarily high and
is mainly a result of improper irrigation.
WATER QUANTITY AND QUALITY PROBLEMS
Introduction
The consequences of a century of development confront Dade
County. Pavement covers land that once soaked rain into
aquifers, and during the winter months when water supplies are
falling, millions of tourists arrive. Current water demands
place a tremendous strain on ecosystems and exacerbates existing
water quality problems. The unique hydrologic features in this
area; which consist of a thin soil layer, high water table, and
porous limestone coupled with rapid population growth; contribute
to a high incidence of groundwater contamination. As the
struggle for water continues, fragile ecosystems; including the
Biscayne Bay, confront a dismal future. Water that used to flow
freely toward such ecosystems is now channeled to urban areas for
water supply purposes and for the prevention of saltwater
intrusion into wellfields and canals.
Irrigation Runoff
Improper irrigation practices in urban and agricultural sectors
effect water quality in this region. The use of pesticides and
fertilizers in combination with irrigation systems on crops and
landscapes result in nutrient laden runoff, which endanger
fragile ecosystems and ever decreasing potable water supplies.
Biscayne Bay
The entire ecosystem in Dade County has been drastically altered
to allow humans to control the flow of water south to the
populated areas. As the region's farms and cities expand, the
flow of water increases toward populated areas, while it trickles
into fragile ecosystems in ever decreasing, ever more polluted
amounts. The Biscayne Bay is significantly affected by canal
discharges from the Miami River, which is contaminated by
nutrients, pesticides, coliform bacteria, and has one of the
highest metals enrichments in the state of Florida. Pollutants
such as these flow into Biscayne Bay and consequently threaten
the natural habitat.
Saltwater Intrusion
Landward intrusion of seawater has been, and continues to be, the
primary threat to public drinking water supplies to coastal Dade
County. Increasing pumping of the Biscayne aquifer and recent
drought conditions have accentuated this problem. Increasing
chloride concentrations, which predict the encroachment of
saltwater in wells, are commonplace in this area. once saltwater
invades freshwater supply wells, drinking water becomes
nonpotable and virtually useless.
Saltwater intrusion occurs when the increased drainage from
canals lowers inland ground water levels and reduces the flow of
freshwater to the sea, allowing an inland movement of seawater
into the aquifer system. This inland movement of saline water
occurs in two basic forms: (1) lateral migration of saltwater
into the aquifer, and (2) landward movement of saltwater in
canals during periods when the freshwater discharge is
insufficient to restrict saltwater encroachment. Due to its
greater density, saline water that migrates into inland areas
along canals leaks downward into underlying fresh groundwater.
Control structures were constructed in all major canals to
regulate inland water levels in hopes to retard saltwater
intrusion. Despite such measures, increasing pumping due to the
rising water demands is causing the progression of saltwater
intrusion.
Increased population growth in coastal areas led to the
construction of wellfields near the coast, which has also
contributed to the saltwater intrusion problem by further
lowering water levels locally.
PROCESS
Identification
Several agencies and groups in Florida have been cooperating
solve the problems described above. The South Florida Water
Management District (SFWMD), as well as the other four water
management districts in Florida is developing water supply plans
which are intended to set a framework around water use decisions
in order to ensure an adequate supply of water while maintaining
the functions of natural systems and the overall quality of water
resources. All of these plans contain water conservation
elements.
Important tools to help achieve water conservation objectives are
Mobile Irrigation Labs (MILs) MILs conduct on-site evaluations
of irrigation system efficiency and make improvement
recommendations to the irrigation system operator. MILs have
proven to be a popular and effective means of achieving water
conservation in urban and agricultural settings. Currently there
are nine MILs operating in the SFWMD and several more have been
proposed. All government agencies in Florida are facing severe
budgetary restrictions making it difficult to fully fund new
initiatives such as MILS. Therefore, almost all MILs are funded
by a partnership of sponsoring organizations.
The partnership members are continually searching for additional
partners and recognize that the AmeriCorps Program may offer an
opportunity to expand the partnership and build a more diverse
base of support for water conservation in Florida.
Establishment of Specific Objectives
The interagency planning process established the following
objectives:
* Educate residents and businesses about water use and
environmental impacts in the South Florida ecosystem.
* Provide an on-site irrigation system evaluation service
which gives detailed specific instructions on how an
individual can help protect the environment by conserving
water.
*
Facilitate a composting project involving yard and food
waste and promote other projects as assigned, such as the
South Florida Urban Community Assistance Program, Rails to
Trails, landfill beautification, wetland restoration, and
recycling projects.
* Develop a cadre of young Floridians with an understanding
of the complex South Florida ecosystem.
* Nurture the environmental, service, learning and work
ethics of the participants by providing them with a
meaningful and challenging way to contribute to society.
Benefits
The Rural Development Corps participants will receive an
educational stipend, which will be provided by the Corporation
for National and Community Service. The participants will work
1,812 hours for $12,000 and have 9 holidays with 40 hours of
personal leave each year when in service. The living allowance,
FICA, health insurance, child care, and support costs will be
funded by the NRCS National Office.
The Rural Development Corps participants will develop valuable
working skills which can be used throughout their lives. These
include public speaking, ability to analyze data, teamwork,
writing, organizing, and professional work ethics. In addition
they will gain exposure to the landscape irrigation industry and
knowledge of the environmental issues facing Florida.
Likewise, the community benefits through the reduced threat of
water shortage and contamination. The community will become
educated in wise use of landscape irrigation pract ces.
DESIGN
Structure
This AmeriCorps project will consist of five full time Rural
Development Corps participants who will serve as apprentice MIL
technicians on the existing South Dade Soil and Water
Conservation District (SDSWCD) MIL. The existing MIL conducts
about 25 percent of its evaluations on urban irrigation systems.
The addition of the apprentices will allow the MIL to place
additional emphasis on urban water conservation.
The existing MIL currently has two operators. These operators
will serve as the mentors for the AmeriCorps participants. After
the training period, the five Rural Development Corps
participants, in two teams of two, will conduct the irrigation
system evaluations. The membership on the MIL team will rotate
among all five participants. This will allow for one person to
work in the office to input and evaluate data.
Other activities that participants might undertake are assisting
the SDSWCD in other projects such as the South Florida Urban
Community Assistance Program, Rail to Trails development,
recycling projects, landfill beautification, wetland restoration
and other projects as required. Training and supervision for
each of these special projects would be provided by the SDSWCD.
Service Activities
The Rural Development Corps team will undertake the following
activities in order to achieve the established objectives.
1) Receive on-the-job training from the mentors about water usage
and environmental, impacts in South Florida. This will include
observing the existing MIL team in action as well as an
orientation to the groundwater hydrology and environmental issues
in South Florida.
2) Provide information to the public by staffing information
booths at street fairs and malls, making presentations at
elementary schools and homeowners association meetings as well as
other community events.
