81 FR 56579 - 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 162 (August 22, 2016)
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 162 (August 22, 2016)
| Page Range | 56579-56580 | |
| FR Document | 2016-19866 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 162 (Monday, August 22, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 56579-56580] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-19866] [[Page 56579]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Natural Resources Conservation Service [Docket No. NRCS-2016-0004] 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 NRCS' National Handbook of Conservation Practices for public review and comment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Anionic Polyacrylamide (PAM) Application (Code 450), Compost Facility (Code 317), Constructed Wetland (Code 656), Critical Area Planting (Code 342), Drainage Water Management (Code 554), Feed Management (Code 592), Field Border (Code 386), Filter Strip (Code 393), Irrigation Land Leveling (Code 464), Irrigation System, Surface and Subsurface (Code 443), Residue and Tillage Management, No Till (Code 329), Residue and Tillage Management, Reduced Till (Code 345), and Stream Habitat Improvement (Code 395). 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 August 22, 2016. Comment Date: Submit comments on or before September 21, 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-2016-0004, 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 information, may be available to the public. You may ask in your comment that your personal identifying information be withheld from public view, but this cannot be guaranteed. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terri Ruch, Acting National Environmental Engineer, Conservation Engineering Division, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., South Building, Room 6133, Washington, DC 20250. Electronic copies of the proposed revised standards are available through http://www.regulations.gov by accessing Docket No. NRCS-2016- 0004. 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, the following are highlights of some of the proposed revisions to each standard. Anionic PAM Application (Code 450): The revision adds a purpose to the standard, which is to ``improve soil surface infiltration rate and minimize soil crusting to allow for uniform plant growth on irrigated land.'' There was also criteria for this purpose added to the standard which sets the PAM application rate to not exceed 4 pounds per acre, as well as criteria for mixing and injecting PAM. Compost Facility (Code 317): Revised language to improve readability and clarify intent of criteria. Criteria was revised to include facility siting and design language. Additional sections, ``Criteria for Mechanically Assisted Composting'' and ``Power Supply'' were added. Constructed Wetland (Code 656): Revised language to improve readability and clarify intent of criteria. Additional conditions related to bioreactors and saturated buffers were added. Added criteria under the heading ``Additional Criteria Applicable to Constructed Wetlands for Water Quality Improvement'' to use the design procedure recognized by the regulatory and academic conservation partners, and to select a design hydraulic retention time that will achieve the intended water quality results. Added consideration to address odor concerns near populated areas. Critical Area Planting (Code 342): Revised language to improve readability and clarify intent of criteria. The purpose of stabilizing areas being degraded by the concentration of salts or other chemicals was deleted and is covered in other conservation practice standards. Critical slope criteria to stabilize banks, shorelines, and other areas was changed from 2:1 slopes to 3:1 slopes. Drainage Water Management (Code 554): The entire document was edited for clarity. Two purposes were removed: (1) Reduce wind erosion or particulate matter (dust) emissions and (2) provide seasonal wildlife habitat. Significant additions and clarifications were made to most of the ``General Criteria,'' particularly instructions under ``Control Elevation'' and ``Control Zone.'' Similarly, changes were made to ``Additional Criteria to Reduce Nutrient, Pathogen, and Pesticide Loading;'' and ``Additional Criteria to Improve Productivity, Health, and Vigor of Plants.'' The ``Considerations'' and ``Plans and Specifications'' sections were rewritten. Feed Management (Code 592): Changes in format, stronger emphasis on feed management for pathogen control and odor and greenhouse gas mitigation, feed management by grouping of animals, as well as select wording changes are incorporated. The new version should be easier to use by NRCS field staff and easier to understand by producers. Field Border (Code 386): Clarified the ``Purpose'' statements to better align with NRCS resource concerns. Minor [[Page 56580]] edits were made throughout the document for clarification purposes. Added the purpose: ``reduce excessive sediment in surface waters.'' Filter Strip (Code 393): Practice purposes were revised. Minor editing was made throughout the document to clarify criteria. The noxious or invasive plants language was removed since this is NRCS policy for all matters. Added criteria to remove phosphorus by harvesting above-ground biomass at least once each year. Irrigation Land Leveling (Code 464): This standard was updated to be more readable and formatted according to current standards. A ``Design'' section was added to the standard to provide current reference information. The ``Operation and Maintenance'' section was expanded to