81 FR 69779 - 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 195 (October 7, 2016)

Page Range		69779-69780
FR Document		2016-24329

Notice is hereby given of the intention of NRCS to issue a series of revised conservation practice standards in NHCP. These standards include Brush Management (Code 314), Herbaceous Weed Treatment (Code 315), Lined Waterway or Outlet (Code 468), Prescribed Grazing (Code 528), and Restoration of Rare or Declining Natural Communities (Code 643). 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 195 (Friday, October 7, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 195 (Friday, October 7, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69779-69780]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-24329]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service

[Docket No. NRCS-2016-0008]

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 in the NRCS National
Handbook of Conservation Practices (NHCP) 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 NHCP. These
standards include Brush Management (Code 314), Herbaceous Weed
Treatment (Code 315), Lined Waterway or Outlet (Code 468), Prescribed
Grazing (Code 528), and Restoration of Rare or Declining Natural
Communities (Code 643). 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 October 7, 2016.
Comment Date: Submit comments on or before November 7, 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-2016-0008, 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, telephone 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
agricultural engineer, Conservation Engineering Division, Department of
Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1400 Independence
Avenue SW., Room 6133 South Building, Washington, DC 20250.
Electronic copies of the proposed revised standards are available
from 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:
Brush Management (Code 314): The brush management standard was
reviewed and updated to reflect current agency policy and science.
Changes also were made to bring the standard up to date on current
ecological site descriptions. Added statement to the ``purpose'' that
when standard is applied successively, it facilitates the process to
achieve the desired plant community. ``Criteria'' section was changed
to add statement to ensure practice area has the correct plant
diversity for the desired plant community after completion.
Herbaceous Weed Treatment (Code 315): The herbaceous weed control
standard was reviewed and updated to reflect current agency policy and
science. Changes also were made to bring standard up to date on current
ecological site descriptions. ``Purpose'' was adjusted to focus on
consideration of reducing wildfire fuel loading. Two ``purposes'' were
added that reflect agency consideration and focus on improving
rangeland health, and that when the standard is applied successively,
it facilitates the process to achieve the desired plant community.
Lined Waterway or Outlet (Code 468): The entire document is edited
for clarity. Restriction for maximum capacity is removed. Criteria for
minimum capacity is modified to include provisions for minimal slopes
and downstream conveyance capacities. Specific ``n'' values and design
criteria

[[Page 69780]]

are replaced with references to NRCS National Engineering Handbook.
References and citations are updated to the current editions.
Prescribed Grazing (Code 528): The prescribed grazing standard was
reviewed and updated to reflect current agency policy and science.
Changes were made to clarify and recognize the benefits of prescribed
grazing on soil health. Clarified ``practice description'' by adding
``. . . with the intent to achieve specific ecological, economic, and
management objectives.'' In ``purpose,'' the concept of plant community
``structure'' was added when addressing plant communities, and added
verbiage identifying the benefits of this practice to soil health.
Restoration of Rare or Declining Natural Communities (Code 643):
Changed title from Restoration and Management of Rare and Declining
Habitats to Restoration of Rare or Declining Natural Communities. The
term ``habitats'' is changed to ``natural communities'' to encompass
not only wildlife resource concerns, but also activities targeting a
unique plant community. Unique to restoration efforts of rare and
declining natural communities, the restoration of the abiotic
conditions is typically necessary, prior to restoration of biotic
conditions. Broadened the scope to include abiotic restoration and
restoration of plant communities.

Dated: September 29, 2016.
Jason A. Weller,
Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-24329 Filed 10-6-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P

69780 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 195 / Friday, October 7, 2016 / Notices