3) Conduct field evaluations of urban irrigation systems. These
evaluations consist of the following steps:
a) Visual inspection of the system
b)
Pressure variation check
c)
Flow variation check
d)
Distribution uniformity check
e)
Landscape evaluation
f)
Make recommendations
4) Receive specialized training for participation in other
special projects as needed by the SDSWCD.
Location
The headquarters for the AmeriCorps project MIL will be the
Homestead Field Office of the Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS). The address is:
Natural Resources Conservation Service
15600 S.W. 288th Street Suite 402
Homestead, FL 33033-1239
Partnerships
The existing South Dade MIL is funded by a partnership of
sponsoring organizations including the SFWMD, the SDSWCD and the
NRCS. These partners are actively seeking additional partners
such as private water purveyors and municipalities. The
existence of an AmeriCorps project in the county will allow the
partners to further leverage their funds and facilitate inclusion
of additional partners.
Evaluation and Monitoring
The evaluation and monitoring of the MIL component of this
project will be done according to the criteria of the NRCS
Progress Reporting System and the Automated Data System for Water
Quality. The evaluation of the progress and performance of the
AmeriCorps participants will be done using a performance
appraisal and employee development system similar to the one used
by the NRCS.
Typical week
Approximately one day per week will be spent in a staff meeting
or training session. The staff meeting will deal with
organizational details. The training session will deal with the
following:
1. Technical issues involved with MIL evaluations (including
on the-job-training in the field).
3. Broader "context" issues to provide the participants with
a more complete understanding of the environmental issues
facing South Florida.
3. Social issues in order to foster civic values.
The rest of the week will be spent performing duties such as
educating residents about water conservation, conducting MIL
evaluations and providing follow up assistance.
Training Plan
An ad hcc committee is currently developing a statewide training
plan for all AmeriCorps MIL operators. It will be completed
before any AmeriCorps participants are hired. The training plan
will address the technical aspects of conducting a MIL evaluation
such as checking water pressure, water distribution uniformity,
collecting, and evaluating data and making recommendations.
Recruitment, Placement and Supervision
Because of the necessity to collect and evaluate numerical data,,
and the intense interaction with the public, Rural Development
Corps participants are needed to ensure the success of this
AmeriCorps project.
The District Conservationist will get the word out by conducting
a wide spread media campaign. In addition, the District
Conservationist will network with leaders from the various
communities in South Florida. This will include elected
officials, clergy, social service providers, academic advisors
and others. This project will be open to applicants to a local
AmeriCorps pool of applicants.
All participants will be at the same level with regard to salary,
benefits, and responsibility. The existing MIL operators will be
mentors and provide much of the on-the-job training.
The
District Conservationist will provide official supervision.
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 1
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: Dade County, Florida
Water Conservation (5 Members - RDT)
SITE SUPERVISOR: Doug Ulmer
PHONE: (305) 242-1218
COUNTY: Dade
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Conduct public information activities on landscape
irrigation.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Staff information booths at fairs and make presentations to schools and homeowners associations.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
Promote a community awareness about the extreme environmental risks, such as saltwater intrusion,
associated with tremendous demands on the Biscayne aquifer & other drinking water resources.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
By the number of events attended and the number of requests for assistance. Also, an informal
census taken at functions, a poll will be given by Members to participants.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
Presentations will be made at 24 events. 50 people will request assistance.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
10.000 County residents
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 2
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: Dade County, Florida
Water Conservation (5 Members - RDT)
SITE SUPERVISOR: Doug Ulmer
PHONE: (305) 242-1218
COUNTY: Dade
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Conduct on-site landscape irrigation system evaluations.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Conduct field evaluations and evaluations on urban irrigation systems and prepare reports for the
irrigation users on the MIL recommendations.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
Users learn efficient operation of their irrigation systems and save millions of gallons of water
per year.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
By measuring the actual water savings per year (AWS). NRCS will calculate the AWS.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
54 million gallons of water will be saved per year.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
2,100 people
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 3
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: Dade County, Florida
SITE SUPERVISOR: Doug Ulmer
PHONE: (305) 242-1218
COUNTY: Dade
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Assist the SDSWCD in their composting project and other
projects.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Members will collect, transport, process, package compost materials and market the compost
products.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
Reduce the amount of organic wastes going to landfills by 100,000 square feet & reduce the usage of
fertilizer products by 50,000 pounds.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
Members will develop procedures to estimate the amount of waste that has been diverted from
landfills and the amount of fertilizer replaced.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
By the amount of landfill space preserved and the amount of commercial fertilizer used.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
Over 1,000 customers.
N.,
Goal
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 4
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: Dade County, Florida
Water Conservation (5 Members - RDT)
SITE SUPERVISOR: Doug Ulmer
PHONE: (305) 242-1218
COUNTY: Dade
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Assist the SDSWCD in the Rails to Trails project.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Will convert defunct railroad beds to bicycle trails; they will dispose of litter and clear
undergrowth.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
Provide a recreational source for neighboring communities and promote community spirit.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
Comparison to other rails to trails projects, the amount of trails prepared and by the number of
users. The goal is 35 trails of over 100 miles.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
By tracking the number of users.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
Eight hundred people.
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 5
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: Dade County, Florida
Water Conservation (5 Members - RDT)
SITE SUPERVISOR: Doug Ulmer
PHONE: (305) 242-1218
COUNTY: Dade
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Conduct on-site nutrient management assessments.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Conduct assessments of fertilizer usage through interviews, assist landowners to develop a plan to
properly utilize nutrients and emphasizing the use of compost.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
A reduced risk of ground and surface water contamination from nutrient runoff from overuse of
fertilizer.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
By assessment of the amount of fertilizer used before plan development and after plan development.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
NRCS Technical Guide and a 5% reduction of fertilizer use.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
Approximately 2,100 people.
GEORGIA
TITLE PAGE
A. Title of Project: :
Urban Conservation Program
B: Name of Organization:
U.S. Department of Agriculture, NRCS
C. Team Type:
RDT
D. State of Duty Station:
Georgia
E. County of Duty Station:
Cobb
F. Names of counties served
Cobb, Fulton, Clayton, Gwinnett,
DeKalb, Rockdale, Henry, Walton
G. Congressional District:
3, 4, 5, 6, 7,, & 10
H. Name of Site Supervisor:
Cindy L. Haygood
I: Address, phone & fax numbers:
1738 County Farm Road, Suite 275
Marietta, GA 30060-4012
Ph: (404) 528-2218
FAX: (404) 528-2212
J: Name of St Project Director:
James Ford
K. Address, phone & fax numbers:
355 E. Hancock Avenue
Athens, GA 30601-2769
Ph: (706) 546-2272
FAX: (706) 546-2145
L. Number of Members in PL&E:
0
M. Number of Members in RDT:
10
GEORGIA
SUMMARY PAGE
Exactly what specific accomplishments were achieved in the first half year of the
project in meeting the community service objectives and boosting the personal development
of the Members?