include more detailed information to the operator to ensure the practice will last longer. Irrigation System, Surface, and Subsurface (Code 443): Very few substantial changes. Clarifying words and grammatical corrections make up the majority of changes. A criteria was added in the ``Application Efficiency and Distribution Uniformity'' section that directs users to the current technical guidance. Residue and Tillage Management, No Till (Code 329): Practice purposes edited to align with NRCS resource concerns. Added the purpose: ``reduce excessive sediment in surface waters.'' Made minor edits throughout the document to improve clarity. Removed the 2,000 pounds per acre of residue to increase plant available moisture as this is no longer needed for the erosion prediction tools in use at this time. The needed amount of residue now states 60 percent. Residue and Tillage Management, Reduced Till (Code 345): Added the purpose: ``reduce sheet, rill, and wind erosion, and excessive sediment in surface waters.'' Made minor edits to improve clarity throughout the document. Added the criteria to document and determine the purpose to reduce sheet, rill, and wind erosion, and excessive sediment in surface waters. Stream Habitat Improvement (Code 395): The definition and purpose are simplified to better focus on habitat. Language was added to better coordinate with other conservation practices. Application of the practice within a watershed context is now required as a specified criterion rather than as a consideration. Revised language as needed to improve readability and clarify intent of criteria. Signed this 12th day of August 2016, in Washington, DC. Jason A. Weller, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service. [FR Doc. 2016-19866 Filed 8-19-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-16-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 162 / Monday, August 22, 2016 / Notices 56579
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// application rate to not exceed 4 pounds
www.regulations.gov. Follow the per acre, as well as criteria for mixing
Natural Resources Conservation instructions for submitting comments. and injecting PAM.
Service • Mail or hand-delivery: Public Compost Facility (Code 317): Revised
Comments Processing, Attention: language to improve readability and
[Docket No. NRCS–2016–0004]
Regulatory and Agency Policy Team, clarify intent of criteria. Criteria was
Notice of Proposed Changes to the Strategic Planning and Accountability, revised to include facility siting and
National Handbook of Conservation Natural Resources Conservation Service, design language. Additional sections,
Practices for the Natural Resources 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Building 1– ‘‘Criteria for Mechanically Assisted
Conservation Service 1112D, Beltsville, Maryland 20705. Composting’’ and ‘‘Power Supply’’ were
NRCS will post all comments on added.
AGENCY: Natural Resources http://www.regulations.gov. In general, Constructed Wetland (Code 656):
Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. personal information provided with Revised language to improve readability
Department of Agriculture (USDA). comments will be posted. If your and clarify intent of criteria. Additional
ACTION: Notice of availability of comment includes your address, phone conditions related to bioreactors and
proposed changes to NRCS’ National number, email, or other personal saturated buffers were added. Added
Handbook of Conservation Practices for identifying information, your criteria under the heading ‘‘Additional
public review and comment. comments, including personal Criteria Applicable to Constructed
information, may be available to the Wetlands for Water Quality
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of the public. You may ask in your comment Improvement’’ to use the design
intention of NRCS to issue a series of that your personal identifying procedure recognized by the regulatory
revised conservation practice standards information be withheld from public and academic conservation partners,
in the National Handbook of view, but this cannot be guaranteed. and to select a design hydraulic
Conservation Practices. These standards retention time that will achieve the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
include Anionic Polyacrylamide (PAM) intended water quality results. Added
Terri Ruch, Acting National
Application (Code 450), Compost consideration to address odor concerns
Environmental Engineer, Conservation
Facility (Code 317), Constructed near populated areas.
Engineering Division, Natural Resources Critical Area Planting (Code 342):
Wetland (Code 656), Critical Area
Conservation Service, 1400 Revised language to improve readability
Planting (Code 342), Drainage Water
Independence Avenue SW., South and clarify intent of criteria. The
Management (Code 554), Feed
Building, Room 6133, Washington, DC purpose of stabilizing areas being
Management (Code 592), Field Border
20250. degraded by the concentration of salts or
(Code 386), Filter Strip (Code 393), Electronic copies of the proposed
Irrigation Land Leveling (Code 464), other chemicals was deleted and is
revised standards are available through covered in other conservation practice
Irrigation System, Surface and http://www.regulations.gov by accessing
Subsurface (Code 443), Residue and standards. Critical slope criteria to
Docket No. NRCS–2016–0004. stabilize banks, shorelines, and other
Tillage Management, No Till (Code 329), Alternatively, copies can be
Residue and Tillage Management, areas was changed from 2:1 slopes to 3:1
downloaded or printed from the slopes.
Reduced Till (Code 345), and Stream following Web site: http://go.usa.gov/
Habitat Improvement (Code 395). NRCS Drainage Water Management (Code
TXye. Requests for paper versions or 554): The entire document was edited
State Conservationists who choose to inquiries may be directed to Emil
adopt these practices for use within for clarity. Two purposes were removed:
Horvath, National Practice Standards (1) Reduce wind erosion or particulate
their States will incorporate them into Review Coordinator, Natural Resources
section IV of their respective electronic matter (dust) emissions and (2) provide
Conservation Service, Central National seasonal wildlife habitat. Significant
Field Office Technical Guide. These Technology Support Center, 501 West
practices may be used in conservation additions and clarifications were made
Felix Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76115. to most of the ‘‘General Criteria,’’
systems that treat highly erodible land
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The particularly instructions under ‘‘Control
(HEL) or on land determined to be a
wetland. Section 343 of the Federal amount of the proposed changes varies Elevation’’ and ‘‘Control Zone.’’
Agriculture Improvement and Reform considerably for each of the Similarly, changes were made to
Act of 1996 requires NRCS to make conservation practice standards ‘‘Additional Criteria to Reduce Nutrient,
available for public review and addressed in this notice. To fully Pathogen, and Pesticide Loading;’’ and
comment all proposed revisions to understand the proposed changes, ‘‘Additional Criteria to Improve
conservation practice standards used to individuals are encouraged to compare Productivity, Health, and Vigor of
carry out HEL and wetland provisions of these changes with each standard’s Plants.’’ The ‘‘Considerations’’ and
the law. current version as shown at: http:// ‘‘Plans and Specifications’’ sections
www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/ were rewritten.
DATES: Effective Date: This is effective
detailfull/national/technical/cp/ncps/ Feed Management (Code 592):
August 22, 2016. ?cid=nrcs143_026849. To aid in this Changes in format, stronger emphasis on
Comment Date: Submit comments on comparison, the following are highlights feed management for pathogen control
or before September 21, 2016. Final of some of the proposed revisions to and odor and greenhouse gas mitigation,
versions of these new or revised each standard. feed management by grouping of
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
conservation practice standards will be Anionic PAM Application (Code 450): animals, as well as select wording
adopted after the close of the 30-day The revision adds a purpose to the changes are incorporated. The new
period and after consideration of all standard, which is to ‘‘improve soil version should be easier to use by NRCS
comments. surface infiltration rate and minimize field staff and easier to understand by
ADDRESSES: Comments should be soil crusting to allow for uniform plant producers.
submitted, identified by Docket Number growth on irrigated land.’’ There was Field Border (Code 386): Clarified the
NRCS–2016–0004, using any of the also criteria for this purpose added to ‘‘Purpose’’ statements to better align
following methods: the standard which sets the PAM with NRCS resource concerns. Minor
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![56580 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 162 / Monday, August 22, 2016 / Notices
edits were made throughout the Signed this 12th day of August 2016, in displays a currently valid OMB control
document for clarification purposes. Washington, DC. number.
Added the purpose: ‘‘reduce excessive Jason A. Weller,
Rural Housing Service
sediment in surface waters.’’ Chief, Natural Resources Conservation
Service. Title: Form RD 410–8, Application
Filter Strip (Code 393): Practice
[FR Doc. 2016–19866 Filed 8–19–16; 8:45 am] Reference Letter (A Request for Credit
purposes were revised. Minor editing
BILLING CODE 3410–16–P Reference).
was made throughout the document to
OMB Control Number: 0575–0091.
clarify criteria. The noxious or invasive
Summary of Collection: The Rural
plants language was removed since this
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Housing Service (RHS), under Section
is NRCS policy for all matters. Added
502 of Title V of the Housing Act of
criteria to remove phosphorus by Rural Housing Service 1949, as amended, provides financial
harvesting above-ground biomass at
assistance to construct, improve, alter,
least once each year. Submission for OMB Review; repair, replace, or rehabilitate dwellings,
Irrigation Land Leveling (Code 464): Comment Request which will provide modest, decent, safe,
This standard was updated to be more August 17, 2016. and sanitary housing to eligible
readable and formatted according to individuals in rural areas. Form RD
current standards. A ‘‘Design’’ section The Department of Agriculture has 410–8, Applicant Reference Letter,
was added to the standard to provide submitted the following information provides credit information and is used
current reference information. The collection requirement(s) to OMB for by RHS to obtain information about an
‘‘Operation and Maintenance’’ section review and clearance under the applicant’s credit history that might not
was expanded to include more detailed Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, appear on a credit report.
