Notice of Proposed Changes to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, 22095-22096 [2014-08936]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 76 / Monday, April 21, 2014 / Notices operated by the U.S. Department of Education. The NSLDS Web site can be found at www.nslds.ed.gov. Individuals who consolidated their DVM loans with non-educational loans or loans belonging to an individual other than the applicant, such as a spouse or child, will continue to be ineligible for the VMLRP. In FY 2010, NIFA announced its first funding opportunity for the VMLRP and in the four program cycles since, NIFA has received 695 applications from which 240 VMLRP awards totaling $20,723,720 were issued. Consequently, up to $4,500,000 is available to support this program in FY 2014. Funding for future years will be based on annual appropriations and balances, if any, remaining from prior years. The eligibility criteria for applicants and the application forms and associated instructions needed to apply for a VMLRP award can be viewed and downloaded from the VMLRP Web site at https://www.nifa.usda.gov/vmlrp. Done in Washington, DC, this 10th day of April, 2014. Sonny Ramaswamy, Director, National Institute of Food and Agriculture. [FR Doc. 2014–08938 Filed 4–18–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–22–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Natural Resources Conservation Service [Docket No. NRCS–2014–0002] Notice of Proposed Changes to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices for the Natural Resources Conservation Service Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), USDA. ACTION: Notice of availability of proposed changes in the NRCS National Handbook of Conservation Practices for public review and comment. AGENCY: 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: Access Road (Code 560), Agrichemical Handling Facility (Code 309), Grade Stabilization Structure (Code 410), Precision Land Forming (Code 462), Short Term Storage of Animal Waste and Byproducts (Code 318), Terraces (Code 600), Trails and Walkways (Code 575), Watering Facility (Code 614) and Water Well (Code 642). NRCS State Conservationists who choose to adopt these practices for use ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:19 Apr 18, 2014 Jkt 232001 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 21, 2014. Comment Date: Submit comments on or before May 21, 2014. 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–2014–0002, using any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing, Attention: Regulatory and Agency Policy Team, Strategic Planning and Accountability, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Building 1– 1112D, Beltsville, Maryland 20705. NRCS will post all comments on https://www.regulations.gov. In general, personal information provided with comments will be posted. If your comment includes your address, phone number, email, or other personal identifying information, your comments, including personal information, may be available to the public. You may ask in your comment that your personal identifying information be withheld from public view, but this cannot be guaranteed. 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 the proposed revised standards are available through https://www.regulations.gov by accessing Docket No. NRCS–2014–0002. Alternatively, copies can be downloaded or printed from the following Web site: https://go.usa.gov/ TXye. Requests for paper versions or inquiries may be directed to Emil Horvath, National Practice Standards Review Coordinator, Natural Resources PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 22095 Conservation Service, Central National Technology Support Center, 501 West Felix Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76115. 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/wps/portal/nrcs/ detailfull/national/technical/cp/ncps/ ?cid=nrcs143026849. To aid in this comparison, following are highlights of some of the proposed revisions to each standard: Access Road (Code 560)—The agency revised the definition. The chart for the location of cross slope drainage features was modified to include a variety of soils rather than a single soil. Agrichemical Handling Facility (Code 309)—The agency added new criteria under which lowering the water table would be allowable, expanded sizing criteria of the agrichemical handling pad, clarified language under the storage capacity criteria, added new criteria for an equipment wash bay, and updated and added clarification to the criteria for concrete exposed to agrichemicals. Grade Stabilization Structure (Code 410)—The agency refined the definition, modified criteria, and updated terminology related to hazard classification. Precision Land Forming (Code 462)— The agency updated the operation and maintenance section and references. Short Term Storage of Animal Waste and Byproducts (Code 318)—The agency created this new conservation practice standard. Terraces (Code 600)—The agency clearly defined pressure flow and gravity flow, added tractive stress references, updated the operation and maintenance section, and added references. Trails and Walkways (Code 575)—The agency incorporated Trails and Walkways (Code 568) into Animal Trails and Walkways (Code 575) under the name Trails and Walkways (Code 575). These standards were combined into one because many of the criteria are very similar. The practice name, definition, purpose, and conditions where practice applies were modified accordingly. Watering Facility (Code 614)—The agency revised the definition of this practice and a purpose was added. The criteria for watering ramps were added. There is more emphasis on water storage tanks. E:\FR\FM\21APN1.SGM 21APN1 22096 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 76 / Monday, April 21, 2014 / Notices will begin at 1:00 p.m. and is scheduled to end by 4:00 p.m. Registration: You must register by 5pm ET on April 23, 2014, to attend the listening session and to provide oral comments during the listening session. Comments: Written comments are due by 5pm ET on April 24, 2014. ADDRESSES: We invite you to participate in the listening session. The listening session is open to the public. The meeting will be held in the Room 107– A of the Whitten Building at 14th Street and Independence Ave. SW., Signed this 9th day of April, 2014, in Washington, DC 20250. Washington, DC. We also invite you to submit Jason A. Weller, comments by any of the following Chief, Natural Resources Conservation methods: Service. • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to [FR Doc. 2014–08936 Filed 4–18–14; 8:45 am] https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the BILLING CODE 3410–16–P online instructions for submitting comments; or • Orally at the listening session; DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE please also provide a written copy of your comments online as specified Rural Business-Cooperative Service above or in hard copy at the listening session. 