Members have been given individual project responsibilities throughout the
second quarter. This has allowed them to develop greater leadership and
planning abilities. The community service objectives are being met through
small team approach as well as the entire team.
Water quality is the first of our community service objectives. Two corps
members monitor thirty locations each month within the Big Creek watershed.
This information is entered into a computer and sent to the Georgia
Department of Natural Resources annually. All of the storm drains in the
city of have been stenciled. Three inner city parks have been cleaned. As
a result of these clean-ups, ten dump truck loads of trash were carried
away, three waterbars were installed, 1/2 acre was seeded (inside an inner
city common area). Approximately 600 feet of nature trails have been
installed at three different locations. Streambank stabilization work has
been done on the Chattahoochee River - approximately 500 square feet. The
team learned first hand about bioengineering techniques.
Conservation Education was the second of our community service objectives.
Participants coordinated 12 sponsors for ``fall into recycling" activities
this year. They assisted with the Christmas tree recycling programs in
Dekalb County. Five dump truck loads of mulch were distributed to county
arks as a result. AmeriCorps members assisted with creating fliers,
Crganizing individual events, handing out seedlings, buttons, instructions,
and environmental literature. (Forty thousand trees were chipped in Dekalb
as a result!) An environmental education library has been initiated.
Videos, tapes, cassettes, recycling and litter brochures, flyers, books,
magazines, and journals will be available for ``checkout''. The plan is to
have ``pick-up'' environmental tips in libraries, banks, grocery stores, and
other public places. Educational programs have been done at fifteen schools
and daycare centers. Fifteen inner city groups have been assisted with
gardens. Ten schools have been assisted. Approximately 100 students have
been taught about composting and urban gardening.
Plant materials is our final community service objective. The construction
of the greenhouse is complete. The 5,000 square feet of nursery area has
been tilled and raked clean to provide suitable nursery area for the PMC.
The nature trail has been cleaned of undesirable species and mulched. All
plant materials on campus have been located on a preliminary map and
assigned numbers for logging.
B. The key elements of the program design for next year. Specifically describe each new
service project performed by the members. Describe any major changes in management
structure or partner organizations.
The second year of AmeriCorps will be handled somewhat differently than this
year. The first year has been a learning experience and through this, it
has been discovered that the members function much better throughout t
e field offices and a smaller team will be needed as a result. They will
be able to benefit by working directly with the field office staffs and can
be more closely supervised as well. Ten AmeriCorps positions will be needed
(instead of the twenty needed last year). These positions should be Rural
Development Team positions. More experienced personnel are needed to
perform more technical activities. The AmeriCorps members will work through
the NRCS field offices and provide technical services through the Soil &
Water Conservation Districts. Water quality monitoring and stream
abilization (using bioengineering techniques), environmental education,
and plant materials will be our key objectives. These objectives will be
met through field office organized activities as well as some team
activities. The concept of using ``sponsors'' will not be pursued next
year. The work that will be accomplished will be both rural and urban in
nature -- generally meeting the natural resource needs of the counties
involved. The work will be more technical in nature: involving planning as
well as implementation. The need for more experienced, dependable persons
is important.
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 1
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: Atlanta, Georgia
Urban Conservation Program (10 Members - RDT)
SITE SUPERVISOR: Cindy Haygood
PHONE: (404) 528-2218
COUNTY: Cobb
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Operate the Satellite Plant Materials Center established
year one.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Grow and propagate plant materials. Approximately 25,000-35,000 plants will be grown. Plants will
be planted by AmeriCorps members along with volunteers.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
To have plants available for the Atlanta Olympics.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
Will be measured by the staff agronomist and the State Plant material specialist.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
80% of plants live.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
Thousands.
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 2
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: Atlanta, Georgia
Urban Conservation Program (10 Members - RDT)
SITE SUPERVISOR: Cindy Haygood
PHONE: (404) 528-2218
COUNTY: Cobb SITE SUPERVISOR:
PHONE: ( )
COUNTY:
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Educate the public on conserving and managing natural
resources.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Teach at least 50 school programs, install outdoor classrooms
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
Increased awareness of natural resources.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
50% acceptance by schools and quizzes given to students to determine if the information was
understood (75% of quizzes will reflect comprehension).
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
NRCS Field Office Technical Guide for installation of outdoor classrooms and satisfaction by
teachers on curriculum.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
At least 1,000 students.
IDAHO HOME*A*SYST PROJECT
A Homestead Assessment System for Environmental and Drinking
Water Protection
AmeriCorps FY 96 Project Application
USDA-NRCS
Idaho
SUMMARY
AmeriCorps Participants will assist with the implementation of
the Idaho Home*A*Syst environmental and drinking water protection
program. Participants from diverse backgrounds will be
important, as will the ability of participants to work with
individuals from diverse background. The National Farm*A*Syst
program and the Idaho Home*A*Syst program provide an organized
process for working directly with local residents and communities
to providing education, pollution-risk assessments, and
recommendations.
Specific needs to be met include: 1) receiving educational
training and associated skills on the Home*A*Syst Program and the
specifics of the pollution-risk assessment as well as providing
educational opportunities for local citizens enabling them to
better understand their impacts on the environment and their
drinking water; 2) increased assistance to citizens within local
communities, especially low-income, elderly or disabled citizens,
and available assistance programs identified to provide financial
or technical support; 3) protection of domestic drinking water
supplies by assessing pollution-risk as they relate to activities
within and around individual home sites and correcting at risk
activities or conditions; 4) eliminating environmental hazards by
educating the public, evaluating pollution-risk, and correcting
at risk activities or conditions.
An Idaho a Home*A*Syst planning committee was formed in 1993 and
is key to the site design as well as the overall success of the
project. The committee includes representatives from the Natural
Resources Conservation Service, Idaho Association of Soil
Conservation Districts, Idaho Department of Agriculture, Idaho
Department of Water Resources, Idaho Department of Health and
Welfare-Division of Environmental Quality, Idaho Health
Districts, University of Idaho Cooperative Extension Service,
Idaho Water Resources Research Institute, Consolidated Farm-n
Services Agency and Idaho Soil Conservation Commission.
An EPA 319 grant proposal was submitted and approved for FY 1995
funding to complete a number of task, but most importantly to
hire a full-time project specialist for two years. This position
is currently being filled and will be housed at the Idaho
Association of Soil Conservation Districts Office. This will
hopefully encourage a better acceptance of the program within
local Soil Conservation Districts and communities than might
otherwise occur if the position were housed under a state or
federal agency.
Participants will be located in local Natural Resources
Conservation Service/Soil Conservation District water quality
project offices and will work with existing information &
education specialist. The participants will be supervised and
administered by project NRCS and District personnel, with overall
supervision coming directly from the Home*A*Syst Project
Specialist. The Home*A*Syst Planning Committee will provide
assistance where necessary.
