82 FR 28619 - 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 82, Issue 120 (June 23, 2017)
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 120 (June 23, 2017)
| Page Range | 28619-28620 | |
| FR Document | 2017-13179 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 120 (Friday, June 23, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 28619-28620] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-13179] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Natural Resources Conservation Service [Docket No. NRCS-2017-0001] 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: Anaerobic Digester (Code 366), Contour Farming (Code 330), Crosswind Ridges (Code 588), Dam (Code 402), Mulching (Code 484), Pond Sealing or Lining-- Geomembrane or Geosynthetic Clay Liner (Code 521), Stream Crossing (Code 578), Strip-Cropping (Code 585), Structure for Water Control (Code 587), Water and Sediment Control Basin (Code 638), Waste Recycling (Code 633), Waste Treatment Lagoon (Code 359). 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 June 23, 2017. Comment Date: Submit comments on or before July 24, 2017. 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-2017-0001, 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: [[Page 28620]] 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 (PII), your comments, including 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: Bill Reck, National Environmental 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-2017- 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: Anaerobic Digester (Code 366)--Revised language as needed to improve readability and clarify intent in criteria. ``Conditions Where Practice Applies'' section was updated and two items were removed. Provided additional information on the use of open and closed flares. Updated the safety section. Contour Farming (Code 330)--The contour farming definition was changed to read ``Aligning ridges, furrows, and roughness formed by tillage, planting and other operations at a grade near the contour to alter the velocity or the direction of water flow.'' Added the resource concern linked to each purpose. Under ``general criteria'' made changes to the wording on minimum and maximum row grades and lowered the allowable deviation of row grade within 50 feet of a stable outlet. Changed requirements under ``plans and specifications.'' Crosswind Ridges (Code 588)--The crosswind ridges standard was reviewed and updated to reflect current agency policy and science. Each ``purpose'' has the resource concern linked. Minor word edits were made to clarify criteria. In ``references,'' updated the Wind Erosion Prediction System reference. Dam (Code 402)--The agency updated criteria and added references. Other changes improved the clarity of language used in the standard. Mulching (Code 484)--The mulching standard was reviewed and updated to reflect current agency policy and science. The ``definition'' was changed with the reference to ``materials produced offsite'' removed. Each ``purpose'' has the resource concern linked. Under ``general criteria applicable to all purposes,'' a paragraph was added to remove synthetic mulches and to not incorporate them into the soil. The percentage of ground cover to reduce potential evaporation was increased and two new references were added. Pond Sealing or Lining--Geomembrane or Geosynthetic Clay Liner (Code 521)--Title changed from ``Pond Sealing or Lining--Flexible Membrane'' to ``Pond Sealing or Lining--Geomembrane or Geosynthetic Clay Liner'' to better reflect the current industrial standard nomenclature. Practice Standard Code changed from 521A to 521. Units changed from ``Number'' to ``Square Feet'' to better represents the quantity of the practice installed. HDPE liner thickness changed from 40 mil to 60 mil. Stream Crossing (Code 578)--The purpose of this standard has been modified to only address resource concerns. Criteria listed as considerations was moved to the appropriate criteria section. Language has been simplified to better coordinate CPS 578 with other conservation practices, policy, and procedures by cross-referencing, instead of reiteration. Strip-Cropping (Code 585)--The strip-cropping standard was reviewed and updated to reflect current agency policy and science. Each ``purpose'' has the resource concern linked. Minor word edits were made to clarify criteria. Under ``general criteria,'' added ``Design the row grades with positive row drainage of not less than 0.2 percent on slopes where ponding is a concern. This would include sites with soils with slow to very slow infiltration rates (soil hydrologic groups C or D), or where crops are sensitive to ponded water.'' In ``references,'' updated the Wind Erosion Prediction System, and added a reference for the Water Erosion Prediction Project. Structure for Water Control (Code 587)--The agency updated criteria and added references. Other changes improved the clarity of language used in the standard. Water and Sediment Control Basin (Code 638)--Revised language as needed to improve readability and clarify intent of criteria. Topsoil criteria and the auxiliary spillway portion of the outlet criteria were moved to the considerations section since these are not always required. Added criteria for embankment foundation preparation. Waste Recycling (Code 633)--Language changes were made in the definition, conditions where practice applies and criteria to clarify the purpose of the standard and how it is to be used. Waste Treatment Lagoon (Code 359)--The document has been revised extensively. Those revisions include modifications to align the structural design requirements to align with changes to the Waste Storage Structure Standard. These changes include 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, and improvements to the ``Plans and Specifications,'' and ``Operation and Maintenance'' sections of the standard. Other changes have been made to improve the clarity of the language used in the standard. Signed this 24th day of May, 2017, in Washington, DC. Leonard Jordan, Acting Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service. [FR Doc. 2017-13179 Filed 6-22-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-16-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 120 / Friday, June 23, 2017 / Notices 28619
electronic, mechanical, or other information could cause a severe DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
technological collection techniques or economic loss to the citrus industry.
