[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 236 (Thursday, December 9, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68987-68994]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-31872]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Notice of the Technical Guidance for Developing Comprehensive 
Nutrient Management Plans

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking 
comments on the draft Technincal Guidance for Developing Comprehensive 
Nutrient Management Plans (CNMPs). USDA is asking for comments from 
individuals, the livestock industry, private consultants, State, 
Tribal, and local governments or subgroups thereof, universities, 
colleges, environmental groups, and other organizations. These comments 
will assist USDA in the development and implementation of the final 
Technical Guidance for Developing Comprehensive Nutrient Management 
Plans. This guidance document is intended for use for Natural Resources 
Conservation Service (NRCS) and conservation partner State and local 
field staffs, private consultants, landowners/operators, and others 
that either will be developing or assisting in the development of 
CNMPs.

DATES: Comments will be received for a 90-day comment period commencing 
December 9, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Address all requests and comments to: Francine A. Gordon, 
Management Assistant, Natural Resources Conservation Service, ATTN: 
CNMP, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Stop Code 5473, Beltsville, Maryland 
20705.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obie Ashford, Natural Resources 
Conservation Service, 301-504-2197; fax 301-504-2264, e-mail 
[email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Technical Guidance for Developing 
Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans is a document intended for use 
by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and conservation 
partner State and local field staffs, private consultants, landowners/
operators, and others that either will be developing or assisting in 
the development of CNMPs. The purpose of this document is to provide 
technical guidance for local, tribal, State, or Federal programs, not 
to establish regulatory requirements. This technical guidance is not 
intended as a sole source or reference for developing

[[Page 68988]]

CNMPs. CNMP is a subset of a conservation plan that is unique to animal 
feeding operations. A CNMP is a group of conservation practices and 
management activities which, when combined into a system, will help to 
ensure that both production and natural resource goals are achieved. It 
incorporates practices to utilize animal manure and organic by-products 
as a beneficial resource. A CNMP addresses natural resource concerns 
dealing with nutrient and organic by-products and their adverse impacts 
on water quality. The objective of a CNMP is to combine management 
activities and conservation practices into a system that, when 
implemented, will minimize the adverse impacts of animal feeding 
operations on water quality.
    USDA prohibits discrimination in its programs and activities on the 
basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, sexual 
orientation, or disability. Additionally, discrimination on the basis 
of political beliefs and marital or family status is also prohibited by 
statutes enforced by USDA. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all 
programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for 
communication of program information (braille, large print, audio tape, 
etc.) should contact the USDA's Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice 
and TDD).
    To file a complaint of discrimination to USDA, write Director, 
Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and 
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (202) 
720-5964 (voice and TDD). The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and 
employer.

    Signed at Washington, D.C., on December 3, 1999.
Pearlie S. Reed,
Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Table of Contents

1.0  Introduction
2.0  Definition
3.0  Objective
4.0  Elements To Consider
    4.1  Animal Outputs--Manure and Wastewater Collection, Handling, 
Storage, Treatment, and Transfer
    4.2  Evaluation and Treatment of Sites Proposed for Land 
Application
    4.3  Land Application
    4.4  Record of CNMP Implementation
    4.5  Inputs to Animals--Feed Management
    4.6  Outer Utilization Activities
5.0  Appendices
    A.  The Natural Resources Conservation Service Planning Process
    B.  Technical References, Handbooks, and Policy Directives
    C.  Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan Format and Content
    D.  Conservation Practice Standards
    E.  Field Office Technical Guide
    F.  State Offices

Technical Guidance for Developing Comprehensive Nutrient Management 
Plans (CNMPs)

1.0  Introduction

    Technical Guidance for Developing Comprehensive Nutrient Management 
Plans (CNMPs) is a document intended for use by Natural Resources 
Conservation Service (NRCS) and conservation partner State and local 
field staffs, private consultants, landowners/operators, and others 
that either will be developing or assisting in the development of 
CNMPs. The purpose of this document is to provide technical guidance 
for the development of CNMPs, not to establish regulatory requirements 
for local, tribal, State, or Federal programs. This technical guidance 
is not intended as a sole source of reference for developing CNMPs. 
Rather, it is to be used as a tool in support of the planning process 
(see Appendix A), as contained in the NRCS National Planning Procedures 
Handbook (NPPH). (See Appendix B.) It provides a list of essential 
elements that need to be considered in developing a CNMP. To 
effectively use this technical guidance, the planner needs a solid 
understanding of agricultural waste management systems, nutrient 
management, the NRCS planning process, and the NRCS Field Office 
Technical Guide.