By completing the Home*A*Syst process the participant will
provide a direct service to those individuals they are able to
work with and likewise to the community as a whole. Quantifiable
services will include the completed assessment, program
evaluations forms, and recommendations for correcting at risk
activities.
The number of AmeriCorps participants requested is up to 20 (see
attachment #1) Twenty of the forty water quality projects are
jointly located in one office. Each position is for the most
part independent of the other, therefore any number less than 20
will accomplish individual project goals.
MISSION AND OBJECTIVES
Idaho Home*A*Syst Mission Statement
To protect and enhance Idaho's environment and drinking water
sources by providing rural home owners with assistance in
conducting voluntary pollution-risk assessments.
Annual Objectives
Increase public awareness of the availability of an
environmental/water quality, voluntary assessment tool
called Home*A*Syst.
Increase the knowledge and awareness of rural citizens and
communities on activities that impact the environment and
water quality.
Assist rural citizens and communities with voluntary
assessments.
Assist rural citizen and communities in implement management
practices that will benefit the environment, water quality,
and public health.
NARRATIVE
Needs to be Met
Assist with the implementation of the Idaho Home*A*Syst
environmental and drinking water protection program.
To protect rural America's water, Farm*A*Syst (Farmstead
Assessment System) has been established as a national cooperative
program. This program has be proven to be instrumental in
bringing about a greater awareness of environmental concerns
while providing a mechanism for protecting rural America's
drinking water with a voluntary homestead pollution risk
assessment. Idaho has modified appropriate materials, is
currently in the process of hiring a Home*A*Syst Project
Specialist and now faces the task of implementing the program
across the state in local communities needing assistance.
Idaho currently has 38 State Agricultural Water Quality Projects,
1 USDA Hydrologic Area Project and 1 USDA Demonstration Project.
These projects are located in rural agricultural areas with
identified water quality problems. The objective of these
project is to install water quality protection practices.
Project resources provide the ability to demonstrate, promote,
and install BMP'S, however, no provisions exist for working one-
on-one with community and rural citizens for protection of
individual drinking water systems.
Needs
The AmeriCorps Program would provide rural communities with a
greater ability to implement the Home*A*Syst program by
sponsoring an individual within the local community that can
reach and work directly with individual citizens needing
assistance.
Education: The relationship of this AmeriCorps Project to the
educational priority area is two-fold. 1) AmeriCorps participants
would receive educational training on the Home*A*Syst Program and
the specifics of the pollution-risk assessment. 2) AmeriCorps
participants would then be able to provide educational
opportunities for local citizens enabling them to better
understand how activities around their home can impact the
environment as well as their immediate source (s) of drinking
water.
Human Needs: Human needs will be met by providing assistance to
citizens within local communities, especially low-income, elderly
or disabled citizens. In addition, once pollution-risk
assessments are completed, available assistance programs may be
identified to provide financial or technical support to correct
any critical problems.
Public Safety: Protection of domestic drinking water supplies is
the primary goal of the Home*A*Syst program. By assessing
pollution-risk as they relate to activities within and around
individual home sites and correcting at risk activities or
conditions via best management practices or recommended
modification, domestic drinking water supplies will be protected.
Environment: Environmental hazards will be eliminated by
educating the public, evaluating pollution-risk, and correcting
at risk activities or conditions via best management practices or
recommended modification.
Process
Environmental and wellhead protection programs have been around
for a long time. The National Farm*A*Syst program and the Idaho
Home Syst program provide an organized process for working
directly with residents and communities to providing education,
pollution-risk assessments, and recommendations.
The National Program Staff located in Madison, Wisconsin provide
support to individual states. In Idaho a Home*A*Syst planning
committee was formed in 1993. This committee still exist and
will continue to exist throughout the life of this project. The
committee includes representatives from the Natural Resources
Conservation Service, Idaho Association of Soil Conservation
District, Idaho Department of Agriculture, Idaho Department of
Water Resources, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare-Division
of Environmental Quality, Idaho Health Districts, University of
Idaho Cooperative Extension Service, Idaho Water Resources
Research Institute, Consolidated Farm Services Agency and Soil
Conservation Commission.
An EPA 319 grant proposal was submitted and approved for FY 1995
funding to complete a number of task, but most importantly to
hire a full-time project specialist for two years. This position
is currently being filled and will be housed at the Idaho
Association of Soil Conservation Districts Office. This will
hopefully encourage a better acceptance of the program within
local Soil Conservation Districts and communities than might
otherwise occur if the position were housed under a state or
federal agency. The project specialist will receive direction
from the Executive Director and the Home*A*Syst Planning
Committee via monthly meeting.
AmeriCorps Participants will receive training and support
directly from the Project Specialist and will receive additional
support from the Home*A*Syst Planning Committee as well as the
Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts Executive
Director and Board of Directors. Participants will be located in
local Natural Resources Conservation Service/Soil Conservation
District water quality project offices and will work with
existing information & education specialist.
Design
The Home*A*Syst Program has been established to provide rural
home owners with assistance in conducting voluntary pollution-
risk assessments related to activities within and around their
home, for the protection of the environment and their domestic
drinking water supply. The Home*A*Syst program consist of a
series of 11 fact sheets and 13 worksheets designed to help
residents assess how effectively their homestead practices
protect the environment and their drinking, water.
One of the project task identified and funded under the EPA 319
grant is to develop and conduct a state-wide measurement plan
that will be used to evaluate activity and outcome objectives for
implementation of the Home*A*Syst Program Completed evaluation
worksheets and action plans will provide a direct measure of
project results. In addition, a brief questionnaire will be
developed to track pre- and post-evaluation results providing
information on social attitudes and changes following project
implementation.
Concept
The Home*A*Syst Program has been established to provide rural
home owners with assistance in conducting voluntary pollution-
risk assessments related to activities within and around their
home, for the protection of the environment and their domestic
drinking water supply.
AmeriCorps Participants will receive training and support
directly from the Project Specialist and will receive additional
support from the Home*A*Syst Planning Committee as well as the
Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts Executive
Director and Board of Directors. Participants will be located in
local Natural Resources Conservation Service/Soil Conservation
District water quality project offices and will work with
existing information & education specialist.
Implementation Strategies and Delivery Options:
Implement statewide to assist farmsteads and rural home owners to
protect the environment and drinking water quality.
Delivery Options may include but are not limited to:
One-on-one assistance on the farm.
Group assessments with educational and technical assistance.
Group orientation with follow-up.
One-on-one assistance.
Incorporation into other education programs.
Self-assessments.
Delivery Team Members may include but are not limited to:
AmeriCorps participants
County health departments.
County planning and zoning departments.
Extension service.
State Agricultural Agency.
Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
Private sector (farm cooperatives, crop consultants,
petroleum representatives)
Water User Groups
Youth groups (4-H, FFA)
Trained volunteers
Vocational agriculture consultants (youth and adult)
Environmental groups
Producer associations
Lenders
Delivery may be incorporated into other educational programs
including but not limited to:
USDA water quality demonstration and hydrologic unit
projects.