other forms of information technology. Description of Respondents: Natural Resources Conservation
Comments regarding this information Businesses or other for-profit. Service
collection received by July 24, 2017 will Number of Respondents: 400.
[Docket No. NRCS–2017–0001]
be considered. Written comments Frequency of Responses: Reporting:
should be addressed to: Desk Officer for On occasion. Notice of Proposed Changes to the
Agriculture, Office of Information and Total Burden Hours: 2,742. National Handbook of Conservation
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Animal and Plant Health Inspection Practices for the Natural Resources
Management and Budget (OMB), New Service Conservation Service
Executive Office Building, 725 17th
Street NW., Washington, DC 20502. Title: Importation of Potatoes from AGENCY: Natural Resources
Commenters are encouraged to submit Mexico. Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S.
their comments to OMB via email to: OMB Control Number: 0579–0413. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or Summary of Collection: Under the ACTION: Notice of availability of
fax (202) 395–5806 and to Departmental Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701, et proposed changes to the National
Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail seq.), the Secretary of Agriculture is Handbook of Conservation Practices for
Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250– authorized to prohibit or restrict the public review and comment.
7602. Copies of the submission(s) may importation, entry, or movement of
be obtained by calling (202) 720–8958. plants, and plant pests to prevent the SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of the
introduction of plant pests into the intention of NRCS to issue a series of
An agency may not conduct or
United States or their dissemination revised conservation practice standards
sponsor a collection of information
within the United States. The in the National Handbook of
unless the collection of information
regulations in ‘‘Subpart-Fruit and Conservation Practices. These standards
displays a currently valid OMB control
Vegetables’’ (7 CFR 319.56, referred to include: Anaerobic Digester (Code 366),
number and the agency informs
as the regulations) prohibit or restrict Contour Farming (Code 330), Crosswind
potential persons who are to respond to
the importation of fruits and vegetables Ridges (Code 588), Dam (Code 402),
the collection of information that such
into the United States from certain parts Mulching (Code 484), Pond Sealing or
persons are not required to respond to
of the world to prevent the introduction Lining—Geomembrane or Geosynthetic
the collection of information unless it
and dissemination of plant pests that are Clay Liner (Code 521), Stream Crossing
displays a currently valid OMB control
new to or not widely distributed within (Code 578), Strip-Cropping (Code 585),
number.
the United States. APHIS regulations Structure for Water Control (Code 587),
Animal and Plant Health Inspection concerning the importation of fruits and Water and Sediment Control Basin
Service vegetables allow the importation of (Code 638), Waste Recycling (Code 633),
Title: Citrus Canker; Interstate fresh potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) Waste Treatment Lagoon (Code 359).
Movement of Regulated Nursery Stock from Mexico into the United States. As NRCS State Conservationists who
and Fruit from Quarantined Areas. a condition of entry, the potatoes have choose to adopt these practices for use
to be produced in accordance with a within their States will incorporate
OMB Control Number: 0579–0317.
systems approach employing a them into section IV of their respective
Summary of Collection: Under the
combination of mitigation measures. electronic Field Office Technical Guide.
Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701, et
Need and Use of the Information: These practices may be used in
seq.), the Secretary of Agriculture, either
APHIS will use the following conservation systems that treat highly
independently or in cooperation with
information collection activities to erodible land (HEL) or on land
the Sates, is authorized to carry out
allow the importation of potatoes from determined to be a wetland. Section 343
operations or measures to detect,
Mexico while continuing to protect of the Federal Agriculture Improvement
eradicate, suppress, control, prevent, or
against the introduction of plant pests and Reform Act of 1996 requires NRCS
retard the spread of plant pests (such as
into the United States: (1) Bilateral to make available for public review and
citrus canker) new to or widely
workplan, (2) grower registration comment all proposed revisions to
distributed throughout the United
certification, (3) packinghouse conservation practice standards used to
States. The Animal and Plant Health
registration, (4) inspection and carry out HEL and wetland provisions of
Inspection Service (APHIS) has
agricultural seal, (5) foreign the law.
regulations in place to prevent the
phytosanitary certificate, and (6) DATES: Effective Date: This is effective
interstate spread of citrus canker. These
surveys. Failure to collect this June 23, 2017.
regulations, contained in 7 CFR 301.75,
information would cripple APHIS’ Comment Date: Submit comments on
restrict the interstate movement of
ability to ensure that potatoes from or before July 24, 2017. Final versions
regulated articles from and through
Mexico are not carrying plant pests. of these new or revised conservation
areas quarantined because of citrus Description of Respondents:
canker. APHIS’ citrus canker quarantine practice standards will be adopted after
Businesses or other for-profit; Foreign the close of the 30-day period and after
regulations prohibit the interstate Federal Government.
movement of regulated nursery stock consideration of all comments.
Number of Respondents: 19.
from a quarantined area. The interstate
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: ADDRESSES: Comments should be
movement of nursery stock from an area On occasion. submitted, identified by Docket Number
quarantined for citrus canker poses an Total Burden Hours: 236. NRCS–2017–0001, using any of the
extremely high risk of spreading citrus following methods:
canker outside the quarantined area. Ruth Brown, • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://
Need and Use of the Information: Departmental Information Collection www.regulations.gov. Follow the
APHIS will collect information through Clearance Officer. instructions for submitting comments.
compliance agreements and limited [FR Doc. 2017–13114 Filed 6–22–17; 8:45 am] • Mail or hand-delivery: Public
permits. Failure to collect this BILLING CODE 3410–34–P Comments Processing, Attention:
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![28620 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 120 / Friday, June 23, 2017 / Notices
Regulatory and Agency Policy Team, contour to alter the velocity or the drainage of not less than 0.2 percent on
Strategic Planning and Accountability, direction of water flow.’’ Added the slopes where ponding is a concern. This
Natural Resources Conservation Service, resource concern linked to each would include sites with soils with slow
5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Building 1– purpose. Under ‘‘general criteria’’ made to very slow infiltration rates (soil
1112D, Beltsville, Maryland 20705. changes to the wording on minimum hydrologic groups C or D), or where
NRCS will post all comments on and maximum row grades and lowered crops are sensitive to ponded water.’’ In
http://www.regulations.gov. In general, the allowable deviation of row grade ‘‘references,’’ updated the Wind Erosion
personal information provided with within 50 feet of a stable outlet. Prediction System, and added a
comments will be posted. If your Changed requirements under ‘‘plans and reference for the Water Erosion
comment includes your address, specifications.’’ Prediction Project.
telephone number, email, or other Crosswind Ridges (Code 588)—The Structure for Water Control (Code
personal identifying information (PII), crosswind ridges standard was reviewed 587)—The agency updated criteria and
your comments, including PII, may be and updated to reflect current agency added references. Other changes
available to the public. You may ask in policy and science. Each ‘‘purpose’’ has improved the clarity of language used in
your comment that your PII be withheld the resource concern linked. Minor the standard.
from public view, but this cannot be word edits were made to clarify criteria. Water and Sediment Control Basin
guaranteed. In ‘‘references,’’ updated the Wind (Code 638)—Revised language as
Erosion Prediction System reference. needed to improve readability and
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill
Dam (Code 402)—The agency updated clarify intent of criteria. Topsoil criteria
Reck, National Environmental Engineer, criteria and added references. Other
Conservation Engineering Division, U.S. and the auxiliary spillway portion of the
changes improved the clarity of outlet criteria were moved to the
Department of Agriculture, Natural language used in the standard.