information to the operator to ensure the Public Law 104–13. Comments are Need and Use of the Information:
practice will last longer. requested regarding (1) whether the Using form RD–410–8, RHS will collect
collection of information is necessary information to supplement or verify
Irrigation System, Surface, and for the proper performance of the
Subsurface (Code 443): Very few other debts when a credit report is
functions of the agency, including limited and unavailable to determine
substantial changes. Clarifying words whether the information will have
and grammatical corrections make up the applicant’s eligibility and
practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the creditworthiness for RHS loans and
the majority of changes. A criteria was agency’s estimate of burden including
added in the ‘‘Application Efficiency grants. It can be used to document an
the validity of the methodology and ability to handle credit effectively for
and Distribution Uniformity’’ section assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance
that directs users to the current applicants who have not used sources of
the quality, utility and clarity of the credit that appear on a credit report. The
technical guidance. information to be collected; and (4) form provides RHS with relevant
Residue and Tillage Management, No ways to minimize the burden of the information about the applicant’s
Till (Code 329): Practice purposes edited collection of information on those who creditworthiness and is used to make
to align with NRCS resource concerns. are to respond, including through the better creditworthiness decisions.
Added the purpose: ‘‘reduce excessive use of appropriate automated, For the form to retain the OMB
sediment in surface waters.’’ Made electronic, mechanical, or other number, this collection is for approval
minor edits throughout the document to technological collection techniques or of the form itself. The burden for this
improve clarity. Removed the 2,000 other forms of information technology. form will be accounted for within the
pounds per acre of residue to increase Comments regarding this information individual RD program collection
plant available moisture as this is no collection received by September 21, packages using the form.
longer needed for the erosion prediction 2016 will be considered. Written Description of Respondents: Business
tools in use at this time. The needed comments should be addressed to: Desk or other for-profit.
amount of residue now states 60 Officer for Agriculture, Office of Number of Respondents: 1.
percent. Information and Regulatory Affairs, Frequency of Responses: Reporting:
Residue and Tillage Management, Office of Management and Budget On occasion.
Reduced Till (Code 345): Added the (OMB), New Executive Office Building, Total Burden Hours: 1.
purpose: ‘‘reduce sheet, rill, and wind 725—17th Street NW., Washington, DC
Charlene Parker,
erosion, and excessive sediment in 20502. Commenters are encouraged to
surface waters.’’ Made minor edits to submit their comments to OMB via Departmental Information Collection
Clearance Officer.
improve clarity throughout the email to: OIRA_Submission@
[FR Doc. 2016–19942 Filed 8–19–16; 8:45 am]
document. Added the criteria to OMB.EOP.GOV or fax (202) 395–5806
document and determine the purpose to and to Departmental Clearance Office, BILLING CODE 3410–XV–P
reduce sheet, rill, and wind erosion, and USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602,
excessive sediment in surface waters. Washington, DC 20250–7602. Copies of
Stream Habitat Improvement (Code the submission(s) may be obtained by DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
395): The definition and purpose are calling (202) 720–8958.
simplified to better focus on habitat. An agency may not conduct or Indirect Cost Rates for the Damage
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Language was added to better sponsor a collection of information Assessment, Remediation, and
coordinate with other conservation unless the collection of information Restoration Program for Fiscal Year
practices. Application of the practice displays a currently valid OMB control 2015
within a watershed context is now number and the agency informs AGENCY: National Oceanic and
required as a specified criterion rather potential persons who are to respond to Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
than as a consideration. Revised the collection of information that such Commerce.
language as needed to improve persons are not required to respond to
ACTION: Notice.
readability and clarify intent of criteria. the collection of information unless it
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Document Created: 2018-02-09 11:37:58
Document Modified: 2018-02-09 11:37:58
| 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 NRCS' National Handbook of Conservation Practices for public review and comment. | |
| Dates | Effective Date: This is effective August 22, 2016. | |
| Contact | Terri Ruch, Acting National Environmental Engineer, Conservation Engineering Division, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., South Building, Room 6133, Washington, DC 20250. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 56579 |
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