WEPS the Final StepsWEPS the Final StepsMike SporcicMike Sporcic

Wind Erosion SpecialistWind Erosion SpecialistNational Technology Support National Technology Support

CenterCenterJanuary, 19, 2010January, 19, 2010

Where We have beenWhere We have been

We have been working We have been working on WEPS for 16+ on WEPS for 16+ years.years.

Seems like a long timeSeems like a long time I started in about 2005I started in about 2005 Millions have been Millions have been

spentspent The need for wind The need for wind

erosion control is erosion control is strongstrong

Where we areWhere we are

We continue to have We continue to have major issues with wind major issues with wind erosionerosion

Dry conditions, Dry conditions, inappropriate mgt inappropriate mgt systems, and high wind systems, and high wind events cause troubleevents cause trouble

Four years and a lot of Four years and a lot of database and climate database and climate work have the model work have the model ready to roll out. ready to roll out.

February, 2007

WEPS Is ReadyWEPS Is Ready All items All items

needed for the needed for the model have model have been been completed.completed.

Last week the Last week the final science final science change was change was made made (adjustment to (adjustment to Erodible Erodible Fraction)Fraction)

Current needsCurrent needs

Update training Update training materialmaterial

Short final testing for Short final testing for Central and West (Feb)Central and West (Feb)

CCE approval (3 CCE approval (3 months starting Feb)months starting Feb)

Train the Trainer Train the Trainer (second round) (second round)

West and Central face West and Central face to face, East by Webto face, East by Web

Roll out in MayRoll out in May

Past Roll OutPast Roll Out With new things come new With new things come new

challengeschallenges I anticipate current crop being I anticipate current crop being

used in ways I have not used in ways I have not imagined causing the to not imagined causing the to not run.run.

New crops not thought ofNew crops not thought of Biomass removal workBiomass removal work Programs not fitting the new Programs not fitting the new

erosion rates (for sure in the erosion rates (for sure in the East)East)

Changes needed in all the data Changes needed in all the data areasareas

Moving to integration with Moving to integration with planning planning

HelpHelp

I know most of the I know most of the state and regional state and regional agronomist will agronomist will need to help meneed to help me

Some are actually Some are actually excited (not sure excited (not sure why)why)

We all need to We all need to embrace the embrace the changechange

Questions for YouQuestions for You Do I spend time on the NAM Do I spend time on the NAM

(if so when and how)?(if so when and how)? Do I need to make Do I need to make

presentations at the SWCS presentations at the SWCS and ASA national and ASA national conferences?conferences?

Should I try to publish a paper Should I try to publish a paper showing how NRCS has showing how NRCS has adapted WEPS to work in the adapted WEPS to work in the FOs?FOs?

I am very skeptical of Wed I am very skeptical of Wed training. We have training. We have information from staff they do information from staff they do not like it. Should training be not like it. Should training be face to face?face to face?

Should there be a NEDS Should there be a NEDS course?course?

Thank YouThank You

No-till SugarbeetsWinter Cover Crops

Happy Wind Erosion Staff