Notice2026-11327
Proposed Revisions to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices
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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
June 5, 2026
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentNatural Resources Conservation Service
Abstract
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is revising specific conservation practice standard (CPS) in the National Handbook of Conservation Practices (NHCP). NRCS is also giving the public an opportunity to provide comments on the proposed changes to the specific CPSs.
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 108 (Friday, June 5, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 108 (Friday, June 5, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34211-34214]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-11327]
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Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 108 / Friday, June 5, 2026 /
Notices
[[Page 34211]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service
[Docket No. NRCS-2026-0034]
Proposed Revisions to the National Handbook of Conservation
Practices
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 revising
specific conservation practice standard (CPS) in the National Handbook
of Conservation Practices (NHCP). NRCS is also giving the public an
opportunity to provide comments on the proposed changes to the specific
CPSs.
DATES: We will consider comments that we receive by July 6, 2026.
ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments in response to this notice.
You may submit your comments through one of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for Docket ID NRCS-2026-0034. Follow the
online instructions for submitting comments; or
<bullet> Mail or Hand Delivery: Mr. J'Que C. Jones, National
Agricultural Engineer, Conservation Engineering Division, NRCS, USDA,
1400 Independence Avenue South Building, Room 4949, Washington, DC
20250. In your comment, please specify the Docket ID NRCS-2026-0034.
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 CPSs are available through
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> by accessing Docket No. NRCS-2026-0034.
Alternatively, the proposed revised CPSs 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. J'Que C. Jones at (443) 926-6957,
or by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#462c373323682c29282335063335222768212930"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6d071c180843070203081e2d181e090c430a021b">[email protected]</span></a>. Individuals who require alternative
means for communication should contact the USDA TARGET Center at (202)
720-2600 (voice and text telephone (TTY)) or dial 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 CPSs in the NHCP. This notice provides an
overview of the planned changes and gives the public an opportunity to
offer comments on the specific CPS and NRCS's proposed changes.
NRCS State Conservationists who choose to adopt these CPSs in their
States will incorporate these CPSs into the respective electronic Field
Office Technical Guide. These CPSs 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 CPSs used to
conduct HEL and wetland provisions of the law.
Revisions to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices
The amount of proposed changes varies for each of the CPSs
addressed in this notice. To fully understand the proposed changes,
individuals are encouraged to compare these changes with the current
version for each CPS, 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 CPSs:
<bullet> Alley Cropping (Code 311);
<bullet> Amendments for Treatment of Agricultural Waste (Code 591);
<bullet> Anionic Polyacrylamide (PAM) Application (Code 450);
<bullet> Annual Forages for Grazing Systems (Code 513);
<bullet> Combustion System Improvement (Code 372);
<bullet> Compost Facility (Code 317);
<bullet> Dust Control from Unpaved Roads and Surfaces (Code 373);
<bullet> Energy Efficient Agricultural Operation (Code 374);
<bullet> Energy Efficient Building Envelope (Code 672);
<bullet> Energy Efficient Lighting System (Code 670);
<bullet> Herbaceous Weed Treatment (Code 315);
<bullet> Irrigation Land Leveling (Code 464);
<bullet> Land Clearing (Code 460);
<bullet> Livestock Pipeline (Code 516);
<bullet> Monitoring Well (Code 353);
<bullet> On-Farm Secondary Containment (Code 319);
<bullet> Prescribed Burning (Code 338);
<bullet> Road, Trail, and Landing Closure or Treatment (Code 654);
<bullet> Rock Wall Terrace (Code 555);
<bullet> Row Arrangement (Code 557);
<bullet> Short Term Storage of Animal Waste and By-Products (Code
318);
<bullet> Silvopasture (Code 381);
<bullet> Spring Development (Code 574);
<bullet> Stream Habitat Improvement and Management (Code 395);
<bullet> Trails and Walkways (Code 575);
<bullet> Tree-Shrub Site Preparation (Code 490);
<bullet> Waste Separation Facility (Code 632);
<bullet> Waste Treatment (Code 629);
<bullet> Wastewater Treatment, Milk House (Code 627);
<bullet> Water Well (Code 642);
<bullet> Waterspreading (Code 640); and
<bullet> Well Decommissioning (Code 351).