2.0  Definition

    A Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) is a subset of a 
conservation plan that is unique to animal feeding operations. A CNMP 
is a grouping of conservation practices and management activities 
which, when combined into a system, will help to ensure that both 
production and natural resource goals are achieved. It incorporates 
practices to utilize animal manure and organic by-products as a 
beneficial resource. A CNMP addresses natural resource concerns dealing 
with nutrient and organic by-products and their adverse impacts on 
water quality. A CNMP is developed to assist landowners/operators with 
meeting all applicable local, tribal, State, and Federal regulations. 
For certain unique, impacted watersheds or water bodies, special 
management activities or conservation practices may be necessary to 
help the landowner/operator meet specific local, tribal, State, or 
Federal regulations.
    The conservation practices and management activities in a CNMP for 
which NRCS maintains technical standards are to meet these standards. 
Components of a CNMP for which NRCS does not currently maintain 
standards are to meet criteria established by Land Grant Universities, 
industry, or appropriate others. Ultimately, it is the landowner's/
operator's responsibility as the decision-maker to select the system of 
conservation practices and management activities that best meet his/her 
production and environmental needs from the alternatives available.

3.0  Objective

    The objective of a CNMP is to combine management activities and 
conservation practices into a system that, when implemented, will 
minimize the adverse impacts of animal feeding operations on water 
quality. CNMPs are to be developed in accordance with procedures 
contained in the NRCS National Planning Procedures Handbook (NPPH) 
(Appendix B) and meet the technical requirements of the NRCS local 
Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG). For guidance on CNMP plan format 
and content see Appendix C. For a given enterprise to meet this 
objective, a significant increase, over current levels, in the 
intensity and comprehensiveness of technical assistance provided to 
producers may be required.

    Elements to consider:
    1. Animal Outputs--Manure and Wastewater Collection, Handling, 
Storage, Treatment, and Transfer
    2. Evaluation and Treatment of Sites Proposed for Land 
Application
    3. Land Application
    4. Records of CNMP Implementation
    5. Inputs to Animals
    6. Other Utilization Activities

4. Elements to Consider

4.1  Animal Outputs--Manure and Wastewater Collection, Handling, 
Storage, and Treatment, and Transfer

    A manure and wastewater management system for a given animal 
feeding operation (AFO) should include all the components and 
management activities necessary to minimize degradation of water 
quality. A system may consist of a single component, such as a clean 
water diversion, or as many components as necessary to meet the 
production and environmental objectives of the landowner/operator while 
minimizing the environmental impacts. An on-site visit(s) is required 
to identify existing and potential nature resource concerns, problems, 
and opportunities in the siting of manure

[[Page 68989]]

and wastewater management system components, including the 
identification and documentation of infrastructure physical features 
such as buildings, roads, houses, fences, power lines, and other 
utilities Sufficient data and information need to be gathered to 
analyze and understand the treatment needs in and around the production 
site.
    A complete manure and wastewater management system may include, but 
is not limited to, activities that address:
     adequate collection, storage, and/or treatment that allows 
application during favorable weather conditions and at times compatible 
with crop management
     identification of needed water control devices around the 
production facility
     disposal of dead animals
     disposal of animal medical wastes
     spills and catastrophic events
     spoiled feed and other contaminants
     milk house cleanup water
     testing of manure and organic sources
     insect control
     silage leachates
     visual improvement
     off-site conditions
     identification of operation and maintenance (O&M) 
practices/activities

