This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains documents other than rules or

proposed rules that are applicable to the

public. Notices of hearings and investigations,

committee meetings, agency decisions and

rulings, delegations of authority, filing of

petitions and applications and agency

statements of organization and functions are

examples of documents appearing in this

section.

Notices Federal Register

2746 

Vol. 87, No. 12 

Wednesday, January 19, 2022 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Natural Resources Conservation 

Service 

[Docket No. NRCS–2021–0004] 

Proposed Revisions to the National 

Handbook of Conservation Practices 

for the Natural Resources 

Conservation Service 

AGENCY: Natural Resources 

Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. 

Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

ACTION: Notice of availability; request 

for comment. 

SUMMARY: NRCS is giving notice that it 

intends to issue a series of revised 

conservation practice standards in the 

National Handbook of Conservation 

Practices (NHCP). NRCS is also giving 

the public an opportunity to provide 

comments on specified conservation 

practice standards in NHCP. 

DATES: Comment Date: We will consider 

comments that we receive by February 

18, 2022. 

ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit 

comments on this notice. You may 

submit comments through the: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

https://www.regulations.gov and search 

for docket ID NRCS–2021–0004. Follow 

the instructions for submitting 

comments. 

• Mail, or Hand Delivery: Mr. 

Clarence Prestwich, National 

Agricultural Engineer, Conservation 

Engineering Division, NRCS, USDA, 

1400 Independence Avenue, South 

Building, Room 4636, Washington, DC 

20250. In your comment, specify the 

docket ID NRCS–2021–0004. 

All comments will be available on 

https://www.regulations.gov. 

The copies of the proposed revised 

standards are available through https:// 

www.regulations.gov by accessing 

Docket No. NRCS–2021–0004. 

Alternatively, the proposed revised 

standards can be downloaded or printed 

from https://go.usa.gov/TXye. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. 

Clarence Prestwich; telephone: (202) 

720–2972; or email: 

clarence.prestwich@usda.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

NRCS is planning to revise the 

conservation practice standards in the 

NHCP. This notice provides an 

overview of the planned changes and 

gives the public an opportunity to 

provide comments on the specific 

conservation practice standards that 

NRCS is changing. 

NRCS State Conservationists who 

choose to adopt these practices in their 

States will incorporate these practices 

into the respective electronic Field 

Office Technical Guide. These practices 

may be used in conservation systems 

that treat highly erodible land (HEL) or 

on land determined to be a wetland. 

Section 343 of the Federal Agriculture 

Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 

requires NRCS to make available for 

public review and comment all 

proposed revisions to conservation 

practice standards used to carry out HEL 

and wetland provisions of the law. 

Revisions to the National Handbook of 

Conservation Practices 

The amount of the proposed changes 

varies considerably for each of the 

conservation practice standards 

addressed in this notice. To fully 

understand the proposed changes, 

individuals are encouraged to compare 

these changes with each standard’s 

current version, which can be found at: 

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/ 

nrcs/detailfull/national/technical/cp/ 

ncps/?cid=nrcs143_026849. 

NRCS is requesting comments on the 

following conservation practice 

standards: 

• Conservation Cover (Code 327); 

• Emergency Animal Mortality 

Management (Code 368); 

• Fishpond Management (Code 399); 

• Forest Farming (Code 379); 

• Irrigation System, Surface and 

Subsurface (Code 443); 

• Land Reclamation, Landslide 

Treatment (Code 453); 

• Mine Shaft and Adit Closing (Code 

457); 

• Pond (Code 378); 

• Residue and Tillage Management, 

No Till (Code 329); 

• Residue and Tillage Management, 

Reduced Till (Code 345); 

• Subsurface Drain (Code 606); 

• Tree/Shrub Pruning (Code 660); 

• Vertical Drain (Code 630). 

