United States Department of Agriculture 460-CPS-1

NRCS, NHCP

September 2020

NRCS reviews and periodically updates conservation practice standards. To obtain the current 

version of this standard, contact your Natural Resources Conservation Service State office or 

visit the Field Office Technical Guide online by going to the NRCS website at 

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/ and type FOTG in the search field. 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Natural Resources Conservation Service 

CONSERVATION PRACTICE STANDARD 

LAND CLEARING 

CODE 460 

(ac)

DEFINITION 

Removal of trees, stumps, and other vegetation from wooded areas. 

PURPOSE 

This practice may be applied to achieve the following purpose: 

• Facilitate land use adjustments in the interest of natural resource conservation. 

CONDITIONS WHERE PRACTICE APPLIES 

This practice applies to areas that require the removal of trees, stumps, brush, and other vegetation to

implement a conservation objective. 

CRITERIA 

General Criteria Applicable to All Purposes 

Implement land clearing and disposal operations appropriate for site and soil conditions. Implement the

practice in a manner that will prevent - 

• Soil erosion, 

• Adverse air and water quality effects, 

• Risk to public safety and property 

• Damage to adjacent forestland, vegetation, and hydrologic function. 

Do not dispose of cleared woody debris in standing or green timber. Locate debris piles at least 100 feet

from adjacent woodland, buildings, or roads. Avoid placement where channels or flooding could transport

the debris. 

Refer to criteria in NRCS Conservation Practice Standard (CPS) Woody Residue Treatment (Code 384)

for the treatment of woody debris, such as piling, burning, or chipping to reduce fire, safety, environmental,

or pest hazards. 

Refer to criteria in NRCS CPS Obstruction Removal (Code 500) for the removal and disposal of

structures, universal waste, or nonhazardous secondary materials encountered during land clearing

operations. 

Leave cleared land in a condition that facilitates the planned land use. Refer to applicable criteria in NRCS

CPSs Critical Area Planting (Code 342) for revegetating cleared areas orPrecision Land Forming (Code

462), and Land Smoothing (Code 466) grading cleared areas for agricultural production. 
CONSIDERATIONS 

General Considerations 

When possible, increase buffer widths next to water bodies (e.g., lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, or

vernal pool settings) beyond widths recommended by the state, tribal, or local best management

practices. 

Schedule major land clearing operations during seasons of low potential sediment runoff. Schedule land

clearing and associated activities to avoid buildup of insect or disease populations in removed and

stacked trees, stumps, and other vegetation. 

When a salvage harvest is performed prior to land clearing, leave stumps at a height greater than 1 foot to

facilitate final clearing and grubbing activities. 

Additional Considerations for Fish and Wildlife Resources 

Special attention should be given to preserving habitat for fish and wildlife. Strip clearing, windrowing

debris, and preserving den and food trees can minimize impacts on wildlife. 

Additional Considerations 

Debris piles should include open gaps for equipment access. Locate and orient firebreaks to promote

curing of the debris and allow for surface water runoff. 

PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS 

Prepare plans and specifications for applying the practice to achieve its intended purpose. 

Include the following information in the plans and specifications: 

• A plan view of the limits of land to be cleared, including ingress and egress to site, vehicle staging

area, salvage log stacking location, trails and roads, temporary rubbish or soil disposal/salvage

sites, and other operational features, as applicable. 

• Description of the work, extent of removal, and method of soil salvage or debris disposal. 

• Layout, size, and disposal requirements of cleared woody debris. 

• Location and description of trees or woody vegetation and other areas to be left undisturbed. 

• Requirements to control erosion, water pollution, and air pollution, as applicable. 

• Site-specific specifications that describe the condition of the cleared area for the planned land use. 

• Vegetative requirements for areas denuded and disturbed, as applicable. 

• Description of biosecurity safeguards to prevent the unintended spread of plant pests and diseases. 

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE 

Prepare an operation and maintenance plan for use by the client. As a minimum, include— 

• Protection measures for watercourses and water quality after land clearing operations. 

• Performance of periodic inspections and timely repair of areas that may compromise the intended

purpose. 

• Maintenance of vegetative cover while controlling undesireable exotic or noxious vegetation. 

• Restrictions for use of mechanical treatments, prescribed burning, pesticides, or other chemicals

that may compromise the intended purpose. 

• Guidance on crossing cleared areas with heavy equipment when the ground is saturated. 

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NRCS, NHCP

460

September 2020
REFERENCES 

USDA NRCS. 1985. National Engineering Handbook (Title 210). Section 19, Construction Inspection,

Section Clearing and Grubbing: p.2-17

https://directives.sc.egov.usda.gov/OpenNonWebContent.aspx?content=18374.wba

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NRCS, NHCP

460

September 2020