    Note: The planned manure and wastewater management system needs 
to be in conformance with the NRCS Waste Management System Standard 
(Code 312). (See Appendix D). Components of the planned system need 
to be in conformance with the applicable practice standards.
4.2  Evaluation and Treatment of Sites Proposed for Land Application
    An on-site visit is required to identify existing and potential 
natural resource concerns, problems, and opportunities for the 
conservation management unit (CMU) \1\. This process will be used to 
identify and assess operations and activities needed to address 
existing and potential natural resource problems. the CMU assessment 
will include, but is not limited to:
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    \1\ Conservation management unit (CMU)--a field, group of 
fields, or other land units of the same land use and having similar 
treatment needs and planned management. A CMU has definite 
boundaries, such as fence, drainage, vegetation, topography, or soil 
lines.
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     identification of the potential for nitrogen or phosphorus 
transport off-site
     aerial site photographs or maps
     soil features and limitations
     identification of sensitive areas such as sinkholes, 
streams, springs, lakes, ponds, wells, gullies, and drinking water 
sources with setbacks, as necessary
     identification of conservation practices and management 
activities needed for erosion control and water management
     soil test analysis for pH, nutrients, sodic condition, and 
organic contents
     identification of pathogens and odors
     other site information features such as property 
boundaries and location of streams and water bodies
     identification of operation and maintenance (O&M) 
practices/activities

    Notes: 1. A documented record will be kept of the site 
assessment for each CMU. As part of the CNMP, this record will need 
to address problems or concerns identified during the on-site 
assessment of the land application unit.
    2. The operation and maintenance plan will need to address all 
structural and operational components in the CNMP.
    3. This planning and assessment process integrates economic, 
social, and environmental considerations into a system that meets 
the needs of the natural resources and assists the landowner/
operator in meeting Federal, State, tribal and local requirements.
    4. Technical requirements will be in accordance with the NRCS 
National Planning Procedures Handbook (NPPH) and the FOTG. (See 
Appendix E).
4.3  Land Application
    The potential short- and long-term impacts of planned land 
application of all nutrients and organic by-products (e.g., animal 
manure, wastewater, commercial fertilizers, crop residues, legume 
credits, irrigation water, etc.) must be evaluated and documented for 
each CMU.
    This should include:
     developing a nutrient budget for nitrogen, phosphorus, and 
potassium that includes all potential sources of nutrients
     planned crop sequence
     current soil test results
     manure and organic by-product source testing results
     realistic yield goals
     crop nutrient use
     form, source, amount, timing and method of application of 
nutrients
     calibration of application equipment

    Note: Site specific technical requirements will be based on the 
NRCS Nutrient Management Standard (Code 590). (See Appendix D).
4.4  Record of CNMP Implementation
    If the landowner/operator is to safely manage and assess CNMP, it 
is critical that his/her maintain a record of activities and the 
functionality of the system be maintained. A record-keeping plan should 
be implemented that addresses key elements of the CNMP to aid in proper 
application and provide for assessment documentation.
    This record may include:
     recommended nutrient application rates by CMU
     quanities, analysis and source of nutrients and organic 
by-products applied
     dates on which nutrients were applied, by CMU
     weather conditions during nutrient application
     methods by which nutrients were applied, by CMU
     crops planted and planting and harvesting dates, by CMU
     dates of review, including person performing the review 
and recommendations that resulted from the review
     results of any plant tissue sampling and testing, when 
used, by CMU
     nutrient application equipment calibration
     off-site use of manure

    Notes: Specific record-keeping guidance may be obtained from 
Land Grant Universities, Industry, or appropriate others. In 
situations where the CNMP is part of a permitting or other 
regulating program, it is the responsibility of the producer to 
maintain any required documentation, including plans and 
implementation records, and make them available to the regulatory 
organization if required.
4.5  Inputs to Animals--Feed Management
    Feed management activities may be used to reduce the nutrient 
content of manure, making it easier to manage in a land application 
scenario. Feed management is a planning consideration not a technical 
standard. These activities may include phase feeding, amino acid 
supplemented low crude protein diets, and the use of low phytin 
phosphorus grain and enzymes, such as phytase or other additives. 
Information and recommendations regarding feed management may be 
obtained from Land Grant Universities, industry, USDA--Agricultural 
Research Service, or other appropriate sources.
4.6  Other Utilization Activities
    Using manure and organic by-products to provide for 
environmentally-safe alternatives should be an integral part of the 
overall CNMP. This is especially true where past land application of 
manure and organic by-products is a problem because of residual soil 
nutrient content and where future land application will make conditions 
worse. Also, it should be recognized that most other utilization 
strategies, such as biogas generation or

[[Page 68990]]

composing may result in the inadvertent loss of nitrogen, but not 
phosphorus or other plant nutrients. It is the producers 
responsibility, as the decision maker, to select the utilization 
options to be used.
    Alternatives include, but are not limited to;
     transport and safe use off-site
     power generation (e.g., methane generation for fuel, 
combustion of litter, for energy, etc.)
     converting to high-value product (e.g., composting, 
fertilizer, etc.)
     soil conditioning

    Note: All manure and organic by-product utilization activities 
are to comply with Federal, State, Tribal, and local laws. Specific 
technical requirements will be based on NRCS Waste Utilization 
Standard (Code 633) and Nutrient Management Standard (Code 590). 
(See Appendix D.)

