81 FR 11509 - Notice of Proposed Changes to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices for the Natural Resources Conservation Service

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 43 (March 4, 2016)

Page Range		11509-11510
FR Document		2016-04824

Notice is hereby given of the intention of NRCS to issue a series of revised conservation practice standards in the National Handbook of Conservation Practices. These standards include: Clearing and Snagging (Code 326), Diversion (Code 362), Fish Raceway or Tank (Code 398), Pond Sealing or Lining--Compacted Soil Treatment (Code 521B), Pond Sealing or Lining--Concrete (Code 521C), Sediment Basin (Code 350), Silvopasture (Code 381), Tree/Shrub Establishment (Code 612), Vegetated Subsurface Drain Outlet (Code 604), and Waste Storage Facility (Code 313). NRCS State Conservationists who choose to adopt these practices for use within their States will incorporate them into section IV of their 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.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 43 (Friday, March 4, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 43 (Friday, March 4, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11509-11510]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04824]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service

[Docket No. NRCS-2016-0001]

Notice of Proposed Changes 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 of proposed changes to the National
Handbook of Conservation Practices for public review and comment.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of the intention of NRCS to issue a
series of revised conservation practice standards in the National
Handbook of Conservation Practices. These standards include: Clearing
and Snagging (Code 326), Diversion (Code 362), Fish Raceway or Tank
(Code 398), Pond Sealing or Lining--Compacted Soil Treatment (Code
521B), Pond Sealing or Lining--Concrete (Code 521C),

[[Page 11510]]

Sediment Basin (Code 350), Silvopasture (Code 381), Tree/Shrub
Establishment (Code 612), Vegetated Subsurface Drain Outlet (Code 604),
and Waste Storage Facility (Code 313).
NRCS State Conservationists who choose to adopt these practices for
use within their States will incorporate them into section IV of their
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.

