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environmental indicators, developing affordable and scientifically valid monitoring designs, 

 improved reclamation and reuse, improved water use efficiency, and developing new producer 

 decision-making tools. In addition, it is critical that any programs that require some form of 

 approved "Best Management Plans" or farm management planning be structured in a way that 

 allows for the adoption of new and improved technologies or management practices. It would be 

 immensely counterproductive if a process for approving practices to protect the environment 

 actually slowed down or stopped the adoption of new practices. 



ExtBnMlon 



Also, I can provide to staff a description of the education and extension needs relevant to 

 nonpoint source pollution issues. There is a great need to strengthen pesticide and nutrient 

 management education programs, as well as waste management programs. Extension, the Soil 

 Conservation Service (SCS), and the Conservation Districts will need to work carefully together 

 to ensure that there is adequate information and education available to producers, to ensure that 

 they are able to comply with whatever planning requirements are developed. Extension has a 

 critical role in providing education and training to those that may seek certification to make 

 recommendations to farmers and those who will help develop management plans. Extension 

 has numerous programs underway to assist homeowners and gardeners safely use and dispose 

 of agrichemicals, but these programs need to be greatly strengthened. Extension has a number 

 of programs underway to develop "Citizen Monitoring" programs for lakes and streams. These 

 voluntary monitoring programs are proving an exciting and effective approach to protecting water 

 quality. Extension is woridng with the volunteers to make sure that data are collected in a 

 scientific and credible fashion. These programs should serve as models for the careful design 

 and implementation of volunteer programs. 



Cooperative State Research and Education Service 



In dosing, I would like to draw attention to one possible impact of the proposed 

 reorganization of USDA. At this time, both the Senate bill and the House Subcommittee bill 

 propose the creation of a new structure for science and education programs within USDA. Both 

 bills create a Cooperative State Research and Education Service to build a federal-state 

 partnership with the research and extension capacities at the universities. The National 

 Association of Universities and Land-Grant Colleges wholeheartedly endorses the creation of this 

 new Service, specifically as it is defined in the House language. 



The relevance of this new structure to the current discussion about nonpoint source 

 pollution, is that this new Service should be utilized as a conduit for all federal agencies to 

 access the expertise and resources of the universities. The SCS, EPA, USGS, and other 

 agencies may certainly wort^ directly with individual universities. However if they need assistance 

 in locating specific expertise, if they need to establish a research project, or if they need to 

 develop education materials to be delivered at the county level, then this new Service should be 

 structured to facilitate their access to the university community. In the past, critical research and 

 education programs have not been developed because the needs of one agency have not 

 con-esponded with the priorities or mechanisms of another agency. It is time to enhance our 

 federal-state partnership. This partnership wW be essential to the delivery of critical research and 

 education programs that are necessary to address the challenges of nonpoint source pollution; 

 and most importantly to protect of our nation's water resources. 



(Attachments follow:) 



