Notice of Proposed Changes to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, 19971-19973 [2011-8483]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 69 / Monday, April 11, 2011 / Notices March 30, 2011 meeting and to assign project monitoring responsibilities for the remainder of the year. The Madera County Resource Advisory Committee met in North Fork, California on March 30th 2011. The purpose of that meeting was to discuss and then vote on submitted proposals for funding as authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community SelfDetermination Act of 2000 (Pub. L.110– 343) for expenditure of Payments to States Madera County Title II funds. DATES: The meeting will be held on April 20th, 2011. ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at the Bass Lake Ranger District, 57003 Road 225, North Fork, California 93643. Send written comments to Julie Roberts, Madera County Resource Advisory Committee Coordinator, c/o Sierra National Forest, Bass Lake Ranger District, at the above address, or electronically to jaroberts@fs.fed.us. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie Roberts, Madera County Resource Advisory Committee Coordinator, (559) 877–2218 ext. 3159. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The meeting is open to the public. Committee discussion is limited to Forest Service staff and Committee members. However, persons who wish to bring Payments to States Madera County Title II project matters to the attention of the Committee may file written statements with the Committee staff before or after the meetings. Dated: April 4, 2011. Dave Martin, District Ranger. [FR Doc. 2011–8511 Filed 4–8–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–P Dated: March 30, 2011. Frank Mosbacher, Acting Forest Supervisor. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service El Dorado County Resource Advisory Committee Forest Service, USDA. Notice of meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:49 Apr 08, 2011 Jkt 223001 [FR Doc. 2011–8195 Filed 4–8–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–M DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE The El Dorado County Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Placerville, California. The committee is meeting as authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (Pub. L. 110– 343) and in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The RAC will prioritize a list of projects for funding in FY 2011 and FY 2012. The RAC may also be voting to recommend projects for funding. SUMMARY: The meeting will be held on April 25, 2011, beginning at 6 p.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Ed Dorado Center of Folsom Lake College, Community Room, 6699 Campus Drive, Placerville, CA 95667. Written comments should be sent to Frank Mosbacher, Forest Supervisor’s Office; 100 Forni Road; Placerville, CA 95667. Comments may also be sent via e-mail to fmosbacher@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to 530–621–5297. All comments, including names and addresses when provided, are placed in the record and are available for public inspection and copying. The public may inspect comments received at 100 Forni Road; Placerville, CA 95667. Visitors are encourages to call ahead to 530–622– 5061 to facilitate entry into the building. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Mosbacher, Public Affairs Officer, Eldorado National Forest Supervisors Office, (530) 621–5268. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1– 800–877–8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The meeting is open to the public. The following business will be conducted: The RAC will prioritize a list of projects for funding in FY 2011 and FY 2012. The RAC may also be voting to recommend projects for funding. More information will be posted on the Eldorado National Forest Web site https://www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado. A public comment opportunity will be made available following the business activity. Future meetings will have a formal public input period for those following the yet to be developed public input process. DATES: Natural Resources Conservation Service [Docket No. NRCS–2011–0011] Notice of Proposed Changes to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices for the Natural Resources Conservation Service Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). ACTION: Notice of availability of proposed changes in the NRCS National AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 19971 Handbook of Conservation Practices for public review and comment. 