1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Approach

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1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

25/02/2015

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Reference(s) to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Technologies

2.1 Short description of the Approach

Regulations and financial grants for reduction of pollution and promotion of the cultural landscape.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

Aims / objectives: The Regional Environmental Program (RMP) is a part of the Regional Rural Development Program provided by County Governors, in this case the County Governors of Østfold and Akershus. The programs differ somewhat between counties and the one for Østfold is used as an example here. The program aims to target environmental efforts in the agricultural sector, mainly focusing on
agricultural runoff, reduced usage of pesticides, cultural landscapes, biological diversity, cultural monuments and environments, outdoor recreation and availability. Measures related to reduction of runoff from agricultural land to waterbodies has resent years been given the highest priority, and the greatest part of the financial grants. Improvement of soil structure to maintain soil functions and prevention of soil loss and nutrient leaching, are some of the main goals of the approach.


Methods: Management plans and local regulations for different catchments are implemented through the Regional Environmental Program. Funds to finance measures are provided from both this program and other sources, such as the Grant Scheme for Special Agricultural Environmental Measures (SMIL). The latter is allocated by the County Governor and managed by local municipalities. In order to receive production subsidies the land users have to carry out the regulation measures. In areas of
prioritized watercourses the soil tillage regulations are stricter, and the financial support higher. Around especially vulnerable waterbodies the measures are compulsory. Agricultural areas are classified by their susceptibility to water erosion (four erosion risk classes), with different soil management requirements. High erosion risk classes normally provide higher grant rates.


Stages of implementation: The Regional Environmental Program was first introduced in 2005, followed by a rollover in 2009. It
was at the agricultural settlement in 2012 decided to continue the program in the same path as settled in 2004/2005, with improvements from the evaluation in 2007/2008 and 2011. The County Governor continues the ongoing work of targeting the economical funds to measures of high environmental benefit. The Regional Environmental Program is also influenced by guidelines from the National Environmental Program of 2013-2016. Random controls are carried out and falsely reported measures lead to reduction and repayment of production grants.


Role of stakeholders: The farmers are mainly conducting the measures by changing their land use practices, but the Regional
Environmental Program is developed in collaboration between municipalities, the county, the Farmers’ Organization, industry, and the County Governor. The measures are revised annually, mainly based on inputs from the Farmers’ Organization and the municipality. Other measures are included by the Regional Environmental Program than shown in the QT (Grass Covered Riparian Buffer Strips and Reduced Tillage), but these were evaluated to be less relevant for the prevention of soil loss.


Other important information: Other measures are included by the Regional Environmental Program than shown in the QT (Grass Covered Riparian Buffer Strips and Reduced Tillage), but these were evaluated to be less relevant for the prevention of soil loss.

For more information: http://www.fylkesmannen.no/en/Ostfold/Agriculture-and-food/Environmental-measures/Tilskudd-til-regionale-miljotiltak-RMP-2014/ (In Norwegian only)

Regional regulations: https://lovdata.no/dokument/JB/forskrift/2011-06-01-716?q=morsa

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

2.6 Dates of initiation and termination of the Approach

2.7 Type of Approach

• project/ programme based

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

The Approach focused on SLM only

Target the environmental initiatives and provide increased visibility.

The SLM Approach addressed the following problems: Agricultural runoff and erosion, usage of pesticides, degradation of cultural landscapes, loss of biological diversity, degradation of cultural monuments and environments, decreased availability to outdoor recreational areas.

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach

	Involvement of local land users/ local communities	Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation	passive	Regulations initiated by politicians and management, governed by the Agricultural Authority
planning	passive	Involvement of specialists
implementation	external support	Changes in land use practices implemented by land users
monitoring/ evaluation	passive	Monitoring and evaluation of measures by specialists and management
Research	passive	Results evaluated and reported by specialists

3.3 Flow chart (if available)

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:

• SLM specialists alone

Explain:

The choice of SLM Technology was made on the basis of recommendations from specialists.

Decisions on the method of implementing the SLM Technology were made by by politicians / leaders. Decisions on the method were made on county and management level.

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

Specify who was trained:

• land users
• field staff/ advisers

Form of training:

• on-the-job

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Yes

• Through information

Describe/ comments:

Name of method used for advisory service: Guidelines and circulars from the County Governor; Key elements: Information, Guidance, Environmental standards

Advisory service is quite adequate to ensure the continuation of land conservation activities; Requires land conservation measures for disbursement of subsidies.

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?

• no

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

Comments:

bio-physical aspects were ad hoc monitored by project staff through observations; indicators: Landslides

bio-physical aspects were regular monitored by other through measurements; indicators: P content in soil, water quality, runoff

technical aspects were ad hoc monitored by project staff through measurements; indicators: Infiltration rate/soil compaction

economic / production aspects were regular monitored by government, land users through observations; indicators: Production rate, increase/decrease in income

area treated aspects were regular monitored by government through observations; indicators: Evaluation of measures

no. of land users involved aspects were regular monitored by government through observations; indicators: None

management of Approach aspects were ad hoc monitored by project staff, government, land users through observations; indicators: None

There were several changes in the Approach as a result of monitoring and evaluation: Annual revision

There were few changes in the Technology as a result of monitoring and evaluation: Evaluation and modification proposals in progress

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Yes

Specify topics:

• technology

Give further details and indicate who did the research:

Research of the effectiveness of the technologies have been carried out and discussed with land users and management.

Research was carried out on-farm

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:

• > 1,000,000

Comments (e.g. main sources of funding/ major donors):

Approach costs were met by the following donors: local government (district, county, municipality, village etc) (Regional level): 100.0%

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

Yes

If yes, specify type(s) of support, conditions, and provider(s):

Contributions were provided by the state from the Regional Environmental Program and other sources as the Grant Scheme for Special Agricultural Environmental Measures (SMIL).

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

If labour by land users was a substantial input, was it:

• paid in cash

Comments:

Economical benefits for the land user to implement measures and loss if they reject, according to local regulations.

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

No

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

6.2 Main motivation of land users to implement SLM

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?

• no

If no or uncertain, specify and comment:

Production and income loss.

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Good guidance and free maps for land users available on the internet
Annual repport (both strength and weekness)
Financial grants graded by erosion risk classes
Regular evaluation through agricultural negotiations (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: A management committee has recently suggested simplifications to the program, but this has not yet been evaluated by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture)

6.5 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Complicated system with a variety of details	There is a group who is working on a report to the ministry on how to simplify the program

7.1 Methods/ sources of information