State watershed projects.
State Agricultural Water Quality Projects (SAWQP)
Municipal wellhead protection efforts, Wellhead Protection
Program (DEQ)
Idaho Ground Protection Plan implementation components
Drinking water education programs.
Water User Group educational programs.
Agricultural Industry and Commodity Group educational
programs.
Environmental Consulting educational programs.
Whole farm assessments.
NRCS conservation planning.
IDA and UL-CES pesticide applicator training programs.
IDA Waste Pesticide Disposal Program.
Homemaker or family living education programs.
Adult education farm ...anagement training programs.
Club activity or program promotion by trained volunteers
from youth groups, community service organizations, farm
organizations, and environmental groups.
Youth farm management education programs
Program sponsorship by lending institutions and/or
agribusiness's.
Programs targeted at nonfarmers
Service Activities
AmeriCorps Participants will assist with and conduct pollution-
risk assessments using some or all of the Home*A*Syst work/fact
sheets developed for Idaho. The first 11 work/fact sheets
include: #1 Drinking Water Well Condition; #2 Pesticide Storage
and Handling; #3 Fertilizer Storage and Handling; #4 Petroleum
Products Storage; #5 Hazardous Waste Management; #6 Household
Wastewater Treatment; #7 Livestock Waste Storage; #8 Livestock
Yards Management; #9 Silage Storage; #10 Milking Center
Wastewater Treatment; and #11 Lawn and Garden Management. The
final worksheets include: #11 Site Evaluation Worksheet; and
Overall Summary Evaluation.
By completing the Home*A*Syst process the participant will
provide a direct service to those individuals they are able to
work with and likewise to the community as a whole.
Demonstrateable services will include the completed assessment,
program evaluations forms, and recommendations for correcting at
risk activities.
A typical week for an AmeriCorps Participant would be to assist
local home owners in conducting and completing 2-5 Home*A*Syst
evaluations. In order to accomplish this successfully the
participant would have received adequate training prior to
completing any evaluations. The participant would contact each
home owner in advance and arrange a site visit. During the site
visit the participant would spend a few minutes introducing
themselves, giving some background on their position and
involvement, as well as some specifics about the Home*A*Syst
Program. They would then ask some questions about the
individuals home site and the type of management practices
conducted. From this information they would then be able to
determine which work/fact sheets would need to be discussed and
completed. Once these sheets were completed the participant
would assist the owner in completing the Site Evaluation
Worksheet and the Overall Summary Evaluation. These worksheets
will enable the participant to assess those activities or
conditions on the home owners immediate setting that may
negatively impact the environment or their drinking water, while
pointing out best management practices or recommended
modifications to correct these at-risk activities or conditions.
The participant would make note of the worksheets that were
completed and any recommendations that were made. Since the
Home*A*Syst program is confidential the participant would leave
the completed worksheets with the home owner along with a project
evaluation form to be completed by the home owner and returned to
the Home*A*Syst project office. The participant would thank the
home owner for their participation and would return to the local
conservation office. Any evaluations and recommendations would
be summarized in a general form to track participant as well as
project accomplishments.
Relation to need
The service activities provide direct information to local
residents, assistance in completing a voluntary pollution-risk
assessment, recommendations for correcting any identified
problems. The participants activities will help protect and
enhance Idaho's environment and drinking water sources.
Participant training and support
Training workshops will be developed to provide participants with
the background necessary to adequately perform the job
responsibilities. State specialist that worked on the
Farm*A*Syst modifications in Idaho will be utilized as trainers
to transfer as much of their individual expertise as possible to
participants. Actual field exercises will be used to provide
hands-on training.
Participants will also have an invaluable opportunity to interact
with different project personnel to gain additional training and
experience on other aspects of water quality and environmental
protection. It is optimistic that once the program has been
established, local communities will provide a means for
continuation.
With the knowledge gained from training and practical experience,
the participant will have the background necessary to continue
their education and/or move directly into the work force.
Participant placement and supervision
AmeriCorps participants will be trained in small groups. They
may work in teams initially, but will eventually work
individually. Local groups of participants will come together at
a minimum of once a month to discuss and share their experiences
(problems and successes). The Home*A*Syst Project Specialist and
the Natural Resources Conservation Service Water Quality
Specialist will work with local project offices to orient them
and prepare them for the AmeriCorps participant. The participant
will be supervised by project NRCS and District personnel, with
overall supervision coming directly from the Home*A*Syst Project
Specialist. The Home*A*Syst Planning Committee will provide
assistance where necessary.
Attachment #1
State Water
SCD
SCS Contact
SCD Contact
Quality Project
Cedar Draw
Balanced Rock
Kevin Davidson
Zena Cook
E. Upper Deep Creek
Balanced Rock
Kevin Davidson
Zena Cook
W. Upper Deep Creek
Balanced Rock
Kevin Davidson
Zena Cook
Mission Sheep
Benewah
Mike Combs
Arlene Grose
Upper Hangman Creek
Benewah
Mike Combs
Arlene Grose
Tensed/Lolo Creek
Benewah
Mike Combs
Arlene Grose
Plummer Creek
Benewah
Mike Combs
Arlene Grose
Arkansas Basin
Portneuf
Ron Davidson
Amyllen Bodily
Lone Creek
Portneuf
Ron Davidson
Amyllen Bodily
Upper Rapid Creek
Portneuf
Ron Davidson
Amyllen Bodily
Badger Creek
Eastside
Dennis Hadley
Marny Nelson
Meadow Creek
Eastside
Dennis Hadley
Marny Nelson
Antelope Creek
EastS]de
Dennis Hadley
Marny Nelson
Tex Creek
Eastside
Dennis Hadley
Marny Nelson
Conway Gulch
Canyon
John Gleim
Debbie Comfort
Sand Hollow West
Canyon
John Gleim
Debbie Comfort
S.F. Palouse River
Latah
Ken Kouska
Nancy Weatherstone
Aspendale/Potlatch
Latah
Ken Kouska
Nancy Weatherstone
Lenville
Latah
Ken Kouska
Nancy Weatherstone
Wide Hollow
Oneida
John Bechtold
Linda Daniels
Dairy Creek
Oneida
John Bechtold
Linda Daniels
Daniels
Oneida
John Bechtold
Linda Daniels
N.E. Worley
Kootenal/Shos.
David Brown
Patricia Farrar
Lake Creek
Kootenai/Shos.