The following are highlights of some 

of the proposed changes to each 

standard: 

Conservation Cover (Code 327): Minor 

revisions were made for improved 

organization and for clarity. The second 

purpose (Reduce ground and surface 

water quality degradation by nutrients 

and surface water quality degradation 

by sediment) was split into two separate 

purposes that are clearer and more 

succinct (Reduce sediment transport to 

surface water and Reduce ground water 

and surface water quality degradation 

by nutrients). The last purpose (Improve 

soil health) was changed to specifically 

focus on a measurable metric (Maintain 

or increase soil organic matter (OM) 

content). The language associated with 

the additional criteria was incorporated 

into the General Criteria section. We 

added three additional purposes 

(Improve soil aggregate stability, 

Improve habitat for soil organisms, and 

Reduce compaction) with Criteria 

sections added for both the purposes of 

Improve habitat for soil organisms and 

Reduce compaction. 

Emergency Animal Mortality 

Management (Code 368): One of the 

Emergency Animal Mortality 

Management purposes was separated 

into two purposes. The two new 

purposes now address surface water and 

ground water separately. Minor wording 

changes were made to the Criteria and 

Considerations sections for clarity and 

specificity. Changes were made to the 

Operation and Maintenance section to 

add specific items for burial and add 

more items to composting. New 

references were added to the References 

section. 

Fishpond Management (Code 399): 

There were no major changes to this 

standard. The three purposes were 

combined into one. Three additional 

considerations were added regarding 

addition of submerged habitat, removal 

of accumulated debris or sediment, and 

use of biological and/or mechanical 

methods to control nuisance aquatic 

species. The References section was 

updated to delete outdated references 

and include new documents. 

Forest Farming (Code 379): The 

practice name was changed from 


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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 12 / Wednesday, January 19, 2022 / Notices 2747 

‘‘Multi-Story Cropping’’ to Forest 

Farming to reflect technical and popular 

literature. Forest Farming also aligns 

with other federal agencies (USDA 

Forest Service, Agricultural Research 

Service), non-government organizations 

(Savanna Institute, National Association 

of State Foresters), technical assistance, 

and outreach efforts. Definition and 

purposes were restructured and 

expanded to align with the new name 

and resource concerns. Minor revisions 

were made for improved organization 

and for clarity to the Criteria, 

Considerations, Plans and 

specifications, Operation and 

Maintenance, and References sections. 

Irrigation System, Surface and 

Subsurface (Code 443): Minor revisions 

were made for improved organization 

and for clarity. The Definition section 

was simplified to remove the extended 

list of example components described in 

the Criteria section. Maximum pipeline 

velocity was reduced from 7 feet per 

second (fps) to 5 fps to make it 

consistent with other NRCS 

conservation practice standards. We 

added the utility location responsibility 

statement. 

Land Reclamation, Landslide 

Treatment (Code 453): Formatting and 

writing style were updated to meet 

current agency requirements resulting in 

minor revisions for clarity and 

readability. Relatively minor technical 

additions were included in the Criteria 

and Considerations sections. Lists of 

required items were added to the Plans 

and Specifications and Operation and 

Maintenance sections. References were 

updated. 

Mine Shaft and Adit Closing (Code 

457): Formatting and writing style were 

updated to meet current agency 

requirements resulting in minor 

revisions for clarity and readability. In 

the Criteria section, the Safety 

subsection was reorganized to 

emphasize testing and personnel entry 

requirements. New subsections entitled 

‘‘Bats and other wildlife’’, ‘‘Discharge’’, 

and ‘‘Monuments’’ were added to 

provide new guidance. The Report 

subsection was moved to the Plans and 

Specifications section where the list was 

expanded. 

Pond (Code 378): Minor revisions 

were made for improved organization 

and for clarity in response to the 

availability of new information. Minor 

revisions were made to Table 1 to keep 

the data within the scope of the practice 

standard. We added a utility location 

responsibility statement to the General 

Criteria section. Changes were made to 

the Criteria Applicable to Embankment 

Ponds section to Filter diaphragms for 

improved explanation. NRCS would 

welcome comments regarding use of 

anti-seep collars for this practice. 