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: Alley Cropping (Code 311), Anionic Polyacrylamide (PAM) Application (Code 450), Conservation Crop Rotation (Code 328), Cover Crop (Code 340), Dam (Code 402), Dam, Diversion (Code 348), Farmstead Energy Improvement (Code 374), Forest Stand Improvement (Code 666), Irrigation Ditch Lining (Code 428), Irrigation Pipeline (Code 430), Irrigation Reservoir (Code 436), Irrigation System, Microirrigation (Code 441), Irrigation System, Sprinkler (Code 442), Irrigation System, Surface and Subsurface (Code 443), Irrigation System, Tailwater Recovery (Code 447), Irrigation Water Management (Code 449), Mulching (Code 484), Pipeline (Code 516), Pond (Code 378), Pumping Plant (Code 533), Renewable Energy System (Code 671), Residue and Tillage Management, Mulch Till (Code 345), Residue and Tillage Management No Till/Strip Till/ Direct Seed (Code 329), Residue and Tillage Management, Ridge Till (Code 346), Residue Management, Seasonal (Code 344), Silvopasture Establishment (Code 381), Tree/Shrub Establishment (Code 612), Waste Recycling (Code 633), Windbreak/Shelterbelt—Establishment (Code 380), and Woody Residue Treatment (formerly Forest Slash Treatment) (Code 384). NRCS State Conservationists who choose to adopt these practices for use within their States 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 April 11, 2011. Comment Date: Submit comments on or before May 11, 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, identified by Docket Number NRCS–2011–0011, using any of the following methods: SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\11APN1.SGM 11APN1 srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES 19972 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 69 / Monday, April 11, 2011 / Notices • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • E-mail: Anetra.Harbor@wdc.usda.gov. Include Docket Number NRCS–2011–0011 or ‘‘comment on practice standards’’ in the subject line of the message. • Mail: Comment Submissions, Attention: Anetra L. Harbor, Policy Analyst, Resource Economics, Analysis and Policy Division, Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, George Washington Carver Center, Room 1– 1112D, Beltsville, Maryland 20705. All comments received will become a matter of public record and will be posted without change to https:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. 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://ftpfc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NHQ/practicestandards/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: Alley Cropping (Code 311)—A new Purpose of ‘‘Develop Renewable Energy Systems’’ and accompanying additional Criteria were added. Anionic Polyacrylamide (PAM) Application (Code 450)—A new Purpose of ‘‘Reduce Energy Use’’ and accompanying Criteria were added. Conservation Crop Rotation (Code 328)—A new Purpose of ‘‘Reduce Energy Use’’ and accompanying Criteria were added to reduce energy by introducing legumes into the rotation to reduce VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:49 Apr 08, 2011 Jkt 223001 synthetic nitrogen inputs and using crops with less consumptive water use. Where the practice applies was clarified. Criteria for a positive trend in organic matter from the General Criteria were changed to Additional Criteria to improve soil quality. Additional criteria were added to the Operation and Maintenance to evaluate the cropping sequence to ensure the objectives are being achieved. Cover Crop (Code 340)—The Definition was revised to exclude harvesting the cover crop. An annual crop planted for harvest is covered under Conservation Cropping Rotation (Code 328). The purpose to produce supplemental forage was removed. A Purpose and accompanying Criteria were added to promote biological nitrogen fixation and ‘‘Reduce Energy Use’’ by using legume cover crops. Additional Operation and Maintenance criteria were added to evaluate the onsite application of the practice to ensure the planned purposes are achieved. Dam (Code 402)—A new Purpose of ‘‘Develop Renewable Energy Systems’’ and accompanying additional Criteria were added. Dam, Diversion (Code 348)—A new Purpose of ‘‘Develop Renewable Energy Systems’’ and accompanying additional Criteria were added. Farmstead Energy Improvement (Code 374)—The title was changed from ‘‘OnFarm Equipment Efficiency Improvements’’ to ‘‘Farmstead Energy Improvement.’’ The Definition was changed. A new Purpose of ‘‘Reduce Energy Use’’ and accompanying Criteria were added. Technologies with corresponding industry standards were added to the Criteria section. Forest Stand Improvement (Code 666)—A new Purpose of ‘‘Develop Renewable Energy Systems’’ and accompanying additional Criteria were added. Irrigation Ditch Lining (Code 428)—A new Purpose of ‘‘Reduce Energy Use’’ and accompanying Criteria were added. Irrigation Pipeline (Code 430)—New Purposes of ‘‘Reduce Energy Use’’ and ‘‘Develop Renewable Energy Systems’’ along with accompanying Criteria were added. Irrigation Reservoir (Code 436)—New Purposes of ‘‘Reduce Energy Use’’ and ‘‘Develop Renewable Energy Systems’’ along with accompanying Criteria were added. Irrigation System, Microirrigation (Code 441)—The Unit was changed from (No. & Ac.) to (Ac.). A new Purpose of ‘‘Reduce Energy Use’’ and accompanying Criteria were added. The filter permissible design head loss was PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 changed, and a requirement for an Irrigation Water Management Plan was added. Irrigation System, Sprinkler (Code 442)—A new Purpose of ‘‘Reduce Energy Use’’ and accompanying Criteria were added. Irrigation System, Surface and Subsurface (Code 443)—A new Purpose of ‘‘Reduce Energy