Response to Western Water Quantity (WWQ) Listening Session, 10080-10085 [2023-03278]
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 32 / Thursday, February 16, 2023 / Notices
• NHPA Section 106 Consultation.
Consultation with Tribal Nations and
interested parties will be conducted as
required by the National Historic
Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended)
(16 U.S.C. 470f).
• Endangered Species Act (ESA)
Consultation. Consultation with the
USFWS is being conducted as required
by the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
Schedule of Decision-Making Process
A Draft EIS will be prepared and
circulated for review and comment by
agencies and the public for at least 45
days as required by 40 CFR 1503.1,
1502.20, 1506.11, and 1502.17, and 7
CFR 650.13. The Draft EIS is anticipated
to be published in the Federal Register
approximately 6 months after
publication of this NOI; notices will also
be published using local media outlets.
A Final EIS is anticipated to be
published within 4 months of
completion of the public comment
period for the Draft EIS.
NRCS will decide whether to
implement one of the alternatives as
evaluated in the EIS. A Record of
Decision will be completed after the
required 30-day waiting period and will
be publicly available. The responsible
Federal official for the NRCS is Keisha
Tatem, Arizona State Conservationist.
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Public Scoping Process
Public scoping meetings were held
virtually on April 20, 2022, when the
project was being considered under an
Environmental Assessment (EA). Public
notice of the project and scoping
meetings were distributed widely prior
to the meetings. Scoping meeting
presentation materials, including a
video recording of the meeting, are
available on the project website at
https://graveyardwash.com/.
The meeting consisted of a
presentation on the PL–566 Program,1
the dam deficiencies, and the NEPA
process, and included a question-andanswer session. Public scoping meetings
provide an opportunity to review and
evaluate the project alternatives, express
concern or support, and gain further
information regarding the project.
Comments received, including the
names and addresses of those who
comment, will be part of the public
record.
Identification of Potential Alternatives,
Information, and Analyses
NRCS invites agencies, Tribes, and
individuals who have special expertise,
1 NRCS manages the Watershed Protection and
Flood Prevention Program (also known as
Watershed Operations, Public Law 83–566, or just
PL–566.
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legal jurisdiction, or interest in the Frye
Creek—Stockton Wash Watershed in
Graham County, Arizona, to provide
comments concerning the scope of the
analysis and identification of potential
alternatives, information, and analyses
relevant to the Proposed Action in
writing.
Authorities
This document is published pursuant
to the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) regulations regarding
publication of a notice of intent to issue
an environmental impact statement (40
CFR 1501.9(d)). This EIS will be
prepared to evaluate potential
environmental impacts as required by
section 102(2)(C) of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA); the Council on Environmental
Quality regulations (40 CFR parts 1500
through 1508); and NRCS regulations
that implement NEPA in 7 CFR part
650. Watershed planning is authorized
under the Watershed Protection and
Flood Prevention Act of 1954, as
amended, (Pub. L. 83–566) and the
Flood Control Act of 1944 (Pub. L. 78–
534).
Federal Assistance Program
The title and number of the Federal
Assistance Programs, as found in the
Assistance Listing,2 to which this
document applies is 10.904, Watershed
Protection and Flood Prevention.
Executive Order 12372
Executive Order 12372,
‘‘Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs,’’ requires consultation with
State and local officials that would be
directly affected by proposed Federal
financial assistance. The objectives of
the Executive Order are to foster an
intergovernmental partnership and a
strengthened federalism, by relying on
State and local processes for State and
local government coordination and
review of proposed Federal financial
assistance and direct Federal
development. This program is subject to
the provisions of Executive Order
12372, which requires
intergovernmental consultation with
State and local officials.
USDA Non-Discrimination Policy
In accordance with Federal civil
rights law and USDA civil rights
regulations and policies, USDA, its
agencies, offices, and employees, and
institutions participating in or
administering USDA programs are
prohibited from discriminating based on
race, color, national origin, religion, sex,
2 See
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gender identity (including gender
expression), sexual orientation,
disability, age, marital status, family or
parental status, income derived from a
public assistance program, political
beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior
civil rights activity, in any program or
activity conducted or funded by USDA
(not all bases apply to all programs).
Remedies and complaint filing
deadlines vary by program or incident.
Individuals who require alternative
means of communication for program
information (for example, braille, large
print, audiotape, American Sign
Language, etc.) should contact the
responsible Agency or USDA TARGET
Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and text
telephone) or dial 711 for
Telecommunications Relay Service
(both voice and text telephone users can
initiate this call from any phone).
Additionally, program information may
be made available in languages other
than English.
To file a program discrimination
complaint, complete the USDA Program
Discrimination Complaint Form, AD–
3027, found online at: https://
www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-aprogram-discrimination-complaint and
at any USDA office or write a letter
addressed to USDA and provide in the
letter all the information requested in
the form. To request a copy of the
complaint form, call (866) 632–9992.
Submit your completed form or letter to
USDA by mail to: U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
DC 20250–9410 or email: OAC@
usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity
provider, employer, and lender.
Keisha Tatem,
Arizona State Conservationist, Natural
Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–03268 Filed 2–15–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–16–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation
Service
[Docket No. NRCS–2021–0007]
Response to Western Water Quantity
(WWQ) Listening Session
Natural Resources
Conservation Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) hosted a
virtual, open, public listening session,
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 32 / Thursday, February 16, 2023 / Notices
on December 17, 2020, with remote
participation only, for public input
about water quantity in the western
United States as it relates to existing
NRCS programs. NRCS provided
stakeholders both an opportunity to give
oral testimony during the listening
session and a 30-day public comment
period for additional input. NRCS
received comments from 66
stakeholders, including representatives
from national organizations, individuals
or organizations from 13 western States,
and one Indian Tribe. This notice
responds to comments received during
the listening session and the subsequent
public comment period, which closed
on January 19, 2021, and identifies the
actions that NRCS has taken and will be
taking in the months ahead.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Martha Joseph; phone: (814) 203–5562;
email: martha.joseph@usda.gov. Persons
with disabilities who require alternative
means for communication should
contact the USDA Target Center at (202)
720–2600 (voice).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Background
On December 17, 2020, NRCS hosted
a virtual, open, public listening session,
with remote participation only, for
public input about water quantity in the
western United States as it relates to
existing NRCS programs. NRCS
provided stakeholders both an
opportunity to give oral testimony
during the listening session and a 30day public comment period for
additional input. NRCS requested input
about the challenges, needed
breakthroughs, and priorities, and
identified that it would consider this
information in its evaluation of existing
programs and efforts to position these
programs to achieve positive outcomes.
