Proposed Revisions to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, 13522-13524 [2021-05005]
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13522
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 44 / Tuesday, March 9, 2021 / Notices
information will have practical or
scientific utility; (2) the accuracy of the
Agency’s estimate of the burden of the
collection of information, including the
validity of the methodology and
assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance
the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (4)
ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on
respondents, including the use of
automated, electronic, mechanical, or
other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information
technology.
All comments received in response to
this notice, including names and
addresses when provided, will be a
matter of public record. Comments will
be summarized and included in the
submission to the Office of Management
and Budget for approval.
Alexander L. Friend,
Deputy Chief, Research & Development.
[FR Doc. 2021–04788 Filed 3–8–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation
Service
[Docket No. NRCS–2020–0008]
Proposed Revisions 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; request
for comment.
AGENCY:
NRCS is giving notice that it
intends to issue a series of revised
conservation practice standards in the
National Handbook of Conservation
Practices (NHCP). NRCS is also giving
the public an opportunity to provide
comments on specified conservation
practice standards in NHCP.
DATES: We will consider comments that
we receive by April 8, 2021.
ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit
comments on this notice. You may
submit comments through the:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov and search
for docket ID NRCS–2020–0008. Follow
the instructions for submitting
comments.
• Mail, or Hand Delivery: Mr.
Clarence Prestwich, National
Agricultural Engineer, Conservation
Engineering Division, NRCS, USDA,
1400 Independence Avenue, South
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
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Building, Room 4636, Washington, DC
20250. In your comment, specify the
docket ID NRCS–2020–0008.
All comments will be available on
https://www.regulations.gov.
The copies of the proposed revised
standards are available through https://
www.regulations.gov by accessing
Docket No. NRCS–2020–0008.
Alternatively, the proposed revised
standards can be downloaded or printed
from https://go.usa.gov/TXye.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Clarence Prestwich; telephone: (202)
720–2972; or email:
clarence.prestwich@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
NRCS is planning to revise the
conservation practice standards in the
National Handbook of Conservation
Practices (NHCP). This notice provides
an overview of the planned changes and
gives the public an opportunity to
provide comments on the specific
conservation practice standards that
NRCS is changing.
NRCS State Conservationists who
choose to adopt these practices in their
States will incorporate these practices
into the 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.
Revisions to the National Handbook of
Conservation Practices
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.
NRCS is requesting comments on the
following conservation practice
standards:
• Agrichemical Handling Facility
(Code 309);
• Air Filtration and Scrubbing (Code
371);
• Channel Bed Stabilization (Code
584);
• Contour Orchard and Other
Perennial Crops (Code 331);
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• Cover Crop (Code 340);
• Dry Hydrant (Code 432);
• Dust Management for Pen Surfaces
(Code 375);
• Energy Efficient Agricultural
Operation (Code 374);
• Fence (Code 382);
• Grazing Land Mechanical
Treatment (Code 548);
• Land Reclamation;
• Abandoned Mined Land (Code
543);
• On-Farm Secondary Containment
Facility (Code 319);
• Precision Land Forming and
Smoothing (Code 462);
• Recreation Land Improvement and
Protection (Code 566);
• Roof Runoff Structure (Code 558);
• Sinkhole Treatment (Code 527);
• Sprinkler System (Code 442);
• Stream Crossing (Code 578);
• Waste Separation Facility (Code
632);
• Waste Transfer (Code 634);
• Wastewater Treatment—Milk House
(Code 627);
• Wetland Creation (Code 658); and
• Windbreak/Shelterbelt
Establishment and Renovation (Code
380).
The following are highlights of some
of the proposed changes to each
standard:
Agrichemical Handling Facility (Code
309): Minor revisions were made for
improved organization and for clarity.
Some flexible membrane liner
thicknesses were changed. The
minimum storage volume of the
Agrichemical Handling Facility was
changed to 1.1 times the volume of
largest storage container within the
containment area, plus the displacement
volume that is occupied by all the other
tanks within and below the height of the
containment wall or dike.