Resources Conservation Service, 1400 considerations section since these are
Mulching (Code 484)—The mulching not always required. Added criteria for
Independence Avenue Southwest, standard was reviewed and updated to
South Building, Room 6136, embankment foundation preparation.
reflect current agency policy and Waste Recycling (Code 633)—
Washington, DC 20250. science. The ‘‘definition’’ was changed
Electronic copies of the proposed Language changes were made in the
with the reference to ‘‘materials
revised standards are available through definition, conditions where practice
produced offsite’’ removed. Each
http://www.regulations.gov by accessing applies and criteria to clarify the
‘‘purpose’’ has the resource concern
Docket No. NRCS–2017–0001. purpose of the standard and how it is to
linked. Under ‘‘general criteria
Alternatively, copies can be be used.
applicable to all purposes,’’ a paragraph
downloaded or printed from the Waste Treatment Lagoon (Code 359)—
was added to remove synthetic mulches
following Web site: http://go.usa.gov/ The document has been revised
and to not incorporate them into the
TXye. Requests for paper versions or extensively. Those revisions include
soil. The percentage of ground cover to
inquiries may be directed to Emil modifications to align the structural
reduce potential evaporation was
Horvath, National Practice Standards increased and two new references were design requirements to align with
Review Coordinator, Natural Resources added. changes to the Waste Storage Structure
Conservation Service, Central National Pond Sealing or Lining— Standard. These changes include
Technology Support Center, 501 West Geomembrane or Geosynthetic Clay changes in accepted concrete and timber
Felix Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76115. Liner (Code 521)—Title changed from design criteria, modification of language
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The ‘‘Pond Sealing or Lining—Flexible for storage requirements to improve
amount of the proposed changes varies Membrane’’ to ‘‘Pond Sealing or clarity, modify language to conform to
considerably for each of the Lining—Geomembrane or Geosynthetic the Plain Language Act, improvements
conservation practice standards Clay Liner’’ to better reflect the current to the safety criteria, changing the
addressed in this notice. To fully industrial standard nomenclature. requirement of a staff gauge from
understand the proposed changes, Practice Standard Code changed from optional to required, and improvements
individuals are encouraged to compare 521A to 521. Units changed from to the ‘‘Plans and Specifications,’’ and
these changes with each standard’s ‘‘Number’’ to ‘‘Square Feet’’ to better ‘‘Operation and Maintenance’’ sections
current version as shown at http:// represents the quantity of the practice of the standard. Other changes have
www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/ installed. HDPE liner thickness changed been made to improve the clarity of the
detailfull/national/technical/cp/ncps/ from 40 mil to 60 mil. language used in the standard.
?cid=nrcs143_026849. To aid in this Stream Crossing (Code 578)—The Signed this 24th day of May, 2017, in
comparison, following are highlights of purpose of this standard has been Washington, DC.
some of the proposed revisions to each modified to only address resource Leonard Jordan,
standard: concerns. Criteria listed as Acting Chief, Natural Resources Conservation
Anaerobic Digester (Code 366)— considerations was moved to the Service.
Revised language as needed to improve appropriate criteria section. Language [FR Doc. 2017–13179 Filed 6–22–17; 8:45 am]
readability and clarify intent in criteria. has been simplified to better coordinate BILLING CODE 3410–16–P
‘‘Conditions Where Practice Applies’’ CPS 578 with other conservation
section was updated and two items were practices, policy, and procedures by
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
removed. Provided additional cross-referencing, instead of reiteration.
Strip-Cropping (Code 585)—The strip- COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS
information on the use of open and
closed flares. Updated the safety cropping standard was reviewed and Notice of Public Meetings of the
section. updated to reflect current agency policy Kansas Advisory Committee To
Contour Farming (Code 330)—The and science. Each ‘‘purpose’’ has the Discuss Next Steps in the Committee’s
contour farming definition was changed resource concern linked. Minor word Study of Civil Rights and School
to read ‘‘Aligning ridges, furrows, and edits were made to clarify criteria. Funding in Kansas
roughness formed by tillage, planting Under ‘‘general criteria,’’ added ‘‘Design
and other operations at a grade near the the row grades with positive row AGENCY: Commission on Civil Rights.
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Document Created: 2017-06-23 03:37:48
Document Modified: 2017-06-23 03:37:48
| 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 June 23, 2017. | |
| Contact | Bill Reck, National Environmental 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 | 82 FR 28619 |
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