Notice of Implementation of the Wind Erosion Prediction System for Soil Erodibility System Calculations for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, 75961-75962 [2010-30673]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 234 / Tuesday, December 7, 2010 / Notices 75961 TABLE C—BURDEN FOR REQUIRED PROGRAMS UNDER THE PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT Form Purpose Program(s) * Number submitted annually Application ................................ EWP, WPFPP, HFRP ...... Contract or Agreement ............. EWP, HFRP ..................... Schedule of Practices/Costs and signature sheet. Schedule Modification .............. EWP, WPFPP, HFRP ...... EWP, WPFPP, HFRP ...... 750; Estimated time per participant is .69 per response. 150; Estimated time per participant .69 per response. 300; Estimated time per participant .75 per response. 25; Estimated time per participant .60 per response. Status/Contract Review ............ EWP, WPFPP, HFRP ...... Warranty, Easement Deed Conservation, Easement Deed. Option to Purchase Easement EWP, HFRP ..................... EWP, HFRP ..................... AD–1159 ........................... Option to Purchase, Amendment. Subordination Agreement and Limited Lien Waiver. Notice of Intent to Continue ..... AD–1160 ........................... Compatible Use Application ..... Not used by any non-exempt program. EWP, HFRP ..................... AD–1161 ........................... Application for Payment ........... EWP, HFRP ..................... NRCS–LTP–151 ............... NRCS–LTP–152 ............... NRCS–LTP–153 ............... Contract Violation Notification .. Transfer Agreement .................. Agreement Covering Non-Compliance With Provisions of the Contract. Request for Certified Wetland Determination or Delineation. Conservation Plan .................... HFRP, EWP ..................... HFRP, EWP ..................... HFRP, EWP ..................... AD–1153 NRCS–CPA– 1200. AD–1154 NRCS–CPA– 1202. AD–1155 NRCS–CPA– 1155. AD–1156 NRCS–CPA– 1156. NRCS–LTP–13 NRCS– CPA–013. NRCS–LTP–20 NRCS– CPA–260. AD–1157 ........................... AD–1157A ........................ AD–1158 ........................... NRCS–CPA–38 ................ NRCS–CPA–68 ................ EWP, HFRP ..................... EWP, HFRP ..................... WC ................................... CTA, HFRP ...................... 250; Estimated time per participant .69 per response. 150; Estimated time per participant .69 per response. 165; Estimated time per participant .69 per response. 120; Estimated time per participant .69 per response. 100; Estimated time per participant .69 per response. 200; Estimated time per participant .66 per response. 200; Estimated time per participant .58 per response. 20; Estimated time per participant .69 per response. 5; Estimated time per participant 1.0 per response. 10; Estimated time per participant .69 per response. 5,000; Estimated time per participant .83 per response. 2,700; Estimated time per participant .69 per response. emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES * The number submitted annually provides the number of forms completed by respondents and the approximate number of hours to complete each form. The response time is taken from the forms themselves as identified in the OMB Disclosure Statement where available. NRCS anticipates the total number of respondents will be 10,145 (previously 37,504 hours) and that the total burden hours will be 7,661 (previously 25,291 hours). The estimated burden per response depends upon the specific form. This burden amount is identified by form in Table C and ranges from .58 hour to 1 hour per respondent. NRCS employees generally complete the remainder of the forms in the collection and review the documents with the program participant for concurrence and acceptance. The burden was estimated based on a projected average of documents to be filed annually based on the funding level for the authorized conservation programs. The burden hours have been significantly reduced from the previous submission due to the exemption of Conservation Programs under Title II of the 2008 Act from Chapter 35 of Title 44, U.S.C. (Paperwork Reduction Act). The number of respondents was averaged from fiscal year (FY) 2008 through FY 2010. The total annual cost to the respondents is $91,932. This figure is computed based on 7,661 VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:39 Dec 06, 2010 Jkt 223001 burden hours times a wage of $12.00 per hour. Comments: Comments are requested on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden hours (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection, and they will also become a matter of public record. PO 00000 Signed this 2nd day of December, 2010 in Washington, DC. Dave White, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service. [FR Doc. 2010–30674 Filed 12–6–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–16–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Natural Resources Conservation Service Notice of Implementation of the Wind Erosion Prediction System for Soil Erodibility System Calculations for the Natural Resources Conservation Service Natural Resources Conservation Service. ACTION: Notice of availability of the Wind Erosion Prediction System (WEPS) for soil erodibility system calculations scheduled for implementation for public review and comment. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given of the intention of the Natural Resources SUMMARY: Frm 00010 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\07DEN1.SGM 07DEN1 emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES 75962 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 234 / Tuesday, December 7, 2010 / Notices Conservation Service (NRCS) to implement the WEPS which will replace the use of the Wind Erosion Equation (WEQ) where applicable. DATES: Effective Date: This is effective December 7, 2010. Comment Date: Submit comments on or before January 6, 2011. 