Notice of Proposed Changes to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, 42864-42865 [2018-18296]

Download as PDF daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES 42864 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 165 / Friday, August 24, 2018 / Notices more of the following crops: corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, peanuts, or sorghum (Texas only). The results of this benchmark survey shows that in the 11 surveyed States, there was damage to an estimated $190 million in crops for the six target crops. The published findings from this benchmark survey can be found at https:// www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/ pii/S0261219416301557. In 2017, this survey was conducted in the following 13 States: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, to measure the damage to livestock that is associated with the presence of feral swine. These States were chosen because they had high feral swine densities and a significant presence of cattle, hogs, sheep and/or goats. The findings from this survey are scheduled to be submitted for publication around the end of September 2018. In 2019, the survey will be conducted in 12 States: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas. The operators in 11 of the States will be selected from operations that recently produced hay/haylage, tree nuts, melons, sugar cane, sweet potatoes, or cotton. In California, operators will be selected from operations that produced hay/haylage, tree nuts, grapes, sod, carrots, lettuce, or strawberries. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Wildlife Services’ (WS) National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) is the only Federal research organization devoted exclusively to resolving conflicts between people and wildlife through the development of effective, selective, and socially responsible methods, tools, and techniques. As increased urbanization leads to a loss of traditional wildlife habitat, the potential for conflicts between people and wildlife increases. Such conflicts can take many forms, including property and natural resource damage, human health and safety concerns, and disease transmission among wildlife, livestock, and humans. Free-ranging populations of feral swine exist in at least 35 states, and the nationwide population is estimated at approximately 5 million animals. Feral swine damage pastures, agricultural crops, lawns, landscaping, and natural areas due to feeding, rooting, wallowing, grazing, and trampling activities. Feral swine are reservoirs of many diseases and act as a host to parasites that can VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Aug 23, 2018 Jkt 244001 negatively impact agricultural animals, especially swine. Authority: These data will be collected under the authority of 7 U.S.C. 2204(a). The eradication of feral swine is authorized by the Animal Health Protection Act (Title 7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.) and the 2014 Farmbill. The $20 million program aims to help states deal with a rapidly expanding population of invasive feral swine. Individually identifiable data collected under this authority are governed by Section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 2276, which requires USDA to afford strict confidentiality to nonaggregated data provided by respondents. This Notice is submitted in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 Public Law 104– 13 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) and Office of Management and Budget regulations at 5 CFR part 1320. NASS also complies with OMB Implementation Guidance, ‘‘Implementation Guidance for Title V of the E-Government Act, Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (CIPSEA),’’ Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 115, June 15, 2007, p. 33362. Estimate of Burden: Reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 45 minutes per response. This was determined by our Survey Methodologists, who compared the length and difficulty of the questions with similar surveys. They also took into account the projected number of farmers who will skip some sections of the questionnaire due to the presence or absence of damage due to feral swine. Burden is based on an estimated minimum response rate of 80%. On similar types of surveys and through the use of a mail questionnaire and telephone follow-up to nonrespondents NASS has been able to contact and collect some data from approximately 80% of the target sample. After removing the out of business operations and those with no items of interest we hope to have at least a 65 to 70% usable response rate. NASS will be utilizing several pieces of publicity and informational materials to encourage respondents to participate in this important survey. NASS will conduct the survey initially by mail with phone follow-up for non-response. Respondents: Farm Operators. Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 15,000. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 11,600 hours. Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 of the proposed collection of information including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (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 those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, technological or other forms of information technology collection methods. All responses to this notice will become a matter of public record and be summarized in the request for OMB approval. Signed at Washington, DC, August 8, 2018. Kevin L. Barnes, Associate Administrator. [FR Doc. 2018–18316 Filed 8–23–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–20–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Natural Resources Conservation Service [Docket No. NRCS–2018–0005] 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 (NHCP) 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 NHCP. These standards include Combustion System Improvement (Code 372), Dust Control on Unpaved Roads and Surfaces (Code 373), Integrated Pest Management (Code 595), Nutrient Management (Code 590), Pesticide Mitigation (Code 594), Subsurface Drain (Code 606), Waste Facility Closure (Code 360), and Wildlife Habitat Planting (Code 420). NRCS State Conservationists who choose to adopt these practices in 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 SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\24AUN1.SGM 24AUN1 daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 165 / Friday, August 24, 2018 / Notices 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: These revisions shall be applicable as of August 24, 2018. Comment Date: Submit comments on or before September 24, 2018. 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–2018–0005, 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 (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: Mr. 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–2018–0005. Alternatively, copies can be downloaded or printed from https:// go.usa.gov/TXye. Requests for paper versions or inquiries may be directed to: Mr. 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Aug 23, 2018 Jkt 244001 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, which can be found 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: Combustion System Improvement (Code 372)—Revised language of the general criteria and criteria applicable to the air quality and energy purposes to address some confusion encountered in the implementation of the practice. Dust Control on Unpaved Roads and Surfaces (Code 373)—Relatively minor changes have been made to the 2010 version. Two purposes were added to more adequately describe the reasons for using this practice: ‘‘improve visibility by reducing emissions of particulate matter;’’ and ‘‘improve plant health and vigor by reducing emissions of particulate matter.’’ Integrated Pest management (Code 595)—The standard definition and purposes have been updated to reflect current agency policy and science. The standard has been edited to clarify criteria, and support farmers and ranchers wanting to address resource concerns and implement an integrated pest management system where landgrant-university guidelines are available. Nutrient Management (Code 590)— The revision has no significant definition technical changes. Instead, it has a focus on improving the usability of 590 at the operational level of the agency (i.e. the State and field). The formatting and writing style were updated to meet current agency requirements. Bullet point statements were used to specify single concepts and replace paragraphs containing multiple concepts. Pesticide Mitigation (Code 594)—A new standard to support farmers and ranchers wanting to address resource concerns created by the use of pesticides in areas where they do not have land-grant university integrated pest management guidelines for one or more of their crops or cropping systems. Proposed Standard 594 offers resource protection using site-specific techniques designed to mitigate the impacts of chemical pest suppression on natural resources. Subsurface Drain (Code 606)—The formatting and writing style were updated to meet current agency requirements. Sections of the standard PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 42865 were relocated and rearranged to improve document flow. The minimum velocity has been raised to 0.8 feet-persecond for areas without sedimentation problems. Provisions have been included for the use of square junction boxes. Waste Facility Closure (Code 360)— The formatting and writing style were updated to improve clarity. Criteria was added to dry-waste storages to render the site unsuitable for stacking or treating waste. Language was added to the standard to make it clear that the standard is not used for the rehabilitation or expansion of existing facilities. Wildlife Habitat Planting (Code 420)—This is a new conservation practice standard developed to better address the technical complexities of establishing wildlife habitat, including pollinator and monarch butterfly habitat plantings. Wildlife Habitat Planting (420) will be planned and applied when establishing herbaceous vegetation for wildlife. Planting trees for wildlife will be planned and applied using Tree and Shrub Establishment (612). Signed this 25th day of June 2018, in Washington, DC. Leonard Jordan, Acting Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service. [FR Doc. 2018–18296 Filed 8–23–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–16–P ARCHITECTURAL AND TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS COMPLIANCE BOARD Meetings Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board. ACTION: Notice of meetings. AGENCY: The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) plans to hold its regular committee and Board meetings in Washington, DC, Thursday through Friday, September 6–7, 2018 at the times and location listed below. DATES: The schedule of events is as follows: Thursday, September 6, 2018 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Information Meeting on Assembly Areas Friday, September 7, 2018 9:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m. Budget Committee 9:30 a.m.–10:00 a.m. Planning and Evaluation Committee 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. Technical Programs Committee 11:00 a.m.–Noon National Council on SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\24AUN1.SGM 24AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 165 (Friday, August 24, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42864-42865]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18296]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service

[Docket No. NRCS-2018-0005]


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 (NHCP) 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 NHCP. These 
standards include Combustion System Improvement (Code 372), Dust 
Control on Unpaved Roads and Surfaces (Code 373), Integrated Pest 
Management (Code 595), Nutrient Management (Code 590), Pesticide 
Mitigation (Code 594), Subsurface Drain (Code 606), Waste Facility 
Closure (Code 360), and Wildlife Habitat Planting (Code 420).
    NRCS State Conservationists who choose to adopt these practices in 
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

[[Page 42865]]

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: These revisions shall be applicable as of August 24, 2018.
    Comment Date: Submit comments on or before September 24, 2018. 
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-2018-0005, 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 (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:  Mr. 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-2018-
0005. Alternatively, copies can be downloaded or printed from https://go.usa.gov/TXye. Requests for paper versions or inquiries may be 
directed to: Mr. 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, which can be found 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:
    Combustion System Improvement (Code 372)--Revised language of the 
general criteria and criteria applicable to the air quality and energy 
purposes to address some confusion encountered in the implementation of 
the practice.
    Dust Control on Unpaved Roads and Surfaces (Code 373)--Relatively 
minor changes have been made to the 2010 version. Two purposes were 
added to more adequately describe the reasons for using this practice: 
``improve visibility by reducing emissions of particulate matter;'' and 
``improve plant health and vigor by reducing emissions of particulate 
matter.''
    Integrated Pest management (Code 595)--The standard definition and 
purposes have been updated to reflect current agency policy and 
science. The standard has been edited to clarify criteria, and support 
farmers and ranchers wanting to address resource concerns and implement 
an integrated pest management system where land-grant-university 
guidelines are available.
    Nutrient Management (Code 590)--The revision has no significant 
definition technical changes. Instead, it has a focus on improving the 
usability of 590 at the operational level of the agency (i.e. the State 
and field). The formatting and writing style were updated to meet 
current agency requirements. Bullet point statements were used to 
specify single concepts and replace paragraphs containing multiple 
concepts.
    Pesticide Mitigation (Code 594)--A new standard to support farmers 
and ranchers wanting to address resource concerns created by the use of 
pesticides in areas where they do not have land-grant university 
integrated pest management guidelines for one or more of their crops or 
cropping systems. Proposed Standard 594 offers resource protection 
using site-specific techniques designed to mitigate the impacts of 
chemical pest suppression on natural resources.
    Subsurface Drain (Code 606)--The formatting and writing style were 
updated to meet current agency requirements. Sections of the standard 
were relocated and rearranged to improve document flow. The minimum 
velocity has been raised to 0.8 feet-per-second for areas without 
sedimentation problems. Provisions have been included for the use of 
square junction boxes.
    Waste Facility Closure (Code 360)--The formatting and writing style 
were updated to improve clarity. Criteria was added to dry-waste 
storages to render the site unsuitable for stacking or treating waste. 
Language was added to the standard to make it clear that the standard 
is not used for the rehabilitation or expansion of existing facilities.
    Wildlife Habitat Planting (Code 420)--This is a new conservation 
practice standard developed to better address the technical 
complexities of establishing wildlife habitat, including pollinator and 
monarch butterfly habitat plantings. Wildlife Habitat Planting (420) 
will be planned and applied when establishing herbaceous vegetation for 
wildlife. Planting trees for wildlife will be planned and applied using 
Tree and Shrub Establishment (612).

    Signed this 25th day of June 2018, in Washington, DC.
Leonard Jordan,
Acting Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-18296 Filed 8-23-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P
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