Effects of NRCS Conservation Practices - National

Precision Land Forming Code: 462

Units: ac.

C P FS D O 

Soil Erosion Effect Rationale

Soil Erosion - Sheet and Rill Erosion 0

Soil Erosion - Wind Erosion 0

Soil Erosion - Ephemeral Gully Erosion 2

Soil Erosion - Classic Gully Erosion 4

Soil Erosion - Streambank, Shoreline, Water Conveyance C 0

Soil Quality Degradation

 Organic Matter Depletion -2

 Compaction -1

 Subsidence 0

 Concentration of Salts or Other Chemicals 1

Excess Water

 Excess Water - Seeps 2

 Excess Water - Runoff, Flooding, or Ponding 2

 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 2

Water Quality Degradation

 Pesticides in Surface Water 1

 Pesticides in Groundwater 1

 Nutrients in Surface water 1

 Nutrients in Groundwater 2

 Salts in Surface Water 0

 Salts in Groundwater 1

 Excess Pathogens and Chemicals from Manure, Bio-solid 0 

 Excess Pathogens and Chemicals from Manure, Bio-solid 1 

Reshaping the surface of the land reduces erosion.

Reshaping the surface of the land reduces deep percolation.

The action smoothes the surface which increases infiltration and reduces transport of nutrients to surface waters.

The action smoothes the surface which reduces ponding and the transport of nutrients to ground water.

The action will not appreciably alter runoff and runoff-related contaminants.

The action causes a decrease in ponding and a more uniform infiltration.

Not Applicable

The uniform surface grade reduces ponding and excessive infiltration of contaminated water.

Creates a more uniform surface and removes depressions to improve drainages.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Because of improved water distribution.

Use of heavy equipment during land forming may cause compaction. Mitigation and appropriate timing are part of practice design.

Not Applicable

Smoothing causes a more uniform infiltration

Creates a more uniform surface and removal of depressions.

Creates a more uniform surface and removal of depressions will eliminate ponding.

Reshaping the surface of land to planned grades.

The process of land forming alters the soil profile and aerates the soil.

Reshaping the surface of land may reduce the degree of slope, however, slope length may be increased. 

Not Applicable

Creating a more uniform surface may increase infiltration and decrease concentrated flow. 

Land forming is used to reshape and fill gully.

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 1

 Elevated Water Temperature 0

 Petroleum, Heavy Metals and Other Pollutants Transporte 1

 Petroleum, Heavy Metals and Other Pollutants Transporte 1

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 0

Degraded Plant Condition

 Undesirable Plant Productivity and Health 4

 Inadequate Structure and Composition 0

 Excessive Plant Pest Pressure 0

 Wildfire Hazard, Excessive Biomass Accumulation 0

Fish and Wildlife - Inadequate Habitat

 Inadequate Habitat - Food 0

 Inadequate Habitat - Cover/Shelter 0

 Inadequate Habitat - Water 0

 Inadequate Habitat - Habitat Continuity (Space) 0

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

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Equipment operations temporarily produce particulate emissions and exhaust emissions.

Equipment operations temporarily produce exhaust emissions.

Some carbon may be lost due to soil disturbance.

Not Applicable

Site modification to improve irrigation application enhances the health and vigor of desired species.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

The uniform surface grade reduces ponding and excessive infiltration of contaminated water.

Land surface is formed to a non-erosive grade.

Not Applicable

Smoothing uneven land allows the application of practices that can reduce sheet, rill and ephemeral gully erosion and increase 

infiltration.