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: Eric West, National Highly Erodible Lands and Wetlands Conservation Specialist, Ecological Sciences Division, Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 6150 South Building, Washington, DC 20250. • E-mail: eric.west@wdc.usda.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric West, National Highly Erodible Lands and Wetlands Conservation Specialist, Ecological Sciences Division, Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 6150 South Building, Washington, DC 20250. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The WEQ, a simple two-factor linear model for calculating the effects of wind erosion, will be replaced by WEPS for selected regulatory permissible applications. The WEPS model will be used where wind erosion is the primary causal factor for comparing the annual level of erosion before conservation system application to the expected annual level of erosion after conservation system application (i.e., substantial reduction for highly erodible land conservation). The WEQ is the current method in the regulations for calculating substantial reduction and potential erodibility due to the effects of wind. The use of WEQ to calculate potential erodibility remains unchanged. The regulation for WEQ is located at 7 CFR 610.14. The implementation of the WEPS system does not affect the Highly Erodible Map Unit List contained in the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide as of January 1, 1990. This 1990 list will continue to be used for all erodibility index calculations, including sodbuster determinations and review of previous determinations. The WEPS computer model is a process-based, daily time-step computer model that predicts soil erosion via simulation of the fundamental processes controlling wind erosion. WEPS can calculate soil movement, estimate plant damage, and predict PM–10 emissions VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:39 Dec 06, 2010 Jkt 223001 when wind speeds exceed the erosion threshold. The WEPS model can also provide the user with spatial information regarding soil flux, deposition, and loss from specific regions of a field over time. The model is intended for conservation planning, assessing wind erosion for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) NRCS’ National Resources Inventory, and aiding the development of regional and national policy. The WEPS modular design is amenable to incorporation of new features. Thus, WEPS utility will also be for estimating long-term soil productivity, determining physical damage to crops, depositional loading of lakes and streams, as well as estimating visibility reductions near airports and highways. Further, WEPS will aid in calculating both onsite and offsite economic costs of erosion and assess impacts of management strategies on public lands when used in conjunction with other models. A complete summary of the processes utilized by the WEPS computer model can be found in An Overview of the Wind Erosion Prediction System (https://www.ars.usda.gov/SP2UserFiles/ Place/54300520/wepsoverview.pdf). A thorough discussion and review of the WEPS model processes is available in the draft WEPS technical document (https://www.ars.usda.gov/SP2UserFiles/ Place/54300520/weps_tech.pdf). Further, both of the previously referenced documents, as well as other WEPS related topics, can be found at the USDA Agricultural Research Service Engineering and Wind Erosion Research Unit (https://www.ars.usda.gov/Main/ docs.htm?docid=18371) home page. The implementation timeframe for WEPS in each field office with a wind erosion concern is January 1, 2011. Title 16-Conservation, Chapter 58-Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation and Reserve Program, Subchapter IDefinitions, 9(C) Equations (i.e., 16 USC section 3801(a)(9)(C)) requires NRCS to make available for public review and comment all proposed changes to equations to carry out HEL provisions of the law in a manner consistent with section 553 of title 5. Signed this 30th day of November, 2010, in Washington, DC. Dave White, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service. [FR Doc. 2010–30673 Filed 12–6–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–16–P PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Office of the Secretary Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Commerce.Gov Web Site User Survey Office of the Secretary, Office of Public Affairs. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 7, 2011. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 or via the Internet at dHynek@doc.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Mike Kruger, Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of Commerce at 202–482–4883 or mkruger@doc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: I. Abstract In order to better serve users of Commerce.gov and the Department of Commerce bureaus’ Web sites, the Offices of Public Affairs will collect information from users about their experience on the Web sites. A random number of users will be presented with a pop-up box asking if they would like to take a survey. If they say no, the box disappears and the user continues on as normal. If they answer yes, then the box offers them four (4) questions. 1. Based on today’s visit, how would you rate your site experience overall? (0 to 10 scale) 2. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of your visit? (Custom choices)—would be the items in our ‘‘I Want to’’ bar on the right hand side of the Commerce.gov site: • Find jobs or career opportunities at Commerce. • Call or send an email or letter to Commerce. • Learn more about Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. • Find a recent press release. • Learn more about Census 2010. • Discover grants, contracting & trade opportunities with Commerce. E:\FR\FM\07DEN1.SGM 07DEN1

