About The KICT

Concept

The concept of the KICT was born out of the need to streamline and simplify the compliance process for Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) field offices. Compliance with some of the executive orders and laws is extremely difficult for field staff for a variety of reasons including the lack of a cohesive process, time constraints, the lack of information, privacy issues, knowledge of the law and confusing regulations. Often there is sometimes a reluctance by State and Federal agencies to share locations of protected resources or other information. The KICT is essentially a planning tool that allows conservation planners to Inventory Resources and Analyze Resource Data in one centralized location (i.e. NRCS conservation planning Steps 3 and 4).

The KICT is designed to determine the probability of existence and proximity to protected resources. It analyzes the presence and potential impacts to those resources based on applications of conservation practices. In most instances, predetermined avoidance measures approved through programmatic agreements or other methods are provided to planners. Benefits to those protected resources can also be predicted/determined based on the application of conservation practices.

The KICT is designed to be continually updated through the development of modules that correspond to the Special Environmental Concerns (SECs) found on the NRCS Environmental Evaluation (CPA-52). This part of the CPA-52 is historically one of the most difficult for planners to complete. Each module can provide information that serves as documentation of investigation and proof of compliance with NEPA. This allows conservation planners a one-stop-shop to complete this portion of the CPA-52 depending upon the number of available modules. The instantaneous result that is provided saves time and review from outside agencies, state specialists and ensures compliance with policy. Planners save exponentially more time as more modules are available. The tool also has functionality that allows planners to view actual locations of certain resources which may alert them to the presence thus avoiding further impacts.

Function

The KICT provides information based on a number of criteria. First, the user identifies an area of interest and inputs conservation practices and the extents of those practices. The KICT then compares this data to other databases of information which include known locations of protected resources, the potential impacts of practices, and agreed upon avoidance measures and requirements. The tool then provides a printable report to the end user which outlines conservation and avoidance strategy that may be incorporated into conservation plans. The KICT saves time by maintaining geospatial data for many resources in one location and directly relates it to a conservation planning landscape level. It avoids maintenance problems with maps and polygon layers and CEC compatibility issues for computer software since it is web based.

Evolution

The evolution of this tool will dictate the results to some degree. Every effort has been made to predict frequently encountered situations in which conservation practices would be utilized in various settings. However, it is impossible to predict every situation. Therefore, the KICT will change and strategies will be revised over time. As with any software, versions 3.0 will be improvements beyond version 2.0 and so forth. This information does not constitute NRCS policy but outlines methodology to comply with NRCS policy in the appropriate General Manual sections dealing with SECs and NEPA.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I know what area to outline in the KICT?
2. Do I have to enter all practices in the KICT; even the ones NRCS is not funding or putting into a contract?/a>
3. How do I count or track benefits that are listed by the KICT?
4. Can I use the KICT for purposes other than conservation planning?
5. How can I be sure that my client’s planning information is secure?
6. What proof do I need to document compliance of NEPA?
7. What if I forget my login?
8. Can I remove old reports from my report list?
9. How often is the KICT updated?
10. What should I do if I feel there is an error, problem or I feel the application isn’t working properly?
11. I can’t find the area I want to query.
12. How often do I need to run queries in the KICT?
13. Can people who are not NRCS clients or program participants (e.g. private consultants) request that I investigate an area for them?
14. What are the minimum computer requirements to run the KICT?
15. I can’t find the conservation practice that I have planned in the list on practices the KICT?
16. How long does it take to receive notification that my report is ready to view?
17. What should I do if the website and/or application is not working properly?
18. Where can I find additional resources like the KICT ESA or CR Review Request Form?
19. Can technical service providers (TSPs) and NRCS partners such as KDFWR or KDF utilize the KICT?
20. Does FSA have to use the avoidance measures for plans developed for CRP?
21. Why do my reports sometimes have no picture of the map?

---

1. How do I know what areas to outline in the KICT?

Planners should outline the area that is considered during the conservation planning process. At a minimum the area of interest should contain the areas where conservation practices are planned. The area outlined should equate to the planned land unit (PLU). The Area of Interest (AOI) should include the planning unit to which practices will be installed, planned or considered (this may be the entire property boundary of the client or even a portion of a field).

2. Do I have to enter all practices into the KICT; even the ones NRCS is not funding or putting in a contract?

Yes. NRCS planning policy requires planners to determine the effects to special environmental concerns even those instances where we are not providing financial assistance.

3. How do I count or track benefits that are listed by the KICT reports?

As of now, benefits to listed species or eagles are not tracked and/or accumulated within the system. Many practices have the potential to be beneficial depending upon how they are implemented. Current versions of the KICT do not contain this functionality.

4. Can I use the KICT for purposes other than conservation planning?

The KICT was developed specifically for NRCS conservation planning. It should not be used for other purposes or by other agencies due to relevance and privacy issues. The results to other agencies would not be applicable due to the use of NRCS conservation practices.

5. How can I be sure that my client’s planning information is secure?

This tool simply compares geospatial polygons with predetermined areas against predetermined criteria without the storage or interagency transfer of metadata. The resulting data is put into a report format and the metadata is not stored. The report generated is not subject to Freedom of Information Act and is not releasable to third parties without prior written approval from the landowner. Refer to section 1619 of the Farm Bill or the privacy sections in the KICT Handbook.