Air Filtration and Scrubbing (Code
371): Formatting and writing style were
updated to meet current agency
requirements. Minor revisions were
made for clarity and readability
purposes and to update citations for
existing references. Major changes were
made to the Plans and Specifications to
identify needed information and to
remove requirements of supplying
supporting documentation with plans
and specifications.
Channel Bed Stabilization (Code 584):
Minor changes were made, mostly
requiring more specific channel and
sedimentation information in the Plans
and Specifications section.
Contour Orchard and Other Perennial
Crops (Code 331): The standard was
edited for clarity. Minor revisions were
made for clarity and readability
purposes. Definition was edited for
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 44 / Tuesday, March 9, 2021 / Notices
improved explanation. Paragraphs in
General Criteria and Considerations
were edited for improved
understanding.
Cover Crop (Code 340): Minor
wording changes were made throughout
for clarification. In the Purpose section,
specific soil health resource concerns
were added as two purpose statements
on soil organic matter quantity and
aggregate instability, soil organic matter
quality, and habitat for soil organisms.
In the General Criteria section, the
reference to when cover crops are
established has been better defined. One
change added ‘‘no mechanically harvest
of cover crops’’ to clarify that cover
crops can be grazed but not harvested
otherwise. In the Additional Criteria
section, a change established criteria for
grazing cover crops to improve organic
matter.
Dry Hydrant (Code 432): The revised
standard expands the purpose of dry
hydrant to include providing access of
available water for additional purposes
including livestock water, small acreage
irrigation, wetland management, and
other purposes where water is needed in
limited quantities on a periodic basis in
addition to the purpose of providing
access to an available water source for
fire suppression. The revised standard is
intended to be more flexible regarding
the use of the standard and encouraging
landowners to install dry hydrants to
meet needs in addition to fire
suppression. Criteria were divided to
separately address fire suppression and
other purposes. Criteria were revised to
be more general.
Dust Management for Pen Surfaces
(Code 375): The name of this standard
has been changed from ‘‘Dust Control
from Animal Activity on Open Lot
Surfaces’’ to ‘‘Dust Management for Pen
Surfaces’’ to reflect that it is now
entirely a management standard and to
simplify the name. Formatting and
writing style were updated to meet
current agency requirements. Specific
criteria, considerations, and references
to water application via solid set
sprinkler systems were removed from
the standard because it is now covered
in Sprinkler System (Code 442). Specific
criteria related to increased stocking
density to supply additional moisture to
the pen surface for reducing dust
potential were added. New references
were added, and minor revisions were
made for clarity and readability
purposes and to update citations for
existing references.
Energy Efficient Agricultural
Operation (Code 374): The standard has
been revised extensively. The name has
been changed from ‘‘Farmstead Energy
Improvement’’ to ‘‘Energy Efficient
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17:03 Mar 08, 2021
Jkt 253001
Agricultural Operation’’ to reflect the
energy efficiency purpose. The standard
has been rewritten to focus on the
energy efficiency criteria, fire and
electrical safety, flexibility, and
manufacturer’s requirements. The
requirement for an ASABE S612 Type 2
energy audit has been revised to allow
other assessment methods. Criteria was
added to support Prescriptive Upgrades
to simplify and streamline
implementation of some instances of the
practice. Criteria was added for heat and
air transfer systems and equipment.
Fence (Code 382): Formatting and
writing style were updated to meet
current agency requirements. Minor
revisions were made for clarity and
readability purposes. References were
updated based on literature review.
Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment
(Code 548): The definition was changed
by removing the equipment listed.
Added equipment list to criteria
separated by soil or plant disturbances.
Reduced safe slope work from 30 to 20
percent.
Land Reclamation, Abandoned Mined
Land (Code 543): The criteria in Land
Reclamation, Currently Mined Land
(Code 544) and Land Reclamation,
Toxic Discharge Control (Code 455),
were added to criteria for Land
Reclamation, Abandoned Mined Land to
put all of the related technical criteria
into one standard. The definition,
purpose, and conditions where the
practice applies were updated to reflect
the intent of the practice. The criteria
were updated to include the current
environmental and personal safety laws
and requirements. Plans and
Specifications were updated to include
the required level of detail.