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[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 234 (Tuesday, December 7, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75961-75962]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-30673]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Notice of Implementation of the Wind Erosion Prediction System 
for Soil Erodibility System Calculations for the Natural Resources 
Conservation Service

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service.

ACTION: Notice of availability of the Wind Erosion Prediction System 
(WEPS) for soil erodibility system calculations scheduled for 
implementation for public review and comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of the intention of the Natural 
Resources

[[Page 75962]]

Conservation Service (NRCS) to implement the WEPS which will replace 
the use of the Wind Erosion Equation (WEQ) where applicable.

DATES: Effective Date: This is effective December 7, 2010.
    Comment Date: Submit comments on or before January 6, 2011. 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: Eric West, National Highly Erodible Lands and 
Wetlands Conservation Specialist, Ecological Sciences Division, 
Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Room 6150 South Building, Washington, DC 
20250.
     E-mail: eric.west@wdc.usda.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric West, National Highly Erodible 
Lands and Wetlands Conservation Specialist, Ecological Sciences 
Division, Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation 
Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 6150 South Building, 
Washington, DC 20250.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The WEQ, a simple two-factor linear model 
for calculating the effects of wind erosion, will be replaced by WEPS 
for selected regulatory permissible applications. The WEPS model will 
be used where wind erosion is the primary causal factor for comparing 
the annual level of erosion before conservation system application to 
the expected annual level of erosion after conservation system 
application (i.e., substantial reduction for highly erodible land 
conservation). The WEQ is the current method in the regulations for 
calculating substantial reduction and potential erodibility due to the 
effects of wind. The use of WEQ to calculate potential erodibility 
remains unchanged. The regulation for WEQ is located at 7 CFR 610.14.
    The implementation of the WEPS system does not affect the Highly 
Erodible Map Unit List contained in the NRCS Field Office Technical 
Guide as of January 1, 1990. This 1990 list will continue to be used 
for all erodibility index calculations, including sodbuster 
determinations and review of previous determinations.
    The WEPS computer model is a process-based, daily time-step 
computer model that predicts soil erosion via simulation of the 
fundamental processes controlling wind erosion. WEPS can calculate soil 
movement, estimate plant damage, and predict PM-10 emissions when wind 
speeds exceed the erosion threshold. The WEPS model can also provide 
the user with spatial information regarding soil flux, deposition, and 
loss from specific regions of a field over time. The model is intended 
for conservation planning, assessing wind erosion for the Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) NRCS' National Resources Inventory, and aiding the 
development of regional and national policy.
    The WEPS modular design is amenable to incorporation of new 
features. Thus, WEPS utility will also be for estimating long-term soil 
productivity, determining physical damage to crops, depositional 
loading of lakes and streams, as well as estimating visibility 
reductions near airports and highways. Further, WEPS will aid in 
calculating both onsite and offsite economic costs of erosion and 
assess impacts of management strategies on public lands when used in 
conjunction with other models.
    A complete summary of the processes utilized by the WEPS computer 
model can be found in An Overview of the Wind Erosion Prediction System 
(https://www.ars.usda.gov/SP2UserFiles/Place/54300520/wepsoverview.pdf). 
A thorough discussion and review of the WEPS model processes is 
available in the draft WEPS technical document (https://www.ars.usda.gov/SP2UserFiles/Place/54300520/weps_tech.pdf). Further, 
both of the previously referenced documents, as well as other WEPS 
related topics, can be found at the USDA Agricultural Research Service 
Engineering and Wind Erosion Research Unit (https://www.ars.usda.gov/Main/docs.htm?docid=18371) home page.
    The implementation timeframe for WEPS in each field office with a 
wind erosion concern is January 1, 2011. Title 16-Conservation, Chapter 
58-Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation and Reserve Program, 
Subchapter I-Definitions, 9(C) Equations (i.e., 16 USC section 
3801(a)(9)(C)) requires NRCS to make available for public review and 
comment all proposed changes to equations to carry out HEL provisions 
of the law in a manner consistent with section 553 of title 5.

    Signed this 30th day of November, 2010, in Washington, DC.
Dave White,
Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-30673 Filed 12-6-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P
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