DATES: Effective Date: This is effective March 4, 2016.
Comment Date: Submit comments on or before April 4, 2016. Final
versions of these new or revised conservation practice standards will
be adopted after the close of the 30-day period and after consideration
of all comments.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted, identified by Docket Number
NRCS-2016-0001, using any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing,
Attention: Regulatory and Agency Policy Team, Strategic Planning and
Accountability, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 5601 Sunnyside
Avenue, Building 1-1112D, Beltsville, Maryland 20705.
NRCS will post all comments on http://www.regulations.gov. In
general, personal information provided with comments will be posted. If
your comment includes your address, phone number, email, or other
personal identifying information, your comments, including personal
identifying information (PII), may be available to the public. You may
ask in your comment that your PII be withheld from public view, but
this cannot be guaranteed.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wayne Bogovich, National Agricultural
Engineer, Conservation Engineering Division, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1400 Independence
Avenue Southwest, South Building, Room 6136, Washington, DC 20250.
Electronic copies of the proposed revised standards are available
through http://www.regulations.gov by accessing Docket No. NRCS-2016-
0001. Alternatively, copies can be downloaded or printed from the
following Web site: http://go.usa.gov/TXye. Requests for paper versions
or inquiries may be directed to Emil Horvath, National Practice
Standards Review Coordinator, Natural Resources Conservation Service,
Central National Technology Support Center, 501 West Felix Street, Fort
Worth, Texas 76115.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 as shown at: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/technical/cp/ncps/?cid=nrcs143_026849. To aid in
this comparison, following are highlights of some of the proposed
revisions to each standard:
Clearing and Snagging (Code 326)--The changes were made to provide
better clarity, and include the use of active voice and the removal of
all occurrences of the word ``shall''. The References section remains
unchanged; however, one of the references, NEH Part 654, Stream
Restoration Design, now appears in the Considerations section, where it
specifically identifies Technical Supplement 14E of this reference for
use in determining the forces acting on woody debris and the necessary
anchoring.
Diversion (Code 362)--The definition was revised and the purpose
modified for clarity. The Criteria, Considerations, and Operations and
Maintenance sections were refined and the references were updated.
Fish Raceway or Tank (Code 398)--The purpose was refined, the
criteria was modified, and the references were updated. Other changes
improved the clarity of the language used in the standard.
Pond Sealing or Lining--Compacted Soil Treatment (Code 521B)--521B
Pond Sealing or Lining--Compacted Soil Treatment now combines the
existing compacted soil liner standards (521B. 521C & 521D) into one
standard code which is now 521B Pond Sealing or Lining--Compacted Soil
Treatment. As a result, a change to the title was necessary, along with
other changes needed for clarification, consistency, and 508 compliance
requirements.
Pond Sealing or Lining--Concrete (Code 521C)--521C Pond Sealing or
Lining--Concrete is a new standard developed as an alternative practice
for lining and sealing animal waste storage ponds and lagoons as
needed. It covers concrete design requirements for this specified
function that is not specified in Waste Storage Facility (Code 313).
Sediment Basin (Code 350)--The purpose was refined, the criteria
was modified, and the references were updated. Other changes improved
the clarity of the language used in the standard.
Silvopasture (Code 381)--The title was changed from ``Silvopasture
Establishment'' to ``Silvopasture.'' The Definition, Purposes, and
Conditions Where Practice Applies sections were refined. Two purposes
were removed and three purposes were added. The criteria were adjusted
to match the changes in purposes. The Considerations and Operations and
Maintenance sections were refined and the references were updated.
Tree/Shrub Establishment (Code 612)--The Purposes and Conditions
Where Practice Applies sections were refined. One purpose was added and
one purpose removed. The criteria were adjusted to match the changes in
purposes. The Considerations, Plans and Specifications, and Operations
and Maintenance sections were refined and the references were updated.
Saturated Buffer (Code 604)--This is a new conservation practice
standard developed from an existing interim conservation practice
standard ``Saturated Buffer'' (Code 739).
Waste Storage Facility (Code 313)--The document has been revised
extensively. Those revisions include modification of structural design
requirements to account for changes in accepted concrete and timber
design criteria, modification of language for storage requirements to
improve clarity, modify language to conform to the Plain Language Act,
improvements to the safety criteria, changing the requirement of a
staff gauge from optional to required, addition of criteria specific to
solid manure stacking facilities, and improvements to the Plans and
Specifications, and Operation and Maintenance sections of the standard.
The structural design and safety requirements have been revised to
reflect changes in accepted design methods. Other changes have been
made to improve the clarity of the language used in the standard.

Jason A. Weller,
Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-04824 Filed 3-3-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 43 / Friday, March 4, 2016 / Notices 11509

