[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 121 (Friday, June 22, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 33520]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-15733]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 121 / Friday, June 22, 2001 / 
Notices  

[[Page 33520]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Notice of Proposed Implementation of Phosphorous Index (PI) in 
the Caribbean Area

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Department 
of Agriculture.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of proposed implementation of PI as a 
working tool to assess and manage phosphorous movement for review and 
comment.

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SUMMARY: It has been determined that the Natural Resources Conservation 
Service will adopt the implementation of an assessment tool that may be 
used by resource managers and land users to assess the risk of 
phosphorous (P) losses from a field. A work group made up by Scientists 
from the Agricultural Experiment Station of the University of Puerto 
Rico and USDA-NRCS formed a task to adapt and validate this technology 
to our tropical environment. The purpose of the PI is to aid anyone 
environmentally involved in the decision-making processes involved 
planning resource conservation plans to land application to animal 
wastes. The risk of P losses is a function of transport and sources 
characteristics.

DATES: Comments will be received on or before July 23, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Inquire in writing to Juan A. 
Martinez, State Director, Natural Resources Conservation Service 
(NRCS), P.O. Box 364868 San Juan, PR 00946-4868; Telephone number (787) 
766-5206 Ext. 237; Fax number (787) 766-5987. Copies of the Agronomy 
Technical Note will be made available upon written request to the 
address shown above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: High phosphorous (P) concentrations found in 
many surface waters throughout Puerto Rico suggest that this may be the 
leading cause observed eutrophication. Because agricultural activities 
are one of many non-point sources apparently contributing to P loading, 
it is important to implement agricultural nutrient management plans. 
This must be done judiciously because of the unique social and economic 
conditions that prevail. One component of said plan is the assessment 
of P transport from soil to water by the use of the Phosphorous Index 
(PI). The PI is a site specific, qualitative vulnerability assessment 
tool used by the USDA-NRCS to determine when manure utilization may be 
based on a nitrogen or phosphorous-based budget.
    No administrative action on implementing of the Agronomy Technical 
Note will be taken until 30 days after the date of this publication in 
the Federal Register.

    Dated: May 17, 2001.
Juan A. Martinez,
State Director, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Caribbean Area.
[FR Doc. 01-15733 Filed 6-21-01; 8:45 am]
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