The following paragraphs highlight some of the proposed changes to
each CPS:
Alley Cropping (Code 311): The CPS was revised to improve clarity
and readability. The purposes were reduced from ten to five to focus on
primary resource concerns addressed by the CPS, with secondary purposes
moved to the ``Considerations'' section. New references were added to
reflect current science on alley cropping systems.
Amendments for Treatment of Agricultural Waste (Code 591):
Revisions to this CPS improve clarity, streamline and reduce duplicate
information, and establish approval requirements for new products. The
revisions are anticipated to have minimal impact on the planning,
design, or implementation of this CPS. Changes to this CPS incorporate
existing Safety Data Sheet (SDS) requirements to reduce redundancy and
ensure
[[Page 34212]]
consistent amendment-handling procedures. The revisions also
consolidate and clarify requirements for new products, including the
associated approval process. The purposes were updated to reflect
current NRCS resource concerns.
Anionic Polyacrylamide (PAM) Application (Code 450): Minor
rewording changes were made throughout the CPS to improve readability.
An allowance for performance-based application adjustments was added to
the ``Surface irrigation'' subsection within the ``Additional Criteria
for Reducing Soil Erosion by Water or Wind'' section to provide
flexibility for site-specific properties. The ``Critical areas''
subsection within this same section was updated to include drift-
prevention criteria to reduce the risk of spray drifting away from the
target area. Updates were also made to the ``General Considerations''
section to include opportunities for source water protection.
Annual Forages for Grazing Systems (Code 513): This new CPS was
developed from interim CPS of the same name (Code 810). This CPS
provides guidance for establishing annual forages suitable for grazing
to achieve one or more of the following purposes: meeting livestock
nutritional requirements during periods of known forage quality
deficit, reducing plant pest pressure on sites where perennial forages
exist or will be established, reducing nutrient transport to surface or
groundwater, or reducing soil compaction and improving soil aggregate
stability. Major changes from the interim CPS focus on refining the
purposes and associated criteria so they clearly and justifiably relate
to one or more current NRCS resource concerns. Purposes more
appropriately addressed by other CPS were removed. Purposes related to
secondary or indirect benefits were moved to the ``Considerations''
section. References from the interim CPS were reviewed thoroughly, and
those with limited or no applicability were removed. Additional
references were added to support the new CPS purposes and criteria.
Combustion System Improvement (Code 372): Clarifications were made
to the ``Conditions Where Practice Applies'' section, including clearer
distinctions for when this CPS should and should not be used, along
with guidance on when other CPS are more appropriate. Revisions to the
``Purpose'', ``Criteria'', ``Considerations'', ``Plans and
Specifications'', and ``Operation and Maintenance'' sections provide
expanded detail and clarity. States will now have the ability to
develop a ``prescriptive upgrades'' list of practice implementation
actions that have either been shown to inherently reduce air emissions
or improve energy efficiency, or for which emissions reduction or
energy efficiency improvements have already been demonstrated.
Additional references were included to support the updated criteria and
considerations.
Composting Facility (Code 317): A purpose related to energy
conservation was removed because it was determined to be a secondary
benefit. Criteria for in-vessel systems and compost intended for animal
bedding were added, and setback distances from wells, streams, and
other sensitive areas were adjusted. Minor changes were also made
throughout the CPS to improve clarity and more accurately describe the
CPS definition, purpose, criteria, and considerations.
Dust Control on Unpaved Roads and Surfaces (Code 373): The CPS name
was changed from ``Dust Control on Unpaved Roads and Surfaces'' to
``Dust Control on Traveled Surfaces'' to shorten the name and to
reflect that dust-reduction options apply to any travel surface subject
to vehicle and machinery movement. Additional dust control options,
along with associated criteria and considerations, were added for
vehicle and machinery restrictions and surface improvements. These
longer-lived dust control options also necessitated extending the CPS
lifespan from 1 year to 3 years. Changes to the ``Purpose'',
``Conditions Where Practice Applies'', ``Plans and Specifications'',
and ``Operation and Maintenance'' sections provide additional detail
and clarity to accommodate adding vehicle and machinery restrictions
and surface improvements to the CPS. Additional references were
included to support the updated criteria and considerations.