Use’’ and accompanying Criteria were added. Irrigation System, Tailwater Recovery (Code 447)—A new Purpose of ‘‘Reduce Energy Use’’ and accompanying additional Criteria were added. Irrigation Water Management (Code 449)—A new Purpose of ‘‘Reduce Energy Use’’ and accompanying additional Criteria were added. Mulching (Code 484)—A new Purpose of ‘‘Reduce Energy Use’’ and accompanying additional Criteria were added. Criteria were added to the Operation and Maintenance section of the standard to evaluate the effectiveness of the practice to achieve the planned purpose(s). Pipeline (Code 516)—New Purposes of ‘‘Reduce Energy Use’’ and ‘‘Develop Renewable Energy Systems’’ along with accompanying Criteria were added. Pond (Code 378)—A new Purpose of ‘‘Develop Renewable Energy Systems’’ and accompanying additional Criteria were added. Pumping Plant (Code 533)—A new Purpose of ‘‘Reduce Energy Use’’ and accompanying additional Criteria were added. The Criteria Applicable to All Purposes removed criteria for Photovoltaic Panels, Windmills, and Water Powered Pumps (hydraulic rams), and removed Additional Criteria Applicable to the Improvement of Energy Efficiency. Renewable Energy System (Code 671)—This is a new conservation practice standard for the purpose of ‘‘Develop Renewable Energy Systems.’’ Residue and Tillage Management, Mulch Till (Code 345)—A new Purpose of ‘‘Reduce Energy Use’’ and accompanying additional Criteria were added. The revision combined Additional Criteria for wind and water erosion into one set of criteria. Criteria were added to the Operation and Maintenance section of the practice to evaluate on-site performance of the practice to determine if the purpose(s) are being achieved. Residue and Tillage Management No Till/Strip Till/Direct Seed (Code 329)— A new Purpose of ‘‘Reduce Energy Use’’ and accompanying additional Criteria were added. Additional Criteria to Reduce Sheet/Rill Erosion; Reduce Wind Erosion; and Reduce Soil Particulate Emissions were combined E:\FR\FM\11APN1.SGM 11APN1 srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 69 / Monday, April 11, 2011 / Notices into one set of criteria. The Operation and Maintenance had additions to evaluate the function of the practice onsite to ensure the purpose(s) is/are achieved. Residue and Tillage Management, Ridge Till (Code 346)—A new Purpose of ‘‘Reduce Energy Use’’ and accompanying additional Criteria were added. Criteria were added to the Operation and Maintenance section of the standard to evaluate the effectiveness of the practice to achieve the planned Purpose(s). Residue Management, Seasonal (Code 344)—A new Purpose of ‘‘Develop Renewable Energy Systems’’ and accompanying additional Criteria were added to provide crop residues for biofuel feedstocks and additional criteria to harvest crop residues for biofuel feedstocks for renewable energy production. Where Practice Applies section was revised to include all cropland where biomass is removed for biofuel feedstocks. Additional Operation and Maintenance criteria were added to evaluate the onsite application of the practice to ensure the planned purposes are achieved. Silvopasture Establishment (Code 381)—A new Purpose of ‘‘Develop Renewable Energy Systems’’ and accompanying additional Criteria were added. Tree/Shrub Establishment (Code 612)—A new Purpose of ‘‘Develop Renewable Energy Systems’’ and accompanying additional Criteria were added. Waste Recycling (Code 633)—The title was changed from ‘‘Waste Utilization’’ to ‘‘Waste Recycling.’’ A new Purpose of ‘‘Reduce Energy Use’’ and accompanying Criteria were added. The application is more focused to processing and recycling agriculture waste material into a valuable by-product. Windbreak/Shelterbelt— Establishment (Code 380)—A new Purpose of ‘‘Reduce Energy Use’’ and accompanying additional Criteria were added. Woody Residue Treatment (formerly Forest Slash Treatment) (Code 384)— The title was changed from ‘‘Forest Slash Treatment’’ to ‘‘Woody Residue Treatment.’’ A new Purpose of ‘‘Develop Renewable Energy Systems’’ and accompanying additional Criteria were added. Signed this 4th day of April 2011, in Washington, DC. Dave White, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service. [FR Doc. 2011–8483 Filed 4–8–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–16–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:49 Apr 08, 2011 Jkt 223001 BROADCASTING BOARD OF GOVERNORS Government in the Sunshine Act Meeting Notice Thursday, April 14, 2011; 4 p.m. PLACE: Radio Free Asia Headquarters, 2025 M St., NW., Washington, DC 20036. SUBJECT: Notice of Meeting of the Broadcasting Board of Governors. SUMMARY: The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) will meet at the time and location listed above. The BBG will receive a Prague trip report, receive and consider a report from the Board’s Strategy and Budget Committee on the status of the current regional reviews, receive and consider a report from the Board’s Governance Committee on matters pertaining to future Agency organizational structures, receive a report from the International Broadcasting Bureau Director, and receive programming coverage updates by the Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks. The meeting is open to public observation via streamed webcast, both live and on-demand, on the BBG’s public Web site at https://www.bbg.gov. CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: Persons interested in obtaining more information should contact Paul Kollmer-Dorsey at (202) 203–4545. DATE AND TIME: Paul Kollmer-Dorsey, Deputy General Counsel. [FR Doc. 2011–8673 Filed 4–7–11; 11:15 am] BILLING CODE 8610–01–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). Agency: U.S. Census Bureau. Title: Automated Export System (AES). OMB Control Number: 0607–0152. Form Number(s): AES, AESDirect, AESWeblink. Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection. Burden Hours: 791,607. Number of Respondents: 288,747. Average Hours per Response: 3 minutes per AES record. Needs and Uses: The Census Bureau requires mandatory filing of all export PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 19973 information via the Automated Export System (AES). This requirement is mandated through Public Law 107–228, of the Foreign Trade Relations Act of 2003. This law authorizes the Secretary of Commerce with the concurrences of the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security to require all persons who file export information according to Title 13, United States Code (U.S.C.), Chapter 9, to file such information through the AES. The AES record provides the means for collecting data on U.S. exports. Title 13, U.S.C., Chapter 9, Sections 301–307, mandates the collection of these data. The regulatory provisions for the collection of these data are contained in the FTR, Title 15, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 30. The official export statistics collected from these tools provide the basic component for the compilation of the U.S. position on merchandise trade. These data are an essential component of the monthly totals provided in the U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services Press Release, a principal economic indicator and a primary component of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). These data collected from the AES record are also used for export control purposes under Title 50, U.S.C., Export Administration Act, to detect and prevent the export of certain items by unauthorized parties or to unauthorized destinations or end users. The information collected via the AES shows what is being exported (description and commodity classification number), how much is exported (quantity, shipping weight, and value), how it is being exported (mode of transport, exporting carrier, and whether containerized), from where (state of origin and port of export), to where (port of unloading and country of ultimate destination), and when a commodity is exported (date of exportation). The identification of the U.S. Principal Party in Interest (USPPI) shows who is exporting goods for consumption (control purposes), while the USPPI and/or the forwarding or other agent information provides a contact for verification of the information. The proposed changes will require the addition of new data elements in the AES as well as modifications to current data elements. The fields that will be added/modified are conditional data elements. Therefore, these data elements will only be required if that element applies to the specific shipment being exported. In addition, AES filings will be mandatory for shipments of all used self-propelled vehicles and household E:\FR\FM\11APN1.SGM 11APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 69 (Monday, April 11, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19971-19973]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-8483]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service

[Docket No. NRCS-2011-0011]


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.

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

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: Alley 
Cropping (Code 311), Anionic Polyacrylamide (PAM) Application (Code 
450), Conservation Crop Rotation (Code 328), Cover Crop (Code 340), Dam 
(Code 402), Dam, Diversion (Code 348), Farmstead Energy Improvement 
(Code 374), Forest Stand Improvement (Code 666), Irrigation Ditch 
Lining (Code 428), Irrigation Pipeline (Code 430), Irrigation Reservoir 
(Code 436), Irrigation System, Microirrigation (Code 441), Irrigation 
System, Sprinkler (Code 442), Irrigation System, Surface and Subsurface 
(Code 443), Irrigation System, Tailwater Recovery (Code 447), 
Irrigation Water Management (Code 449), Mulching (Code 484), Pipeline 
(Code 516), Pond (Code 378), Pumping Plant (Code 533), Renewable Energy 
System (Code 671), Residue and Tillage Management, Mulch Till (Code 
345), Residue and Tillage Management No Till/Strip Till/Direct Seed 
(Code 329), Residue and Tillage Management, Ridge Till (Code 346), 
Residue Management, Seasonal (Code 344), Silvopasture Establishment 
(Code 381), Tree/Shrub Establishment (Code 612), Waste Recycling (Code 
633), Windbreak/Shelterbelt--Establishment (Code 380), and Woody 
Residue Treatment (formerly Forest Slash Treatment) (Code 384).