David Brown
Patricia Farrar
Bancroft
Caribou
Tim Schroeder
Larry Lewis
Upper Portneuf
Caribou
Tim Schroeder
Larry Lewis
Bedrock Creek
Clearwater
Bruce Hanson
Mike Hoffman
Lolo/Fords Creek
Clearwater
Brtice Hanson
Mike Hoffman
Upper Conant Creek
Yellowstone
Ken Beckmann
Mark Hogen
Squirrel Creek
Yellowstone
Ken Beckmann
Mark Hogen
Pine Creek
Nez Perce
Frank Gariglio
Barry Holben
Vinyard Creek
Northside
Tom Burnhai-n
Rob Rogerson
Lapwal
Lewis
Rob Fredrickson
Chuck Pentzer
Mission Creek
Lewis
Rob Fredrickson
Chuck Pentzer
Crane Creek
Weiser River
Toi-n Yaiikey
Aleta Si-nith
Boulder Creek
Valley
Randy Phelan
Daryl Gallup
Teton River
Teton
Steve Ray
Darwin Josephson
Lower Payette River
Payette
Mike Raymond
Nancy Hutchinson
USDA Water Quality Projects
Snake River DEMO
Cassia
Jeff Bohr
Dyane Rigas
Minidoka
Payette River HUA
Payette
Tii-n Stack
Nancy Hutchinson
Canyon
Washington
Adai-ns
CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL SERVICE
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 1
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: Idaho
Home*A*Syst (15 FT Members & 5PT Members - RDT)
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Increase public awarness of the availability of an
environmental/water qualilty, voluntary assessment tool
called Home*A*Syst.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL SERVICE
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 2
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: Idaho
Home*A*Syst (15 FT Members & 5PT Members - RDT)
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Increase the knowledge and awareness of rural citizens
and communities on activities that impact the environment
and water quality.
(NOTE: Seems very similar to objective one. Please be sure we can differentiate.)
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL SERVICE
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 3
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: Idaho
Home*A*Syst (15 FT Members & 5PT Members - RDT)
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Assist Rural citizens and communities with voluntary
assessments.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL SERVICE
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: Idaho
Home*A*Syst (15 FT Members & 5PT Members - RDT)
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Assist rural citizens and communities in implementing
management practices that will benefit the environment,
water quality, and public health.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 1
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: Idaho
Home*A*Syst (15 FT Members & 5PT Members - RDT)
SITE SUPERVISOR: Lee Brooks
PHONE: (208) 334-1601 COUNTY: Ada
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Increase public awareness of the availability of an
environmental/water quality, voluntary assessment tool
called Home*A*Syst.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Through one-on-one and/or group visits with individual homeowners located in 35 operational water
quality projects, members will work with NRCS and Conservation District I&E personnel to familiarize
local participants with Home*A*Syst program, review fact sheets and worksheets and assist homeowners
in performing site specific evaluations to identify water quality conditions and at risk situations.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
90% of all farmers within the 35 operational watershed project areas will be aware of the
availability of the Home*A*Syst program.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
80% of the farmers located in the 35 operational watershed project areas will indicate in the
planned follow-up evaluation that they were satisfied with the quality of the service provided and
that they had a very good understanding of the Home*A*Syst program.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
50% of the farmers who have been exposed to the Home*A*Syst program will volunteer to complete the
necessary worksheets.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
Approximately 900 farms, involving about 1800 people, will be made aware of the Home *A*Syst program.
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 2
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: Idaho
Home*A*Syst (15 FT Members & 5PT Members - RDT)
SITE SUPERVISOR: Lee Brooks
PHONE: (208) 334-1601 COUNTY: Ada
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Increase the knowledge and awareness of rural citizens
and communities on activities that impact the environment
and water quality.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Provide assistance to the landowners in conducting the voluntary risk assessments related to
activities within and around their homes. Review a series of fact sheets and worksheets designed to
help residents assess how effectively their homestead practices protect the environment and the
drinking water.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
90% of the landowners who participate in the voluntary program will have better understanding of
what activities impact the environment and water quality.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
80% of the farmers located in the 35 operational watershed project areas will indicate in the
planned follow-up evaluate that they were satisfied with the quality of the service provided and
that they have learned to identify farmstead practices or activities that are potentially damaging
to the environment.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
50% of the participants will request assistance in discussing or designing solutions to the problems
that are identified as they complete the risk analysis worksheets and assessments.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
Approximately 700 farms, involving about 1400 people, will be more knowledgeable about activities
that harm the environment and/or water quality.
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 3
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: Idaho
Home*A*Syst (15 FT Members & 5PT Members - RDT)
SITE SUPERVISOR: Lee Brooks
PHONE: (208) 334-1601 COUNTY: Ada
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Assist Rural citizens and communities in implementing
management practices that will benefit the environment,
water quality, and public health.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Provide assistance to the landowners in conducting the voluntary risk assessments related to
activities within and around their homes. Review a series of fact sheets and worksheets designed to
help residents assess how effectively their homestead practices protect the environment and the
drinking water. Assist residents in identifying proper corrective actions to minimize at risk
situations.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
20% of residents who identify at risk situations will install corrective measures or take corrective
actions.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
Of the estimated 50% of the farmers located in the 35 operational watershed project areas where
potential problems exist, 90% will indicate in the planned follow-up evaluation that they were
satisfied with the quality of the service provided and that they have learned to identify corrective
farmstead practices or activities that area potentially beneficial to the environment and to water
quality.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
A statewide measurement plan will be developed that will be used to evaluate activity and outcomes
objectives for implementing the program. Completed evaluation worksheets and action plans will
provide a direct measure of project results.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
Approximately 90-100 farms, involving 200 people, will be involved in installing corrective actions
on their residences. These people, as well as surrounding residents within and downstream of the
watersheds, will all benefit as a result of improved water quality.
TITLE PAGE:
Title of Project:
East St. Louis & Metro-East
Environmental Project
B: Name of Organization:
U.S. Department of Agriculture, NRCS
C.
Team Type:
PL&E
D. State of Duty Station:
Illinois
E.
County of Duty Station:
St. Clair
F. Names of counties served:
Madison and St. Clair
(Up to 15)
G. Congressional District:
12
H. Name of Site Supervisor:
Rufus Williams
I: Address, phone & fax numbers:
601 James R. Thompson Blvd,
East St. Louis IL 62201
Ph: (618) 271-9540
FAX: (618) 271-9737
J: Name of St. Project Director:
Gary Parker
K. Address, phone & fax numbers:
1902 Fox Drive, Champaign, IL 61820
Ph: (217) 398-5271
FAX: (217) 398-5310
L.
Number of Members in PL&E:
20
M.
Number of Members in RDT:
0
East St. Louis & Metro-East SUMMARY PAGE:
Exactly what specific accomplishments were achieved in the first half year of the
_roject in meeting the community service objectives and boosting the personal development
of the Members?
The East St. Louis Environmental Project of AmeriCorps has made the
following progress during the Second Quarter:
10 of the 15 community garden sites have been prepared for planting.
75% of the 20 lots have been cleared of all minor debris and are ready
for heavy equipment.
11 AmeriCorps Members attended Master Gardening Training.
Members planted 100% of National Tree Trust trees (57) on the SCC campus.
