Notice2022-00853
Proposed Revisions to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices for the Natural Resources Conservation Service
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 19, 2022
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentNatural Resources Conservation Service
Abstract
NRCS is giving notice that it intends to issue a series of revised conservation practice standards in the National Handbook of Conservation Practices (NHCP). NRCS is also giving the public an opportunity to provide comments on specified conservation practice standards in NHCP.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 12 (Wednesday, January 19, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 12 (Wednesday, January 19, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2746-2747]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-00853]
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Notices
Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 12 / Wednesday, January 19, 2022 /
Notices
[[Page 2746]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service
[Docket No. NRCS-2021-0004]
Proposed Revisions to the National Handbook of Conservation
Practices for the Natural Resources Conservation Service
AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comment.
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SUMMARY: NRCS is giving notice that it intends to issue a series of
revised conservation practice standards in the National Handbook of
Conservation Practices (NHCP). NRCS is also giving the public an
opportunity to provide comments on specified conservation practice
standards in NHCP.
DATES: Comment Date: We will consider comments that we receive by
February 18, 2022.
ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments on this notice. You may
submit comments through the:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for docket ID NRCS-2021-0004. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Mail, or Hand Delivery: Mr. Clarence Prestwich, National
Agricultural Engineer, Conservation Engineering Division, NRCS, USDA,
1400 Independence Avenue, South Building, Room 4636, Washington, DC
20250. In your comment, specify the docket ID NRCS-2021-0004.
All comments will be available on <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
The copies of the proposed revised standards are available through
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by accessing Docket No. NRCS-2021-0004.
Alternatively, the proposed revised standards can be downloaded or
printed from <a href="https://go.usa.gov/TXye">https://go.usa.gov/TXye</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Clarence Prestwich; telephone:
(202) 720-2972; or email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c1a2ada0b3a4afa2a4efb1b3a4b2b5b6a8a2a981b4b2a5a0efa6aeb7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9ffcf3feedfaf1fcfab1efedfaecebe8f6fcf7dfeaecfbfeb1f8f0e9">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
NRCS is planning to revise the conservation practice standards in
the NHCP. This notice provides an overview of the planned changes and
gives the public an opportunity to provide comments on the specific
conservation practice standards that NRCS is changing.
NRCS State Conservationists who choose to adopt these practices in
their States will incorporate these practices into the respective
electronic Field Office Technical Guide. These practices may be used in
conservation systems that treat highly erodible land (HEL) or on land
determined to be a wetland. Section 343 of the Federal Agriculture
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 requires NRCS to make available for
public review and comment all proposed revisions to conservation
practice standards used to carry out HEL and wetland provisions of the
law.
Revisions to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices
The amount of the proposed changes varies considerably for each of
the conservation practice standards addressed in this notice. To fully
understand the proposed changes, individuals are encouraged to compare
these changes with each standard's current version, which can be found
at: <a href="https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/technical/cp/ncps/?cid=nrcs143_026849">https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/technical/cp/ncps/?cid=nrcs143_026849</a>.
NRCS is requesting comments on the following conservation practice
standards:
<bullet> Conservation Cover (Code 327);
<bullet> Emergency Animal Mortality Management (Code 368);
<bullet> Fishpond Management (Code 399);
<bullet> Forest Farming (Code 379);
<bullet> Irrigation System, Surface and Subsurface (Code 443);
<bullet> Land Reclamation, Landslide Treatment (Code 453);
<bullet> Mine Shaft and Adit Closing (Code 457);
<bullet> Pond (Code 378);
<bullet> Residue and Tillage Management, No Till (Code 329);
<bullet> Residue and Tillage Management, Reduced Till (Code 345);
<bullet> Subsurface Drain (Code 606);
<bullet> Tree/Shrub Pruning (Code 660);
<bullet> Vertical Drain (Code 630).
The following are highlights of some of the proposed changes to
each standard:
Conservation Cover (Code 327): Minor revisions were made for
improved organization and for clarity. The second purpose (Reduce
ground and surface water quality degradation by nutrients and surface
water quality degradation by sediment) was split into two separate
purposes that are clearer and more succinct (Reduce sediment transport
to surface water and Reduce ground water and surface water quality
degradation by nutrients). The last purpose (Improve soil health) was
changed to specifically focus on a measurable metric (Maintain or
increase soil organic matter (OM) content). The language associated
with the additional criteria was incorporated into the General Criteria
section. We added three additional purposes (Improve soil aggregate
stability, Improve habitat for soil organisms, and Reduce compaction)
with Criteria sections added for both the purposes of Improve habitat
for soil organisms and Reduce compaction.
