[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 81 (Thursday, April 27, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25619-25620]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-08842]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service
[Docket No. NRCS-2023-0005]
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 we intend 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 the NHCP.
DATES: We will consider comments that we receive by May 30, 2023.
ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments in response to this notice.
You may submit your comments through one of the following methods
below:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRCS-2023-0005. Follow the
online instructions for submitting comments; or
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, please specify the Docket ID NRCS-2023-0005.
All comments received will be made publicly available on http://www.regulations.gov.
The copies of the proposed revised standards are available through
http://www.regulations.gov by accessing Docket No. NRCS-2023-0005.
Alternatively, the proposed revised standards can be downloaded or
printed from https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/getting-assistance/conservation-practices.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Clarence Prestwich; telephone:
(202) 720-2972, or email: [email protected]. Individuals who
require alternative means for communication should contact the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Target Center at (202) 720-2600
(voice).
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: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/conservation-practice-standards.
NRCS is requesting comments on the following conservation practice
standards:
Anaerobic Digester (Code 366);
Drainage Water Management (Code 554);
Irrigation and Drainage Tailwater Recovery (Code 447);
Pond Sealing or Lining, Geomembrane or Geosynthetic Clay
Liner (Code 521);
Roofs and Covers (Code 367); and
Surface Drain, Main or Lateral (Code 608).
The following are highlights of some of the proposed changes to
each standard:
Anaerobic Digester (Code 366): Reorganized requirements and
clarified wording and formatting to increase readability of the
standard. Aligned criteria with other Conservation Practice Standards
and planning criteria to maintain consistency. Strengthened
requirements to account for effects of nutrients and hazardous gases
when implementing anaerobic digesters. Incorporated a limited allowance
for emergency venting of biogas when the operation of a flare would
lead to an exceedance of local air pollution regulations.
Drainage Water Management (Code 554): Clarified wording and
formatting to increase readability of the standard. Added text to
general criteria section that the project is required to comply with
Federal, State, Tribal, and local laws, and regulations. Also clarified
within general criteria section the allowance of manual and automation
technology. Added text to the additional criteria to ``Reduce Nutrient,
Pathogen, and Pesticide Loading'' section.
Irrigation and Drainage Tailwater Recovery (Code 447): Clarified
wording and formatting to increase readability of the standard. Added
text to general criteria section that the project is required to comply
with Federal, state, tribal, and local laws, and regulations. The water
quality practice purpose was clarified to include downstream drinking
water source improvement.
Pond Sealing or Lining, Geomembrane or Geosynthetic Clay Liner
(Code 521): Revised the materials table; the gas venting, water
drainage, and leak detection criteria; and the slope requirements.
Also, added new considerations on safety, leak detection, and liner
protection.
Roofs and Covers (Code 367): Clarified wording and formatting to
increase readability of the standard. The purpose was updated to be
consistent with the resource concern list. The allowable flexible cover
material thickness was updated based on industry standard change.
Surface Drain, Main or Lateral (Code 608): Added statement that the
project is required to comply with all Federal, State, Tribal and local
laws, rules, and regulations. Removed statement on wetland
determinations to make the standard more consistent with other drainage
standards. Added other minor changes to improve clarity and
readability.
USDA Non-Discrimination Policy
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights
regulations and policies, USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees,
and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are
prohibited from discriminating based on
[[Page 25620]]
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 (for example, braille, large print, audiotape,
American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible agency or
USDA's 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 https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint 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 mail to: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of
the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20250-9410 or email to [email protected].
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Louis Aspey,
Associate Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-08842 Filed 4-26-23; 8:45 am]
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