Conservation Effects Assessment Project

The Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) was established in 2002 to quantify the environmental impact of the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) conservation program.^[1] The project focuses on how watersheds are affected.^[2] CEAP monitored 14 benchmark watershed sites.^[1] The CEAP's vision is to enhance "natural resources and healthier ecosystems through improved conservation effectiveness and better management of agricultural landscapes.^[3] The goal is "to improve efficacy of conservations practices and programs by quantifying conservation effects and providing the science and education base needed to enrich conservation planning, implementation, management decisions, and policy."^[3]

A conserved watershed in the United States

Soil Water Assessment Tool

The Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) is supported by the USDA Agricultural Research Service. It is a river basin scale model used to quantify the impact of land management practices in large watersheds. This tool is located in Grassland, Soil and Research Laboratory in Temple, Texas.^[4]

Sustaining the Earth's Watersheds-Agricultural Research Data System

Sustaining the Earth's Watershed-Agricultural Research Data Systems (STEWARDS) was created by a group called the Watershed Assessment Studies a team within the CEAP.^[5] STEWARDS is a system that consists of a database to allow users to search and analyze various watershed conditions. The anticipated benefits include data preservation, faster data access, and improved ability to collaborate research between watersheds.^[6]

Watersheds affected

Mahantango Creek Experimental Watershed in Pennsylvania
Reynolds Creek Experimental Watershed in Idaho
Little River Experimental Watershed in Georgia
Little Washita River Experimental Watershed in Oklahoma
Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed in Arizona^[2]

Partnerships

Lead USDA agencies

Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) which works to reduce soil erosion while also enhancing water supplies and improving water quality.^[7]
Agricultural Research Service which is the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s research department.^[8]
National Institute of Food and Agriculture another section of the USDA.^[9]
Farm Service Agency(FSA), a government agency that equal serves farmers, ranchers and agricultural partners through agricultural programs that benefit all Americans.^[10]
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)is an impartial science organization that provides the public with information on the ecosystems and environment.^[11]
United States Fish and Wildlife Service a bureau within the Department of the Interior their goal is to conserve and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants.^[12]
USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) is the primary source for economic information and research within the USDA.^[13]
USDA Forest Service manages national forests and public grasslands.^[14]
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s mission is to protect the environment as well as human health. They ensure that federal laws to ensure human and environmental health are implemented and enforced.^[15]
U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), makes sure that the water in the watersheds is clean and that there is an adequate supply.^[16]
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), focuses on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere, it is a federal agency.^[17]

Additional partners

International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies is the point place for state fish and wildlife agencies. The represent the state agencies on Capitol Hill on important conservation and management policies.^[18]
Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization. They advocate for science-based practice, programs, and policy and conservation professionals.^[19]
The Nature Conservancy protects the land and water in order to preserve the plants, animals, and natural communities.^[20]
The Wildlife Society addresses national and international issues that effect current and future North American wildlife. The society is made up of professional wildlife conservationists.^[21]
Land-grant colleges and universities

References

External links

"CEAP". Retrieved 2007-11-01.
"Natural Resources Conservation Service". Retrieved 2007-11-06.
"Conservation Effects Assessment Project Bibliographies". Retrieved 2007-11-01.
"Conservation Effects Assessment Project".

United States government agencies involved in environmental science

United States Environmental Protection Agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Department of the Interior	National Park Service Fish and Wildlife Service Bureau of Indian Affairs Bureau of Land Management Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement Bureau of Reclamation Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation, and Enforcement Geological Survey Office of Insular Affairs

Department of Commerce	National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service National Ocean Service National Geodetic Survey National Marine Fisheries Service Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research

Department of Energy	Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Energy Information Administration Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Biological and Environmental Research Office of Environmental Management

Department of Agriculture	Farm Service Agency Foreign Agricultural Service Risk Management Agency Food Safety and Inspection Service Forest Service Natural Resources Conservation Service Rural Business-Cooperative Service Office of Community Development Rural Housing Service Rural Utilities Service Food and Nutrition Service Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion Agricultural Marketing Service Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration Agricultural Research Service Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service Economic Research Service National Agricultural Statistics Service Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service

Department of Homeland Security	United States Coast Guard

Department of Health and Human Services	National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Agencies under the United States Department of Agriculture

Headquarters: Jamie L. Whitten Building Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture Krysta Harden, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture

Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services	Farm Service Agency Foreign Agricultural Service Risk Management Agency Commodity Credit Corporation Federal Crop Insurance Corporation

Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment	Forest Service Natural Resources Conservation Service Office of Environmental Markets

Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development	Rural Housing Service Rural Utilities Service Rural Business-Cooperative Service

Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services	Food and Nutrition Service Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion

Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety	Food Safety and Inspection Service

Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics	Agricultural Research Service Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service Economic Research Service National Agricultural Library National Agricultural Statistics Service

Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs	Agricultural Marketing Service Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration

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