[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 185 (Tuesday, September 24, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77811-77812]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-21817]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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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. 89, No. 185 / Tuesday, September 24, 2024 / 
Notices  

[[Page 77811]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service

[Docket No. NRCS-2024-0012]


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 revising 
specific conservation practice standards (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 
CPS.

DATES: We will consider comments that we receive by October 24, 2024.

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-2024-0012. Follow the 
online instructions for submitting comments; or
     Mail or Hand Delivery: Mr. J'Que C. Jones, National 
Environmental 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-2024-0012.
    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-2024-0012. 
Alternatively, the proposed revised standards can be downloaded or 
printed from the https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/getting-assistance/conservation-practices.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. J'Que C. Jones at (443) 926-6957, 
or by email at [email protected]. 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 CPS 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 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 
CPS 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 CPS addressed in this notice. To fully understand the proposed 
changes, individuals are encouraged to compare these changes with the 
current version for each standard, which can be found at: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/conservation-practice-standards.
    NRCS is requesting comments on the following CPS:
     Controlling Existing Flowing Well (Code 352);
     Irrigation Water Management (Code 449);
     Phosphorous Removal System (Code 624);
     Saturated Buffer (Code 604); and
     Wetland Creation (Code 658).
    The following paragraphs highlight some of the proposed changes to 
each standard:
    Controlling Existing Flowing Well (Code 352): This is a new CPS 
that was added to address flowing artesian wells that deplete the 
aquifer. Flowing wells can also cause ponding, erosion, and ice damage 
and can waste freshwater resources.
    Irrigation Water Management (Code 449): Revised the ``Purpose'' 
section to add that the CPS will provide data needed to manage 
efficient use of irrigation water to promote optimal use of available 
irrigation water supplies. Additional methods for determining the 
timing of irrigation, was added to the ``General Criteria'' section. 
Added criteria to the standard for ``Closed Conduit and Open Channel 
Irrigation Flow Measurement.'' Minor revisions were made for clarity 
and readability purposes.
    Phosphorous Removal System (Code 624): This is a new national 
standard for a system to remove dissolved phosphorus from surface 
runoff, subsurface drain, or ditch flows using a phosphorus sorption 
media within a containment structure. NRCS developed this new national 
standard in collaboration with Dr. Chad Penn of the USDA Agricultural 
Research Service.
    Saturated Buffer (Code 604): Revised to add text to the 
``Definition'' section to include the nitrate removal feature of the 
technology. Revised the ``General Criteria Applicable to All Purposes'' 
section to allow nitrate removal optimization in vegetated buffer zone 
sizing and design flow capacity. And added text to clarify the factors 
that contribute to the probability of bank failure.
    Wetland Creation (Code 658): Revised to narrow the practice 
standard to the creation of wetland hydrology, assuring consistency 
with the revised CPS on Wetland Restoration (Code 657). In the 
``Criteria and Considerations'' section, the definition was updated and 
greater clarity was provided and references and corresponding links 
were updated.

USDA Non-Discrimination Policy

    In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, USDA, its 
agencies, offices, and employees, and

[[Page 77812]]

institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are 
prohibited from discriminating based on 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 (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, American 
Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible agency or USDA 
TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and text telephone (TTY)) or 
dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Service (both voice and 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: (1) mail to: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or 
email: [email protected].
    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Noller Herbert,
Acting Associate Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-21817 Filed 9-23-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P