[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 23 (Friday, February 2, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7358-7360]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-02077]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service

[Docket No. NRCS-2023-0022]


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

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture.

ACTION: Notice of availability, request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is giving 
notice that it intends to issue a series of revised conservation 
practice standards in the National Handbook of Conservation Practices 
(NHCP). NRCS is also giving the public an opportunity to provide 
comments on the specified conservation practice standards in the NHCP.

DATES: We will consider comments that we receive by March 4, 2024.

ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments in response to this notice. 
You may submit your comments through one of the following methods 
below:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRCS-2023-0022. Follow the 
online instructions for submitting comments; or
    <bullet> Mail or Hand Delivery: Mr. Bill Reck, National 
Environmental Engineer, Conservation Engineering Division, NRCS, USDA, 
1400 Independence Avenue, South Building, Room 4636, Washington, DC 
20250. In your comment, please specify the Docket ID NRCS-2023-0022.
    All comments received will be made publicly available on http://www.regulations.gov.
    The copies of the proposed revised standards are available through 
http://www.regulations.gov by accessing Docket No. NRCS-2023-0022. 
Alternatively, the proposed revised standards can be downloaded or 
printed from https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/getting-assistance/conservation-practices.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Bill Reck at (202) 317-0245, or 
email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9af8f3f6f6b4e8fff9f1daefe9fefbb4fdf5ec"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="98faf1f4f4b6eafdfbf3d8edebfcf9b6fff7ee">[email protected]</span></a>. Individuals who require alternative means 
for communication may contact the USDA TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 
(voice and text telephone (TTY)) or dial

[[Page 7359]]

711 for Telecommunications Relay service (both voice and text telephone 
users can initiate this call from any telephone).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    NRCS plans to revise the conservation practice standards in the 
NHCP. This notice provides an overview of the planned changes and gives 
the public an opportunity to offer comments on the specific 
conservation practice standards and NRCS's proposed changes.
    NRCS State Conservationists who choose to adopt these practices in 
their States will incorporate these practices into the 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 wetland. Section 343 of the Federal Agriculture 
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-127) 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.