On-Farm Secondary Containment
Facility (Code 319): Formatting and
writing style were updated to meet
current agency requirements. The
redundant purpose was removed since
both were to protect water quality.
Technical requirements were added or
revised, as needed, to be consistent with
other referenced codes within the
standard.
Precision Land Forming and
Smoothing (Code 462): The standard has
been combined with CPS 466-Land
Smoothing since both standards are
similar in practice. Minor revisions
were made. Clarity was added regarding
grading plan and soil health.
Recreation Land Improvement and
Protection (Code 566): CPS 566,
originally titled Recreation Land
Grading and Shaping, is being combined
with CPS 562, Recreation Area
Improvement, and renamed CPS 566,
Recreation Land Improvement and
Protection. Combining the two
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13523
standards into a single standard makes
sense logically and allows for
eliminating one of the standards. The
new standard retains the number Code
566, and titled, Recreation Land
Improvement and Protection to better
reflect the elements of the two standards
being combined. CPS 562 will be
archived. CPS 566 is not a standard
likely to be used under NRCS
administered programs, such as EQIP,
but is a useful standard for Watersheds
Protection and Flood Prevention Act
(Pub. L. 83–566) work in those locations
with the potential for development of
recreational facilities.
Roof Runoff Structure (Code 558):
One purpose was rewritten to remove
references to foundation protection
since that is not an established resource
concern and now just addresses soil
erosion. Minor wording changes were
made to the Criteria section for clarity
and specificity. Changes were made to
the Additional Criteria section to
Capture Water for Other Uses to address
water quality for reuse of captured water
and criteria modified for storage of the
captured water.
Sinkhole Treatment (Code 527): The
name was changed from Karst Sinkhole
Treatment to Sinkhole Treatment. Safety
hazard was addressed as well as minor
wording changes to improve clarity.
Sprinkler System (Code 442):
Formatting and writing style were
updated to meet current agency
requirements. Minor revisions were
made for clarity and readability
purposes. Updated Tables to meet
current industry standards. Modified
the Land Slope section to allow for
pivot systems that may not meet the
slope requirement but meet the run-off
and application rate requirements.
Added a section for Mobile Drip
Irrigation (MDI). MDI is a type of
irrigation that is partially sprinkler and
partially drip type irrigation and it was
decided that MDI criteria is more
applicable to the standard.
Stream Crossing (Code 578): This
standard has a few major changes
including that it increases siting
flexibility, and the addition of vented
fords as an alternative where frequent
overtopping is expected.
Waste Separation Facility (Code 632):
Safety was moved to the beginning of
the General Criteria section to
emphasize the need for safety on all
separation technologies. Wording was
added to address location of the
facilities and the requirement to manage
the 25-year, 24-hour storm event. The
sections on Separator selection and
Separation efficiency were revised to
reference NRCS guidance document
National Engineering Handbook (NEH),
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 44 / Tuesday, March 9, 2021 / Notices
Part 637, Chapter 4. Direction was
added to the Storage or Treatment of
Separated Solids section to design
storage facilities for separated solids in
accordance with the appropriate NRCS
standard. A consideration on the
biosecurity of separation facilities was
added.
Waste Transfer (Code 634):
Formatting and writing style were
updated to meet current agency
requirements. Minor revisions were
made for clarity and readability
purposes. The structural design
requirements were updated to align
with changes made to the National
Engineering Manual. The criteria for
reception pit size, pipe clean-outs and
pipeline velocity were revised.
Wastewater Treatment—Milk House
(Code 627): Added a new conservation
practice standard developed to better
address the technical complexities of
treating greywater from cleaning the
milking equipment. The practice
standard is based on several university
extension publications referenced in the
standard and NRCS field experience.
Wetland Creation (Code 658): The
standard revision removed soils as a
purpose and added an additional
purpose of creating a native plant
community adapted to growth and
regeneration in anerobic conditions.