Emergency Animal Mortality Management (Code 368): One of the
Emergency Animal Mortality Management purposes was separated into two
purposes. The two new purposes now address surface water and ground
water separately. Minor wording changes were made to the Criteria and
Considerations sections for clarity and specificity. Changes were made
to the Operation and Maintenance section to add specific items for
burial and add more items to composting. New references were added to
the References section.
Fishpond Management (Code 399): There were no major changes to this
standard. The three purposes were combined into one. Three additional
considerations were added regarding addition of submerged habitat,
removal of accumulated debris or sediment, and use of biological and/or
mechanical methods to control nuisance aquatic species. The References
section was updated to delete outdated references and include new
documents.
Forest Farming (Code 379): The practice name was changed from
[[Page 2747]]
``Multi-Story Cropping'' to Forest Farming to reflect technical and
popular literature. Forest Farming also aligns with other federal
agencies (USDA Forest Service, Agricultural Research Service), non-
government organizations (Savanna Institute, National Association of
State Foresters), technical assistance, and outreach efforts.
Definition and purposes were restructured and expanded to align with
the new name and resource concerns. Minor revisions were made for
improved organization and for clarity to the Criteria, Considerations,
Plans and specifications, Operation and Maintenance, and References
sections.
Irrigation System, Surface and Subsurface (Code 443): Minor
revisions were made for improved organization and for clarity. The
Definition section was simplified to remove the extended list of
example components described in the Criteria section. Maximum pipeline
velocity was reduced from 7 feet per second (fps) to 5 fps to make it
consistent with other NRCS conservation practice standards. We added
the utility location responsibility statement.
Land Reclamation, Landslide Treatment (Code 453): Formatting and
writing style were updated to meet current agency requirements
resulting in minor revisions for clarity and readability. Relatively
minor technical additions were included in the Criteria and
Considerations sections. Lists of required items were added to the
Plans and Specifications and Operation and Maintenance sections.
References were updated.
Mine Shaft and Adit Closing (Code 457): Formatting and writing
style were updated to meet current agency requirements resulting in
minor revisions for clarity and readability. In the Criteria section,
the Safety subsection was reorganized to emphasize testing and
personnel entry requirements. New subsections entitled ``Bats and other
wildlife'', ``Discharge'', and ``Monuments'' were added to provide new
guidance. The Report subsection was moved to the Plans and
Specifications section where the list was expanded.
Pond (Code 378): Minor revisions were made for improved
organization and for clarity in response to the availability of new
information. Minor revisions were made to Table 1 to keep the data
within the scope of the practice standard. We added a utility location
responsibility statement to the General Criteria section. Changes were
made to the Criteria Applicable to Embankment Ponds section to Filter
diaphragms for improved explanation. NRCS would welcome comments
regarding use of anti-seep collars for this practice.
Residue and Tillage Management, No Till (Code 329): Minor revisions
were made for improved organization and for clarity. We added
additional purposes relating to Soil Health Resource Concerns. We added
Additional criteria for the added purpose of Soil Health. We added
additional wording to the Considerations section to clarify Soil Health
management principles. We updated the Plans and Specifications and the
References sections.
Residue and Tillage Management, Reduced Till (Code 345): We added
additional purposes relating to Soil Health Resource Concerns. Minor
revisions were made for improved organization and for clarity. We added
additional criteria for the added purposes for Soil Health. We added
additional wording to the Considerations section to clarify Soil Health
management principles. We updated the References section.
Subsurface Drain (Code 606): Formatting and writing style were
updated to meet current agency requirements. The definition was
expanded to address ``soil water conditions,'' rather than just
``excess water.'' An additional purpose of addressing animal health and
productivity due to adverse soil conditions was added. The Conditions
Where Practice Applies section was revised to encompass ``adverse''
soil conditions, rather than specifically the ``wet'' condition.
Wetland conservation has been elevated to the General Criteria
subsection. Filter and envelope terminology has been revised to align
with recently released NEH 650, Chapter 14, Drainage.
Tree/Shrub Pruning (Code 660): Purpose and Criteria sections were
further refined. Criteria were adjusted to match changes in purposes.
Considerations and Plans and Specifications sections were further
refined. New references were added.
Vertical Drain (Code 630): There are no changes to the criteria and
only minor wording changes have been made that do not change the
meaning of the conservation practice standards.
Louis Aspey,
Associate Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-00853 Filed 1-18-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P
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