6. What proof do I need to document compliance of NEPA?

NRCS in Kentucky has entered into agreements with various agencies which allows the report generated by the KICT to stand as documentation of compliance with individual special environmental concerns listed on the CPA-52. In most instances, the report documents that planners have investigated impacts. These results are transferred to the CPA-52. Follow the specific guidance outlined in training and in the KICT Handbook to document compliance.

6. What if I forget my login?

Click the “Forgot Password” link, on the KICT homepage, enter your user name and instructions for resetting your password will be emailed to you.

7. Can I remove old reports from my report list?

Not currently. Previous report query data is shown on the server. Future versions of the KICT may allow editing by planners or administrators to remove or otherwise organize reports once they are printed; or other report management tools may be added. Reports will periodically be purged (usually annually). Users should print the latest report as the primary document.

8. How often is the KICT updated?

The KICT is updated at least annually through agreement(s). Some data is updated more frequently and may be “real-time” data. At that time, revisions to practices, required strategies and recommendations and determinations are also reviewed. NRCS conservation practices may be added or updated more frequently than annually. Therefore, there may be a period where newer practices appear in the Field Office Technical Guide but do not appear in the KICT. The administrator will strive to make this time gap as short as possible. If significant changes occur during the year this schedule may be accelerated. If a practice is not available in the KICT, contact the appropriate specialist via your Area representative to obtain interim avoidance measures.

9. What should I do if I feel there is an error, problem or feel the application isn’t working properly?

Ensure that you have entered the correct planning data and located the correct position within the map. If possible, rerun your query and review the results. If you still feel either there is an error in the program or the results, contact the Area KICT Representative and provide a copy or the name of the report with a detailed description of the issue.

10. I can’t find the area I want to query.

There are several ways to locate areas of interest within the tool. The primary way is by using the blue tool button functions. Click “Zoom To” and select counties, cities, topographic quads and cities/towns. If latitude and longitude is known, simply enter that into the appropriate form and click “Zoom to Lat/Long”. You can also pan using the mouse and double-click to drill down within any given area on the map.

11. How often do I need to run queries in the KICT?

Queries in the KICT should be run at least one time as early as possible in the conservation planning process and when the planner is relatively certain about practice selection and approximate quantities. If quantities significantly change or practice selection is different from those agreed upon with the client, the query should be run again prior to implementation.

12. Can people who are not NRCS clients or program participants (e.g. private consultants) request that I investigate protected resources in an area for them?

No. The KICT is designed for NRCS conservation planning compliance based on agreements and conservation practices specific to NRCS and NRCS policy. Results produced by the KICT will not be accurate for other activities.

13. What are the minimum computer requirements to run the KICT?

The KICT requires an internet connection and an internet browser. A current version of Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Safari is recommended to utilize the tool. It is configured to function in Microsoft Internet Explorer version 9.0 and higher. Support for the tool in Microsoft Internet Explorer has ceased in 2018. Other browsers or some earlier versions of Internet Explorer may not function properly. To view KICT reports a current version of Adobe Acrobat Reader is required.

14. I can’t find the conservation practice that I have planned in the list of practices on the KICT?

Ensure that the practice is still an active Kentucky NRCS conservation practice; and has not been removed from the Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG). Ensure that the name of the practice has not been changed. Practices are listed alphabetically in the KICT. New or recently adopted practice standards that are listed in the FOTG may not appear instantaneously in the tool. Practices within the KICT are updated at least annually. The administrator will strive to make this time gap as short as possible. If this is encountered, contact the KICT Area Representative to determine an interim effect determination for new practices.

15. How long does it take to receive notification that my report is ready to view?

The length of time required to receive notification that your query is complete is relatively short (usually within a couple minutes). However, this time varies depending upon the complexity of the plan, the number of potential habitats, the number of ongoing requests, etc. If a user has not received a report within 30 minutes resubmit the query or contact the KICT Area Representative for assistance.

16. What should I do if the website and/or application is not working properly?

Contact your KICT Area Representative.

17. Where can I find additional resources like the KICT ESA or CR Review Request Forms?

After logging in the KICT website, click on the link entitled “Links” along the header of the page. Some resources are also available in Section II of the Field Office Technical Guide or on the NRCS KY SharePoint site.

18. Can technical service providers (TSPs) and NRCS partners such as KDFWR or KDF utilize the KICT?

Yes. NRCS logins may be obtained for partners and TSPs that perform conservation planning activities and are responsible for completion of the CPA-52.

19. Does FSA have to use the avoidance measures for plans developed for CRP?

No. The programmatic agreements that were developed by NRCS does not include activities administered by FSA. The avoidance measures were negotiated by NRCS. NRCS does have the responsibility to determine if protected resources may be affected by the practices installed and to provide that information to FSA during conservation planning.

20. Why do my reports sometimes have no picture of the map?

Do not use special characters such as # ; @ * etc. when naming the site or the location. These characters do not work with scripts within the tool and may cause problems with receiving reports.

The following format is suggested for citing the KICT:
Kentucky Ecological Sciences Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture, with data support and integration by the WV GIS Technical Center, West Virginia University. Kentucky Interagency Coordination Tool. Available online at the following link: http://kict.mapwv.org/kict/index.php/. Accessed [mm/dd/yyyy].