Establishment of hydric soil was
removed as a purpose because anaerobic
soil conditions is an outcome, not a
purpose. The new practice standard
Wildlife Habitat Planting (Code 420) is
listed as appropriate for vegetative
establishment when wildlife habitat is a
purpose. This allows the use of Wetland
Creation (Code 658) when the purpose
is to establish a unique plant
community without targeting a single
species of wildlife or guild.
Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment
and Renovation (Code 380): Two
practice standards were combined, and
Code 380 now includes windbreak
renovation as well as establishment. The
definition, purpose, conditions where
practice applies, and considerations
sections were updated. Criteria sections
were added to address renovation;
several other sections were moved to the
Considerations section. The Plans and
Specifications section were expanded to
align with conservation plan
requirements, and operations and
maintenance sections were expanded to
clarify requirements. References were
added.
Terry Cosby,
Acting Chief, Natural Resources Conservation
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021–05005 Filed 3–8–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–16–P
VerDate Sep<11>2014
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Foreign-Trade Zones Board
[B–16–2021]
Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 185—
Culpeper, Virginia; Notification of
Proposed Production Activity; Merck &
Co., Inc. (Pharmaceutical Products);
Elkton, Virginia
Merck & Co., Inc. (Merck), submitted
a notification of proposed production
activity to the FTZ Board for its facility
in Elkton Virginia. The notification
conforming to the requirements of the
regulations of the FTZ Board (15 CFR
400.22) was received on March 2, 2021.
Merck already has authority to
produce pharmaceutical products
within Subzone 185C. The current
request would a add finished product
and foreign status materials to the scope
of authority. Pursuant to 15 CFR
400.14(b), additional FTZ authority
would be limited to the specific foreignstatus materials and specific finished
product described in the submitted
notification (as described below) and
subsequently authorized by the FTZ
Board.
Production under FTZ procedures
could exempt Merck from customs duty
payments on the foreign-status materials
used in export production. On its
domestic sales, for the foreign-status
materials/components noted below and
in the existing scope of authority, Merck
would be able to choose the duty rates
during customs entry procedures that
applies to PRIMAXIN/TIENAM
(imipenem/cilastatin) (duty-free). Merck
would be able to avoid duty on foreignstatus components which become scrap/
waste. Customs duties also could
possibly be deferred or reduced on
foreign-status production equipment.
The materials sourced from abroad are
BIS (2, 4-Dichlorophenyl)
Chlorophosphate and Enol Phosphate
(duty rate 6.5%). The request indicates
that the materials are subject to duties
under Section 301 of the Trade Act of
1974 (Section 301), depending on the
country of origin. The applicable
Section 301 decisions require subject
merchandise to be admitted to FTZs in
privileged foreign status (19 CFR
146.41).
Public comment is invited from
interested parties. Submissions shall be
addressed to the Board’s Executive
Secretary and sent to: ftz@trade.gov. The
closing period for their receipt is April
19, 2021.
A copy of the notification will be
available for public inspection in the
‘‘Reading Room’’ section of the Board’s
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website, which is accessible via
www.trade.gov/ftz.
For further information, contact
Christopher Wedderburn at
Chris.Wedderburn@trade.gov.
Dated: March 4, 2021.
Andrew McGilvray,
Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021–04863 Filed 3–8–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Foreign-Trade Zones Board
[B–17–2021]
Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 93—Raleigh/
Durham, North Carolina; Notification of
Proposed Production Activity; LiebelFlarsheim Company, LLC (Diagnostic
Imaging Contrast Media), Raleigh,
North Carolina
Liebel-Flarsheim Company, LLC
(Liebel-Flarsheim) submitted a
notification of proposed production
activity to the FTZ Board for its facility
in Raleigh, North Carolina. The
notification conforming to the
requirements of the regulations of the
FTZ Board (15 CFR 400.22) was
received on March 2, 2021.
The Liebel-Flarsheim facility is
located within FTZ 93. The facility is
used for the production of diagnostic
imaging contrast media. Pursuant to 15
CFR 400.14(b), FTZ activity would be
limited to the specific foreign-status
material/component and specific
finished product described in the
submitted notification (as described
below) and subsequently authorized by
the FTZ Board.
