Tennessee Bulletin Number 180-08-2

March 31, 2008

Subject: CPA – Conservation Planning Certification

Purpose: To explain procedures for achieving conservation planning and renewal of certification.

Expiration Date: September 30, 2009

The purpose of this bulletin is to identify conservation planning policy as outlined in 180 General Manual (GM), Amendment TN7, TN409.9 dated May 2006, which can be accessed at: http://www.tn.nrcs.usda.gov/intranet/generalmanual/title180/GM_180_409_9_TN7_May_2006.pdf. In accordance with Tennessee policy, conservation planning certification will be conducted/verified at the area level. The Area Conservationist, with the assistance of the Area Resource Conservationist, will review conservation plans as part of the Area Quality Assurance Plan (annual quality reviews). The quality assurance process will also be used to identify whether conservation planners have met all certification training requirements. The Area Conservationist will notify the State Resource Conservationist (SRC) in writing when a planner has met all certification requirements. The SRC will then enter the appropriate data into the certification database and process the certificate for signature by the State Conservationist.

If a sufficient number of conservation plans developed at the Resource Management System (RMS) level cannot be reviewed through this process, the Area Conservationist will require the planner to submit additional RMS level plans that meet the requirements of the Tennessee GM Amendment. The Area Conservationist will determine when a planner has failed to maintain, or achieve certification planning requirements and notify the SRC for revocation of certification.

The SRC will spot check employee certification as part of the state office Quality Assurance Program. The SRC and staff will assist the Area Conservationists with conservation planning certification activities as requested. Refer to Tennessee Amendment 7 to GM 180, TN409.9, for further details concerning conservation planning certification.

In summary, the certification process itself will not change. The only change in policy will be that certification documentation and verification activities will be conducted at the Area office level rather than at the State office level. Contact the State Resource Conservationist with questions concerning this policy.

/s/

Kevin Brown

State Conservationist

Dist: O

< Back to Tennessee Bulletins