NRCS is taking this opportunity to
provide a summary of the comments it
received, responses to questions and
comments made, and describe the
actions NRCS is currently taking. In
particular, NRCS charged its State
Conservationists to work with its
stakeholders to identify the priority
water quantity issues in their State, the
current agency response to addressing
them, and the key barriers, challenges,
or gaps that stakeholders may be able to
help fill. NRCS evaluated this
information to develop western water
quantity strategies through a framework
for conservation.
Discussion of WWQ Comments
The Federal Register notice for the
WWQ listening session, which was
published on December 3, 2020 (85 FR
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78114–78115), included a 30-day
comment period that ended January 19,
2021. NRCS received comments from 66
stakeholders, including representatives
from national organizations,
individuals, or organizations from 13
western States, and one Indian Tribe.
These organizations represented State
and national conservation partners,
State and local governments, one
Federal agency, one Tribal government,
NGOs, and several individuals. NRCS
received comments as follows:
• 40 speakers provided testimony
during the listening session; 12 of these
speakers also sent in written comments
during the comment period; and
• 26 additional commenters provided
written comments outside of the
listening session.
NRCS did not receive any comments
from Missouri River Basin States.
Additionally, while most of the 574
Federally-recognized Indian Tribes,
including Alaska Native Corporations,
are in the West, NRCS only received one
comment from an Indian Tribe. NRCS
has identified this as a particular area of
concern to increase its outreach specific
to assistance for water resources.
The Federal Register notice for the
Public Listening Session encouraged the
stakeholders to provide feedback on any
of the following questions:
1. For agricultural producers: What is
your most pressing water related issue
that may constrain or currently
constrains your operations?
Response: Overall, NRCS received
responses from producer groups which
represent thousands of producers and
individual producers. These producer
groups expressed interest in a range of
topics, but surface water availability and
water rights spurred the most interest.
The topics of groundwater, interagency
collaboration, locally-led conservation,
climate and weather variability,
funding, irrigation, programs, soil
health, and wildlife habitat were each
mentioned.
2. For non-producers and
organizations: What is your most
pressing water related issue that is
needed by the agricultural community
you assist?
Response: While these comments
spanned the complete range of
administrative and natural resource
topics, there was significant interest
around funding, NRCS standards and
specifications, interagency
collaboration, and program eligibility.
Other areas of particular interest
included: irrigation; climate and
weather variability; groundwater;
locally-led conservation; related water
quality issues; planning assistance; and
surface water.
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3. For producers and organizations:
What is your most pressing water
related issue with which NRCS can help
you through a technical or financial
assistance program or through
facilitating and engaging in a
collaboration or partnership?
Response: The comments identified
that groundwater, irrigation, climate and
weather variability, and surface water
were the most pressing water-related
natural resource issues for which NRCS
could provide assistance. The comments
also identified related water quality
issues, water rights, wildlife habitat, soil
health, source water, aquifer recharge,
and snow survey and water supply
forecasting as issues with which NRCS
could provide assistance.
4. How can NRCS best coordinate
with other Federal, State, and local
efforts to address water related issues?
Response: NRCS received significant
interest for greater interagency
collaboration and coordination,
particularly with respect to
implementation under the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
NRCS received comments that focused
specifically on interagency coordination
in Oregon, which recommended an
interagency working group.
5. How can State Technical
Committees assist in addressing your
most pressing water related issues?
Response: NRCS received comments
identifying the State Technical
Committees in three topic areas: locallyled conservation, ground water, and
source water. These comments broadly
sought realignment of State Technical
Committee priorities to favor practices
that increase water use efficiency,
reduce evapotranspiration loss, and the
use of cover crops to address
groundwater supply and aquifer
recharge. Some comments focused on
nursery and container operations. A
recommendation was made that
representatives from water utilities be
on the State Technical Committees.
6. What additional issues do you
confront about which NRCS should
have awareness?
Response: NRCS received comments
identifying issues associated with
cloud-seeding, increased partnerships
with drinking water utilities, and
whether NRCS can play a role in the
retirement of water rights. The
comments recommended that NRCS be
given additional authority to engage
with the Department of the Interior’s
Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) and the
Department of the Army’s Corps of
Engineers to support and complement
their programs to promote water
conservation and increased water use
efficiency.
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Comments Summarized by Topic
In this notice, the comments have
been organized and summarized
alphabetically by topic. The topics
include aquifer recharge, climate and
weather variability, funding, general
comments, groundwater, initiatives,
interagency coordination, irrigation,
locally-led conservation, NRCS
standards and specifications, planning
assistance, program eligibility, related
water quality issues, snow survey and
water supply forecasting, soil health,
source water, water rights, and wildlife
habitat.
Aquifer Recharge
Comment: Comments related to
aquifer recharge focused on the Ogallala
aquifer and made calls for increased
funding for efforts to conserve in this
area.
Response: NRCS is supporting
innovative technology for aquifer and
groundwater recharge through two
interim conservation practice standards,
Managed Aquifer Recharge, and
Groundwater Recharge Basin or Trench.
NRCS—California will evaluate their
effectiveness as part of their fiscal year
(FY) 2022 conservation program
delivery. Through the new framework
for conservation, NRCS has identified
strategies that land owners and
managers can take, and assistance they
may receive, to reduce groundwater
withdrawals and support aquifer
recharge.
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Climate and Weather Variability
Comment: Comments expressed
concern about how weather variability
is causing their livestock and crops to
suffer, harming their bottom lines,
creating discontent, and causing
litigation between neighbors. The
comments requested additional research
and solutions for addressing climate
change, specifically in terms of
adaptation, such as cloud seeding,
reduced water use, runoff control,
stormwater collection, and aquifer
recharge. The comments also supported
mitigation efforts, such as carbon
sequestration.
Response: NRCS helps farmers and
ranchers understand the vulnerabilities
of natural resources that changing
climatic conditions exacerbate. NRCS
provides financial and technical
assistance to improve conservation of
natural resources for the benefit of the
production system and surrounding
landscape. NRCS also focuses on
information delivery and assistance to
producers and landowners to increase
conservation practices on private lands
that help agricultural operations and
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their communities build resilience to
variable climatic conditions and
extreme weather. Many of these same
practices also provide opportunities to
sequester carbon or reduce greenhouse
gas emissions. Categories of
conservation practices for climate smart
agriculture and forestry include soil
health, nitrogen management, grazing
and pastures, agroforestry, forestry, and
upland wildlife habitat.
