Effects of NRCS Conservation Practices - National

Road/Trail/Landing Closure and Treatment Code: 654

Units: ft

 F R Pr O AL

Soil Erosion Effect Rationale

Soil Erosion - Sheet and Rill Erosion 5

Soil Erosion - Wind Erosion 1

Soil Erosion - Ephemeral Gully Erosion 5

Soil Erosion - Classic Gully Erosion 5

Soil Erosion - Streambank, Shoreline, Water Conveyance C 4

Soil Quality Degradation

 Organic Matter Depletion 5

 Compaction 2

 Subsidence 0

 Concentration of Salts or Other Chemicals 0

Excess Water

 Excess Water - Seeps 1

 Excess Water - Runoff, Flooding, or Ponding 3

 Excess Water - Seasonal High Water Table 4

 Excess Water - Drifted Snow 0

Insufficient Water

 Insufficient Water - Inefficient Use of Irrigation Water 0

 Insufficient Water - Inefficient Moisture Management 1

Water Quality Degradation

 Pesticides in Surface Water 0

 Pesticides in Groundwater 0

 Nutrients in Surface water 1

 Nutrients in Groundwater 1

 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 1 

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

The action reduces erosion and sediment-attached nutrient delivery to surface water. Permanent vegetation will uptake nutrients.

Permanent vegetation will uptake excess nutrients.

Less runoff reduces transport of soluble salts. Growing vegetation can use excess water which reduces seepage.

Vegetation takes up moisture and salts.

Less erosion and runoff reduces delivery of pathogens.

The action increases organic matter promoting microbial activity which competes with pathogens.

Hydrologic processes are restored through vegetative and other treatments.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Hydrologic processes are restored through vegetative and other treatments.

Increased root growth from established vegetation and restorative treatments will decrease compaction.

Not Applicable

Increased vegetation will increase salt uptake and increased organic matter may tie up salts and other chemicals.

Seepage is controlled by vegetation uptake and other hydrologic treatments.

Hydrologic processes are restored through vegetative and other treatments.

The closure, decommissioning, or abandonment of roads, trails, and/or landings and associated treatment to achieve conservation 

objectives.

Increased cover and growing vegetation will increase soil organic matter.

Increased vegetation and cover, and stabilization of erosive conditions will improve infiltration and decrease soil detachment by 

water.

Disturbed road and trail areas are generally not extensive enough for wind erosion. An increase in vegetation and cover on landings 

will protect the soil surface and decrease soil detachment by wind.

An increase in vegetation cover and other treatments will improve infiltration, protect the soil surface and decrease soil detachment 

by concentrated flow.

Increased vegetation cover and other treatments will decrease erosion and runoff.

Increased vegetation cover and other treatments will decrease erosion and runoff.

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 3

 Elevated Water Temperature 1

 Petroleum, Heavy Metals and Other Pollutants Transporte 3

 Petroleum, Heavy Metals and Other Pollutants Transporte 1

Air Quality Impacts

 Emissions of Particulate Matter (PM) and PM Precursors 2

 Emissions of Ozone Precursors 0

 Emissions of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) 1

 Objectionable Odors 0

Degraded Plant Condition

 Undesirable Plant Productivity and Health 1

 Inadequate Structure and Composition 1

 Excessive Plant Pest Pressure 0

 Wildfire Hazard, Excessive Biomass Accumulation 0

Fish and Wildlife - Inadequate Habitat

 Inadequate Habitat - Food 1

 Inadequate Habitat - Cover/Shelter 1

 Inadequate Habitat - Water 5

 Inadequate Habitat - Habitat Continuity (Space) 3

Livestock Production Limitation

 Inadequate Feed and Forage 1

 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

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Increased quality and quantity of vegetation provides more cover for wildlife. 

Treatments restore hydrologic processes.

Increased cover will increase space for wildlife. May be used to connect other cover areas.

Established vegetation may add forage for domestic animals.

Not Applicable

Increased quality and quantity of vegetation provides more food for wildlife. 

Permanent cover and other treatments help reduce wind erosion and wind and traffic generation of fugitive dust.

Not Applicable

Vegetation removes CO2 from the air and stores it in the form of carbon in the plants and soil.

Not Applicable

Proper plant selection, nutrient modification, and management improves plant growth and vigor.

Plants selected are adapted and suited. 

Establishment of permanent vegetation provide competition that slows the spread of noxious plants; other treatment removes 

noxious plants directly.

Not Applicable

Higher organic matter levels increases buffering capacity of the soil. Vegetation can take up some heavy metals.

Vegetation and other treatments reduce erosion and sediment delivery.

Reestablishment of natural hydrology can improve hyporheic flow.

Decreased erosion and runoff reduces heavy metal delivery to surface water. Increased soil organic matter increases capacity of soils 

to retain heavy metals. Permanent vegetation can uptake heavy metals.