Appendix A--The Natural Resources Conservation Service Planning 
Process

    NRCS uses a three-phase, nine-step planning process. The three 
phases and nine steps from a linear perspective are:

Phase I--Collection and Analysis (Understanding the Problems and 
Opportunities)

    1. Identify Problems
    2. Determine Objectives
    3. Inventory Resources
    4. Analyze Resource Data

Phase II--Decision Support (Understanding the Solutions)

    5. Formulate Alternatives
    6. Evaluate Alternatives
    7. Make Decisions

Phase III--Application and Evaluation (Understanding the Results)

    8. Implement the Plan
    9. Evaluate the Plan
    [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN09DE99.001
    

BILLING CODE 3410-16-C
    The planning process is straight forward, but not necessarily 
linear (See Figure 1). It is a cycling process--iterative--there is 
a need to cycle back. All three phases and all nine steps are vital 
for successful conservation planning.
     The planning process may start with any of the first 
three planning steps or planning step nine.
     There may be a need to cycle back to step three 
(inventory resources), while working on step four (analyze resource 
data), if more inventory information is needed.
     Step one (identify problems) and step two (determine 
objectives) will not be finalized until step four (analyze resource 
data) is completed. The analysis in step four will, at the very 
least, require a brief review of problem identification and 
objective determination to make sure they are suitable.
     There also may be a need for the landowner/operator to 
revise his objectives as alternatives are formulated and evaluated.
     Once the plan is developed, there may be a need to go 
back through the entire planning process and revise the plan, or 
that may become necessary while the plan is being implemented and 
evaluated. A revision may be necessary because of a change in 
objectives, size of the unit, livestock numbers, economics, weather 
conditions, etc.
     Based on the results of implementation, there also may 
be a need to look at additional alternatives if the results of plan 
implementation are not solving the identified problems or meeting 
the landowner's/operator's objectives.

Appendix B--Technical References, Handbooks, and Policy Directives

Technical References and Handbooks

    The Natural Resource Conservation Service has numerous technical 
references and handbooks it uses to assist in the development of 
conservation plans and their various components. Listed below are 
those technical references and handbooks generally associated with 
the development of comprehensive nutrient management plans.


[[Page 68991]]


United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources 
Conservation Service (NRCS), National Engineering Handbook, Part 
651, Agricultural Waste Management Field Handbook. This handbook is 
available on the NRCS web site at http://www.ncg.nrcs.usda.gov/
tech__ref.html and from the National Technical Information Service 
at the address shown at the end of this Appendix.
United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource 
Conservation Service, National Range and Pasture Handbook. This 
handbook is available on the NRCS web site at http://
www.ncg.nrcs.usda.gov/tech__ref.html.
United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource 
Conservation Service, National Agronomy Manual. This manual is 
presently under revision and is scheduled for release in Spring of 
2000. The draft version is available on the USDA server in Ft. 
Worth, TX at ftp://ftp.ftw.nrcs.usda.gov/pub/NAM/.
United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource 
Conservation Service, National Planning Procedures Handbook (NPPH). 
This handbook is available from the NRCS, Conservation Operations 
Division, by contacting: Director, Conservation Operations Division, 
Natural Resources Conservation Service, 12th and Independence SW, 
Washington, DC 20013.
United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource 
Conservation Service, Conservation Planning Course. This course is 
available on the NRCS web site at http://www.ncg.nrcs.usda.gov/
start.htm.
United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource 
Conservation Service, Agronomy Technical Notes. These notes are 
available on the NRCS web site at http://www.ncg.nrcs.usda.gov/
tech__notes.html.
United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource 
Conservation Service, Soil Quality Information Sheets. These sheets 
are available on the NRCS web site at http://www.ncg.nrcs.usda.gov/
tech__notes.html.