Funding
Comment: A wide range of comments
related to funding. Most comments can
be summarized as requests to fund
repairs or improvements to aging
infrastructure. Comments also related to
the types or rates for NRCS payments,
such as funding for practices that
maintain streamflow and use of local
economic analysis when establishing
payment rates. There were
recommendations that NRCS provide
financial incentives for incorporating
voluntary, rotational fallowing with
cover crop to support basin-wide water
conservation, including developing
financial incentives that adequately
compensate for the costs of taking land
out of production on a temporary or
longer rotation to conserve water.
Response: NRCS will continue to
improve its outreach efforts to ensure
producers in local areas are aware of
their options. NRCS has a variety of
programs that are used to address aging
infrastructure, including Watershed and
Flood Prevention Operations, the
Watershed Rehabilitation Program, the
Regional Conservation Partnership
Program, and the Environmental Quality
Incentives Program (EQIP).
The Infrastructure Investment and
Jobs Act also known as ‘‘the Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law’’ (BIL), Public Law
117–58, see Division J, Title I) provides
$918 million for implementation of
projects through NRCS watershed
programs. In particular, BIL provides
$500 million for the Watershed and
Flood Prevention Operations Program,
which helps entities of state, local, and
Tribal governments (project sponsors)
protect and restore watersheds up to
250,000 acres by cooperating with them
to plan and install projects for a range
of water-related purposes including
rural, municipal, and industrial water
supply, and use and disposal of water.
BIL also provides $118 million for the
Watershed Rehabilitation Program,
which helps project sponsors
rehabilitate aging dams constructed
with NRCS assistance. Finally, BIL
provides $300 million for the
Emergency Watersheds Program to
address impairment to watersheds
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caused by natural disasters such as
floods, drought, and wildfires.
Through the Regional Conservation
Partnership Program, NRCS co-invests
in public-private partnerships to expand
collective conservation efforts to
address drought, poor water quality, and
other natural resource concerns. Eligible
farmers and ranchers located in an EQIP
priority area for the WaterSMART
Initiative (WSI) are automatically
ranked for funding improvements to
managing soil moisture, irrigation water
use efficiency, and protecting irrigation
water sources from depletion. These
targeted EQIP–WSI investments are
coordinated with investments made by
the BOR’s WSI Program in water
conservation and drought resilience
projects carried out by water suppliers
in the same area.
General Comments
Comment: Several comments
expressed general support for NRCS
activities and suggested that NRCS
should do more to address water
quantity issues in the West.
Response: NRCS appreciates the
feedback. NRCS has developed western
water quantity strategies through its
framework for conservation and is
currently rolling out guidance for
implementing them. NRCS charged its
State Conservationists to work with its
stakeholders to identify the priority
water quantity and related issues in
their state, the current agency response
to addressing them, and the key barriers,
challenges, or gaps that stakeholders
may be able to help fill. These issues,
actions, and needs have been evaluated
by NRCS subject matter experts and
NRCS will share its findings resulting
from this evaluation in its new
framework.
Groundwater
Comment: Comments acknowledged
that NRCS programs currently address
groundwater protection but recommend
that NRCS should increase program
funding and partnership input on
setting priorities.
Response: State Technical
Committees, including local work
groups, provide NRCS an avenue for
direct stakeholder input to each State
Conservationist, and NRCS strives to be
responsive to stakeholder input.
Through its framework for conservation
action with respect to western water
quantity and related issues, NRCS
encourages stakeholders to continue to
engage with local workgroups and State
Technical Committees to identify
priorities, such as groundwater
depletion, to target with NRCS
programs, funding, and activities.
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Initiatives
Comment: Comments recommended
that the agency develop a specific
program or targeted funding effort that
focuses funding for groundwater
depletion in the western region where
applicants compete only against other
groundwater projects.
Response: NRCS acknowledges the
suggestion to target funds specifically
towards addressing groundwater
depletion in the western region. NRCS
currently has multiple initiatives inplace that address the complex
challenges of preventing groundwater
depletion across a vast region. These
include the WaterSMART initiative,
National Water Quality Initiative
(expanded in FY 2019 to include source
water protection), and others. NRCS
believes that an additional program
initiative could create undue
complexity and reduce state-level
flexibility.
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Inter-Agency Coordination
Comment: Comments about interagency coordination related to overall
coordination of activities, including
comments recommending that NRCS
coordinate its program implementation
with other Federal agencies, especially
BOR.
Response: NRCS has long recognized
the importance of Federal agency
coordination on water quantity and
related issues, and USDA is a member
of the Water Subcabinet, the Drought
Resilience Interagency Working Group,
has a liaison to the Western States
Federal Agency Support Team
(WestFAST) of the Western States Water
Council (WSWC) of the Western
Governors’ Association, and is
permanent co-chair of the National
Drought Resilience Partnership. NRCS
and the United States Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE) recently renewed
their agreement to coordinate on
infrastructure projects and natural
resources conservation in watersheds to
benefit communities across the
landscape. NRCS facilitates
coordination of its program delivery in
each State with other federal agencies
through its State Technical Committee
meetings. Additionally, NRCS
participates in meetings held by other
Federal or State agencies to ensure that
there is high level coordination between
the State and regional agency heads of
other resource agencies and the broader
State Conservation partnership.
Irrigation
Comment: There were multiple
comments supporting current efforts
from NRCS to address irrigation issues
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in the West. Several stakeholders
requested financial assistance for aging
infrastructure such as conveyance
systems, municipal and industrial water
supplies, and recreational areas.
Comments requested that NRCS and
other Federal agencies align their
timelines more closely. Comments
referred directly to irrigation efficiency
and recommended the adoption of
advanced conservation technology.
Response: NRCS has several programs
that help support the repair or
replacement of aging water
infrastructure, including through the
EQIP assistance to water management
entities, the Regional Conservation
Partnership Program Alternative
Funding Arrangements, and the
Watershed Rehabilitation Program
under Watershed Operations. NRCS
coordinates the assistance available
through these programs, targeting
different aspects of surface water and
conveyance systems. Further, NRCS
field offices work with producers on a
daily basis to assist them with
increasing their irrigation efficiency.
Irrigation efficiency is addressed by
almost every irrigation-related
conservation practice available to our
producers.
NRCS furthers the availability of
innovative and advanced conservation
technologies through an appropriate
vetting process to ensure that producers
receive a technically sound and
operation-appropriate system. NRCS
encourages innovators to consider
applying for funding opportunities
through Conservation Innovation Grants
and On-Field Conservation Innovation
Trials authorized under the Agriculture
Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm
Bill, Pub. L. 115–334).
There were also multiple comments
about financial assistance through NRCS
that seem to fall outside of our
authority.
