Notice of Proposed Changes to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, 28619-28620 [2017-13179]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 120 / Friday, June 23, 2017 / Notices electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments regarding this information collection received by July 24, 2017 will be considered. Written comments should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), New Executive Office Building, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20502. Commenters are encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or fax (202) 395–5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250– 7602. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720–8958. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Title: Citrus Canker; Interstate Movement of Regulated Nursery Stock and Fruit from Quarantined Areas. OMB Control Number: 0579–0317. Summary of Collection: Under the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701, et seq.), the Secretary of Agriculture, either independently or in cooperation with the Sates, is authorized to carry out operations or measures to detect, eradicate, suppress, control, prevent, or retard the spread of plant pests (such as citrus canker) new to or widely distributed throughout the United States. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has regulations in place to prevent the interstate spread of citrus canker. These regulations, contained in 7 CFR 301.75, restrict the interstate movement of regulated articles from and through areas quarantined because of citrus canker. APHIS’ citrus canker quarantine regulations prohibit the interstate movement of regulated nursery stock from a quarantined area. The interstate movement of nursery stock from an area quarantined for citrus canker poses an extremely high risk of spreading citrus canker outside the quarantined area. Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information through compliance agreements and limited permits. Failure to collect this VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:21 Jun 22, 2017 Jkt 241001 information could cause a severe economic loss to the citrus industry. Description of Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit. Number of Respondents: 400. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion. Total Burden Hours: 2,742. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Title: Importation of Potatoes from Mexico. OMB Control Number: 0579–0413. Summary of Collection: Under the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701, et seq.), the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to prohibit or restrict the importation, entry, or movement of plants, and plant pests to prevent the introduction of plant pests into the United States or their dissemination within the United States. The regulations in ‘‘Subpart-Fruit and Vegetables’’ (7 CFR 319.56, referred to as the regulations) prohibit or restrict the importation of fruits and vegetables into the United States from certain parts of the world to prevent the introduction and dissemination of plant pests that are new to or not widely distributed within the United States. APHIS regulations concerning the importation of fruits and vegetables allow the importation of fresh potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) from Mexico into the United States. As a condition of entry, the potatoes have to be produced in accordance with a systems approach employing a combination of mitigation measures. Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will use the following information collection activities to allow the importation of potatoes from Mexico while continuing to protect against the introduction of plant pests into the United States: (1) Bilateral workplan, (2) grower registration certification, (3) packinghouse registration, (4) inspection and agricultural seal, (5) foreign phytosanitary certificate, and (6) surveys. Failure to collect this information would cripple APHIS’ ability to ensure that potatoes from Mexico are not carrying plant pests. Description of Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit; Foreign Federal Government. Number of Respondents: 19. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion. Total Burden Hours: 236. Ruth Brown, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2017–13114 Filed 6–22–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 28619 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Natural Resources Conservation Service [Docket No. NRCS–2017–0001] Notice of Proposed Changes to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices for the Natural Resources Conservation Service Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). ACTION: Notice of availability of proposed changes to the 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: Anaerobic Digester (Code 366), Contour Farming (Code 330), Crosswind Ridges (Code 588), Dam (Code 402), Mulching (Code 484), Pond Sealing or Lining—Geomembrane or Geosynthetic Clay Liner (Code 521), Stream Crossing (Code 578), Strip-Cropping (Code 585), Structure for Water Control (Code 587), Water and Sediment Control Basin (Code 638), Waste Recycling (Code 633), Waste Treatment Lagoon (Code 359). 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 June 23, 2017. Comment Date: Submit comments on or before July 24, 2017. 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–2017–0001, 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: SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\23JNN1.SGM 23JNN1 asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES 28620 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 120 / Friday, June 23, 2017 / Notices 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, telephone number, email, or other personal identifying information (PII), your comments, including PII, may be available to the public. You may ask in your comment that your PII be withheld from public view, but this cannot be guaranteed. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Reck, National Environmental Engineer, Conservation Engineering Division, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1400 Independence Avenue Southwest, South Building, Room 6136, Washington, DC 20250. Electronic copies of the proposed revised standards are available through https://www.regulations.gov by accessing Docket No. NRCS–2017–0001. 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=nrcs143_026849. To aid in this comparison, following are highlights of some of the proposed revisions to each standard: Anaerobic Digester (Code 366)— Revised language as needed to improve readability and clarify intent in criteria. ‘‘Conditions Where Practice Applies’’ section was updated and two items were removed. Provided additional information on the use of open and closed flares. Updated the safety section. Contour Farming (Code 330)—The contour farming definition was changed to read ‘‘Aligning ridges, furrows, and roughness formed by tillage, planting and other operations at a grade near the VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:21 Jun 22, 2017 Jkt 241001 contour to alter the velocity or the direction of water flow.’’ Added the resource concern linked to each purpose. Under ‘‘general criteria’’ made changes to the wording on minimum and maximum row grades and lowered the allowable deviation of row grade within 50 feet of a stable outlet. Changed requirements under ‘‘plans and specifications.’’ Crosswind Ridges (Code 588)—The crosswind ridges standard was reviewed and updated to reflect current agency policy and science. Each ‘‘purpose’’ has the resource concern linked. Minor word edits were made to clarify criteria. In ‘‘references,’’ updated the Wind Erosion Prediction System reference. Dam (Code 402)—The agency updated criteria and added references. Other changes improved the clarity of language used in the standard. Mulching (Code 484)—The mulching standard was reviewed and updated to reflect current agency policy and science. The ‘‘definition’’ was changed with the reference to ‘‘materials produced offsite’’ removed. Each ‘‘purpose’’ has the resource concern linked. Under ‘‘general criteria applicable to all purposes,’’ a paragraph was added to remove synthetic mulches and to not incorporate them into the soil. The percentage of ground cover to reduce potential evaporation was increased and two new references were added. Pond Sealing or Lining— Geomembrane or Geosynthetic Clay Liner (Code 521)—Title changed from ‘‘Pond Sealing or Lining—Flexible Membrane’’ to ‘‘Pond Sealing or Lining—Geomembrane or Geosynthetic Clay Liner’’ to better reflect the current industrial standard nomenclature. Practice Standard Code changed from 521A to 521. Units changed from ‘‘Number’’ to ‘‘Square Feet’’ to better represents the quantity of the practice installed. HDPE liner thickness changed from 40 mil to 60 mil. Stream Crossing (Code 578)—The purpose of this standard has been modified to only address resource concerns. Criteria listed as considerations was moved to the appropriate criteria section. Language has been simplified to better coordinate CPS 578 with other conservation practices, policy, and procedures by cross-referencing, instead of reiteration. Strip-Cropping (Code 585)—The stripcropping standard was reviewed and updated to reflect current agency policy and science. Each ‘‘purpose’’ has the resource concern linked. Minor word edits were made to clarify criteria. Under ‘‘general criteria,’’ added ‘‘Design the row grades with positive row PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 drainage of not less than 0.2 percent on slopes where ponding is a concern. This would include sites with soils with slow to very slow infiltration rates (soil hydrologic groups C or D), or where crops are sensitive to ponded water.’’ In ‘‘references,’’ updated the Wind Erosion Prediction System, and added a reference for the Water Erosion Prediction Project. Structure for Water Control (Code 587)—The agency updated criteria and added references. Other changes improved the clarity of language used in the standard. Water and Sediment Control Basin (Code 638)—Revised language as needed to improve readability and clarify intent of criteria. Topsoil criteria and the auxiliary spillway portion of the outlet criteria were moved to the considerations section since these are not always required. Added criteria for embankment foundation preparation. Waste Recycling (Code 633)— Language changes were made in the definition, conditions where practice applies and criteria to clarify the purpose of the standard and how it is to be used. Waste Treatment Lagoon (Code 359)— The document has been revised extensively. Those revisions include modifications to align the structural design requirements to align with changes to the Waste Storage Structure Standard. These changes include changes in accepted concrete and timber design criteria, modification of language for storage requirements to improve clarity, modify language to conform to the Plain Language Act, improvements to the safety criteria, changing the requirement of a staff gauge from optional to required, and improvements to the ‘‘Plans and Specifications,’’ and ‘‘Operation and Maintenance’’ sections of the standard. Other changes have been made to improve the clarity of the language used in the standard. Signed this 24th day of May, 2017, in Washington, DC. Leonard Jordan, Acting Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service. [FR Doc. 2017–13179 Filed 6–22–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–16–P COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Notice of Public Meetings of the Kansas Advisory Committee To Discuss Next Steps in the Committee’s Study of Civil Rights and School Funding in Kansas AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\23JNN1.SGM Commission on Civil Rights. 23JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 120 (Friday, June 23, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28619-28620]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-13179]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service