    Hard copies of available publications can be purchased from: 
National Technical Information Service, U.S. Department of Commerce, 
5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA. 22161; Telephone: 1-800-553-
6847.

Policy Directives

    NRCS policy is contained in Natural Resources Conservation 
Service, General Manual. The index for the entire manual can be 
found at NRCS web site http://policy.nrcs.usda.gov/national/gm/
index.htm. Listed below are those policy directives contained in the 
General Manual generally associated with the development of 
comprehensive nutrient management plans.

Natural Resources Conservation Service, General Manual, Title 450, 
Technology, Part 401, Technical Guides. This part of the General 
Manual is available at the NRCS web site at http://
policy.nrcs.usda.gov/national/gm/title450/part401/index.htm.
Natural Resources Conservation Service, ``General Manual'', Title 
190, Ecological Sciences, Part 402, Nutrient Management. This part 
of the General Manual is available at the NRCS web site at http://
www.nhq.nrcs.usda.gov/BCS/nutri/gm-190.html.

Appendix C--Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan Format and 
Content

Introduction

    The conservation plan is developed by the landowner/operator for 
his/her use to record decisions for natural resource protection, 
conservation, and enhancement.
    Decisions and resource information needed during implementation 
and maintenance of the plan are recorded. The plan narrative and 
supporting documents provide guidance for implementation and may 
serve as a basis for compliance with State and Federal regulations 
and/or program funding through Federal, State, or local financial 
support initiatives.
    A comprehensive nutrient management plan (CNMP) is to include 
all land units, on which manure and organic by-products will be 
generated, handled, or applied, and that the landowner/operator 
either owns or has decision making authority over.
    The following guidance helps to maintain quality and provide 
appropriate documentation of a plan. The list shows the suggested 
items to be given to the landowner/operator. However, the plan 
content should be tailored to meet the landowner's/operator's needs.

Plan Format and Content

    The plan document provided to the landowner/operator should be a 
quality document containing meaningful information for the 
landowner/operator. It should include the following items:
    1. A folder, binder, or other means to assemble the contents of 
the plan.
    2. A soil map with appropriate interpretations, such as land 
capability groupings, woodland suitability groups, pasture and 
hayland suitability groups, and other interpretive information 
regarding suitability for specific land uses.
    3. Appropriate worksheets developed with the landowner/operator. 
The worksheets should include such things as resource impact 
summaries, forage inventories, erosion estimates, and cost 
estimates.
    4. Available job sheets and other prepared material applicable 
to the landowner's/operator's specific planned practices.
    5. Operation and maintenance agreements and procedures. More 
detailed operation and maintenance procedures, depending on their 
extent and complexity, may be contained in a separate document, but 
must be referenced in the CNMP in conjunction with the conservation 
system and practices contained in the plan.
    6. In some cases, engineering designs may be included. However, 
these designs generally are kept in the office file under the 
landowner's/operator's name.
    7. A conservation plan map. At a minimum, each map should 
include the following:
    a. Title block showing:
     ``Conservation Plan Map''
     ``Prepared with assistance from
      ________________________(Name)
     Name of the conservation district, county and State
     Scale of the map
     Date prepared
     North arrow
    b. Body of map with:
     Boundary lines of the planning unit outlined
     Field boundaries
     Land use and acres for each land unit correlating to 
landowner/operator land use in the case file
     Appropriate map symbols and a map symbol legend on the 
map, or as an attachment
    c. Land use designations:
     Landowner/operator--specific land use designations 
(e.g., cropland, grazed range, forest, etc.) will be used on the 
plan map.
    8. A record of the landowner's/operator's decisions.
     The recorded decisions will apply to land units 
reflecting common land use, objectives, and treatment needs 
(referred to as conservation management units).
     Include the appropriate land unit label, official 
practice name, brief description of the practice, and schedule of 
practice application in the proper sequence by calendar year.
    9. Available maps, sketches, and designs resulting from the 
planning process that will be useful to the landowner/operator in 
implementing the plan.

