[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 12 (Wednesday, January 19, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2746-2747]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-00853]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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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:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for docket ID NRCS-2021-0004. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments.
     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 https://www.regulations.gov.
    The copies of the proposed revised standards are available through 
https://www.regulations.gov by accessing Docket No. NRCS-2021-0004. 
Alternatively, the proposed revised standards can be downloaded or 
printed from https://go.usa.gov/TXye.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Clarence Prestwich; telephone: 
(202) 720-2972; or email: [email protected].

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: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/technical/cp/ncps/?cid=nrcs143_026849.
    NRCS is requesting comments on the following conservation practice 
standards:
     Conservation Cover (Code 327);
     Emergency Animal Mortality Management (Code 368);
     Fishpond Management (Code 399);
     Forest Farming (Code 379);
     Irrigation System, Surface and Subsurface (Code 443);
     Land Reclamation, Landslide Treatment (Code 453);
     Mine Shaft and Adit Closing (Code 457);
     Pond (Code 378);
     Residue and Tillage Management, No Till (Code 329);
     Residue and Tillage Management, Reduced Till (Code 345);
     Subsurface Drain (Code 606);
     Tree/Shrub Pruning (Code 660);
     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]
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