Production under FTZ procedures
could exempt Liebel-Flarsheim from
customs duty payments on the foreignstatus component used in export
production. On its domestic sales, for
the foreign-status material/component
noted below, Liebel-Flarsheim would be
able to choose the duty rate during
customs entry procedures that applies to
Dotarem® (gadoterate meglumine) (dutyfree). Liebel-Flarsheim would be able to
avoid duty on the foreign-status
material/component which becomes
scrap/waste. Customs duties also could
possibly be deferred or reduced on
foreign-status production equipment.
The material/component sourced
from abroad is dodecane tetraacetic acid
(DOTA) (duty rate—6.5%). The request
indicates that the material/component is
subject to duties under Section 301 of
the Trade Act of 1974 (Section 301),
depending on the country of origin. The
applicable Section 301 decisions require
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 9, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13522-13524]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-05005]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service
[Docket No. NRCS-2020-0008]
Proposed Revisions 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; request for comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NRCS is giving notice that it intends to issue a series of
revised conservation practice standards in the National Handbook of
Conservation Practices (NHCP). NRCS is also giving the public an
opportunity to provide comments on specified conservation practice
standards in NHCP.
DATES: We will consider comments that we receive by April 8, 2021.
ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments on this notice. You may
submit comments through the:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for docket ID NRCS-2020-0008. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
Mail, or Hand Delivery: Mr. Clarence Prestwich, National
Agricultural Engineer, Conservation Engineering Division, NRCS, USDA,
1400 Independence Avenue, South Building, Room 4636, Washington, DC
20250. In your comment, specify the docket ID NRCS-2020-0008.
All comments will be available on https://www.regulations.gov.
The copies of the proposed revised standards are available through
https://www.regulations.gov by accessing Docket No. NRCS-2020-0008.
Alternatively, the proposed revised standards can be downloaded or
printed from https://go.usa.gov/TXye.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Clarence Prestwich; telephone:
(202) 720-2972; or email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
NRCS is planning to revise the conservation practice standards in
the National Handbook of Conservation Practices (NHCP). This notice
provides an overview of the planned changes and gives the public an
opportunity to provide comments on the specific conservation practice
standards that NRCS is changing.
NRCS State Conservationists who choose to adopt these practices in
their States will incorporate these practices into the 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.
Revisions to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices
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.
NRCS is requesting comments on the following conservation practice
standards:
Agrichemical Handling Facility (Code 309);
Air Filtration and Scrubbing (Code 371);
Channel Bed Stabilization (Code 584);
Contour Orchard and Other Perennial Crops (Code 331);
Cover Crop (Code 340);
Dry Hydrant (Code 432);
Dust Management for Pen Surfaces (Code 375);
Energy Efficient Agricultural Operation (Code 374);
Fence (Code 382);
Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment (Code 548);
Land Reclamation;
Abandoned Mined Land (Code 543);
On-Farm Secondary Containment Facility (Code 319);
Precision Land Forming and Smoothing (Code 462);
Recreation Land Improvement and Protection (Code 566);
Roof Runoff Structure (Code 558);
Sinkhole Treatment (Code 527);
Sprinkler System (Code 442);
Stream Crossing (Code 578);
Waste Separation Facility (Code 632);
Waste Transfer (Code 634);
Wastewater Treatment--Milk House (Code 627);
Wetland Creation (Code 658); and
Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment and Renovation (Code
380).
The following are highlights of some of the proposed changes to
each standard:
Agrichemical Handling Facility (Code 309): Minor revisions were
made for improved organization and for clarity. Some flexible membrane
liner thicknesses were changed. The minimum storage volume of the
Agrichemical Handling Facility was changed to 1.1 times the volume of
largest storage container within the containment area, plus the
displacement volume that is occupied by all the other tanks within and
below the height of the containment wall or dike.
Air Filtration and Scrubbing (Code 371): Formatting and writing
style were updated to meet current agency requirements. Minor revisions
were made for clarity and readability purposes and to update citations
for existing references. Major changes were made to the Plans and
Specifications to identify needed information and to remove
requirements of supplying supporting documentation with plans and
specifications.