Energy Efficient Agricultural Operation (Code 374): Changes were
made in response to feedback from internal and external stakeholders to
provide greater clarity on when and how the CPS should be used.
Criteria were added to clarify that destruction, disposal, or recycling
of replaced equipment is required to ensure increased operational
efficiency and that energy-inefficient equipment is removed from
service. The ``Plans and Specifications'' and ``Operation and
Maintenance'' sections were revised to clarify documentation
requirements needed to support proper implementation and operation of
the CPS.
Energy Efficient Building Envelope (Code 672): Changes were made in
response to feedback received from internal and external stakeholders
to provide greater clarity on when and how the standard should be used.
Criteria were added to clarify that destruction, disposal, or recycling
of replaced components is required to ensure increased building
envelope efficiency and that energy-inefficient components are removed
from service. The ``Plans and Specifications'' and ``Operation and
Maintenance'' sections were revised to clarify documentation
requirements needed to support proper implementation and operation of
the CPS.
Energy Efficient Lighting System (Code 670): Changes were made in
response to feedback received from internal and external stakeholders
to provide greater clarity on when and how the CPS should be used.
Criteria were added to clarify that destruction, disposal, or recycling
of replaced inefficient lamps and fixtures is required to ensure
increased energy efficiency of lighting systems and that energy-
inefficient equipment is removed from service. The ``Plans and
Specifications'' and ``Operation and Maintenance'' sections were
revised to clarify documentation requirements needed to support proper
implementation and operation of the CPS.
Herbaceous Weed Treatment (315): Most revisions focus on formatting
and rewriting content using plain language guidelines, including
converting passive-voice statements to active voice. The purpose to
``protect soils and control erosion'' was removed because it is not a
primary reason for selecting this CPS. The ``Conditions Where Practice
Applies'' section was updated to more clearly identify where this CPS
should be applied. The ``General Criteria'', ``Additional Criteria'',
and ``Considerations'' sections were reorganized to improve readability
and flow. The ``Plans and Specifications'' and ``Operation and
Maintenance'' sections were reformatted into bulleted lists that follow
the procedural order of operations. Additional references were added,
and existing references were updated to their latest edition with
hyperlinks.
Irrigation Land Leveling (Code 464): Updated the ``Conditions Where
Practice Applies'' section to reflect the name change of CPS Code 462
to ``Precision Land Forming and Smoothing.'' A new purpose, reducing
energy use, was also added.
Land Clearing (Code 460): The ``Purpose'' section was revised to
clarify and remove vague language. Additional criteria were added to
address buffer
[[Page 34213]]
width, timing of operations, and salvage harvest.
Livestock Pipeline (Code 516): Minor wording changes were made
throughout the CPS to improve readability. The ``flexible conduit
design'' subsection was updated to include the maximum permitted surge
for high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe. Within the
``Considerations'' section, a new subsection was added to address
protection of the pipeline and appurtenances. The ``Additional
Considerations for Economics'' subsection was updated to include the
application of collapsible lay flat tubing.
Monitoring Well (Code 353): Expanded the CPS beyond monitoring
components of animal-waste-related structures to support broader
monitoring needs. The revised CPS requires using a licensed well
driller who is trained and equipped to safely install monitoring wells,
decontaminate reusable equipment, and properly dispose of potentially
contaminated soil, groundwater, and disposable supplies. This update
also requires a hydrogeologic site characterization report prior to or
as part of planning, and a detailed report once wells are installed.
Wells must be surveyed to 0.01 ft to accurately measure groundwater
levels and groundwater elevations. Several well protection items were
moved to the ``Considerations'' section to provide flexibility in
selecting protective measures. Requirements for buffer zones around
wells for various activities were moved to the ``Operation and
Maintenance'' section. Additionally, the description of conditions
requiring well decommissioning was expanded to address wells that no
longer meet the intended purpose or are otherwise unserviceable.