1. Review project proposals; and collection techniques or other forms of Fork watershed in central Iowa. The
2. Make recommendations for Title II information technology. study will be conducted in several
funds. Comments regarding this information phases. Permission forms will be
The meeting is open to the public. collection received by April 4, 2016 will presented to farm operators. With the
The agenda will include time for people be considered. Written comments farmers permission the field
to make oral statements of three minutes should be addressed to: Desk Officer for enumerators will return several times
or less. Individuals wishing to make an Agriculture, Office of Information and during the growing season to measure
oral statement should request in writing Regulatory Affairs, Office of and collect samples from the target
by April 1, 2016, to be scheduled on the Management and Budget (OMB), New areas. Measurements of crop residues
agenda. Anyone who would like to Executive Office Building, 725 17th will be compared with remote sensed
bring related matters to the attention of Street NW., Washington, DC 20503. data to measure crop residue cover and
the committee may file written Commenters are encouraged to submit soil tillage intensity for the entire
statements with the committee staff their comments to OMB via email to: watershed. After measurements and
before or after the meeting. Written OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov or fax samples are taken the farm operators
comments and requests for time for oral (202) 395–5806 and to Departmental will be asked to complete a
comments must be sent to Susan Piper, Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail questionnaire and, if possible provide a
RAC Coordinator, Olympic National Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250– yield map. The questionnaire and yield
Forest, 1835 Black Lake Boulevard 7602. Copies of the submission(s) may maps help associate measured residue
Southwest, Olympia, Washington, be obtained by calling (202) 720–8681. and biomass to specific field
98512; by email to spiper@fs.fed.us, or An agency may not conduct or management plans and provide realistic
via facsimile to 360–956–2330. Meeting sponsor a collection of information operation files for the water and soil
Accommodations: If you are a person unless the collection of information quality models. Without this collection,
requiring reasonable accommodation, displays a currently valid OMB control our knowledge of the management
please make requests in advance for sign number and the agency informs practices in the watershed would be
language interpreting, assistive listening potential persons who are to respond to severely limited.
devices, or other reasonable the collection of information that such Description of Respondents: Business
accommodation. For access to the persons are not required to respond to or other for-profit; Farms.
facility or proceedings, please contact the collection of information unless it Number of Respondents: 100.
the person listed in the section titled displays a currently valid OMB control Frequency of Responses: Reporting:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. All number. One time.
reasonable accommodation requests are Total Burden Hours: 64.
National Agricultural Statistics Service
managed on a case by case basis.
Title: Residue and Biomass Field Charlene Parker,
Dated: February 25, 2016.
Survey. Departmental Information Collection
Larry Sandoval, OMB Control Number: 0535–0251. Clearance Officer.
Acting Forest Supervisor. Summary of Collection: The primary [FR Doc. 2016–04787 Filed 3–3–16; 8:45 am]
[FR Doc. 2016–04778 Filed 3–3–16; 8:45 am] function of the National Agricultural BILLING CODE 3410–20–P
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P Statistics Service (NASS) is to prepare
and issue official State and national
estimates of crop and livestock DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE production, disposition and prices. The
purpose of this collection is for NASS Natural Resources Conservation
National Agricultural Statistics Service
and the Agricultural Research Service/ Service
Submission for OMB Review; Hydrology and Remote Sensing
[Docket No. NRCS–2016–0001]
Comment Request Laboratory to make an objective
connection between the amounts of Notice of Proposed Changes to the
February 29, 2016. organic matter produced and how crop National Handbook of Conservation
The Department of Agriculture has residues impact future crop yields. Practices for the Natural Resources
submitted the following information General authority for these data Conservation Service
collection requirement(s) to OMB for collection activities is granted under
review and clearance under the U.S. Code Title 7, Section 2204(a) which AGENCY: Natural Resources
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, specifies that ‘‘The Secretary of Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S.
Public Law 104–13. Comments are Agriculture shall procure and preserve Department of Agriculture (USDA).
requested regarding (1) whether the all information concerning agriculture ACTION: Notice of availability of
collection of information is necessary which he can obtain . . . by the proposed changes to the National
for the proper performance of the collection of statistics . . . and shall Handbook of Conservation Practices for
functions of the agency, including distribute them among agriculturists.’’ public review and comment.
whether the information will have Individually identifiable data collected
practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the under this authority are governed by SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of the
agency’s estimate of burden including Section 1770 of the Food Security Act intention of NRCS to issue a series of
the validity of the methodology and of 1985 as amended, 7 U.S.C. 2276, revised conservation practice standards
assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance in the National Handbook of
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

which requires USDA to afford strict
the quality, utility and clarity of the confidentiality to non-aggregated data Conservation Practices. These standards
information to be collected; (4) ways to provided by respondents. include: Clearing and Snagging (Code
minimize the burden of the collection of Need and Use of the Information: 326), Diversion (Code 362), Fish
information on those who are to This study will investigate the effect Raceway or Tank (Code 398), Pond
respond, including through the use of crop residue removal has on soil and Sealing or Lining—Compacted Soil
appropriate automated, electronic, water quality. The study will use, as a Treatment (Code 521B), Pond Sealing or
mechanical or other technological sampling universe fields in the South Lining—Concrete (Code 521C),

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Document Created: 2018-02-02 15:05:35
Document Modified: 2018-02-02 15:05:35

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of availability of proposed changes to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices for public review and comment.
Dates		Effective Date: This is effective March 4, 2016.
Contact		Wayne Bogovich, National Agricultural Engineer, Conservation Engineering Division, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1400 Independence Avenue Southwest, South Building, Room 6136, Washington, DC 20250.
FR Citation		81 FR 11509

81 FR 11509 - Notice of Proposed Changes to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices for the Natural Resources Conservation Service

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURENatural Resources Conservation Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 43 (March 4, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service