[Docket No. NRCS-2017-0001]


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

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Department 
of Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Notice of availability of proposed changes to the 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: Anaerobic 
Digester (Code 366), Contour Farming (Code 330), Crosswind Ridges (Code 
588), Dam (Code 402), Mulching (Code 484), Pond Sealing or Lining--
Geomembrane or Geosynthetic Clay Liner (Code 521), Stream Crossing 
(Code 578), Strip-Cropping (Code 585), Structure for Water Control 
(Code 587), Water and Sediment Control Basin (Code 638), Waste 
Recycling (Code 633), Waste Treatment Lagoon (Code 359). 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 June 23, 2017.
    Comment Date: Submit comments on or before July 24, 2017. 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-2017-0001, 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:

[[Page 28620]]

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, telephone number, email, or other 
personal identifying information (PII), your comments, including PII, 
may be available to the public. You may ask in your comment that your 
PII be withheld from public view, but this cannot be guaranteed.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Reck, National Environmental 
Engineer, Conservation Engineering Division, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1400 Independence 
Avenue Southwest, South Building, Room 6136, Washington, DC 20250.
    Electronic copies of the proposed revised standards are available 
through https://www.regulations.gov by accessing Docket No. NRCS-2017-
0001. 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=nrcs143_026849. To aid in 
this comparison, following are highlights of some of the proposed 
revisions to each standard:
    Anaerobic Digester (Code 366)--Revised language as needed to 
improve readability and clarify intent in criteria. ``Conditions Where 
Practice Applies'' section was updated and two items were removed. 
Provided additional information on the use of open and closed flares. 
Updated the safety section.
    Contour Farming (Code 330)--The contour farming definition was 
changed to read ``Aligning ridges, furrows, and roughness formed by 
tillage, planting and other operations at a grade near the contour to 
alter the velocity or the direction of water flow.'' Added the resource 
concern linked to each purpose. Under ``general criteria'' made changes 
to the wording on minimum and maximum row grades and lowered the 
allowable deviation of row grade within 50 feet of a stable outlet. 
Changed requirements under ``plans and specifications.''
    Crosswind Ridges (Code 588)--The crosswind ridges standard was 
reviewed and updated to reflect current agency policy and science. Each 
``purpose'' has the resource concern linked. Minor word edits were made 
to clarify criteria. In ``references,'' updated the Wind Erosion 
Prediction System reference.
    Dam (Code 402)--The agency updated criteria and added references. 
Other changes improved the clarity of language used in the standard.
    Mulching (Code 484)--The mulching standard was reviewed and updated 
to reflect current agency policy and science. The ``definition'' was 
changed with the reference to ``materials produced offsite'' removed. 
Each ``purpose'' has the resource concern linked. Under ``general 
criteria applicable to all purposes,'' a paragraph was added to remove 
synthetic mulches and to not incorporate them into the soil. The 
percentage of ground cover to reduce potential evaporation was 
increased and two new references were added.
    Pond Sealing or Lining--Geomembrane or Geosynthetic Clay Liner 
(Code 521)--Title changed from ``Pond Sealing or Lining--Flexible 
Membrane'' to ``Pond Sealing or Lining--Geomembrane or Geosynthetic 
Clay Liner'' to better reflect the current industrial standard 
nomenclature. Practice Standard Code changed from 521A to 521. Units 
changed from ``Number'' to ``Square Feet'' to better represents the 
quantity of the practice installed. HDPE liner thickness changed from 
40 mil to 60 mil.
    Stream Crossing (Code 578)--The purpose of this standard has been 
modified to only address resource concerns. Criteria listed as 
considerations was moved to the appropriate criteria section. Language 
has been simplified to better coordinate CPS 578 with other 
conservation practices, policy, and procedures by cross-referencing, 
instead of reiteration.
    Strip-Cropping (Code 585)--The strip-cropping standard was reviewed 
and updated to reflect current agency policy and science. Each 
``purpose'' has the resource concern linked. Minor word edits were made 
to clarify criteria. Under ``general criteria,'' added ``Design the row 
grades with positive row drainage of not less than 0.2 percent on 
slopes where ponding is a concern. This would include sites with soils 
with slow to very slow infiltration rates (soil hydrologic groups C or 
D), or where crops are sensitive to ponded water.'' In ``references,'' 
updated the Wind Erosion Prediction System, and added a reference for 
the Water Erosion Prediction Project.
    Structure for Water Control (Code 587)--The agency updated criteria 
and added references. Other changes improved the clarity of language 
used in the standard.
    Water and Sediment Control Basin (Code 638)--Revised language as 
needed to improve readability and clarify intent of criteria. Topsoil 
criteria and the auxiliary spillway portion of the outlet criteria were 
moved to the considerations section since these are not always 
required. Added criteria for embankment foundation preparation.
    Waste Recycling (Code 633)--Language changes were made in the 
definition, conditions where practice applies and criteria to clarify 
the purpose of the standard and how it is to be used.
    Waste Treatment Lagoon (Code 359)--The document has been revised 
extensively. Those revisions include modifications to align the 
structural design requirements to align with changes to the Waste 
Storage Structure Standard. These changes include changes in accepted 
concrete and timber design criteria, modification of language for 
storage requirements to improve clarity, modify language to conform to 
the Plain Language Act, improvements to the safety criteria, changing 
the requirement of a staff gauge from optional to required, and 
improvements to the ``Plans and Specifications,'' and ``Operation and 
Maintenance'' sections of the standard. Other changes have been made to 
improve the clarity of the language used in the standard.

    Signed this 24th day of May, 2017, in Washington, DC.
Leonard Jordan,
Acting Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-13179 Filed 6-22-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-16-P
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