The CNMP Case File Will Contain:

    1. Landowner's/operator's objectives and decisions
    2. Assistance notes
    3. Engineering notes
    4. Operation and maintenance agreements and plans
    5. Design documentation
    6. Documentation of applied practices
    7. Forms and worksheets used in developing and evaluating 
alternatives
    8. Environmental documentation
    9. Maps--conservation plan and soils
    10. Other appropriate supporting documents

Appendix D--Conservation Practice Standards

    Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation 
practice standards provide guidance for applying technology on the 
land, and set the minimum level for acceptable application of the 
technology.
    NRCS issues national conservation practice standards in its 
National Handbook of Conservation Practices (NHCP). National 
standards for each practice are available at the NRCS web site 
http://www.ncg.nrcs.usda.gov/nhcp__2.html. State Conservationists 
determine which national standards will be used in his/her State.

[[Page 68992]]

    State Conservationists that choose to use national standards, 
without changes, adapt them for use in their State and issue them as 
State conservation practice standards. State Conservationists add 
the technical detail needed to effectively use the standards at the 
field office level. Also, State Conservationists can make their 
conservation practiced standards more restrictive, but not less 
restrictive. State conservation practice are contained in Section IV 
of the Field Office Technical Guide.
    Copies of NRCS State conservation practice standards are not 
currently available from the NRCS Homepage, but may be available 
later. Copies presently can be obtained by contacting the 
appropriate NRCS State Office. (See Appendix F.)
    Following is a listing of the most commonly considered 
conservation practice standards that may be used when developing a 
comprehensive nutrient management plan (CNMP):

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Presently
        Practice code                              Practice name                      Date of last      under
                                                                                        revision      revision
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
317..........................  Composting Facility..................................        12/90    \1\
328..........................  Conservation Crop Rotation...........................         6/99   ............
332..........................  Contour Buffer Strips................................         3/99   ............
340..........................  Cover and Green Manure Crop..........................        10/77    \1\
589C.........................  Cross Wind Trap Strips...............................         3/99    \1\
362..........................  Diversion............................................        10/85    \1\
382..........................  Fence................................................         4/95      
393..........................  Filter Strip.........................................         3/99   ............
410..........................  Grade Stabilization Structure........................        10/85    \1\
412..........................  Grassed Waterway.....................................        10/85    \1\
449..........................  Irrigation Water Management..........................         3/99   ............
590..........................  Nutrient Management..................................         4/99   ............
595A.........................  Pest Management......................................         7/97    \1\
516..........................  Pipeline.............................................        10/85      
521A.........................  Pond Sealing or Lining--Flexible Membrane............         6/84    \1\
521C.........................  Pond Sealing or Lining--Bentonite Sealant............        10/77      
329A.........................  Residue Management, No-till and Strip Till...........         3/99   ............
329B.........................  Residue Management, Mulch Till.......................         3/99   ............
558..........................  Roof Runoff Management...............................         6/84      
574..........................  Spring Development...................................        10/87      
585..........................  Stripcropping, Contour...............................        10/78      
600..........................  Terrace..............................................         4/82     
614..........................  Trough or Tank.......................................        10/87      
472..........................  Use Exclusion........................................         6/94     
312..........................  Waste Management System..............................         4/79    \1\
313..........................  Waste Storage Facility...............................         4/95    \1\
359..........................  Waste Treatment Lagoon...............................         6/84    \1\
633..........................  Waste Utilization....................................         4/99      
XXX..........................  Closure of Waste Impoundments........................     Proposed      
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ New release anticipated in 2000.

Appendix E--Field Office Technical Guide

    The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Field Office 
Technical Guide (FOTG) is an essential tool for resource planning. 
The FOTG contains five Sections:

General Resource References--References, maps, cost lists, typical 
crop budgets, and other information for use in understanding the 
field office working area, or in making decisions about resource use 
and resource management.
Soil and Site Information--Soils are described and interpreted to 
help make decisions about land use and management. In most cases, 
this will be an electronic database.
Resource Management Systems--Guidance for developing conservation 
management systems. A description of the resource considerations and 
their acceptable levels of quality or criteria are included in this 
section.
Practice Standards and Specifications--Contains standards and 
specifications for conservation practices used in the field office. 
Conservation practice standards contain minimum quality criteria for 
designing and planning each practice; specifications describe 
requirements necessary to install a practice.
Conservation Effects--Contains Conservation Practices Physical 
Effects matrices that outline the impact of practices on various 
aspects of the five major resources--soil, air, water, plants, and 
animals.

    The FOTG is a document that is being updated continually to 
reflect changes in technology, resource information, and agency 
policy. The FOTG contains information that is unique to States and 
local field offices within States. To obtain information contained 
within the FOTG, contact a United States Department of Agriculture, 
NRCS, State Office (See Appendix F for a listing).

