Effects of NRCS Conservation Practices - National

Firebreak Code: 394

Units: ft.

C F R P Pr FS D O AL

Soil Erosion Effect Rationale

Soil Erosion - Sheet and Rill Erosion -1

Soil Erosion - Wind Erosion -1

Soil Erosion - Ephemeral Gully Erosion -1

Soil Erosion - Classic Gully Erosion -1

Soil Erosion - Streambank, Shoreline, Water Conveyance C 0

Soil Quality Degradation

 Organic Matter Depletion -2

 Compaction -2

 Subsidence 0

 Concentration of Salts or Other Chemicals 0

Excess Water

 Excess Water - Seeps 0

 Excess Water - Runoff, Flooding, or Ponding 0

 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 0

 Pesticides in Groundwater 0

 Nutrients in Surface water 0

 Nutrients in Groundwater 0

 Salts in Surface Water 0

 Salts in Groundwater 0

 Excess Pathogens and Chemicals from Manure, Bio-solid 0 

 Excess Pathogens and Chemicals from Manure, Bio-solid 0 

A permanent or temporary strip of bare or vegetated land planned to retard fire.

Nutrient cycling is halted on strips left unvegetated.

A strip with bare soil or reduction in vegetative cover and surface litter has potential for increases in erosive water energy. 

A strip with bare soil or reduction in vegetative cover and surface litter has potential for increased exposure of the soil surface to 

erosive wind energy. 

A strip with bare soil or reduction in vegetative cover and surface litter has potential for increases in erosive water energy. 

A strip with bare soil or reduction in vegetative cover and surface litter has potential for increases in erosive water energy. 

A streambank may be used as an anchor or end point for a fire break or as a fire break with vegetation removed.

AL-Aso Land 

W-Water 

O-Other 

D-Developed 

FS-Farmstead 

Pr-Protected 

P-Pasture 

F-Forest 

R-Range 

C-Crop

Typical Landuse:

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Equipment used to maintain minimum vegetation can compact forest soils.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable
 Excessive Sediment in Surface Water -1

 Elevated Water Temperature 0

 Petroleum, Heavy Metals and Other Pollutants Transporte 0

 Petroleum, Heavy Metals and Other Pollutants Transporte 0

Air Quality Impacts

 Emissions of Particulate Matter (PM) and PM Precursors 1

 Emissions of Ozone Precursors 1

 Emissions of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) 1

 Objectionable Odors 0

Degraded Plant Condition

 Undesirable Plant Productivity and Health 0

 Inadequate Structure and Composition 0

 Excessive Plant Pest Pressure -1

 Wildfire Hazard, Excessive Biomass Accumulation 5

Fish and Wildlife - Inadequate Habitat

 Inadequate Habitat - Food 0

 Inadequate Habitat - Cover/Shelter 0

 Inadequate Habitat - Water -1

 Inadequate Habitat - Habitat Continuity (Space) -1

Livestock Production Limitation

 Inadequate Feed and Forage 0

 Inadequate Shelter 0

 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

Bare soil firebreaks are subject to erosion.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

There is a minimal reduction of particulate matter through reduced incidence of wildfire.

There is a minimal reduction of ozone precursors through reduced incidence of wildfire.

There is a decrease in CO2 emissions from reduced incidence of wildfire.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Undesired species can colonize areas left bare.

Fuel loadings are isolated.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Breaks in vegetative cover may interrupt continuity of habitat for certain wildlife species.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable