[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 217 (Friday, November 8, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 88719-88721]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-26051]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service

[Docket ID NRCS-2024-0015]


Request for Public Input About Implementation of the Conservation 
Practices To Support Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA.

ACTION: Request for information.

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SUMMARY: The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) requests 
public input for the improvement of the Conservation Practice Standards 
(CPS) to maximize climate mitigation and adaptation benefits, as 
supported by peer-reviewed scientific literature. Conservation 
practices providing climate benefits are delivered through existing 
conservation programs popular with producers, including the 
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP); Conservation 
Stewardship Program (CSP); Agricultural Conservation Easement Program 
(ACEP); Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP); and 
Conservation Technical Assistance. These programs are funded through 
both the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Farm Bill.

DATES: We will consider comments that we receive by December 23, 2024. 
Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent 
possible.

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-2024-0015. Follow the 
online instructions for submitting comments; or
    <bullet> Mail or Hand Delivery: Ms. Sara del Fierro, Climate 
Mitigation Lead, NRCS Climate Office, Office of the Chief, NRCS, USDA, 
1400 Independence Avenue, South Building, Room 4613, Washington, DC 
20250. In your comment, please specify the Docket ID NRCS-2024-0015.
    All comments received, including those received by mail, will be 
posted without change and made publicly available on http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dana Ashford-Kornburger, National 
Climate Coordinator, at (202) 205-9434, or by email at 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d0b4b1beb1feb1a3b8b6bfa2b490a5a3b4b1feb7bfa6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0d696c636c236c7e656b627f694d787e696c236a627b">[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 711 for Telecommunications 
Relay service (both voice and text telephone users can initiate this 
call from any telephone).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Voluntary, incentive-based approaches in agriculture play an 
important role in the United States' effort to address climate change. 
NRCS conservation programs support financial and technical assistance 
for producers to improve soil carbon; reduce nitrogen losses; or 
reduce, capture, avoid, or sequester carbon dioxide, methane, or 
nitrous oxide emissions associated with agricultural production for 
several NRCS programs.
    The additional funding through the IRA provides NRCS with an 
unprecedented opportunity to implement conservation practices that 
provide climate mitigation benefits and quantify greenhouse gas 
emission reductions and carbon sequestration.
    For EQIP and CSP conservation activities, IRA funding may be used 
for Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Mitigation Activities and 
appropriate facilitating practices supporting their functions. While 
the IRA funding is focused on CPS that provide climate change 
mitigation benefits, NRCS also assists producers in addressing climate 
change impacts by providing climate change adaptation options and 
benefits.
    As part of the implementation of the Climate Change Adaptation 
Plan,\1\ NRCS is integrating climate information into current business 
procedures, assessments, and opportunities including CPS. All CPS are 
reviewed at least once every 5 years. This request provides the public 
an opportunity to provide input at the beginning of the

[[Page 88720]]

review cycle for several CPS. NRCS will consider public comments, 
technical literature references, and input from subject matter experts 
and researchers. The CPS review process facilitates inclusion of new 
scientific findings, updated or new technology, and implementation 
experience. While NRCS welcomes comments on all CPS, as a priority NRCS 
is requesting input on the CPS listed in the two tables below, which 
are at the beginning of the review process. NRCS is also specifically 
requesting additional data and scientific literature related to the 
evaluation criteria and implementation that maximizes climate-related 
benefits.
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    \1\ We published our Climate Change Adaptation Plan on our 
website in July 2022; it is available at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-09/1_FPAC_NRCS_ClimateAdaptationPlan_2022.pdf.

   Table 1--CPS for Review That Are Currently Considered Climate-Smart
             Agriculture and Forestry Mitigation Activities
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                  Code                                 Name
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313....................................  Waste Storage Facility.
314....................................  Brush Management.
315....................................  Herbaceous Weed Treatment.
336....................................  Soil Carbon Amendment.
338....................................  Prescribed Burning.
367....................................  Roofs and Covers.
383....................................  Fuel Break.
420....................................  Wildlife Habitat Planting.
554....................................  Drainage Water Management.
590....................................  Nutrient Management.
592....................................  Feed Management.
632....................................  Waste Separation Facility.
643....................................  Restoration of Rare or
                                          Declining Natural Communities.
666....................................  Forest Stand Improvement.
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 Table 2--CPS for Review That Are Not Currently Considered Climate-Smart
             Agriculture and Forestry Mitigation Activities
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                  Code                                 Name
------------------------------------------------------------------------
316....................................  Animal Mortality Facility.
360....................................  Waste Facility Closure.
605....................................  Denitrifying Bioreactor.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mitigation

    NRCS is seeking input on improvements to maximize climate benefits 
to CPS currently considered Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry 
Mitigation Activities \2\ as well as input regarding other conservation 
practices and innovative technologies or strategies that may also 
result in climate change mitigation benefits. NRCS also requests 
information to support the agency's estimation of the mitigation 
benefits associated with conservation practices.
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    \2\ The Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Mitigation 
Activities List is available at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2023-10/NRCS-CSAF-Mitigation-Activities-List.pdf.
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Adaptation

    NRCS is also seeking input to improve CPS to assist producers in 
adapting to and building resilience to current and future climate 
changes, including seasonal temperature shifts and extremes; drought; 
increasing wildfire hazards; sea level rise; movement of invasive 
species; and other issues.
    Information provided through this request will help NRCS identify 
and prioritize improvements to CPS or associated technical guidance. 
NRCS will identify immediate changes to be implemented for available 
funding for fiscal year 2026 and will continue to identify and adopt 
additional changes in the future.