are replaced with references to NRCS DATES: Friday, November 4, 2016; Agenda
National Engineering Handbook. Friday, December 2, 2016; and Friday, I. Welcome and Introductions
References and citations are updated to January 6, 2017. —Rollcall
the current editions. TIME: 12:00 p.m. (EST). Planning Meeting
Prescribed Grazing (Code 528): The —Discuss Mental Health Project and
prescribed grazing standard was PUBLIC CALL-IN INFORMATION: Conference
call-in number: 1–888–601–3861 and Other Topics for Civil Right Project
reviewed and updated to reflect current II. Other Business
agency policy and science. Changes password: 636552.
III. Open Comment
were made to clarify and recognize the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ivy IV. Adjournment
benefits of prescribed grazing on soil L. Davis, at ero@usccr.gov or by phone
Dated: October 3, 2016.
health. Clarified ‘‘practice description’’ at 202–376–7533
David Mussatt,
by adding ‘‘. . . with the intent to SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Interested
achieve specific ecological, economic, Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit.
members of the public may listen to the
and management objectives.’’ In [FR Doc. 2016–24238 Filed 10–6–16; 8:45 am]
discussion by calling the following toll-
‘‘purpose,’’ the concept of plant free conference call-in number: 1–888– BILLING CODE P
community ‘‘structure’’ was added 601–3861 and password: 636552. Please
when addressing plant communities, be advised that before placing them into
and added verbiage identifying the the conference call, the conference call DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
benefits of this practice to soil health. operator will ask callers to provide their
Restoration of Rare or Declining Foreign-Trade Zones Board
names, their organizational affiliations
Natural Communities (Code 643): (if any), and email addresses (so that [B–67–2016]
Changed title from Restoration and callers may be notified of future
Management of Rare and Declining meetings). Callers can expect to incur Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 82—Mobile,
Habitats to Restoration of Rare or charges for calls they initiate over Alabama; Notification of Proposed
Declining Natural Communities. The wireless lines, and the Commission will Production Activity; Airbus Americas,
term ‘‘habitats’’ is changed to ‘‘natural not refund any incurred charges. Callers Inc. (Commercial Passenger Jet
communities’’ to encompass not only will incur no charge for calls they Aircraft); Mobile, Alabama
wildlife resource concerns, but also initiate over land-line connections to
activities targeting a unique plant The City of Mobile, Alabama, grantee
the toll-free conference call-in number. of FTZ 82, submitted a notification of
community. Unique to restoration
Persons with hearing impairments proposed production activity to the FTZ
efforts of rare and declining natural
may also follow the discussion by first Board on behalf of Airbus Americas,
communities, the restoration of the
calling the Federal Relay Service at 1- Inc. (Airbus), located in Mobile,
abiotic conditions is typically necessary,
800–977–8339 and providing the Alabama. The notification conforming
prior to restoration of biotic conditions.
operator with the toll-free conference to the requirements of the regulations of
Broadened the scope to include abiotic
call-in number: 1–888–601–3861 and the FTZ Board (15 CFR 400.22) was
restoration and restoration of plant
password: 636552. received on September 29, 2016.
communities.
Members of the public are invited to Airbus already has authority to
Dated: September 29, 2016. submit written comments; the produce commercial passenger jet
Jason A. Weller, comments must be received in the aircraft within Site 1 of FTZ 82. The
Chief, Natural Resources Conservation regional office approximately 30 days current request would add additional
Service. after each scheduled meeting. Written foreign status materials/components to
[FR Doc. 2016–24329 Filed 10–6–16; 8:45 am] comments may be mailed to the Eastern the scope of authority. Pursuant to 15
BILLING CODE 3410–16–P Regional Office, U.S. Commission on CFR 400.14(b), additional FTZ authority
Civil Rights, 1331 Pennsylvania would be limited to the specific foreign-
Avenue, Suite 1150, Washington, DC status materials/components and
COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS 20425, faxed to (202) 376–7548, or specific finished products described in
emailed to Evelyn Bohor at ero@ the submitted notification (as described
Agenda and Notice of Public Meeting usccr.gov. Persons who desire below) and subsequently authorized by
of the West Virginia Advisory additional information may contact the the FTZ Board.
Committee Eastern Regional Office at (202) 376– Production under FTZ procedures
AGENCY: Commission on Civil Rights. 7533. could exempt Airbus from customs duty
ACTION:Announcement of monthly Records and documents discussed payments on the foreign-status
planning meetings. during the meeting will be available for materials/components used in export
public viewing as they become available production. On its domestic sales,
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given, at http://facadatabase.gov/committee/ Airbus would be able to choose the duty
pursuant to the provisions of the rules meetings.aspx?cid=281; click the rates during customs entry procedures
and regulations of the U.S. Commission ‘‘Meeting Details’’ and ‘‘Documents’’ that apply to commercial passenger jet
on Civil Rights (Commission), and the links. Records generated from this aircraft (duty rate free) for the foreign-
Federal Advisory Committee Act meeting may also be inspected and status materials/components noted
(FACA), that meetings of the West reproduced at the Eastern Regional below and in the existing scope of
Virginia Advisory Committee Office, as they become available, both authority. Customs duties also could
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

(Committee) to the Commission will before and after the meetings. Persons possibly be deferred or reduced on
convene by conference call at 12:00 p.m. interested in the work of this advisory foreign-status production equipment.
(EST) on. The purpose of meetings are committee are advised to go to the The materials/components sourced
to discuss and vote on the Committee’s Commission’s Web site, www.usccr.gov, from abroad include: Talcum powder;
report regarding Mental Health and or to contact the Eastern Regional Office oil-based preservatives; engine, turbine
discuss topics for the Committee’s at the above phone numbers, email or and gear box oils; petroleum jelly;
future civil rights review. street address. glycerol; non-aqueous paints and

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Document Created: 2018-02-13 16:31:31
Document Modified: 2018-02-13 16:31:31

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 in the NRCS National Handbook of Conservation Practices (NHCP) for public review and comment.
Dates		Effective Date: This is effective October 7, 2016.
Contact		Terri Ruch, acting national agricultural engineer, Conservation Engineering Division, Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 6133 South Building, Washington, DC 20250.
FR Citation		81 FR 69779

81 FR 69779 - 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 195 (October 7, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service