[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 166 (Friday, August 28, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44347-44349]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-20796]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Notice of Proposed Changes to the National Handbook of 
Conservation Practices for the Natural Resources Conservation Service

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Department of 
Agriculture.

ACTION: Notice of availability of proposed changes in the NRCS 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: 
Aquaculture Ponds (Code 397), Contour Orchard and Other Perennial Crops 
(Code 331), Forage and Biomass Planting (Code 512), Forest Trails and 
Landings (Code 655), Heavy Use Area Protection (Code 561), Herbaceous 
Wind Barriers (Code 603), Integrated Pest Management (Code 595), 
Obstruction Removal (Code 500), Pumping Plant (Code 533), Sediment 
Basin (Code 350), Spoil Spreading (Code 572), Trail and Walkways (Code 
568), and Vegetative Barrier (Code 601). Notice is also hereby given of 
the rescission of Prescribed Forestry (Code 409), effective October 1, 
2009. 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 Guides. 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 28, 2009.
    Comment date: Submit comments on or before September 28, 2009. 
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 using any of the following 
methods:
    <bullet> Mail: Wayne Bogovich, National Agricultural Engineer, 
Conservation Engineering Division, Department of Agriculture, Natural 
Resources Conservation Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 
6136 South Building, Washington, DC 20250.
    <bullet> E-mail: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#384f5941565d165a575f574e515b50784f5c5b164d4b5c59165f574e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8dfaecf4e3e8a3efe2eae2fbe4eee5cdfae9eea3f8fee9eca3eae2fb">[email protected]</span></a>.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wayne Bogovich, National Agricultural 
Engineer, Conservation Engineering Division, Department of Agriculture, 
Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Room

[[Page 44348]]

6136 South Building, Washington, DC 20250.
    Electronic copies of these standards can be downloaded or printed 
from the following Web site: ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NHQ/practice-standards/federal-register/. Requests for paper versions or 
inquiries may be directed to Wayne Bogovich, National Agricultural 
Engineer, Conservation Engineering Division, Department of Agriculture, 
Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Room 6136 South Building, Washington, DC 20250.

