This final rule sets forth the USLE and WEQ used by the Department as of this date and the circumstances under the equations are used. Since the first mandated use of the USLE in 1985, the technology used to predict soil erosion due to water has been refined. A is the estimation of average annual soil loss in tons per acre caused by sheet and rill erosion.
R is the rainfall erosivity factor.
K is the soil erodibility factor. LS is the slope length and steepness factor. C is the cover and management factor. P is the support practice factor. Status, questions, answers, and the future'', describes the revision.