2014 Farm Bill Implementation Listening Session—Value-Added FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Producer Grant Program Andrew Jermolowicz; phone: (202) 720– 8460. Persons with disabilities who AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative require alternative means for Service, USDA. communication (Braille, large print, ACTION: Notice. audio tape, etc.) should contact the SUMMARY: As part of our implementation USDA Target Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD). of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (commonly referred to as the 2014 Farm SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On Bill), the Rural Business-Cooperative February 7, 2014, the 2014 Farm Bill Service (RBS) is hosting a listening (Pub. L. 113–79) was signed into law. session for initial public input about The Secretary of Agriculture and the changes to Value-Added Producer Grant respective USDA agencies, including (VAPG) program for which RBS has RBS, are working to implement the been delegated the authority to provisions of the 2014 Farm Bill as implement. The 2014 Farm Bill expeditiously as possible to meet the specifically identifies two new needs of producers and other provisions to be implemented for stakeholders. In order to implement the VAPG—(1) an additional priority provisions expeditiously and to ensure preference for veteran farmers or transparency, it is important to hear ranchers and (2) a priority for projects from stakeholders to be aware of their that best contribute to creating or priorities, concerns, or requests. increasing marketing opportunities for RBS will hold the listening session on beginning farmers or ranchers, socially April 25, 2014, to receive oral comments disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, from stakeholders and the public. A operators of small-and medium-sized written copy of the oral comments is family farms and ranches that are requested. (See the ADDRESSES section structured as family farms, and/or above for information about submitting veteran farmers or ranchers. written comments.) In addition, RBS is holding this listening session stakeholders and the public who do not specifically to provide an opportunity wish to attend or speak at the listening for stakeholders to voice their priorities, session are invited to submit written concerns, and requests on the ‘‘best comments, which must be received by contributing’’ priority. Instructions 5pm ET April 24, 2014. regarding registering for and attending As a listening session, the focus is for the listening session are in the RBS to hear from the public; this is not SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of a discussion with RBS officials or a this notice. question and answer session. As noted above, the purpose is to receive public DATES: input that RBS can factor into decisions Listening session: The listening it needs to make in order to implement session will be on April 25, 2014, and ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Water Well (Code 642)—The agency changed the criteria to clarify that domestic use and irrigation wells must follow consensus standards, grouting, and sealing with a water tight seal required in annulus of the casing, clarified suitable filter pack materials, removed numerical limit on intake velocity through screens, added statement to emphasize all wells must be developed, and added that well performance testing must be conducted after completion. VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:19 Apr 18, 2014 Jkt 232001 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 the ‘‘best contributing’’ priority of the 2014 Farm Bill for the VAPG program (as outlined as priority #2 of this announcement summary above) . Date: April 25, 2014 Time: 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. Location information: USDA headquarters, in the Whitten Building, Room 107–A, 14th Street and Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250. The listening session will begin with brief opening remarks from the USDA leadership in Rural Development. Individual speakers providing oral comments are requested to be succinct as we do not know at this time how many participants there will be. As noted above, we request that speakers providing oral comments also provide a written copy of their comments. (See the ADDRESSES section above for information about submitting written comments.) All stakeholders and interested members of the public are welcome to register to provide oral comments; however, due to the time constraints a limited number will be selected on a first come, first serve basis. The purpose of the listening session is for RBS to hear from stakeholders and other interested members of the public about the ‘‘best contributing’’ priority as required by the 2014 Farm Bill. Please refer to the VAPG program in your comment. In your comments, provide your input about how this provision could be implemented, including your rationale, for us to consider. Instructions for Attending the Meeting Space for attendance at the meeting is limited. Due to USDA headquarters security and space requirements, all persons wishing to attend the public meeting or provide oral comments to RBS during the listening session must send an email to Andrew.jermolowicz@ wdc.usda.gov by 5 p.m. on April 23, 2014, to register the names of those planning to attend. Registrations will be accepted until maximum room capacity is reached. To register, provide the following information: • First Name • Last Name • Organization • Title • Email • City • State Upon arrival at the USDA Whitten Building, registered persons must provide valid photo identification in order to enter the building; visitors need to enter the Whitten Building on the mall side. Please allow extra time to get through security. Additional E:\FR\FM\21APN1.SGM 21APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 76 (Monday, April 21, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22095-22096]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-08936]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service