Residue and Tillage Management, No 

Till (Code 329): Minor revisions were 

made for improved organization and for 

clarity. We added additional purposes 

relating to Soil Health Resource 

Concerns. We added Additional criteria 

for the added purpose of Soil Health. 

We added additional wording to the 

Considerations section to clarify Soil 

Health management principles. We 

updated the Plans and Specifications 

and the References sections. 

Residue and Tillage Management, 

Reduced Till (Code 345): We added 

additional purposes relating to Soil 

Health Resource Concerns. Minor 

revisions were made for improved 

organization and for clarity. We added 

additional criteria for the added 

purposes for Soil Health. We added 

additional wording to the 

Considerations section to clarify Soil 

Health management principles. We 

updated the References section. 

Subsurface Drain (Code 606): 

Formatting and writing style were 

updated to meet current agency 

requirements. The definition was 

expanded to address ‘‘soil water 

conditions,’’ rather than just ‘‘excess 

water.’’ An additional purpose of 

addressing animal health and 

productivity due to adverse soil 

conditions was added. The Conditions 

Where Practice Applies section was 

revised to encompass ‘‘adverse’’ soil 

conditions, rather than specifically the 

‘‘wet’’ condition. Wetland conservation 

has been elevated to the General Criteria 

subsection. Filter and envelope 

terminology has been revised to align 

with recently released NEH 650, 

Chapter 14, Drainage. 

Tree/Shrub Pruning (Code 660): 

Purpose and Criteria sections were 

further refined. Criteria were adjusted to 

match changes in purposes. 

Considerations and Plans and 

Specifications sections were further 

refined. New references were added. 

Vertical Drain (Code 630): There are 

no changes to the criteria and only 

minor wording changes have been made 

that do not change the meaning of the 

conservation practice standards. 

Louis Aspey, 

Associate Chief, Natural Resources 

Conservation Service. 

[FR Doc. 2022–00853 Filed 1–18–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–16–P 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Rural Business-Cooperative Service 

[Docket No. RBS–21–Business–0030] 

Notice of Funding Opportunity for the 

Rural Energy Pilot Grants Program 

(REPP) for Fiscal Year 2022 

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative 

Service, USDA. 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: The Rural BusinessCooperative Service (Agency) 

announces the availability of up to $10 

million in competitive grants awarded 

to Rural Energy Community 

Partnerships (RECP) to further develop 

renewable energy to help meet our 

nation’s energy needs and combat 

climate change while prioritizing 

environmental justice, racial equity, and 

economic opportunity. Cost-share grants 

of up to 80 percent of total eligible 

project costs but not more than $2 

million will be made available to assist 

eligible entities with planning, 

installing, equipping, and maintaining 

community scale distributed renewable 

energy technologies, systems and 

resources. 

DATES: Prior to the submission of an 

application, the Agency requires 

prospective applicants to inform the 

Agency by submitting a letter of intent 

electronically by no later than 11:59 

p.m. Eastern time, April 19, 2022, to be 

eligible for grant funding. A Guide and 

instructions for submitting the Required 

Letter of Intent are available on the 

Rural Energy Pilot Program website, 

under the To Apply tab, https://

www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/ 

energy-programs/rural-energy-pilotprogram. Letters of Intent received prior 

to the deadline will be reviewed and 

afforded a response by the Agency. On 

or before May 19, 2022, the Agency will 

send a letter of response. Prospective 

applicants are invited to submit a 

complete application electronically no 

later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern time, July 

18, 2022, to be eligible for grant funding. 

Please refer to Section IV., of this Notice 

for content and format of required 

letters of intent and complete 

applications. 

Prospective applicants are encouraged 

to review the REPP website for 

instructions on registering their 

organization as early as possible in 

order to meet the electronic application 

deadline. Applications submitted after 

the deadline will not be accepted, are 

not eligible for funding under this 

Notice, and will not be considered. 

ADDRESSES: This funding opportunity 

will be posted to https:// 


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