Appendix F--State offices

United States Department of Agriculture

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Alabama

3381 Skyway Drive, P.O. Box 311, Auburn, AL 36830
    Phone: 334/887-4500 Fax: 334/887-4552

Alaska

949 East 36th Ave., Suite 400, Anchorage, AK 99508-4302
    Phone: 907/271-2424 Fax: 907/271-3951

Arizona

3003 North Central Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix, AZ 85012-2945
    Phone: 602/280-8801 Fax: 602/280-8809

Arkansas

Federal Building, Room 3416, 700 West Capitol Avenue, Little Rock, 
AR 72201-3228
    Phone: 501/301-3121 Fax: 501/301-3194

California

430 G Street, Suite 4164, Davis, CA 95616-4164
    Phone: 530/792-5600 Fax: 530/792-5790

[[Page 68993]]

Colorado

655 Parfet Street, Room E200C, Lakewood, CO 80215-5517
    Phone: 303/236-2886 x 202 Fax: 303/236-2896

Connecticut

16 Professional Park Road, Storrs, CT 06268-1299
    Phone: 860/487-4011 Fax: 860/487-4054

Delaware

1203 College Park Drive, Suite 101, Dover, DE 19904-8713
    Phone: 302/678-4160 Fax: 302/678-0843

Florida

2614 N.W. 43d Street, Gainesville, FL 32606-6611
    Phone: 352/338-9500 Fax: 352/338-9574

Georgia

Federal Building, Stop 200, 355 East Hancock Avenue, Athens, GA 
30601-2769
    Phone: 706/546-2272 Fax: 706/546-2120

Guam

Director, Pacific Basin Area, FHB Building, Suite 301, 400 Route 8, 
Maite, GU 96927
    Phone: 671/472-7490 Fax: 671/472-7288

Hawaii

300 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 4-118, P.O. Box 50004, Honolulu, HI 96850-
0002
    Phone: 808/541-2600 x100 Fax: 808/541-1335

Idaho

9173 West Barnes Drive, Suite C, Boise, ID 83709
    Phone: 208/378-5700 Fax: 208/378-5735

Illinois

1902 Fox Drive, Champaign, IL 61820-7335
    Phone: 217/398-5267 Fax: 217/373-4550

Indiana

6013 Lakeside Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46278-2933
    Phone: 317/290-3200 Fax: 317/290-3225

Iowa

693 Federal Building, 210 Walnut Street, Suite 693, Des Moines, IA 
50309-2180
    Phone: 515/284-6655 Fax: 515/284-4394

Kansas

760 South Broadway, Salina, KS 67401-4642
    Phone: 785/823-4565 Fax: 785/823-4540

Kentucky

771 Corporate Drive, Suite 110, Lexington, KY 40503-5479
    Phone: 606/224-7350 Fax: 606/224-7399

Louisiana

3737 Government St, Alexandria, LA 71302
    Phone: 318/473-7751 Fax: 318/473-7626

Maine

5 Godfrey Drive, Orono, ME 04473
    Phone: 207/866-7241 Fax: 207/866-7262

Maryland

John Hanson Business Center, 339 Busch's Frontage Road, Suite 301, 
Annapolis, MD 21401-5534
    Phone: 410/757-0861 x314 Fax: 410/757-0687

Massachusetts

451 West Street, Amherst, MA 01002-2995
    Phone: 413/253-4351 Fax: 413/253-4375

Michigan

1405 South Harrison Road, Room 101, East Lansing, MI 48823-5243
    Phone: 517/337-6701 x1201 Fax: 517/337-6905

Minnesota

375 Jackson Street, Suite 600, St. Paul, MN 55101-1854
    Phone: 651/602-7856 Fax: 651/602-7914 or 7915

Mississippi

Suite 1321, Federal Building, 100 West Capitol Street, Jackson, MS 
39269
    Phone: 601/965-5205 Fax: 601/965-4940

Missouri

Parkade Center, Suite 250, 601 Business Loop 70 West, Columbia, MO 
65203-2546
    Phone: 573/876-0901 Fax: 573/876-0913

Montana

Federal Building, Room 443, 10 East Babcock Street, Bozeman, MT 
59175-4704
    Phone: 406/587-6868 Fax: 406/587-6761

