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RCPP Project ID:2724 <br /> Attachment E: Project Outcomes <br /> Conservation Outcomes Deliverables <br /> Analysis of water quality data annually and at project closeout to determine <br /> the change in annual loading and concentrations of total nitrogen,total <br /> phosphorus,and sediment.Data will be reported from a minimum of 4 <br /> stream monitoring locations and 3 in-lake monitoring stations.Change in <br /> frequency of water quality exceedances will be reported from in-lake data <br /> Monitoring and will include trends in phosphorus concentrations exceeding 0.05 mg/L <br /> and nitrate concentrations exceeding 10 mg/L.A baseline lake bathymetry <br /> survey was completed in 2022.An minimum of one additional bathymetry <br /> survey will be performed prior to the 5-year RCPP duration to calculate and <br /> report changes in sediment deposition rates.EcoMetrics will also include this <br /> in their Environmental and Natural Resources Outcomes analysis. <br /> It is estimated that only about 5%of the watershed cropland targeted for <br /> RCPP funding is in cover crops and 30 plus percent is using conventional <br /> tillage.Over 50%of all crop nutrients are applied in the fall and although <br /> some level of nutrient management is being practiced,it is estimated that at <br /> least 25%of tiled fields in the watershed can benefit from split application. <br /> To achieve the desired reductions,a four fold increase in the use of cover <br /> crops(in addition to maintaining current use)and a doubling of no-till and <br /> nutrient management is needed,especially on those fields contributing the <br /> greatest loads.This equates to roughly 200 new landowners/growers and <br /> 20,000-50,000 additional acres per year for infield practices.A 30%increase <br /> Other in structural practice adoption is also being targeted through the City of <br /> (Describe) Decatur funded cost-share program.An online mapping system will be used <br /> to track the footprint(field/partial field)of approved and executed <br /> conservation practices.Outputs will include:acres by practice type for infield <br /> f measures and and location,quantity,area treated and type of structural <br /> practice.S.T.A.R.data will be used to report on increases in adoption of <br /> conservation activity from a baseline and number of new participating <br /> landowners/growers.S.T.A.R is a nationwide tool and evaluation system that <br /> assigns points for management activities on an annual basis.Participants <br /> answer a series of simple questions about their crop rotation,tillage,nutrient <br /> applications,and use of conservation practices to generate their overall field <br /> score. <br /> Annual and total accumulated load reductions will be calculated and reported <br /> by practice/field,practice type and by geographic location(IE by <br /> Modeling subwatershed).An online interface will be developed for managers to store, <br /> track,and report this data.EcoMetrics will also include this in their <br /> Environmental and Natural Resources Outcomes analysis. <br /> We will track and report the extent of all terrestrial habitat improvements <br /> throughout the duration of the RCPP.This will include all invasive species <br /> Monitoring removal,Timber Stand Improvement,prescribed fire,prairie and vegetated <br /> buffer establishment,and tree planting.The analysis performed by <br /> EcoMetrics will also look at financial proxies for habitat and biodiversity <br /> (e.g.,pollinator habitat value). <br /> It is estimated that only about 5%of the watershed cropland targeted for <br /> RCPP funding in cover crops and 30 plus percent is in conventional or <br /> reduced tillage.A 40%reduction in sediment and a 20%reduction in <br /> phosphorus and nitrogen is being sought from just cover crops and tillage <br /> management.Before,mid contract and year 4/5 soil monitoring will be <br /> Monitoring conducted to quantify improvements in soil health and help to validate <br /> overall reductions in sediment and nutrients to Lake Decatur.Up to 20 fields <br /> participating in the RCPP will be assessed.Individual landowner reports and <br /> a summary report of the entire program will be provided.EcoMetrics will <br /> also incorporate this into their Environmental and Natural Resources <br /> Outcomes analysis. <br /> Page 20 of 51 <br />