Notice of Proposed Changes to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, 33761-33763 [2010-14343]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Natural Resources Conservation Service

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 114 (Tuesday, June 15, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33761-33763]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-14343]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Notice of Proposed Changes to the National Handbook of 
Conservation Practices for the Natural Resources Conservation Service

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

ACTION: Notice of availability of proposed changes in the NRCS National 
Handbook of Conservation Practices for public review and comment.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of the intention of NRCS to issue a 
series of revised conservation practice standards in the National 
Handbook of Conservation Practices. These standards include: Animal 
Mortality Facility (Code 316), Critical Area Planting (Code 342), 
Composting Facility (Code 317), Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment (Code 
548), Hedgerow Planting (422), Irrigation Canal or Lateral (Code 320), 
Irrigation Land Leveling (Code 464), Irrigation System, Surface, and 
Subsurface (Code 443), Riparian

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Herbaceous Cover (Code 390), Rock Barrier (Code 555), Roofs and Covers 
(Code 367), Runoff Management System (Code 570), Shallow Water 
Development and Management (Code 646), Streambank and Shoreline 
Protection (Code 580), Upland Wildlife Habitat Management (Code 645), 
and Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management (Code 644). NRCS State 
Conservationists who choose to adopt these practices for use within 
their State will incorporate them into section IV of their 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.

DATES: Effective Date: This is effective June 15, 2010.
    Comment Date: Submit comments on or before July 15, 2010. Final 
versions of these new or revised conservation practice standards will 
be adopted after the close of the 30-day period and after consideration 
of all comments.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted using any of the following 
methods:
     Mail: Wayne Bogovich, National Agricultural Engineer, 
Conservation Engineering Division, Department of Agriculture, Natural 
Resources Conservation Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 
6136 South Building, Washington, DC 20250.
     E-mail: wayne.bogovich@wdc.usda.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wayne Bogovich, National Agricultural 
Engineer, Conservation Engineering Division, Department of Agriculture, 
Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Room 6136 South Building, Washington, DC 20250.
    Electronic copies of these standards can be downloaded or printed 
from the following Web site: ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NHQ/practice-standards/federal-register/. Requests for paper versions or 
inquiries may be directed to Wayne Bogovich, National Agricultural 
Engineer, Conservation Engineering Division, Department of Agriculture, 
Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Room 6136 South Building, Washington, DC 20250.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 as shown at: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/Standards/nhcp.html. To aid in this comparison, following are highlights of the 
proposed revisions to each standard:
    Animal Mortality Facility (Code 316)--Design criteria was changed 
based on the revision of Practice Code 367--Roofs and Covers. Disposal 
Pits (masonry, treated timber, and pre-cast concrete structures 
constructed in ground with bottom of the pit exposed to the soil) has 
been omitted from the standard since the majority of State regulations 
no longer allows these types of structures, nor is it considered 
environmentally friendly.
    Critical Area Planting (Code 342)--The practice was revised to 
include a purpose to stabilize stream and channel banks and shorelines 
and provided additional criteria to establish cover on the stream banks 
and shorelines. In addition, seeding and planting considerations were 
added to address pollinators and wildlife.
    Composting Facility (Code 317)--An additional purpose for organic 
matter was added based on comments received from specialty groups. 
Design criteria for composting facility roofs was changed based on the 
revision of Practice Code 367--Roofs and Covers.
    Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment (Code 548)--The Criteria changed 
referring to and adding prescribed grazing following treatment. 
Considerations were expanded and references were added.
    Hedgerow Planting (422)--The purpose was broadened for aquatic 
organisms and expanded to add habitat for terrestrial species, 
specifically pollinators. Criteria were added for pollinator habitat. 
References were also added.
    Irrigation Canal or Lateral (Code 320)--The Purpose was revised and 
references were added.
    Irrigation Land Leveling (Code 464)--The Purpose was revised and 
the Considerations were expanded.
    Irrigation System, Surface and Subsurface (Code 443)--Changes 
included: removed the No. unit; incorporated criteria and 
considerations for Multi-Outlet Pipelines, thus eliminating the need 
for NRCS Conservation Practice Standard ``Above Ground, Multi Outlet 
Pipeline'' (431); expanded Considerations; and added References.
    Riparian Herbaceous Cover (Code 390)--No substantive changes.
    Rock Barrier (Code 555)--Wording changes made to make the practice 
more broadly applicable to ``agricultural land'' rather limiting it to 
land suitable for cultivation. The Considerations were re-written to 
provide context for the stated Consideration. Additional Considerations 
were added. The Plans and Specifications section was expanded to 
clearly state the minimum requirements for the content of plans and 
specifications.
    Roofs and Covers (Code 367)--Changes to the standard include: 
changing the name from Waste Facility Cover to Roofs and Covers, and 
adding additional purpose and criteria for reducing greenhouse gas 
emissions and odor reduction. Additional criteria for Biogas control, 
utilization, and Safety has been incorporated into the standard. New 
criteria for design of roofs and covers have been incorporated into 
this standard and referenced in Animal Mortality Facility (Code 316) 
and Composting Facility (Code 317) for use consistency.
    Stormwater Runoff Control (Code 570)--The title was changed from 
Runoff Management System. The definition was changed to reflect the new 
title and the broader scope of the practice. The purpose was re-written 
to include erosion and sedimentation, water quality, and water 
quantity.
    Shallow Water Development and Management (Code 646)--No substantive 
changes.
    Streambank and Shoreline Protection (Code 580)--The reference to 
322 was removed and replaced with a reference to 342.
    Upland Wildlife Habitat Management (Code 645)--No substantive 
changes.
    Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management (Code 644)--No substantive 
changes.
    Above Ground, Multi Outlet Pipeline (Code 431)--Rescission of this 
practice will be effective October 1, 2010. This practice has been 
incorporated into the Criteria and Considerations of Irrigation System, 
Surface and Subsurface (Code 443).
    Atmospheric Resource Management (Code 370)--Rescission of this 
practice will be effective October 1, 2010. There are several practice 
standards that will be in place that will replace Code 370, including 
Air Filtration and Scrubbing (Code 371), Combustion System Improvement 
(Code 372), and Dust Control on Unpaved Roads and Surfaces (Code 373). 
There are also several interim standards that may be used.
    Channel Bank Vegetation (Code 322)--Rescission of this practice 
will be

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effective October 1, 2010. The changes in both Critical Area Planting 
(Code 342) and Streambank and Shoreline Protection (Code 580) will 
formally delete the need for Channel Bank Vegetation (Code 322).

    Dated: Signed this 9th day of June, 2010, in Washington, DC.
Dave White,
Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-14343 Filed 6-14-10; 8:45 am]
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