On-Farm Secondary Containment (319): The requirement for
maintaining the bottom of the facility at least 2ft above the seasonal
high-water table, as well as the requirement for locating the facility
in relation to the floodplain, was clarified. Added new criteria for
vehicle filling areas and safety. The ``Operation and Maintenance''
section was reorganized to separate repair activities from inspection
requirements. References were reviewed and updated.
Prescribed Burning (338): The revised CPS integrates regulatory
compliance requirements by shifting from a flexible checklist to a
structured, accountable, and integrated framework with broader
ecological and regulatory alignment. The ``Plans and Specifications''
section was updated to provide burn plan requirements. The ``Operation
and Maintenance'' section was updated to include clarity on roles and
responsibilities when implementing a prescribed burn and post fire
monitoring and evaluation metrics.
Road, Trail, and Landing Closure or Treatment (Code 654): The title
was revised to ``Road-Trail-Landing Closure or Treatment,'' replacing
``and'' with ``or'' to clarify that the CPS can be used either to treat
existing roads, trails, and landings or to decommission them. The
measurement unit was changed to square feet to align with how the CPS
is planned and installed. The purposes were updated to align with
resource concerns. In the ``Criteria'' section, air quality and
wildlife habitat were moved from ``General Criteria'' to ``Additional
Criteria''. The ``Plans and Specifications'' section was revised to
provide specific planning elements that support efficient development
of implementation requirements for closing or treating of roads,
trails, landings, and staging areas.
Rock Wall Terrace (Code 555): No major changes to this CPS. An
outdated reference was replaced with a current reference for design
considerations using geotextile fabric. Minor rewording updates were
made in the ``Considerations'' section to prevent potential
misunderstandings.
Row Arrangement (Code 557): Minor editorial changes were made to
the ``Additional Criteria for Surface Drainage'' section to improve
clarity. The ``Plans and Specifications'' section was updated to
include the location of utilities and related notification
requirements.
Short Term Storage of Animal Waste and By-Products (Code 318): The
purpose of providing flexibility in nutrient utilization was removed
because it is duplicative of the purpose related to protecting surface
and groundwater. The ``Additional Criteria'' for field stockpile areas
were moved to the ``General Criteria'' section to apply to all
situations. Minor edits were made throughout to provide clarity,
improve readability, and consistency.
Silvopasture (Code 381): The CPS clarifies how to establish and
manage a silvopasture system when trees are either removed from forest
land or added to non-forest land. It also identifies site conditions
where silvopasture is not appropriate. The purposes were revised to
focus on the primary reasons for installing the CPS, including
livestock shade and shelter, improved tree and forage productivity, and
improved forage availability. Secondary benefits such as reduced soil
erosion and improved wildlife habitat, water quality, biological
diversity, and carbon storage were moved to the ``Considerations''
section. References were updated.
Spring Development (574): Several updates were made to expand
landowner, planner, and design flexibility. These updates include
clarifying that livestock can be excluded from the source area using
methods other than fencing if desired, allowing the use of a pump when
needed rather than only for moving water upgradient, and adding the
installation of a water battery as a consideration for storing water
during high flow seasons for use during low flow seasons. The
``References'' section was updated to support the changes made and
associated CPS mentioned in the CPS were included. Additional minor
wording changes were made throughout to improve readability.
Stream Habitat Improvement and Management (Code 395): The CPS name
was shortened from ``Stream Habitat Improvement and Management'' to
``Stream Habitat Improvement'' to clarify that this is not a management
CPS. The definition and purpose were revised to include rivers and
associated floodplain and riparian areas, to increase flexibility for
conservation planning. Criteria now includes maintaining or improving
natural stream habitat and channel processes, revegetating areas near
the installation site using applicable planting practices and
specifications, and evaluating downstream risk associated with the
placement or adjustment of in-stream structures. References were
updated.