List of Questions for Commenters

    The list of questions below is not exhaustive and serves only to 
assist members of the public in formulating comments on some of the 
most important issues that NRCS is considering as it relates to CPS 
with consideration of climate change benefits. For responses, please 
consider including, if available: specific requirements, tools, 
procedures, etc. supported by scientific literature, handbooks, or 
other technical standards that support a specific implementation of CPS 
to maximize the mitigation benefits or provide benefits (for those not 
considered mitigation activities); and planning or design details that 
would further enhance the mitigation benefits of the conservation 
practice. The questions are not intended to restrict the feedback that 
members of the public may provide.

Climate Change Mitigation

    1. What changes are needed to CPS to add flexibility or support 
implementation options to provide mitigation benefits? When evaluating 
conservation activities for inclusion on the Climate-Smart Mitigation 
Activity List, NRCS considers the following criteria:
    a. Mitigation Benefit: An implementation of the activity is 
expected to result in a direct impact on either (or both) the carbon or 
nitrogen cycle, resulting in net greenhouse gas emission reduction or 
removal (that is, carbon sequestration) within a given scope (for 
example, geography, timeframe, or system) as supported by the 
scientific literature; and
    b. Quantification of Estimated Benefit: For the activity under 
consideration, NRCS should have a science-based approach for 
quantitatively estimating annual mitigation benefits at a scale 
consistent with available NRCS activity data.
    2. What additional technical guidance should NRCS provide or 
develop to support planning, designing, and implementing the CPS in a 
way to maximize mitigation benefits? Input may include specific 
implementation of CPS to maximize the mitigation benefits or provide 
benefits (for those not considered mitigation activities).
    3. What models, methods, data, literature, and tools should NRCS 
consider as it develops and refines its estimation of the climate 
change mitigation benefits associated with CPS?

Climate Change Adaptation

    1. What changes are needed to CPS to add flexibility or support 
implementation options in a way that considers potential climate change 
impacts and provides adaptation benefits, when possible?
    2. What additional technical guidance should NRCS provide to 
support planning, designing, and implementing the CPS to ensure 
consideration of climate change impacts and maximize adaptation? Input 
may include specific implementation of CPS to maximize the adaptation 
benefits.

Innovation

    1. What other innovative, economically viable ideas, technologies, 
or solutions are available to provide climate change mitigation or 
adaptation benefits that NRCS should consider for development of a new 
CPS?

Maximizing the Value of Public Feedback

    NRCS plans to use the answers provided by the public to inform its 
approach to improve CPS. NRCS encourages public comment on these 
questions and requests any other information, scientific literature, or 
data that commenters believe are relevant to this request. NRCS is 
particularly interested in feedback that identifies specific CPS and 
includes scientific literature citations, data, guidance, benefit 
estimation methods, procedures or processes, and actionable 
information, data, or viable alternatives that would assist in 
implementing programmatic goals and requirements. You may contact us by 
sending an email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a2f1ef8ce4f2e3e18cecf0e1f18ce1eeebefe3f6e7e2d7d1c6c38cc5cdd4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9bc8d6b5ddcbdad8b5d5c9d8c8b5d8d7d2d6dacfdedbeee8fffab5fcf4ed">[email protected]</span></a>, if you have 
questions or concerns. Please specify the Docket ID: NRCS-2024-0015 in 
the subject line.

[[Page 88721]]

Review of Public Feedback

    NRCS will use the public comments to inform review of our CPS and 
associated technical documents.
    This document is issued solely for informational purposes and 
program planning purposes. Public comments provided in response to this 
document will not bind NRCS to any further actions, including 
publication of any formal response or agreement to initiate a 
recommended change. NRCS will consider the feedback in the public 
comments and make changes or consider improvements at our sole 
discretion.
    Finally, comments submitted in response to this document will not 
be considered as petitions for rulemaking submitted as specified in the 
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553(e)).

USDA Non-Discrimination Policy

    In accordance with Federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights 
regulations and policies, USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, 
and 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 (for example, 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 Telecommunications 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#a2d2d0cdc5d0c3cf8ccbccd6c3c9c7e2d7d1c6c38cc5cdd4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d7a7a5b8b0a5b6baf9beb9a3b6bcb297a2a4b3b6f9b0b8a1">[email protected]</span></a>.
    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Louis Aspey,
Associate Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-26051 Filed 11-7-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P


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