Members conducted joint gardener training with Operation New Spirit staff.
Members conducted educational program with local elementary school.
Members have started hundreds of plants in SCC greenhouse and have
transferred them to Jones Park Greenhouse for use by community groups.
Members have completed 50% of East St. Louis Senior High School
greenhouse renovation.
Member teams have prepared 20% of flower beds on the SCC campus.
Members received chain saw training.
Member has scheduled community garden training session for first week
in April.
Member team put together seed packets for community gardens.
Member has started preparing site signs.
Team has established a demonstration garden on the SCC campus using
biodynamic gardening techniques.
Team has completed 75% of the work to renovate the landscape at the
Dunbar Elementary School
le project has made giant strides in the areas of community service,
community development, and member growth. Aside from the basic training
necessary to complete the projects, members have been provided training in
sexual harassment, civil rights, and chain saw usage. Members have assisted
^neration New Spirit in getting local community gardeners prepared to begin
ring planting, worked with a group of elderly citizens from Granite City
00 prepare for spring plantings, met with citizens about gardens and lots,
and share their views about service and their committees with guests and
other residents. Members have met with all the local mayors, several local
ministers, the chamber of commerce, and residents concerning heavy equipment
needs and assistance with lot renovation.
B. The key elements of the program design for next year. Specifically describe each new
service project performed by the members. Describe any major changes in management
structure or partner organizations.
We will continue to work on community beautification through lot
renovations, maintenance of lots and gardens and maintenance of landscape
work started on the State Community College Campus. We plan to expand the
project into Urban Forestry, career awareness and public parks
rehabilitation.
Also, we plan to provide environmental/education training to 5
community/neighborhood groups and 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students from the
Lovejoy and East St. Louis schools.
e principal local partner on this project is State Community College.
NRCS currently has a cooperative agreement with the college. Under this
agreement, NRCS is providing the College $70,000, and the college is
providing the day-to-day site management. in FY 96, NRCS will provide the
day-to-day site management. The principal partner will be the State
Community College, but there will be no exchange of funds
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 1
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: East St. Louis Illinois
East St. Louis Environmental Project (20 Members)
SITE SUPERVISOR: Rufus Williams
PHONE: (618) 271-9540
COUNTY: St. Clair
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Restore 10 abandoned lots in residential settings & establish 5
community gardens.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Clean up and restore abandoned urban lots.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
To have an immediate impact on public safety, health and aesthetics of the community.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
A plan for each site will be developed and a final assessment of the restoration conducted by the
needs team.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
10 lots will be restored and 5 community gardens will be established.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
200-300
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 2
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: East St. Louis, IL
East St. Louis Environmental Project (20 Members - PL&E)
SITE SUPERVISOR: Rufus Williams
PHONE: (618) 271-9540
COUNTY: St. Clair
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Provide environmental/educational training for 5 community
groups and 6th, 7th & 8th grade students.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
To provide training and motivation to community groups and students on the restored lots, gardens
and at the community college.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
Involve the community in maintenance and public safety and to teach youth about career
opportunities.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
A needs assessment will be done and training plans developed. An assessment will be conducted after
each training project.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
Training will be completed for 5 community groups and students from 2 schools.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
50-100
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 3
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: East St. Louis, Illinois
East St. Louis Environmental Project (20 Members - PL&E)
SITE SUPERVISOR: Rufus Williams
PHONE: (618) 271-9540
COUNTY: St. Clair
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Improve the condition & public use of 10 of the city parks.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
To determine needs and improve the conditions of city parks.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
To improve the conditions and the public usage of parks.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
The needs team will set minimum standards needs will be assessed, plans developed and a final
assessment will be conducted.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
The 10 parks will be 100% restored or renovated and pass the minimal standards set by the needs
team.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
30,000 - 40,000 potential residents.
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 5
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: East St. Louis, IL
East St. Louis Environmental Project (20 Members - PL&E)
SITE SUPERVISOR: Rufus Williams
PHONE: (618) 271-9540
COUNTY: St. Clair
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Install 2 timber bridges.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
To install timber bridges as demonstration projects.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
Access from previous transfer to community college, increase student safety, demonstrate resource
utilization for infrastructure replacement, stimulate economic development.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
Final inspection meets FS standards.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
2 bridges completed and certified by engineers.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
over 1,000 students and citizens.
'ITLE PAGE:
A.
Title of Project:
Chicago Environmental Action Project
B:
Name of Organization:
U.S. Department of Agriculture, NRCS
C.
Team Type:
PL&E
D.
State of Duty Station:
Illinois
E. County of Duty Station:
Cook
F. Names of counties served:
Cook, Lake, Dupage, and Will
(Up to 15)
G.
Congressional District:
1
H. Name of Site Supervisor:
Carzella Pritchett
I:
Address, phone & fax numbers:
4434 S Lake Park, Chicago, IL 60653
Ph: (312) 373-9956
FAX: (312) 373-9960
J: Name of St. Project Director:
Gary Parker
K. Address, phone & fax numbers:
1902 Fox Drive, Champaign, IL 61820
Ph: (217) 398-5271
FAX: (217) 398-5310
L.
Number of Members in PL&E:
20
M. Number of Members in RDT:
0
ILLINOIS
icago Environmental Action Project
SUMMARY PAGE:
A. Exactly what specific accomplishments were achieved in the first half year of the
project in meeting the community service objectives and boosting the personal development
of the Members?
Major accomplishments towards member objectives is the successful
establishment of primary liaison roles for the team leaders and other
members. The number of partners that we work with is large and a team
leader or member has the responsibility to be the liaison between
USDA/AmeriCorps and each partner.
AmeriCorps members have provided over 6,200 hours of urban greening and
environmental improvement. Plantings were completed at four community sites
including two youth centers, a church and a community center. Members
assisted with plant production at three conservatories and a nursery.
Members assisted with 136 hours of construction of Habitat for Humanity and
the rehabilitation of 30 apartments at Lathrop. AmeriCorps members exceeded
their plans to provide environmental education to 2,670 public school
udents at eight schools and provided tutoring at two main school sites.
.mbers recruited 120 volunteers to plan and create urban green safety
sites. The AmeriCorps members are serving as liaisons with community groups
and learning how to organize to solve community problems.
The Kennicott Park Facility has been designated by the Mayor's office as one
of six Youth and Family Centers in Chicago. This partnership has become an
opportunity to dovetail into this new city program.
The growth in individuals and community pride is the most gratifying reward
of this program. Some of our team members have already found career
opportunities directly related to our work.
Additional accomplishments are detailed in the AmeriCorps USDA, Chicago
Environmental Action Notebook of Accomplishments under separate cover.
B. The key elements of the program design for next year. Specifically describe each new
service project performed by the members. Describe any major changes in management
structure or partner organizations.
