The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's principal agency for providing conservation technical assistance to private landowners, conservation districts, tribes, and other organizations.
NRCS delivers conservation technical assistance through its voluntary Conservation Technical Assistance Program (CTA). CTA is available to any group or individual interested in conserving our natural resources and sustaining agricultural production in this country.
The CTA program functions through a national network of locally-based, professional conservationists located in nearly every county of the United States.
NRCS uses a nine step planning process when it begins a project. The purpose is to develop and implement plans that protect, conserve, and enhance natural resources within a social and economic perspective,
- Nine Step Conservation Planning Process
- National Conservation Planning Partnership
- Iowa Field Office Technical Guide
- National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Compliance
Iowa Conservation Planning Resources
- Iowa Technical Notes - section IV of the electronic Field Office Technical Guide (eFOTG)
- Iowa Landowner's Legal Guide - Drake University Agricultural Law Center
- The Iowa Landowner’s Legal Guide aims to provide landowners with information and answers that protect it for the future and identify the responsibilities of landowners. The guide answers frequently asked questions and provides contact information for the agencies, organizations and professionals who can help landowners meet their goals. Included are the first six chapters of the guide, video narratives, and accompanying videos.
Forms
IA-CPA-6 Conservation Assistance Notes
Associated Training for NRCS Environmental Evaluations
Basic Training
- Environmental Evaluation Series No. 1: Primer on NRCS Environmental Compliance
- Environmental Evaluation Series No. 2: Documenting the Environmental Evaluation on the NRCS CPA-52 Environmental Evaluation Worksheet
Categorical Exclusions
Special Environmental Concerns Training
- Environmental Evaluation Series No. 3: Planning for Floodplain and Riparian Area Special Environmental Concerns
- Environmental Evaluation Series No. 4: Planning for Wetlands and Clean Water Act Special Environmental Concerns
- Environmental Evaluation Series No. 5: Planning for Prime and Unique Farmland and Invasive Species Special Environmental Concerns
- Environmental Evaluation Series No. 6: Planning for Endangered Species / Migratory Birds / Bald and Golden Eagles Special Environmental Concerns
- Environmental Evaluation Series No. 7: Planning for Natural Areas, Scenic Beauty, and Wild and Scenic Rivers Special Environmental Concerns
- Environmental Evaluation Series No. 8: Planning for Clean Air and Environmental Justice Special Environmental Concerns
- Environmental Evaluation Series No. 9: Planning for Essential Fish Habitat, Coastal Zones, and Coral Reef Special Environmental Concerns
- Environmental Evaluation Series No. 10: Planning for Cultural Resources Special Environmental Concerns and Making the NEPA Finding
NRCS Support Document