Locally-Led Conservation
Comment: Comments related to the
locally-led conservation process in
regards to the 2018 Farm Bill program
administration. These comments
identified issues related to interaction
with the State Technical Committee,
local work group functions, and staffing
concerns.
Response: NRCS continues to value
coordination at the local level to help
solve western water quantity issues,
which is why NRCS regularly engages
local and State stakeholders through
State Technical Committee and local
work group meetings. This approach has
proven effective by empowering State
leaders and coalitions to establish
funding priorities that ensure critical
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resource concerns are allocated
proportionate resources.
NRCS supports the installation of sitespecific conservation practices that help
farmers manage moisture, reduce
drought susceptibility, efficiently use
irrigation water, and conserve ground
and surface water by providing
technical and financial assistance
towards:
• Installing on-farm irrigation water
delivery systems and structures, for
example, irrigation ditch lining,
irrigation pipelines, micro-irrigation
systems, reservoirs, sprinklers, and
subsurface systems; and
• Establishing vegetation and
improving land management practices,
for example, crop row arrangement,
drainage and irrigation water
management, forage harvest
management, nutrient management,
crop rotations, residue and tillage
management, and cover crops.
NRCS uses interim conservation
practices as a mechanism for field
testing new technology for addressing
water conservation and drought not
addressed by the existing NRCS suite of
conservation practice standards. For
example, two new groundwater recharge
practices are being tested in California
as described above.
NRCS uses a multitude of tools to
document staffing needs by field, area,
and State offices. These tools are used
to help target staff resources to those
areas suffering multiple years of drought
to assist producers who wish to install
practices that address water quantity
and related natural resource concerns.
NRCS Standards and Specifications
Comment: Comments related to NRCS
standards and specifications, including
coordination of NRCS standards with
those of BOR.
Response: NRCS technical leadership
will compare NRCS and BOR standards
and will identify if there are any
potential conflicts. If so, NRCS will
work with BOR to identify criteria
allowances that are mutually acceptable
to NRCS and BOR.
Planning Assistance
Comment: Comments related to
planning assistance identified issues
related to ground water depletion, water
budgets, funding local water supply
conservation projects, and coordination
with public agencies on regulations and
permits.
Response: Through the Watershed
and Flood Prevention Operations
Program, NRCS provides planning
assistance and feasibility studies
directly to entities of State and local
governments and Tribes in need of help
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with protecting and restoring small
watersheds for multiple purposes
including agricultural water
management. Agricultural water
management may include water supply
structures, ground water recharge, and
other large infrastructure works of
improvement in the community. Such
locally-sponsored projects are highly
coordinated between sponsoring and
regulatory agencies and involve detailed
studies before design and
implementation can begin. NRCS also
provides conservation planning
assistance and technical expertise to
individual farmers, ranchers, and forest
managers wanting to make conservation
improvements to the land they manage.
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Program Eligibility
Comment: Comments related to NRCS
conservation program eligibility as it
relates to western water quantity
concerns. Comments encourage NRCS to
prioritize water quantity more in its
programs.
Response: NRCS appreciates the
comments and recognizes that
addressing drought stress and the need
to support drought resilience is
increasing the priority that may be
placed on water quantity resource
concerns. NRCS encourages partners to
participate in the locally led process
and State Technical Committees to
influence where NRCS places priorities.
In addition, these needs are
incorporated within the new-framework
for conservation action described below.
Related Water Quality Issues
Comment: Comments identified
issues related to water quality including
funding on and off farm irrigation
systems, funding community-based
organizations, considering the effects of
irrigation systems on both surface and
ground water resources, flexibility at
local and state levels, prioritizing large
scale projects, interstate coordination,
outcome estimation, final program rules,
water infrastructure, climate change
impacts, Strike Force areas, the
importance of healthy soil and soil
moisture management to efficient
irrigation water use and water
conservation, and the impact of nonnative vegetation on watershed
hydrology caused by threats to the
landscape such as wildfire and feral
hogs.
Response: NRCS appreciates the
suggestions for fully utilizing its
authorities to help communities and
individuals across the West address
issues related to the supply and quality
of water. Specific suggestions for each
watershed and conservation program
have been received by appropriate
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national and State level program
managers for consideration.
NRCS has developed a framework for
conservation as described below to
coordinate its programs’ resources more
effectively with those of other public
agencies and private stakeholders in
each water resource region and State.
Communication strategies will be
included to inform the public more
effectively about available program
resources to achieve desired outcomes
for ground and surface waters.
NRCS works in partnership with State
Conservation Agencies, State
Associations of Conservation Districts,
and other types of partners in each State
or territory, and with Indian Tribes to
expand our reach and put more
conservation on the land. NRCS
coordinates with other Federal agencies
who help States, Tribes, local
governments, and other water resource
managers to leverage Federal resources
available for achieving water resource
conservation outcomes from delivering
its programs.
Snow Survey and Water Supply
Forecasting
Comment: Comments related to snow
survey and water supply forecasting. In
general, the comments relate to
improving the sharing of information
between agencies and entities involved
with water supply data collection and
having a unified focus on addressing the
issues in eastern Oregon.
Response: The NRCS State
Conservationist for Oregon has worked
in cooperation with Federal and State
agency partners to develop and provide
water supply condition and data
reports. The reports are generated biweekly each year to assist in identifying
flood potential in near-real-time in the
Umatilla River and McKay Creek
watersheds in eastern Oregon. These
reports can be accessed at the NRCS
Oregon Snow Survey website at the
following link: https://www.nrcs.
usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/or/
snow/?cid=nrcseprd854607. Interested
parties can sign up (subscribe) to receive
the reports at the link as well.
At the request of the Oregon State
Climatologist, the NRCS Oregon Snow
Survey Supervisory Hydrologist serves
as a lead technical consultant to provide
guidance for Oregon’s input to the
National Drought Monitor (DM). The
goal of these efforts is to make Oregon’s
drought designation mimic the national
model so that a unified message is
provided by the State of Oregon, relating
drought to partners and stakeholders.
NRCS Oregon is a lead technical
member of the Governor’s Drought
Readiness Council and Water Supply
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Availability Committee. The Drought
Readiness Council and Water Supply
Availability Committee members
include Federal and State agency
representatives that review drought and
water supply conditions monthly to
provide input to the Governor’s office
and to make decisions based upon
critical water supply conditions across
Oregon.
Soil Health
Comment: Comments expressed that
soil health is important, especially in a
rangeland setting.
Response: NRCS appreciates this
comment supporting soil health and
agrees that soil health is very important
in rangelands to improve water
infiltration and retention.