    NRCS State Conservationists who choose to adopt these practices for 
use within their States 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 April 11, 2011.
    Comment Date: Submit comments on or before May 11, 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, identified by Docket Number 
NRCS-2011-0011, using any of the following methods:

[[Page 19972]]

     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     E-mail: Anetra.Harbor@wdc.usda.gov. Include Docket Number 
NRCS-2011-0011 or ``comment on practice standards'' in the subject line 
of the message.
     Mail: Comment Submissions, Attention: Anetra L. Harbor, 
Policy Analyst, Resource Economics, Analysis and Policy Division, 
Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 
George Washington Carver Center, Room 1-1112D, Beltsville, Maryland 
20705.
    All comments received will become a matter of public record and 
will be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov, including 
any personal information provided.

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:
    Alley Cropping (Code 311)--A new Purpose of ``Develop Renewable 
Energy Systems'' and accompanying additional Criteria were added.
    Anionic Polyacrylamide (PAM) Application (Code 450)--A new Purpose 
of ``Reduce Energy Use'' and accompanying Criteria were added.
    Conservation Crop Rotation (Code 328)--A new Purpose of ``Reduce 
Energy Use'' and accompanying Criteria were added to reduce energy by 
introducing legumes into the rotation to reduce synthetic nitrogen 
inputs and using crops with less consumptive water use. Where the 
practice applies was clarified. Criteria for a positive trend in 
organic matter from the General Criteria were changed to Additional 
Criteria to improve soil quality. Additional criteria were added to the 
Operation and Maintenance to evaluate the cropping sequence to ensure 
the objectives are being achieved.
    Cover Crop (Code 340)--The Definition was revised to exclude 
harvesting the cover crop. An annual crop planted for harvest is 
covered under Conservation Cropping Rotation (Code 328). The purpose to 
produce supplemental forage was removed. A Purpose and accompanying 
Criteria were added to promote biological nitrogen fixation and 
``Reduce Energy Use'' by using legume cover crops. Additional Operation 
and Maintenance criteria were added to evaluate the onsite application 
of the practice to ensure the planned purposes are achieved.
    Dam (Code 402)--A new Purpose of ``Develop Renewable Energy 
Systems'' and accompanying additional Criteria were added.
    Dam, Diversion (Code 348)--A new Purpose of ``Develop Renewable 
Energy Systems'' and accompanying additional Criteria were added.
    Farmstead Energy Improvement (Code 374)--The title was changed from 
``On-Farm Equipment Efficiency Improvements'' to ``Farmstead Energy 
Improvement.'' The Definition was changed. A new Purpose of ``Reduce 
Energy Use'' and accompanying Criteria were added. Technologies with 
corresponding industry standards were added to the Criteria section.
    Forest Stand Improvement (Code 666)--A new Purpose of ``Develop 
Renewable Energy Systems'' and accompanying additional Criteria were 
added.
    Irrigation Ditch Lining (Code 428)--A new Purpose of ``Reduce 
Energy Use'' and accompanying Criteria were added.
    Irrigation Pipeline (Code 430)--New Purposes of ``Reduce Energy 
Use'' and ``Develop Renewable Energy Systems'' along with accompanying 
Criteria were added.
    Irrigation Reservoir (Code 436)--New Purposes of ``Reduce Energy 
Use'' and ``Develop Renewable Energy Systems'' along with accompanying 
Criteria were added.
    Irrigation System, Microirrigation (Code 441)--The Unit was changed 
from (No. & Ac.) to (Ac.). A new Purpose of ``Reduce Energy Use'' and 
accompanying Criteria were added. The filter permissible design head 
loss was changed, and a requirement for an Irrigation Water Management 
Plan was added.
    Irrigation System, Sprinkler (Code 442)--A new Purpose of ``Reduce 
Energy Use'' and accompanying Criteria were added.