Nebraska

Federal Building, Room 152, 100 Centennial Mall, North, Lincoln, NE 
68508-3866
    Phone: 402/437-5300 Fax: 402/437-5327

Nevada

5301 Longley Lane, Building F, Suite 201, Reno, NV 89511-1805
    Phone: 702/784-5863 Fax: 702/784-5939

New Hampshire

Federal Building, 2 Madbury Road, Durham, NH 03824-2043
    Phone: 603/433-0505 Fax: 603/868-5301

New Jersey

1370 Hamilton Street, Somerset, NJ 08873-3157
    Phone: 732/246-1171 Fax: 732/246-2358

New Mexico

6200 Jefferson Street, N.E., Suite 305, Albuquerque, NM 87109-3734
    Phone: 505/761-4400 Fax: 505/761-4462

New York

441 South Salina Street, Suite 354, Syracuse, NY 13202-2450
    Phone: 315/477-6504 Fax: 315/477-6550

North Carolina

4405 Bland Road, Suite 205, Raleigh, NC 27609-6293
    Phone: 919/873-2102 Fax: 919/873-2156

North Dakota

220 E. Rosser Avenue, Room 278, P.O. Box 1458, Bismarck, ND 58502-
1458
    Phone: 701/250-4421 Fax: 701/250-4778

Ohio

200 North High Street, Room 522, Columbus, OH 43215-2478
    Phone: 614/469-6962 Fax: 614/469-2083

Oklahoma

USDA Agri-Center Bldg., 100 USDA, Suite 203, Stillwater, OK 74074-
2655
    Phone: 405/742-1204 Fax: 405/742-1201

Oregon

101 SW Main Street, Suite 1300, Portland, OR 97204-3221
    Phone: 503/414-3221 Fax: 503/414-3277

Pennsylvania

1 Credit Union Place, Suite 340, Harrisburg, PA 17110-2993
    Phone: 717/237-2210 Fax: 717/237-2238

Puerto Rico

Director, Caribbean Area, IBM Building, Suite 604, 654 Munoz Rivera 
Avenue, Hato Rey, PR 00918-4123
    Phone: 787/766-5206 Fax: 787/766-5987

Rhode Island

60 Quaker Lane, Suite 46, Warwick, RI 02886-0111
    Phone: 401/828-1300 Fax: 401/828-0433

South Carolina

Strom Thurmond Federal Building, 1835 Assembly Street, Room 950, 
Columbia, SC 29201-2489
    Phone: 803/253-2935 Fax: 803/253-3670

South Dakota

Federal Building, Room 203, 200 Fourth Street, S.W., Huron, SD 
57350-2475
    Phone: 605/352-1200 Fax: 605/352-1270

Tennessee

675 U.S. Courthouse, 801 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203-3878
    Phone: 615/736-5471 Fax: 615/736-7135

Texas

W.R. Poage Building, 101 South Main Street, Temple, TX 76501-7682
    Phone: 254/742-9800 Fax: 254/742-9819

Utah

W.F. Bennett Federal Building, 125 South State Street, Room 4402, 
Salt Lake City, UT 84138
P.O. Box 11340, SLC, UT 84147-0350
    Phone: 801/524-5050 Fax: 801/524-4403

Vermont

60 Union Street, Winooski, VT 05404-1999 Fax: 802/951-6327
    Phone: 802/951-6795

Virginia

Culpeper Building, Suite 209, 1606 Santa Rosa Road, Richmond, VA 
23229-5014
    Phone: 804/287-1676 Fax: 804/287-1737

Washington

Rock Pointe Tower II, W. 316 Boone Avenue, Suite 450, Spokane, WA 
99201-2348
    Phone: 509/323-2900 Fax: 509/323-2909

West Virginia

75 High Street, Room 301, Morgantown, WV 26505
    Phone: 304/291-4152 x136 Fax: 304/291-4628

Wisconsin

6515 Watts Road, Suite 200, Madison, WI 53719-2726
    Phone: 608/276-8732 x229 Fax: 608/276-5890

Wyoming

Federal Building, Room 3124, 100 East B Street, Casper, WY 82601-
1911

[[Page 68994]]

    Phone: 307/261-6453 Fax: 207/261-6490

[FR Doc. 99-31872 Filed 12-8-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-M