Source Water
Comment: Comments suggested
source water considerations should be a
part of the western water quantity
strategy. The comments recommended
that NRCS consider involving drinking
water providers or other source water
stakeholders in setting priorities,
including in the State Technical
Committees.
Response: Protecting drinking water
sources is a priority for NRCS and
partners and is incorporated into our
program implementation as identified
by the 2018 Farm Bill. NRCS will
continue to address this priority and
agrees that having source water
stakeholders participating in State
Technical Committee meetings is a good
idea. Interested stakeholders should
contact their NRCS State
Conservationists to receive information
about State Technical Committee
participation.
Water Rights
Comment: Comments suggested that
NRCS needs to have greater
involvement in processes related to
State determinations of water rights,
such as a curtailment by a State
engineer.
Response: NRCS does not have a role
with the purchase, sale, enforcement, or
adjudication of water rights under State
law.
Wildlife Habitat
Comment: Comments addressed a
multitude of wildlife habitat issues.
Response: NRCS has strong
relationships with its Federal and State
wildlife partners, and greatly
appreciates the coordination of its
programs with these partners under the
Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW)
partnership. Through WLFW, USDA
uses a win-win approach to
E:\FR\FM\16FEN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 32 / Thursday, February 16, 2023 / Notices
systematically target conservation
efforts to improve agricultural and forest
productivity which enhances wildlife
habitat on working landscapes. Target
species are used as barometers for
success because their habitat needs are
representative of healthy, functioning
ecosystems where conservation efforts
benefit a much broader suite of species.
NRCS recognizes that water availability
is a need for wildlife as well as
agriculture, and partners help NRCS to
identify mutually beneficial solutions
for both.
Framework for Conservation
In January 2021, NRCS convened a
working group of State and national
subject matter experts to review input
received from the public listening
session and written comment period.
Based on the working group’s analysis,
NRCS developed a western-focused
strategic framework to address
challenges posed by water scarcity and
guide program delivery at the State and
local level. Referred to as NRCS’s
Western Water and Working Lands
Framework for Conservation Action, the
broad planning guidance will help
NRCS leaders in each State improve
their business plans to better address
cross-cutting issues related to protecting
water resources in their State.
The first step of developing the new
framework was completed in the
summer of 2021 when State
Conservationists briefed State Technical
Committees with a summary of input
received during the listening session
and provided them an opportunity to
advise further. NRCS experts reviewed
all the input received and formulated
strategies for increasing conservation
opportunities that address challenges
related to managing water resources
across western landscapes. The next
step will be for NRCS leaders in each
State to use the framework to develop
targets for increased conservation
actions over the next few years.
Terry Cosby,
Chief, Natural Resources Conservation
Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–03278 Filed 2–15–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–16–P
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS
Notice of Public Meeting of the South
Carolina Advisory Committee to the
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
U.S. Commission on Civil
Rights.
ACTION: Announcement of meeting.
AGENCY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:51 Feb 15, 2023
Jkt 259001
Notice is hereby given,
pursuant to the provisions of the rules
and regulations of the U.S. Commission
on Civil Rights (Commission) and the
Federal Advisory Committee Act, that
the South Carolina Advisory Committee
(Committee) to the U.S. Commission on
Civil Rights will hold a business
meeting via web conference. The
purpose of the meeting is to hear from
advocates on topical civil rights.
DATES: Thursday, March 2, 2023, at
12:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held
via Zoom.
Zoom Link (Audio/Visual): https://
tinyurl.com/htv52waw.
Join by Phone (Audio Only): 1–833–
435–1820 US Toll-Free; Meeting ID: 160
437 1491#.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Barbara Delaviez, DFO, at ero@usccr.gov
or 1–202–529–8246.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Committee meetings are available to the
public through the conference link
above. Any interested member of the
public may listen to the meeting. An
open comment period will be provided
to allow members of the public to make
a statement as time allows. If joining via
phone, callers can expect to incur
regular charges for calls they initiate
over wireless lines, according to their
wireless plan. The Commission will not
refund any incurred charges. Callers
will incur no charge for calls they
initiate over land-line connections to
the toll-free telephone number.
Individuals who are deaf, deafblind, and
hard of hearing may also follow the
proceedings by first calling the Federal
Relay Service at 1–800–877–8339 and
providing the Service with the
conference call number and meeting ID.
Members of the public are also
entitled to submit written comments;
the comments must be received in the
regional office within 30 days following
the meeting. Written comments may be
emailed to Barbara Delaviez at ero@
usccr.gov.
Records generated from this meeting
may be inspected and reproduced at the
Regional Programs Coordination Unit
Office, as they become available, both
before and after the meeting. Records of
the meeting will be available via
www.facadatabase.gov under the
Commission on Civil Rights, South
Carolina Advisory Committee link.
Persons interested in the work of this
Committee are directed to the
Commission’s website, https://
www.usccr.gov, or may contact the
Regional Programs Coordination Unit at
the above email or street address.
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
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10085
Agenda
I. Welcome and Roll Call
II. Presentations: Civil Rights Issues in
South Carolina
III. Other Business
IV. Next Steps
V. Public Comment
VI. Adjournment
Dated: February 13, 2023.
David Mussatt,
Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit.
[FR Doc. 2023–03295 Filed 2–15–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Office of the Secretary
U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council
(TTC) Talent for Growth Task Force
Solicitation of Nominations for
Membership
Office of the Secretary, U.S.
Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Solicitation of nominations.
AGENCY:
The Department of Commerce
seeks nominations for immediate
consideration for the TTC Talent for
Growth Task Force (Task Force). The
Task Force was established on
December 5, 2022 in the U.S.-EU Joint
Statement of the TTC following its 3rd
TTC Ministerial meeting and announced
by U.S.-EU TTC Co-Chairs U.S.
Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo
and European Commission (EC)
Executive Vice-President Margrethe
Vestager. The Task Force will help
position the United States and EU to
achieve the well-trained workforce
critical to maintaining leadership in
emerging and existing technologies. The
Commerce Department is seeking
nominations for the U.S. members of the
Task Force.
DATES: Nominations for immediate
consideration for appointment must be
received on or before 5:00 p.m. EST on
February 27, 2023.
ADDRESSES: Jana Juginovic, Senior
Policy Advisor, Office of the Secretary,
Room 5039, U.S. Department of
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue
NW, Washington, DC 20230; email:
jjuginovic@doc.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jana
Juginovic, Senior Policy Advisor, Office
of the Secretary, Room 5039, U.S.