We will continue to assist existing community organizations such as the
Chicago Youth Centers, Schools, community groups such as Neighbors Against
ng Violence, grass roots Advisory Councils and government agencies such as
the Chicago Park District.
Continue urban greening and gardening, structural environmental improvements
nd educational objectives at three Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) Home
tes and two neighborhood areas of Little Valley and the Kennicott Park
area. The number and location of additional sites have not been determined
at this time, but our proposed impacts are:
1. Creation of about 90 to 100 acres of new or revitalized green space in
and adjacent to partner neighborhoods.
2. Remodel and improve at least 1 building (low-rise 4 stories) at 3 CHA
Home Sites (about 56 apartments made habitable).
3. Creation of at least 1 new community center in Little Village and assist
with improvements at Kennicott Park facility in Kenwood-Oakland Community.
4. Provide environmental education, and general science and mathematics
tutoring to about 20,000 students
In the first year we have reached out to as many partners as possible. We
intend to evaluate our efforts to determine the most productive partners to
work with in the future. Our focus will be greater community empowerment
ctivities for long-term objectives to create, improve and maintain green
aces. This empowerment will involve students as well as community members
and will hopefully increase our impact and improve our efficiency.
We will assist the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) to train and assist
residents with improvements, weatherization and maintenance of apartments.
Hopefully, this will lead to self reliance for minor repairs and upkeep on
apartments by residents in cooperation with CHA.
Assist students and teachers to plan and build an environmental education
site near the schools in their community. This will include help in
procuring physical elements and the labor to construct the education site.
There will be no major changes in the management structure or partner
organizations at this operating site.
COMMUNITY SER\
OBJECTIVES
Objective 2
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: Chicago, IL
Chicago Environmental Project (20 Participants - PL&E)
SITE SUPERVISOR: Carzella Pritchett
PHONE: (312) 373-9956
COUNTY: Cook
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Conduct workshops for community control & utilization of
vacant lots for green space
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Conduct community natural resource training sessions for redevelopment of green sites (15 total
sessions). Includes existing natural resource courses in a customized curriculum to meet the needs
of specific communities. Members along with invited experts from partner agencies will conduct the
workshops. Existing course resources: master gardeners, tree keepers, NRCS training, and others.
This activity is a subset of objective 1
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
To develop local expertise among community residents to establish & maintain urban green space.
Also to increase AmeriCorps' impact on the community. This includes maintenance of 90 to 100 acres
of new greenspace in our direct program objective and hopefully additional new acres by the
community.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
Feedback from the community & display of motivation to implement action plans.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
Development of natural resource curriculums for each of the 5 communities. The completion of at
least two primary courses & one hands-on training for at least one green site per community.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
Direct involvement - 200 natural resource volunteers (this doesn't include public school students,
see objective 4.) Indirect impacts - approximately 20,000-30,000 residents.
COMMUNITY SER
. OBJECTIVES
Objective 3
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: Chicago Illinois
Chicago Environmental Project (20 Members - PL&E)
SITE SUPERVISOR: Carzella Pritchett
PHONE: (312) 373-9956
COUNTY: Cook
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Establish in-city plant materials sources as temporary use and
ecological revitalization of vacant lots.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
The creation of a minimum of five small city nursery sites on green sites. Members will help in the
procurement of nursery stock, transplanting, and maintenance. We will also provide assistance in
plans for community marketing of plant materials for private lands.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
Development of five local community owned nurseries to provide business opportunities and a source
for plant materials that have survived the city environment. A parallel benefit is the soil
improvements caused by planting, transplanting, and maintenance activities. Private lands will
benefit from local source of plant materials.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
Feedback from the community.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
A minimum of one nursery site per community (5 nursery sites total).
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
Direct involvement - 200 natural resource leaders volunteers; indirect impacts - approximately
20,000 - 30,000 residents.
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 4
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: Chicago, IL
Chicago Environmental Project (20 Members - PL&E)
SITE SUPERVISOR: Carzella Pritchett
PHONE: (312) 373-9956
COUNTY: Cook
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Provide environmental education, including hands-on activities,
to primary and secondary school students.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Provide environmental education to public school students from existing programs (2 sessions/25
students/20 classes/20 schools) in cooperation with the Nature Conservancy, the Chicago Academy of
Sciences & others. Also student service competition (projected participation: 5 classes/20 schools)
helping with community gardening/greening and service tied to objectives 1,2, & 3. (Criteria will
be developed to rate service.)
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
Awareness & understanding of basic environmental principles & the importance of conservation &
improvement of degraded "natural" environments. Increased student service activities to support the
community.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
Feedback from student & teacher surveys. Student & teacher involvement in community organized
efforts to develop & maintain green sites.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
A minimum of two structured school activities for five high schools & their feeder elementary
schools in the communities (20 schools total). Service activities from 2 classes in each of these
schools.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
Direct involvement - service activities: 5,000 students & 160 teachers.
Direct involvement - a minimum of two training sessions: an additional 15,000 students.
Indirect involvement - approximately 20,000 - 30,000 residents.
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 5
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: Chicago Illinois
Chicago Environmental Project (20 Members - PL&E)
SITE SUPERVISOR: Carzella Pritchett
PHONE: (312) 373-9956
COUNTY: Cook
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Encourage & assist schools with creation of outdoor
environmental education classrooms.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Help teachers & students to plan & build an environmental education site near the schools in their
community. This includes help with materials and labor. This will be the reward for the service
competition among hopefully 5 classes/20 schools. Only one class/school can win, therefore 20
educational sites will be developed assuming participation from each school.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
This is planned as a reward to teachers & students that become involved in community service. This
will hopefully teach students the value of community service & redevelopment of natural resources to
improve the quality of life in the city.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
Feedback from the teachers & students.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
Level of involvement in this objective. We hope for 5 classes/school (20 schools) A minimum level
of success will be 50% of the schools we work with (10 school outdoor educational sites.)
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
Direct - 5,000 students & 160 teachers. Indirect - 20,000 - 30,000 residents.
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Objective 6
GRANTEE: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
SITE: Chicago, IL
Chicago Environmental Project (20 Members - PL&E
SITE SUPERVISOR: Carzella Pritchett
PHONE: (312) 373-9956
COUNTY: Cook
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS: Work with the Chicago Housing Authority to train & assist
residents with improvements, weatherization, and
maintenance.
1. What work will be done? What service activities will your participants engage in?
Additional remodeling & major structural repairs to apartments. Training & follow-up with new
residents to maintain & repair their new homes. Provide basic remodeling training to residents as
assisted with CHA.
2. What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described above?
Self reliance for minor repairs & upkeep on apartments by residents in cooperation with CHA.
3. How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of your service?
Feedback from resident surveys & level of interest in training.
4. By what standard will you gauge success?
Remodeling of 50 apartments and major structural repairs to 6 apartments. One workshop held in
three CHA home sites.
5. How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your participants perform?
Direct involvement - 100 residents; indirect - app. 5,000 to 10,000 residents.