Effects of NRCS Conservation Practices - National

Land Clearing Code: 460

Units: ac.

C R P Pr FS D O AL

Soil Erosion Effect Rationale

Soil Erosion - Sheet and Rill Erosion 0

Soil Erosion - Wind Erosion 0

Soil Erosion - Ephemeral Gully Erosion 0

Soil Erosion - Classic Gully Erosion 0

Soil Erosion - Streambank, Shoreline, Water Conveyance C 0

Soil Quality Degradation

 Organic Matter Depletion -3

 Compaction -1

 Subsidence 0

 Concentration of Salts or Other Chemicals 0

Excess Water

 Excess Water - Seeps 0

 Excess Water - Runoff, Flooding, or Ponding -1

 Excess Water - Seasonal High Water Table 0

 Excess Water - Drifted Snow 0

Insufficient Water

 Insufficient Water - Inefficient Use of Irrigation Water 0

 Insufficient Water - Inefficient Moisture Management 0

Water Quality Degradation

 Pesticides in Surface Water -1

 Pesticides in Groundwater 0

 Nutrients in Surface water -1

 Nutrients in Groundwater 0

 Salts in Surface Water 0

 Salts in Groundwater 0

 Excess Pathogens and Chemicals from Manure, Bio-solid -1 

 Excess Pathogens and Chemicals from Manure, Bio-solid 0 

Removal of trees, stumps, and other vegetation increases runoff and erosion. 

Not Applicable

Removal of permanent vegetative cover may increase runoff and erosion and the delivery of sediment-attached nutrients to surface 

water.

Not Applicable

Removal of cover may increase transport of salinity if contained in runoff and erosion related sediments.

Not Applicable

removal of cover may increase runoff and erosion

Not Applicable

Removal of vegetation may decrease evapotranspiration.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Clearing may allow for increased vehicle traffic.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Removal of vegetation may increase runoff.

Removing trees, stumps, and other vegetation from wooded areas to achieve a conservation objective.

Organic material may be removed by clearing.

Establishment of temporary vegetative cover is needed to protect the treated area from erosion until the planned use is in place.

The action requires that temporary cover will be established as necessary to control wind erosion on the cleared area until the 

planned land use is in place. 

The action requires that temporary cover will be established as necessary to control water erosion on the cleared area until the 

planned land use is in place. 

Clearing will reduce vegetation resulting in a short term increase of erosion.

Clearing will reduce vegetation resulting in a short term increase of erosion.

AL-Aso Land 

W-Water 

O-Other 

D-Developed 

FS-Farmstead 

Pr-Protected 

P-Pasture 

F-Forest 

R-Range 

C-Crop

Typical Landuse:
 Excessive Sediment in Surface Water -1

 Elevated Water Temperature -2

 Petroleum, Heavy Metals and Other Pollutants Transporte -1

 Petroleum, Heavy Metals and Other Pollutants Transporte 0

Air Quality Impacts

 Emissions of Particulate Matter (PM) and PM Precursors -1

 Emissions of Ozone Precursors 0

 Emissions of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) -1

 Objectionable Odors 0

Degraded Plant Condition

 Undesirable Plant Productivity and Health 2

 Inadequate Structure and Composition 0

 Excessive Plant Pest Pressure -2

 Wildfire Hazard, Excessive Biomass Accumulation 4

Fish and Wildlife - Inadequate Habitat

 Inadequate Habitat - Food -2

 Inadequate Habitat - Cover/Shelter -2

 Inadequate Habitat - Water 0

 Inadequate Habitat - Habitat Continuity (Space) -2

Livestock Production Limitation

 Inadequate Feed and Forage 0

 Inadequate Shelter -2

 Inadequate Water 0

Inefficient Energy Use

 Equipment and Facilities 0

 Farming/Ranching Practices and Field Operations 0

CPPE Practice Effects: 0 No Effect

5 Substantial Improvement -1 Slight Worsening

4 Moderate to Substantial Improvement -2 Slight to Moderate Worsening

3 Moderate Improvement -3 Moderate Worsening

2 Slight to Moderate Improvement -4 Moderate to Substantial Worsening

1 Slight Improvement -5 Substantial Worsening

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Removal of vegetation will reduce cover/shelter.

Not Applicable

Loss of habitat occurs as land is disturbed.

Not Applicable

Removal of vegetation will reduce shelter.

Clearing removes tree-related food.

Equipment operations temporarily produce particulate emissions and exhaust emissions. Also, disturbance of the soil surface can 

release particulate emissions and cleared land may have more susceptibility to PM emissions from wind erosion.

There is a short-term increase in vehicle emissions and ozone precursors from land clearing equipment.

Carbon can be released with the disposal of material if the material is burned and/or soil surface disturbed.

Not Applicable

Removal of undesirable plants will provide a better growing environment for desired plant species.

Not Applicable

Undesired species can colonize areas left bare.

Activities reduce fuel load buildup.

Not Applicable

Removal of trees and vegetation will increase runoff and erosion. Mitigation is part of practice design.

Removal of canopy cover reduces the amount of shade and cooling effects on streams and water courses. Mitigation is part of 

practice design.

Removal of cover may increase runoff and erosion.