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What is a Technical Standard?A technical standard is a document that specifies the following minimum criteria for a practice or system of practices:
Standards are based on current research, field experience and the best available technology. Technical standards are voluntary unless directly linked to mandatory federal, state or local conservation programs. Why Use Technical Standards?
How does SOC fit in?The Standards Oversight Council (SOC) acts as the coordinating body for those agencies that write and hold custodianship of the land and water conservation technical standards. The NRCS has traditionally been the agency responsible for writing and housing the conservation technical standards, and still retains custodianship of a majority of the standards. Through the coordinating efforts of the SOC, other stakeholders have been brought into the process. SOC assists the NRCS develop agriculturally related standards, and the Department of Natural Resources develop standard for urban practices. Both types of standards have benefited from SOC's ability to create work teams comprised of a wide spectrum of knowledgeable individuals from throughout the state. The SOC does not write or approve technical standards, set cost share policies, or develop regulations. SOC's primary duties center around coordinating the technical standards process to ensure uniformity, quality and accountability. For more background information go to About SOC.
Technical Standard Format - This file is a detailed description of what individual sections within a technical standard aim to portray. |
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Companion Documents Any document, regardless of what form it might take, that is intended to supplement the information in a technical standard. A companion document can be as simple as a spreadsheet or checklist, or as complex as planning guidance materials. For further information about companion documents see Chapter 2 of the TSPH. |