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/technical/Standards/nhcp.html. To aid in this comparison, following are highlights of the 
proposed revisions to each standard:
    Aquaculture Ponds (Code 397)--The revised CPS 397 has expanded 
Definition and Purpose sections. The Considerations and Specifications 
sections are more focused in their scope.
    Contour Orchard and Other Perennial Crops (Code 331)--The revision 
includes several significant changes. This revision changes the 
practice name from ``Contour Orchard and Other Fruit Areas'' to 
``Contour Orchard and Other Perennial Crops,'' and adds reduction in 
transport of sediment and other associated contaminant as a purpose. 
Also, this revision removes several statements in the criteria that are 
not applicable to this conservation practice, adds requirements in 
``Plans and Specifications,'' includes the addition of vegetative 
ground cover and associated benefits as a consideration, and adds 
references.
    Forage and Biomass Planting (Code 512)--The name was changed from 
Pasture and Hay Planting to Forage and Biomass Planting in recognition 
of similarities among plant species use for this purpose. Production of 
feedstock for biofuel production was added as a purpose. The practice 
remains applicable to all lands where appropriate, but does not include 
establishment of annually panted food, fiber, or oilseed crops. 
Additional Consideration has been incorporated. Plans and Specification 
now identify specific elements that are to be addressed in the plan.
    Forest Trails and Landings (Code 655)--The changes made to the 
document include the addition of an important criterion on the re-use 
of trails in future management activities ``designated skid trails'' 
and additional clarification of environmental mitigation measures.
    Heavy Use Area Protection (Code 561)--More detail was added to the 
purposes; criteria was changed eliminating specific reference to 4000 
lb. design load, reference to Design Note 24 made in lieu of the 
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials 
(AASHTO) publication, reference to appropriate design documents added 
to concrete section, AASHTO reference added for bituminous concrete 
paving, alternate design procedure added for bituminous concrete, 
edited to specifically cover roofs, the American Society of Civil 
Engineers reference added for design loads for structures; minimum 
requirements for plan and specification content were added; minimum 
requirements for operation and maintenance (O&M) plans were added; and 
references were added.
    Herbaceous Wind Barriers (Code 603)--This revision adds 
considerations for beneficial insects and pollinators, sequestering of 
carbon, native plant materials, invasive species, and micro-environment 
for plant growth. Also, this revision moves ``food and cover for 
wildlife'' from the ``Purpose'' section to ``Considerations,'' adds 
``tolerance to soil deposition'' as a criterion under ``Vegetation,'' 
expands ``Conditions where Practice Applies'' to include lands where 
forages are grown, removes instruction statements for preparation of 
State standards, adds requirements in ``Plans and Specifications,'' and 
updates barrier criteria to include the most current technology and 
references.
    Integrated Pest Management (Code 595)--The practiced was revised to 
include specific NRCS Integrated Pest Management (IPM) risk reduction 
techniques to address identified hazards related to cultural, 
biological, and chemical pest suppression strategies. A technical note 
has been developed to support the implementation of the NRCS IPM 
mitigation techniques. The name of the standard was changed to reflect 
the IPM approach to reduce the risks/hazards related to pest 
prevention, avoidance, monitoring, and suppression activities.
    Obstruction Removal (Code 500)--The definition was edited to add 
``works of improvement'' and ``debris'' while ``landscape features'' 
were eliminated; the conditions where practice applies added ``public 
safety and infrastructure'' and a statement added that ``does not apply 
to aquatic environments.'' The criteria was completely re-written to 
add more detail, safety and environmental concerns added and more 
detail added for stabilization of the site after removal work; 
considerations were added related to recycling, dust suppression, 
erosion and sediment control, working in environmentally sensitive 
areas, safety and wildlife habitat; minimum requirements for plan and 
specification content were added; minimum requirements for O&M plans 
were added; and references were added.
    Pumping Plant (Code 533)--The definition was expanded to identify 
pumping plant components; purposes were expanded to address various 
resource concerns; new criteria was added for Variable Frequency 
Drives, Photovoltaic Panels, Windmills, and Hydraulic Rams; additional 
criteria was provided, corresponding to the newly expanded purposes.
    Sediment Basin (Code 350)--The definition changed to better define 
the type of basin; the purpose changed to reflect the sediment 
capturing function of the basin; conditions where practice applies 
changed to define land uses where the practice applies and the physical 
conditions where the practice is applicable, which are the same as Pond 
(Code 378); criteria added for location, basin capacity, spillway 
design, basin shape, embankment and side slopes, vegetation and safety 
while a drawing was added to better define the storage capacities; 
considerations were added related to improved functioning of the basin, 
visual concerns, safety and wildlife habitat; minimum requirements for 
plan and specification content were added; minimum requirements for O&M 
plans were added; and references were added.
    Spoil Spreading (Code 572)--The criteria was edited and a section 
specifically for spreading of spoil along channels was added; 
consideration was added for evaluating channels capacity; minimum 
requirements for plan and specification content were added; minimum 
requirements for O&M plans were added; and references were added.
    Trail and Walkways (Code 568)--The title changed from Recreation 
Trails and Walkways; the definition added farm workers, construction/
maintenance access and small walk behind equipment; the purpose changed 
to add agricultural and construction/maintenance purposes; conditions 
where practice applies changed to cover recreational, agricultural, and 
non-agricultural; criteria changed to added more detailed requirements 
for all land uses and information added on accessibility of public 
access trails;

[[Page 44349]]

considerations added on maximum grades, drainage issues, parking 
issues, scenic values, fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, and 
wind erosion; minimum requirements for plan and specification content 
were added; minimum requirements for O&M plans added; and references 
were added.
    Vegetative Barrier (Code 601)--The primary revision included the 
addition to use the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, Version 2 
(RUSLE2) for the design and spacing of the vegetative barriers. Other 
revisions included edits to improve clarity.
    Prescribed Forestry (Code 409)--Rescission of this practice will be 
effective October 1, 2009. This practice has been replaced by Forest 
Management Plan (Code 106).

    Signed this 20th day of August 2009, in Washington, DC.
Dave White,
Chief.
[FR Doc. E9-20796 Filed 8-27-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P


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