Department of Commerce, 1401
Constitution Avenue NW, Washington,
DC 20230; email: jjuginovic@doc.gov;
telephone: 202.288.5238. For additional
information about the Task Force,
please visit the Talent for Growth Task
Force Press Release and Fact Sheet at:
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\16FEN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 32 (Thursday, February 16, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10080-10085]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-03278]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service
[Docket No. NRCS-2021-0007]
Response to Western Water Quantity (WWQ) Listening Session
AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) hosted a
virtual, open, public listening session,
[[Page 10081]]
on December 17, 2020, with remote participation only, for public input
about water quantity in the western United States as it relates to
existing NRCS programs. NRCS provided stakeholders both an opportunity
to give oral testimony during the listening session and a 30-day public
comment period for additional input. NRCS received comments from 66
stakeholders, including representatives from national organizations,
individuals or organizations from 13 western States, and one Indian
Tribe. This notice responds to comments received during the listening
session and the subsequent public comment period, which closed on
January 19, 2021, and identifies the actions that NRCS has taken and
will be taking in the months ahead.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Martha Joseph; phone: (814) 203-5562;
email: [email protected]. Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication should contact the USDA Target
Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On December 17, 2020, NRCS hosted a virtual, open, public listening
session, with remote participation only, for public input about water
quantity in the western United States as it relates to existing NRCS
programs. NRCS provided stakeholders both an opportunity to give oral
testimony during the listening session and a 30-day public comment
period for additional input. NRCS requested input about the challenges,
needed breakthroughs, and priorities, and identified that it would
consider this information in its evaluation of existing programs and
efforts to position these programs to achieve positive outcomes.
NRCS is taking this opportunity to provide a summary of the
comments it received, responses to questions and comments made, and
describe the actions NRCS is currently taking. In particular, NRCS
charged its State Conservationists to work with its stakeholders to
identify the priority water quantity issues in their State, the current
agency response to addressing them, and the key barriers, challenges,
or gaps that stakeholders may be able to help fill. NRCS evaluated this
information to develop western water quantity strategies through a
framework for conservation.
Discussion of WWQ Comments
The Federal Register notice for the WWQ listening session, which
was published on December 3, 2020 (85 FR 78114-78115), included a 30-
day comment period that ended January 19, 2021. NRCS received comments
from 66 stakeholders, including representatives from national
organizations, individuals, or organizations from 13 western States,
and one Indian Tribe. These organizations represented State and
national conservation partners, State and local governments, one
Federal agency, one Tribal government, NGOs, and several individuals.
NRCS received comments as follows:
40 speakers provided testimony during the listening
session; 12 of these speakers also sent in written comments during the
comment period; and
26 additional commenters provided written comments outside
of the listening session.
NRCS did not receive any comments from Missouri River Basin States.
Additionally, while most of the 574 Federally-recognized Indian Tribes,
including Alaska Native Corporations, are in the West, NRCS only
received one comment from an Indian Tribe. NRCS has identified this as
a particular area of concern to increase its outreach specific to
assistance for water resources.
The Federal Register notice for the Public Listening Session
encouraged the stakeholders to provide feedback on any of the following
questions:
1. For agricultural producers: What is your most pressing water
related issue that may constrain or currently constrains your
operations?
Response: Overall, NRCS received responses from producer groups
which represent thousands of producers and individual producers. These
producer groups expressed interest in a range of topics, but surface
water availability and water rights spurred the most interest. The
topics of groundwater, interagency collaboration, locally-led
conservation, climate and weather variability, funding, irrigation,
programs, soil health, and wildlife habitat were each mentioned.
2. For non-producers and organizations: What is your most pressing
water related issue that is needed by the agricultural community you
assist?
Response: While these comments spanned the complete range of
administrative and natural resource topics, there was significant
interest around funding, NRCS standards and specifications, interagency
collaboration, and program eligibility. Other areas of particular
interest included: irrigation; climate and weather variability;
groundwater; locally-led conservation; related water quality issues;
planning assistance; and surface water.
3. For producers and organizations: What is your most pressing
water related issue with which NRCS can help you through a technical or
financial assistance program or through facilitating and engaging in a
collaboration or partnership?
Response: The comments identified that groundwater, irrigation,
climate and weather variability, and surface water were the most
pressing water-related natural resource issues for which NRCS could
provide assistance. The comments also identified related water quality
issues, water rights, wildlife habitat, soil health, source water,
aquifer recharge, and snow survey and water supply forecasting as
issues with which NRCS could provide assistance.
4. How can NRCS best coordinate with other Federal, State, and
local efforts to address water related issues?
Response: NRCS received significant interest for greater
interagency collaboration and coordination, particularly with respect
to implementation under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
NRCS received comments that focused specifically on interagency
coordination in Oregon, which recommended an interagency working group.
5. How can State Technical Committees assist in addressing your
most pressing water related issues?
Response: NRCS received comments identifying the State Technical
Committees in three topic areas: locally-led conservation, ground
water, and source water. These comments broadly sought realignment of
State Technical Committee priorities to favor practices that increase
water use efficiency, reduce evapotranspiration loss, and the use of
cover crops to address groundwater supply and aquifer recharge. Some
comments focused on nursery and container operations. A recommendation
was made that representatives from water utilities be on the State
Technical Committees.
6. What additional issues do you confront about which NRCS should
have awareness?
Response: NRCS received comments identifying issues associated with
cloud-seeding, increased partnerships with drinking water utilities,
and whether NRCS can play a role in the retirement of water rights. The
comments recommended that NRCS be given additional authority to engage
with the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) and
the Department of the Army's Corps of Engineers to support and
complement their programs to promote water conservation and increased
water use efficiency.
[[Page 10082]]
Comments Summarized by Topic
In this notice, the comments have been organized and summarized
alphabetically by topic. The topics include aquifer recharge, climate
and weather variability, funding, general comments, groundwater,
initiatives, interagency coordination, irrigation, locally-led
conservation, NRCS standards and specifications, planning assistance,
program eligibility, related water quality issues, snow survey and
water supply forecasting, soil health, source water, water rights, and
wildlife habitat.
Aquifer Recharge
Comment: Comments related to aquifer recharge focused on the
Ogallala aquifer and made calls for increased funding for efforts to
conserve in this area.
Response: NRCS is supporting innovative technology for aquifer and
groundwater recharge through two interim conservation practice
standards, Managed Aquifer Recharge, and Groundwater Recharge Basin or
Trench. NRCS--California will evaluate their effectiveness as part of
their fiscal year (FY) 2022 conservation program delivery. Through the
new framework for conservation, NRCS has identified strategies that
land owners and managers can take, and assistance they may receive, to
reduce groundwater withdrawals and support aquifer recharge.
