Effects of NRCS Conservation Practices - National

Vegetated Treatment Area Code: 635

Units: ac

C P FS 

Soil Erosion Effect Rationale

Soil Erosion - Sheet and Rill Erosion 4

Soil Erosion - Wind Erosion 4

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 3

 Subsidence 0

 Concentration of Salts or Other Chemicals -2

Excess Water

 Excess Water - Seeps -1

 Excess Water - Runoff, Flooding, or Ponding 0

 Excess Water - Seasonal High Water Table -2

 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 4

 Nutrients in Groundwater -2

 Salts in Surface Water 2

 Salts in Groundwater -2

 Excess Pathogens and Chemicals from Manure, Bio-solid 5 

 Excess Pathogens and Chemicals from Manure, Bio-solid 0 

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Infiltration and plant uptake in the treatment area will remove contaminants from polluted runoff and waste water.

The action entails the application of waste which increases the potential for groundwater contamination.

Infiltration in the treatment area may remove some salts from polluted runoff and waste water.

The action entails the application of waste which increases the potential for groundwater contamination.

Infiltration and plant uptake in the treatment area will remove contaminants from polluted runoff and waste water.

Infiltrating water in treatment area will increase soluble contaminants moving to groundwater, however there will be die-off as 

pathogens are trapped in the vegetation and increased microbial activity enhances competition with pathogens.

Infiltration in the treatment area will add to subsurface water.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Permanent vegetation established

Not Applicable

Use of the practice requires adding contaminants to the soil surface, some of which will infiltrate.

Infiltration at area has the potential to aggravate already saturated conditions.

Not Applicable

An area of permanent vegetation used for agricultural wastewater treatment.

Permanent vegetation established and organic matter captured

Permanent vegetation established.

Permanent vegetation established.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

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 2

 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 0

 Emissions of Ozone Precursors 0

 Emissions of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) 1

 Objectionable Odors 2

Degraded Plant Condition

 Undesirable Plant Productivity and Health 2

 Inadequate Structure and Composition 5

 Excessive Plant Pest Pressure 4

 Wildfire Hazard, Excessive Biomass Accumulation 0

Fish and Wildlife - Inadequate Habitat

 Inadequate Habitat - Food 0

 Inadequate Habitat - Cover/Shelter 0

 Inadequate Habitat - Water 4

 Inadequate Habitat - Habitat Continuity (Space) 0

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

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Area provides only limited additional space for most species.

There may be some use of the planting for feed and forage by livestock.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

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

Can be used to prevent need for long term storage of manure

Treatment area will receive excess nutrients which could be toxic and diminish plant health.

Plants selected are adapted and suited. 

Vegetation is installed and managed to control undesired species. 

Not Applicable

Heavy metals are rarely associated with manure, however, infiltrating water in treatment strip will increase soluble contaminants 

moving to groundwater.

Vegetation protects soil surface and traps sediment, nutrients and other materials. 

Not Applicable

Heavy metals are rarely associated with manure; however, infiltration and plant uptake in the treatment strip will remove 

contaminants from polluted runoff and waste water.