    Irrigation System, Surface and Subsurface (Code 443)--A new Purpose 
of ``Reduce Energy Use'' and accompanying Criteria were added.
    Irrigation System, Tailwater Recovery (Code 447)--A new Purpose of 
``Reduce Energy Use'' and accompanying additional Criteria were added.
    Irrigation Water Management (Code 449)--A new Purpose of ``Reduce 
Energy Use'' and accompanying additional Criteria were added.
    Mulching (Code 484)--A new Purpose of ``Reduce Energy Use'' and 
accompanying additional Criteria were added. Criteria were added to the 
Operation and Maintenance section of the standard to evaluate the 
effectiveness of the practice to achieve the planned purpose(s).
    Pipeline (Code 516)--New Purposes of ``Reduce Energy Use'' and 
``Develop Renewable Energy Systems'' along with accompanying Criteria 
were added.
    Pond (Code 378)--A new Purpose of ``Develop Renewable Energy 
Systems'' and accompanying additional Criteria were added.
    Pumping Plant (Code 533)--A new Purpose of ``Reduce Energy Use'' 
and accompanying additional Criteria were added. The Criteria 
Applicable to All Purposes removed criteria for Photovoltaic Panels, 
Windmills, and Water Powered Pumps (hydraulic rams), and removed 
Additional Criteria Applicable to the Improvement of Energy Efficiency.
    Renewable Energy System (Code 671)--This is a new conservation 
practice standard for the purpose of ``Develop Renewable Energy 
Systems.''
    Residue and Tillage Management, Mulch Till (Code 345)--A new 
Purpose of ``Reduce Energy Use'' and accompanying additional Criteria 
were added. The revision combined Additional Criteria for wind and 
water erosion into one set of criteria. Criteria were added to the 
Operation and Maintenance section of the practice to evaluate on-site 
performance of the practice to determine if the purpose(s) are being 
achieved.
    Residue and Tillage Management No Till/Strip Till/Direct Seed (Code 
329)--A new Purpose of ``Reduce Energy Use'' and accompanying 
additional Criteria were added. Additional Criteria to Reduce Sheet/
Rill Erosion; Reduce Wind Erosion; and Reduce Soil Particulate 
Emissions were combined

[[Page 19973]]

into one set of criteria. The Operation and Maintenance had additions 
to evaluate the function of the practice onsite to ensure the 
purpose(s) is/are achieved.
    Residue and Tillage Management, Ridge Till (Code 346)--A new 
Purpose of ``Reduce Energy Use'' and accompanying additional Criteria 
were added. Criteria were added to the Operation and Maintenance 
section of the standard to evaluate the effectiveness of the practice 
to achieve the planned Purpose(s).
    Residue Management, Seasonal (Code 344)--A new Purpose of ``Develop 
Renewable Energy Systems'' and accompanying additional Criteria were 
added to provide crop residues for biofuel feedstocks and additional 
criteria to harvest crop residues for biofuel feedstocks for renewable 
energy production. Where Practice Applies section was revised to 
include all cropland where biomass is removed for biofuel feedstocks. 
Additional Operation and Maintenance criteria were added to evaluate 
the onsite application of the practice to ensure the planned purposes 
are achieved.
    Silvopasture Establishment (Code 381)--A new Purpose of ``Develop 
Renewable Energy Systems'' and accompanying additional Criteria were 
added.
    Tree/Shrub Establishment (Code 612)--A new Purpose of ``Develop 
Renewable Energy Systems'' and accompanying additional Criteria were 
added.
    Waste Recycling (Code 633)--The title was changed from ``Waste 
Utilization'' to ``Waste Recycling.'' A new Purpose of ``Reduce Energy 
Use'' and accompanying Criteria were added. The application is more 
focused to processing and recycling agriculture waste material into a 
valuable by-product.
    Windbreak/Shelterbelt--Establishment (Code 380)--A new Purpose of 
``Reduce Energy Use'' and accompanying additional Criteria were added.
    Woody Residue Treatment (formerly Forest Slash Treatment) (Code 
384)--The title was changed from ``Forest Slash Treatment'' to ``Woody 
Residue Treatment.'' A new Purpose of ``Develop Renewable Energy 
Systems'' and accompanying additional Criteria were added.

    Signed this 4th day of April 2011, in Washington, DC.
Dave White,
Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-8483 Filed 4-8-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P
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