Channel Bed Stabilization (Code 584): Minor changes were made,
mostly requiring more specific channel and sedimentation information in
the Plans and Specifications section.
Contour Orchard and Other Perennial Crops (Code 331): The standard
was edited for clarity. Minor revisions were made for clarity and
readability purposes. Definition was edited for
[[Page 13523]]
improved explanation. Paragraphs in General Criteria and Considerations
were edited for improved understanding.
Cover Crop (Code 340): Minor wording changes were made throughout
for clarification. In the Purpose section, specific soil health
resource concerns were added as two purpose statements on soil organic
matter quantity and aggregate instability, soil organic matter quality,
and habitat for soil organisms. In the General Criteria section, the
reference to when cover crops are established has been better defined.
One change added ``no mechanically harvest of cover crops'' to clarify
that cover crops can be grazed but not harvested otherwise. In the
Additional Criteria section, a change established criteria for grazing
cover crops to improve organic matter.
Dry Hydrant (Code 432): The revised standard expands the purpose of
dry hydrant to include providing access of available water for
additional purposes including livestock water, small acreage
irrigation, wetland management, and other purposes where water is
needed in limited quantities on a periodic basis in addition to the
purpose of providing access to an available water source for fire
suppression. The revised standard is intended to be more flexible
regarding the use of the standard and encouraging landowners to install
dry hydrants to meet needs in addition to fire suppression. Criteria
were divided to separately address fire suppression and other purposes.
Criteria were revised to be more general.
Dust Management for Pen Surfaces (Code 375): The name of this
standard has been changed from ``Dust Control from Animal Activity on
Open Lot Surfaces'' to ``Dust Management for Pen Surfaces'' to reflect
that it is now entirely a management standard and to simplify the name.
Formatting and writing style were updated to meet current agency
requirements. Specific criteria, considerations, and references to
water application via solid set sprinkler systems were removed from the
standard because it is now covered in Sprinkler System (Code 442).
Specific criteria related to increased stocking density to supply
additional moisture to the pen surface for reducing dust potential were
added. New references were added, and minor revisions were made for
clarity and readability purposes and to update citations for existing
references.
Energy Efficient Agricultural Operation (Code 374): The standard
has been revised extensively. The name has been changed from
``Farmstead Energy Improvement'' to ``Energy Efficient Agricultural
Operation'' to reflect the energy efficiency purpose. The standard has
been rewritten to focus on the energy efficiency criteria, fire and
electrical safety, flexibility, and manufacturer's requirements. The
requirement for an ASABE S612 Type 2 energy audit has been revised to
allow other assessment methods. Criteria was added to support
Prescriptive Upgrades to simplify and streamline implementation of some
instances of the practice. Criteria was added for heat and air transfer
systems and equipment.
Fence (Code 382): Formatting and writing style were updated to meet
current agency requirements. Minor revisions were made for clarity and
readability purposes. References were updated based on literature
review.
Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment (Code 548): The definition was
changed by removing the equipment listed. Added equipment list to
criteria separated by soil or plant disturbances. Reduced safe slope
work from 30 to 20 percent.
Land Reclamation, Abandoned Mined Land (Code 543): The criteria in
Land Reclamation, Currently Mined Land (Code 544) and Land Reclamation,
Toxic Discharge Control (Code 455), were added to criteria for Land
Reclamation, Abandoned Mined Land to put all of the related technical
criteria into one standard. The definition, purpose, and conditions
where the practice applies were updated to reflect the intent of the
practice. The criteria were updated to include the current
environmental and personal safety laws and requirements. Plans and
Specifications were updated to include the required level of detail.
On-Farm Secondary Containment Facility (Code 319): Formatting and
writing style were updated to meet current agency requirements. The
redundant purpose was removed since both were to protect water quality.
Technical requirements were added or revised, as needed, to be
consistent with other referenced codes within the standard.
Precision Land Forming and Smoothing (Code 462): The standard has
been combined with CPS 466-Land Smoothing since both standards are
similar in practice. Minor revisions were made. Clarity was added
regarding grading plan and soil health.