Climate and Weather Variability
Comment: Comments expressed concern about how weather variability
is causing their livestock and crops to suffer, harming their bottom
lines, creating discontent, and causing litigation between neighbors.
The comments requested additional research and solutions for addressing
climate change, specifically in terms of adaptation, such as cloud
seeding, reduced water use, runoff control, stormwater collection, and
aquifer recharge. The comments also supported mitigation efforts, such
as carbon sequestration.
Response: NRCS helps farmers and ranchers understand the
vulnerabilities of natural resources that changing climatic conditions
exacerbate. NRCS provides financial and technical assistance to improve
conservation of natural resources for the benefit of the production
system and surrounding landscape. NRCS also focuses on information
delivery and assistance to producers and landowners to increase
conservation practices on private lands that help agricultural
operations and their communities build resilience to variable climatic
conditions and extreme weather. Many of these same practices also
provide opportunities to sequester carbon or reduce greenhouse gas
emissions. Categories of conservation practices for climate smart
agriculture and forestry include soil health, nitrogen management,
grazing and pastures, agroforestry, forestry, and upland wildlife
habitat.
Funding
Comment: A wide range of comments related to funding. Most comments
can be summarized as requests to fund repairs or improvements to aging
infrastructure. Comments also related to the types or rates for NRCS
payments, such as funding for practices that maintain streamflow and
use of local economic analysis when establishing payment rates. There
were recommendations that NRCS provide financial incentives for
incorporating voluntary, rotational fallowing with cover crop to
support basin-wide water conservation, including developing financial
incentives that adequately compensate for the costs of taking land out
of production on a temporary or longer rotation to conserve water.
Response: NRCS will continue to improve its outreach efforts to
ensure producers in local areas are aware of their options. NRCS has a
variety of programs that are used to address aging infrastructure,
including Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations, the Watershed
Rehabilitation Program, the Regional Conservation Partnership Program,
and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act also known as ``the
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law'' (BIL), Public Law 117-58, see Division
J, Title I) provides $918 million for implementation of projects
through NRCS watershed programs. In particular, BIL provides $500
million for the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations Program,
which helps entities of state, local, and Tribal governments (project
sponsors) protect and restore watersheds up to 250,000 acres by
cooperating with them to plan and install projects for a range of
water-related purposes including rural, municipal, and industrial water
supply, and use and disposal of water. BIL also provides $118 million
for the Watershed Rehabilitation Program, which helps project sponsors
rehabilitate aging dams constructed with NRCS assistance. Finally, BIL
provides $300 million for the Emergency Watersheds Program to address
impairment to watersheds caused by natural disasters such as floods,
drought, and wildfires.
Through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, NRCS co-
invests in public-private partnerships to expand collective
conservation efforts to address drought, poor water quality, and other
natural resource concerns. Eligible farmers and ranchers located in an
EQIP priority area for the WaterSMART Initiative (WSI) are
automatically ranked for funding improvements to managing soil
moisture, irrigation water use efficiency, and protecting irrigation
water sources from depletion. These targeted EQIP-WSI investments are
coordinated with investments made by the BOR's WSI Program in water
conservation and drought resilience projects carried out by water
suppliers in the same area.
General Comments
Comment: Several comments expressed general support for NRCS
activities and suggested that NRCS should do more to address water
quantity issues in the West.
Response: NRCS appreciates the feedback. NRCS has developed western
water quantity strategies through its framework for conservation and is
currently rolling out guidance for implementing them. NRCS charged its
State Conservationists to work with its stakeholders to identify the
priority water quantity and related issues in their state, the current
agency response to addressing them, and the key barriers, challenges,
or gaps that stakeholders may be able to help fill. These issues,
actions, and needs have been evaluated by NRCS subject matter experts
and NRCS will share its findings resulting from this evaluation in its
new framework.
Groundwater
Comment: Comments acknowledged that NRCS programs currently address
groundwater protection but recommend that NRCS should increase program
funding and partnership input on setting priorities.
Response: State Technical Committees, including local work groups,
provide NRCS an avenue for direct stakeholder input to each State
Conservationist, and NRCS strives to be responsive to stakeholder
input. Through its framework for conservation action with respect to
western water quantity and related issues, NRCS encourages stakeholders
to continue to engage with local workgroups and State Technical
Committees to identify priorities, such as groundwater depletion, to
target with NRCS programs, funding, and activities.
[[Page 10083]]
Initiatives
Comment: Comments recommended that the agency develop a specific
program or targeted funding effort that focuses funding for groundwater
depletion in the western region where applicants compete only against
other groundwater projects.
Response: NRCS acknowledges the suggestion to target funds
specifically towards addressing groundwater depletion in the western
region. NRCS currently has multiple initiatives in-place that address
the complex challenges of preventing groundwater depletion across a
vast region. These include the WaterSMART initiative, National Water
Quality Initiative (expanded in FY 2019 to include source water
protection), and others. NRCS believes that an additional program
initiative could create undue complexity and reduce state-level
flexibility.
Inter-Agency Coordination
Comment: Comments about inter-agency coordination related to
overall coordination of activities, including comments recommending
that NRCS coordinate its program implementation with other Federal
agencies, especially BOR.
Response: NRCS has long recognized the importance of Federal agency
coordination on water quantity and related issues, and USDA is a member
of the Water Subcabinet, the Drought Resilience Interagency Working
Group, has a liaison to the Western States Federal Agency Support Team
(WestFAST) of the Western States Water Council (WSWC) of the Western
Governors' Association, and is permanent co-chair of the National
Drought Resilience Partnership. NRCS and the United States Army Corps
of Engineers (USACE) recently renewed their agreement to coordinate on
infrastructure projects and natural resources conservation in
watersheds to benefit communities across the landscape. NRCS
facilitates coordination of its program delivery in each State with
other federal agencies through its State Technical Committee meetings.
Additionally, NRCS participates in meetings held by other Federal or
State agencies to ensure that there is high level coordination between
the State and regional agency heads of other resource agencies and the
broader State Conservation partnership.
Irrigation
Comment: There were multiple comments supporting current efforts
from NRCS to address irrigation issues in the West. Several
stakeholders requested financial assistance for aging infrastructure
such as conveyance systems, municipal and industrial water supplies,
and recreational areas. Comments requested that NRCS and other Federal
agencies align their timelines more closely. Comments referred directly
to irrigation efficiency and recommended the adoption of advanced
conservation technology.