Trails and Walkways (Code 575): Clarifications were made throughout
the ``Criteria'' section to improve readability. The ``General Criteria
Applicable to All Purposes'' section now includes ``tribal'' laws as
applicable laws for planning, designing, and constructing trails or
walkways. Added technical references to the ``Criteria'' section,
including American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE 7) and American
Wood Protection Association (AWPA) standards to provide additional
guidance for design and construction of trails and walkways. Text
within the ``General Criteria'' and ``General Considerations'' sections
was reorganized to place information in the appropriate sections. The
``Considerations'' section was condensed, and the References were
updated to include the newly cited technical references and to reflect
current versions of existing references.
Tree-Shrub Site Preparation (Code 490): The CPS was broadened to
include other vegetation types beyond trees and shrubs. References to
``tree'' and ``shrub'' were removed, allowing the
[[Page 34214]]
CPS to be applied to site preparation for establishing perennial
vegetation more generally. The ``Definition'', ``Purpose'', and
``Conditions Where Practice Applies'' sections were refined for
improved clarity. Criteria were reorganized by subject, and several
additional criteria were removed to streamline the CPS. Some
considerations were revised and incorporated into the ``Criteria''
section where appropriate. Portions of the ``Operations and
Maintenance'' section addressing chemical exposure were removed, as
these requirements are already addressed in the ``General Criteria''
section. The References were updated with new supporting references,
and an outdated reference was removed.
Waste Separation Facility (Code 632): A purpose related to manure
handling was removed because it was not associated with a resource
concern; the concept is now addressed under the ``Conditions Where
Practice Applies'' section. The safety section was updated to include
references to industry standards. The CPS also addresses a settling
basin seepage issue, adds new criteria related to membrane filters, and
includes minor edits throughout to clarify, ensure plain language, and
align with current formatting requirements.
Waste Treatment (Code 629): Revisions to the CPS were minor and
include adding a new safety requirement for storing chemical or
biological agents. The CPS also includes minor updates throughout to
improve clarity and to align with current formatting requirements, NRCS
general writing guidelines, and plain language guidelines.
Wastewater Treatment, Milk House (Code 627): The Revisions to the
CPS are minor and include adding flexibility for vegetative treatment
in areas without a year-round growing season. Other changes include
updated formatting and alignment with plain language guidelines.
Water Well (642): The most significant change to this CPS is moving
aquifer testing from the ``Criteria'' section to the ``Considerations''
section to allow states more latitude in how they determine the maximum
drawdown and pumping rate that a well and aquifer can provide.
Requirements for an onsite investigation by a geologist have been
changed to allow for a reconnaissance-level investigation, with or
without geophysics, better reflecting current agency practices. The
previous requirement to install ten feet of casing when drilling into
hard rock formations was eliminated to accommodate varying state
regulations. Guidance for well development was expanded to provide more
descriptive instruction. References throughout the CPS were updated,
and requirements to follow external standards were removed; instead,
the critical elements of those standards are incorporated directly into
the CPS.
Waterspreading (Code 640): Language throughout the CPS was revised
for improved clarity. The water impounding dike criteria previously
included in the ``Additional Criteria for Detention-Type Waterspreading
Systems'' section were removed; instead, the CPS now references the
design criteria contained in NRCS CPS Dike and Levee (Code 356), for
consistency. Wetland-related considerations were added to the
``Considerations'' section to ensure that potential impacts to wetlands
are minimized, mitigated, or avoided whenever possible.
Well Decommissioning (Code 351): Several notable updates were made
throughout the CPS. The definition was expanded to include devices
similar to wells and piezometers. Revisions to the ''Purpose'' section
directly align with NRCS resource concerns. An important enhancement
allows for application of the CPS in situations where soil or
groundwater is known or suspected to be contaminated. Requirements to
follow American Standard for Testing and Material (ASTM) D5299 were
streamlined; instead of referencing the full ASTM standard, important
points were summarized into minimum requirements. Additional
instructions were added for situations that require special procedures,
including those involving artesian pressure, fractured rock, mine
shafts, or caverns. Disinfection guidance was moved to the
``Considerations'' section, and a new consideration was added to
address groundwater quality when selecting sealing materials.
Scott Edwards,
Associate Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-11327 Filed 6-4-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P
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