Recreation Land Improvement and Protection (Code 566): CPS 566,
originally titled Recreation Land Grading and Shaping, is being
combined with CPS 562, Recreation Area Improvement, and renamed CPS
566, Recreation Land Improvement and Protection. Combining the two
standards into a single standard makes sense logically and allows for
eliminating one of the standards. The new standard retains the number
Code 566, and titled, Recreation Land Improvement and Protection to
better reflect the elements of the two standards being combined. CPS
562 will be archived. CPS 566 is not a standard likely to be used under
NRCS administered programs, such as EQIP, but is a useful standard for
Watersheds Protection and Flood Prevention Act (Pub. L. 83-566) work in
those locations with the potential for development of recreational
facilities.
Roof Runoff Structure (Code 558): One purpose was rewritten to
remove references to foundation protection since that is not an
established resource concern and now just addresses soil erosion. Minor
wording changes were made to the Criteria section for clarity and
specificity. Changes were made to the Additional Criteria section to
Capture Water for Other Uses to address water quality for reuse of
captured water and criteria modified for storage of the captured water.
Sinkhole Treatment (Code 527): The name was changed from Karst
Sinkhole Treatment to Sinkhole Treatment. Safety hazard was addressed
as well as minor wording changes to improve clarity.
Sprinkler System (Code 442): Formatting and writing style were
updated to meet current agency requirements. Minor revisions were made
for clarity and readability purposes. Updated Tables to meet current
industry standards. Modified the Land Slope section to allow for pivot
systems that may not meet the slope requirement but meet the run-off
and application rate requirements. Added a section for Mobile Drip
Irrigation (MDI). MDI is a type of irrigation that is partially
sprinkler and partially drip type irrigation and it was decided that
MDI criteria is more applicable to the standard.
Stream Crossing (Code 578): This standard has a few major changes
including that it increases siting flexibility, and the addition of
vented fords as an alternative where frequent overtopping is expected.
Waste Separation Facility (Code 632): Safety was moved to the
beginning of the General Criteria section to emphasize the need for
safety on all separation technologies. Wording was added to address
location of the facilities and the requirement to manage the 25-year,
24-hour storm event. The sections on Separator selection and Separation
efficiency were revised to reference NRCS guidance document National
Engineering Handbook (NEH),
[[Page 13524]]
Part 637, Chapter 4. Direction was added to the Storage or Treatment of
Separated Solids section to design storage facilities for separated
solids in accordance with the appropriate NRCS standard. A
consideration on the biosecurity of separation facilities was added.
Waste Transfer (Code 634): Formatting and writing style were
updated to meet current agency requirements. Minor revisions were made
for clarity and readability purposes. The structural design
requirements were updated to align with changes made to the National
Engineering Manual. The criteria for reception pit size, pipe clean-
outs and pipeline velocity were revised.
Wastewater Treatment--Milk House (Code 627): Added a new
conservation practice standard developed to better address the
technical complexities of treating greywater from cleaning the milking
equipment. The practice standard is based on several university
extension publications referenced in the standard and NRCS field
experience.
Wetland Creation (Code 658): The standard revision removed soils as
a purpose and added an additional purpose of creating a native plant
community adapted to growth and regeneration in anerobic conditions.
Establishment of hydric soil was removed as a purpose because anaerobic
soil conditions is an outcome, not a purpose. The new practice standard
Wildlife Habitat Planting (Code 420) is listed as appropriate for
vegetative establishment when wildlife habitat is a purpose. This
allows the use of Wetland Creation (Code 658) when the purpose is to
establish a unique plant community without targeting a single species
of wildlife or guild.
Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment and Renovation (Code 380): Two
practice standards were combined, and Code 380 now includes windbreak
renovation as well as establishment. The definition, purpose,
conditions where practice applies, and considerations sections were
updated. Criteria sections were added to address renovation; several
other sections were moved to the Considerations section. The Plans and
Specifications section were expanded to align with conservation plan
requirements, and operations and maintenance sections were expanded to
clarify requirements. References were added.
Terry Cosby,
Acting Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-05005 Filed 3-8-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P