[Docket No. NRCS-2014-0002]


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

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), USDA.

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: Access 
Road (Code 560), Agrichemical Handling Facility (Code 309), Grade 
Stabilization Structure (Code 410), Precision Land Forming (Code 462), 
Short Term Storage of Animal Waste and Byproducts (Code 318), Terraces 
(Code 600), Trails and Walkways (Code 575), Watering Facility (Code 
614) and Water Well (Code 642).
    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 21, 2014.
    Comment Date: Submit comments on or before May 21, 2014. 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-2014-0002, using any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing, 
Attention: Regulatory and Agency Policy Team, Strategic Planning and 
Accountability, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 5601 Sunnyside 
Avenue, Building 1-1112D, Beltsville, Maryland 20705.
    NRCS will post all comments on https://www.regulations.gov. In 
general, personal information provided with comments will be posted. If 
your comment includes your address, phone number, email, or other 
personal identifying information, your comments, including personal 
information, may be available to the public. You may ask in your 
comment that your personal identifying information be withheld from 
public view, but this cannot be guaranteed.

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 the proposed revised standards are available 
through https://www.regulations.gov by accessing Docket No. NRCS-2014-
0002. Alternatively, copies can be downloaded or printed from the 
following Web site: https://go.usa.gov/TXye. Requests for paper versions 
or inquiries may be directed to Emil Horvath, National Practice 
Standards Review Coordinator, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 
Central National Technology Support Center, 501 West Felix Street, Fort 
Worth, Texas 76115.

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/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/technical/cp/ncps/?cid=nrcs143026849. To aid in 
this comparison, following are highlights of some of the proposed 
revisions to each standard:
    Access Road (Code 560)--The agency revised the definition. The 
chart for the location of cross slope drainage features was modified to 
include a variety of soils rather than a single soil.
    Agrichemical Handling Facility (Code 309)--The agency added new 
criteria under which lowering the water table would be allowable, 
expanded sizing criteria of the agrichemical handling pad, clarified 
language under the storage capacity criteria, added new criteria for an 
equipment wash bay, and updated and added clarification to the criteria 
for concrete exposed to agrichemicals.
    Grade Stabilization Structure (Code 410)--The agency refined the 
definition, modified criteria, and updated terminology related to 
hazard classification.
    Precision Land Forming (Code 462)--The agency updated the operation 
and maintenance section and references.
    Short Term Storage of Animal Waste and Byproducts (Code 318)--The 
agency created this new conservation practice standard.
    Terraces (Code 600)--The agency clearly defined pressure flow and 
gravity flow, added tractive stress references, updated the operation 
and maintenance section, and added references.
    Trails and Walkways (Code 575)--The agency incorporated Trails and 
Walkways (Code 568) into Animal Trails and Walkways (Code 575) under 
the name Trails and Walkways (Code 575). These standards were combined 
into one because many of the criteria are very similar. The practice 
name, definition, purpose, and conditions where practice applies were 
modified accordingly.
    Watering Facility (Code 614)--The agency revised the definition of 
this practice and a purpose was added. The criteria for watering ramps 
were added. There is more emphasis on water storage tanks.

[[Page 22096]]

    Water Well (Code 642)--The agency changed the criteria to clarify 
that domestic use and irrigation wells must follow consensus standards, 
grouting, and sealing with a water tight seal required in annulus of 
the casing, clarified suitable filter pack materials, removed numerical 
limit on intake velocity through screens, added statement to emphasize 
all wells must be developed, and added that well performance testing 
must be conducted after completion.

    Signed this 9th day of April, 2014, in Washington, DC.
Jason A. Weller,
Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-08936 Filed 4-18-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P
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