Notice2024-02077
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
February 2, 2024
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentNatural Resources Conservation Service
Abstract
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (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 the specified conservation practice standards in the NHCP.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 23 (Friday, February 2, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 23 (Friday, February 2, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7358-7360]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-02077]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service
[Docket No. NRCS-2023-0022]
Proposed Revisions to the National Handbook of Conservation
Practices for the Natural Resources Conservation Service
AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture.
ACTION: Notice of availability, request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The Natural Resources Conservation Service (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 the specified conservation practice standards in the NHCP.
DATES: We will consider comments that we receive by March 4, 2024.
ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments in response to this notice.
You may submit your comments through one of the following methods
below:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for Docket ID NRCS-2023-0022. Follow the
online instructions for submitting comments; or
<bullet> Mail or Hand Delivery: Mr. Bill Reck, National
Environmental Engineer, Conservation Engineering Division, NRCS, USDA,
1400 Independence Avenue, South Building, Room 4636, Washington, DC
20250. In your comment, please specify the Docket ID NRCS-2023-0022.
All comments received will be made publicly available on <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>.
The copies of the proposed revised standards are available through
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> by accessing Docket No. NRCS-2023-0022.
Alternatively, the proposed revised standards can be downloaded or
printed from <a href="https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/getting-assistance/conservation-practices">https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/getting-assistance/conservation-practices</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Bill Reck at (202) 317-0245, or
email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9af8f3f6f6b4e8fff9f1daefe9fefbb4fdf5ec"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="98faf1f4f4b6eafdfbf3d8edebfcf9b6fff7ee">[email protected]</span></a>. Individuals who require alternative means
for communication may contact the USDA TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600
(voice and text telephone (TTY)) or dial
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711 for Telecommunications Relay service (both voice and text telephone
users can initiate this call from any telephone).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
NRCS plans 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 offer comments on the specific
conservation practice standards and NRCS's proposed changes.
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 wetland. Section 343 of the Federal Agriculture
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-127) 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/resources/guides-and-instructions/conservation-practice-standards">https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/conservation-practice-standards</a>.
NRCS is requesting comments on the following conservation practice
standards:
<bullet> Field Border (Code 386);
<bullet> Filter Strip (Code 393);
<bullet> Grazing Management (Code 528);
<bullet> Hedgerow Planting (Code 422);
<bullet> Mulching (Code 484);
<bullet> Seasonal Water Management for Wildlife (Code 646);
<bullet> Structure for Water Control (Code 587); and
<bullet> Wetland Restoration (Code 657).
The following are highlights of some of the proposed changes to
each standard:
Field Border (Code 386): Revised the ``Purpose'' section to
maintain consistency with the current resource concerns. Clarified the
wording and formatting to increase readability of the ``General
Criteria'' section and added text to the ``Introduction in the Plans
and Specifications'' section.
Filter Strip (Code 393): Revised the definition to indicate the
location of the filter strip. Revised the ``Purpose'' section to
improve clarity and readability, added text to the ``General Criteria''
section to locate the filter strip downslope from a source area of
contaminants and added a vegetation section. Added both criteria for
flow lengths based on Agronomy Technical Note No. 2, and new content to
specify burning frequency. Revised the ``Irrigation Tailwater and
Excessive Sediment in Surface Waters'' section to clarify the plant
stem spacing.
Grazing Management (Code 528): Changed the title to ``Grazing
Management'' to eliminate confusion, promote a sense of adaptability,
and better convey the intended purpose. Revised the ``Purpose'' section
to add the purpose to reduce plant pest pressure and to create two new
purposes from one existing purpose, one addressing soil erosion and the
other addressing soil health related resource concerns. Revised the
``General Criteria'' section to include provisions to build resilience
and resistance to climate[hyphen]related disturbances. Added text to
clarify that the standard is intended to be used for managing
vegetation using herbivores. Added a new statement to the ``Plans and
Specifications'' section referring to the National Range and Pasture
Manual and clarified that contingency plans need to consider if weather
events may be intensified due to climate change. Revised the
``References'' section.
Hedgerow Planting (Code 422): Combined purposes to reduce the
numbers from 10 to 5. Pollinator, terrestrial wildlife, and aquatic
wildlife purposes were consolidated to a single wildlife purpose. The
purposes intercepting airborne particulates, reducing chemical drift
and odor movement were combined as a filtering section purpose. Screens
and barriers to noise and dust were changed to a barrier section
purpose which also includes living fences. Boundary delineation and
contour guidelines were removed as a purpose but retained as a
consideration.
Mulching (Code 484): Clarified wording and formatting to increase
readability. Deleted ``Maintain or increase organic matter content.''
Added ``non[hyphen]biodegradable'' to synthetic mulches in the
``General Criteria'' section. Revised the ``Moisture Management
Additional Criteria'' title to ``Additional Criteria to Improve the
Efficiency of Rain-fed Moisture Management, to Improve Irrigation
Energy Efficiency, or to Improve the Efficient Use of Irrigation
Water.'' Added paragraph on materials to moderate soil temperature to
the ``Additional Criteria to Improve Plant Productivity and Health''
section. Added the ``Additional Criteria to Reduce Plant Pest
Pressure'' section. Revised the ``Considerations'' section for clarity
and formatting to increase readability. Clarified and added an
additional purpose in the ``Plans and Specifications'' section. Deleted
one purpose on fire damage to mulch material and added a note that some
biodegradable mulches can be disked into soil while others should be
removed and composted in the ``Operation and Maintenance'' section.
Also, added an additional reference to the ``Reference'' section.
Seasonal Water Management for Wildlife (Code 646): Title changed to
``Seasonal Water Management for Wildlife'' to articulate the intent to
provide temporary habitat needs through the management of water.
Updated the standard to remove development and focus on management.
Changed lifespan from 5 years to 1 year to align with other management
practices. Development actions will be implemented through
implementation of other practices. Added the requirement to use a state
approved habitat assessment.
Structure for Water Control (Code 587): Updated formatting of the
standard to meet current agency requirements. Minor revisions made for
clarity and readability purposes.
Wetland Restoration (Code 657): This standard was last revised in
2010. This practice will have a 15[hyphen]year span. The primary
purpose of this revision was to make plain that this conservation
practice standard covers restoration of the abiotic characteristics
(hydrology, topography, and soils). Other conservation practice
standards are used to restore the plant community. Changes to the
``Purpose'' section were made to adequately align with resource
concerns. Made minor changes for clarity and to better describe the
practice definition, purpose, criteria, and considerations. Included
supporting practices, as well as a list of activities that do not fall
under this standard to alleviate confusion. Removed all references to
permitting requirements, as those requirements are provided by NRCS
national conservation planning policy and should not be included in a
technical standard.
USDA Non-Discrimination Policy
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, USDA, its
agencies, offices, and employees, and
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institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are
prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin,
religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual
orientation, disability, age, marital status, family or parental
status, income derived from a public assistance program, political
beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in
any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases
apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by
program or incident.
Individuals who require alternative means of communication for
program information (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, American
Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible agency or the USDA
TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and text telephone (TTY)) or
dial 711 for Telecommunicaions Relay Service (both voice and text
telephone users can initiate this call from any phone). Additionally,
program information may be made available in languages other than
English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA
Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at <a href="https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint">https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint</a> and
at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in
the letter all the information requested in the form. To request a copy
of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form
or letter to USDA by: (1) mail to: U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3)
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2b646a686b5e584f4a054c445d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4a050b090a3f392e2b642d253c">[email protected]</span></a>.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Louis Aspey,
Associate Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-02077 Filed 2-1-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P
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