Revisions to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices

    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, which can be found 
at: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/conservation-practice-standards.
    NRCS is requesting comments on the following conservation practice 
standards:
    <bullet> Field Border (Code 386);
    <bullet> Filter Strip (Code 393);
    <bullet> Grazing Management (Code 528);
    <bullet> Hedgerow Planting (Code 422);
    <bullet> Mulching (Code 484);
    <bullet> Seasonal Water Management for Wildlife (Code 646);
    <bullet> Structure for Water Control (Code 587); and
    <bullet> Wetland Restoration (Code 657).
    The following are highlights of some of the proposed changes to 
each standard:
    Field Border (Code 386): Revised the ``Purpose'' section to 
maintain consistency with the current resource concerns. Clarified the 
wording and formatting to increase readability of the ``General 
Criteria'' section and added text to the ``Introduction in the Plans 
and Specifications'' section.
    Filter Strip (Code 393): Revised the definition to indicate the 
location of the filter strip. Revised the ``Purpose'' section to 
improve clarity and readability, added text to the ``General Criteria'' 
section to locate the filter strip downslope from a source area of 
contaminants and added a vegetation section. Added both criteria for 
flow lengths based on Agronomy Technical Note No. 2, and new content to 
specify burning frequency. Revised the ``Irrigation Tailwater and 
Excessive Sediment in Surface Waters'' section to clarify the plant 
stem spacing.
    Grazing Management (Code 528): Changed the title to ``Grazing 
Management'' to eliminate confusion, promote a sense of adaptability, 
and better convey the intended purpose. Revised the ``Purpose'' section 
to add the purpose to reduce plant pest pressure and to create two new 
purposes from one existing purpose, one addressing soil erosion and the 
other addressing soil health related resource concerns. Revised the 
``General Criteria'' section to include provisions to build resilience 
and resistance to climate[hyphen]related disturbances. Added text to 
clarify that the standard is intended to be used for managing 
vegetation using herbivores. Added a new statement to the ``Plans and 
Specifications'' section referring to the National Range and Pasture 
Manual and clarified that contingency plans need to consider if weather 
events may be intensified due to climate change. Revised the 
``References'' section.
    Hedgerow Planting (Code 422): Combined purposes to reduce the 
numbers from 10 to 5. Pollinator, terrestrial wildlife, and aquatic 
wildlife purposes were consolidated to a single wildlife purpose. The 
purposes intercepting airborne particulates, reducing chemical drift 
and odor movement were combined as a filtering section purpose. Screens 
and barriers to noise and dust were changed to a barrier section 
purpose which also includes living fences. Boundary delineation and 
contour guidelines were removed as a purpose but retained as a 
consideration.
    Mulching (Code 484): Clarified wording and formatting to increase 
readability. Deleted ``Maintain or increase organic matter content.'' 
Added ``non[hyphen]biodegradable'' to synthetic mulches in the 
``General Criteria'' section. Revised the ``Moisture Management 
Additional Criteria'' title to ``Additional Criteria to Improve the 
Efficiency of Rain-fed Moisture Management, to Improve Irrigation 
Energy Efficiency, or to Improve the Efficient Use of Irrigation 
Water.'' Added paragraph on materials to moderate soil temperature to 
the ``Additional Criteria to Improve Plant Productivity and Health'' 
section. Added the ``Additional Criteria to Reduce Plant Pest 
Pressure'' section. Revised the ``Considerations'' section for clarity 
and formatting to increase readability. Clarified and added an 
additional purpose in the ``Plans and Specifications'' section. Deleted 
one purpose on fire damage to mulch material and added a note that some 
biodegradable mulches can be disked into soil while others should be 
removed and composted in the ``Operation and Maintenance'' section. 
Also, added an additional reference to the ``Reference'' section.
    Seasonal Water Management for Wildlife (Code 646): Title changed to 
``Seasonal Water Management for Wildlife'' to articulate the intent to 
provide temporary habitat needs through the management of water. 
Updated the standard to remove development and focus on management. 
Changed lifespan from 5 years to 1 year to align with other management 
practices. Development actions will be implemented through 
implementation of other practices. Added the requirement to use a state 
approved habitat assessment.
    Structure for Water Control (Code 587): Updated formatting of the 
standard to meet current agency requirements. Minor revisions made for 
clarity and readability purposes.
    Wetland Restoration (Code 657): This standard was last revised in 
2010. This practice will have a 15[hyphen]year span. The primary 
purpose of this revision was to make plain that this conservation 
practice standard covers restoration of the abiotic characteristics 
(hydrology, topography, and soils). Other conservation practice 
standards are used to restore the plant community. Changes to the 
``Purpose'' section were made to adequately align with resource 
concerns. Made minor changes for clarity and to better describe the 
practice definition, purpose, criteria, and considerations. Included 
supporting practices, as well as a list of activities that do not fall 
under this standard to alleviate confusion. Removed all references to 
permitting requirements, as those requirements are provided by NRCS 
national conservation planning policy and should not be included in a 
technical standard.

USDA Non-Discrimination Policy

    In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, USDA, its 
agencies, offices, and employees, and

[[Page 7360]]

institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are 
prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, 
religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual 
orientation, disability, age, marital status, family or parental 
status, income derived from a public assistance program, political 
beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in 
any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases 
apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by 
program or incident.
    Individuals who require alternative means of communication for 
program information (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, American 
Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible agency or the USDA 
TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and text telephone (TTY)) or 
dial 711 for Telecommunicaions Relay Service (both voice and text 
telephone users can initiate this call from any phone). Additionally, 
program information may be made available in languages other than 
English.
    To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA 
Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint and 
at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in 
the letter all the information requested in the form. To request a copy 
of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form 
or letter to USDA by: (1) mail to: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) 
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2b646a686b5e584f4a054c445d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4a050b090a3f392e2b642d253c">[email protected]</span></a>.
    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Louis Aspey,
Associate Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-02077 Filed 2-1-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P


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