Response: NRCS has several programs that help support the repair or
replacement of aging water infrastructure, including through the EQIP
assistance to water management entities, the Regional Conservation
Partnership Program Alternative Funding Arrangements, and the Watershed
Rehabilitation Program under Watershed Operations. NRCS coordinates the
assistance available through these programs, targeting different
aspects of surface water and conveyance systems. Further, NRCS field
offices work with producers on a daily basis to assist them with
increasing their irrigation efficiency. Irrigation efficiency is
addressed by almost every irrigation-related conservation practice
available to our producers.
NRCS furthers the availability of innovative and advanced
conservation technologies through an appropriate vetting process to
ensure that producers receive a technically sound and operation-
appropriate system. NRCS encourages innovators to consider applying for
funding opportunities through Conservation Innovation Grants and On-
Field Conservation Innovation Trials authorized under the Agriculture
Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill, Pub. L. 115-334).
There were also multiple comments about financial assistance
through NRCS that seem to fall outside of our authority.
Locally-Led Conservation
Comment: Comments related to the locally-led conservation process
in regards to the 2018 Farm Bill program administration. These comments
identified issues related to interaction with the State Technical
Committee, local work group functions, and staffing concerns.
Response: NRCS continues to value coordination at the local level
to help solve western water quantity issues, which is why NRCS
regularly engages local and State stakeholders through State Technical
Committee and local work group meetings. This approach has proven
effective by empowering State leaders and coalitions to establish
funding priorities that ensure critical resource concerns are allocated
proportionate resources.
NRCS supports the installation of site-specific conservation
practices that help farmers manage moisture, reduce drought
susceptibility, efficiently use irrigation water, and conserve ground
and surface water by providing technical and financial assistance
towards:
Installing on-farm irrigation water delivery systems and
structures, for example, irrigation ditch lining, irrigation pipelines,
micro-irrigation systems, reservoirs, sprinklers, and subsurface
systems; and
Establishing vegetation and improving land management
practices, for example, crop row arrangement, drainage and irrigation
water management, forage harvest management, nutrient management, crop
rotations, residue and tillage management, and cover crops.
NRCS uses interim conservation practices as a mechanism for field
testing new technology for addressing water conservation and drought
not addressed by the existing NRCS suite of conservation practice
standards. For example, two new groundwater recharge practices are
being tested in California as described above.
NRCS uses a multitude of tools to document staffing needs by field,
area, and State offices. These tools are used to help target staff
resources to those areas suffering multiple years of drought to assist
producers who wish to install practices that address water quantity and
related natural resource concerns.
NRCS Standards and Specifications
Comment: Comments related to NRCS standards and specifications,
including coordination of NRCS standards with those of BOR.
Response: NRCS technical leadership will compare NRCS and BOR
standards and will identify if there are any potential conflicts. If
so, NRCS will work with BOR to identify criteria allowances that are
mutually acceptable to NRCS and BOR.
Planning Assistance
Comment: Comments related to planning assistance identified issues
related to ground water depletion, water budgets, funding local water
supply conservation projects, and coordination with public agencies on
regulations and permits.
Response: Through the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations
Program, NRCS provides planning assistance and feasibility studies
directly to entities of State and local governments and Tribes in need
of help
[[Page 10084]]
with protecting and restoring small watersheds for multiple purposes
including agricultural water management. Agricultural water management
may include water supply structures, ground water recharge, and other
large infrastructure works of improvement in the community. Such
locally-sponsored projects are highly coordinated between sponsoring
and regulatory agencies and involve detailed studies before design and
implementation can begin. NRCS also provides conservation planning
assistance and technical expertise to individual farmers, ranchers, and
forest managers wanting to make conservation improvements to the land
they manage.
Program Eligibility
Comment: Comments related to NRCS conservation program eligibility
as it relates to western water quantity concerns. Comments encourage
NRCS to prioritize water quantity more in its programs.
Response: NRCS appreciates the comments and recognizes that
addressing drought stress and the need to support drought resilience is
increasing the priority that may be placed on water quantity resource
concerns. NRCS encourages partners to participate in the locally led
process and State Technical Committees to influence where NRCS places
priorities. In addition, these needs are incorporated within the new-
framework for conservation action described below.
Related Water Quality Issues
Comment: Comments identified issues related to water quality
including funding on and off farm irrigation systems, funding
community-based organizations, considering the effects of irrigation
systems on both surface and ground water resources, flexibility at
local and state levels, prioritizing large scale projects, interstate
coordination, outcome estimation, final program rules, water
infrastructure, climate change impacts, Strike Force areas, the
importance of healthy soil and soil moisture management to efficient
irrigation water use and water conservation, and the impact of non-
native vegetation on watershed hydrology caused by threats to the
landscape such as wildfire and feral hogs.
Response: NRCS appreciates the suggestions for fully utilizing its
authorities to help communities and individuals across the West address
issues related to the supply and quality of water. Specific suggestions
for each watershed and conservation program have been received by
appropriate national and State level program managers for
consideration.
NRCS has developed a framework for conservation as described below
to coordinate its programs' resources more effectively with those of
other public agencies and private stakeholders in each water resource
region and State. Communication strategies will be included to inform
the public more effectively about available program resources to
achieve desired outcomes for ground and surface waters.
NRCS works in partnership with State Conservation Agencies, State
Associations of Conservation Districts, and other types of partners in
each State or territory, and with Indian Tribes to expand our reach and
put more conservation on the land. NRCS coordinates with other Federal
agencies who help States, Tribes, local governments, and other water
resource managers to leverage Federal resources available for achieving
water resource conservation outcomes from delivering its programs.
Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting
Comment: Comments related to snow survey and water supply
forecasting. In general, the comments relate to improving the sharing
of information between agencies and entities involved with water supply
data collection and having a unified focus on addressing the issues in
eastern Oregon.
Response: The NRCS State Conservationist for Oregon has worked in
cooperation with Federal and State agency partners to develop and
provide water supply condition and data reports. The reports are
generated bi-weekly each year to assist in identifying flood potential
in near-real-time in the Umatilla River and McKay Creek watersheds in
eastern Oregon. These reports can be accessed at the NRCS Oregon Snow
Survey website at the following link: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/or/snow/?cid=nrcseprd854607. Interested parties
can sign up (subscribe) to receive the reports at the link as well.
At the request of the Oregon State Climatologist, the NRCS Oregon
Snow Survey Supervisory Hydrologist serves as a lead technical
consultant to provide guidance for Oregon's input to the National
Drought Monitor (DM). The goal of these efforts is to make Oregon's
drought designation mimic the national model so that a unified message
is provided by the State of Oregon, relating drought to partners and
stakeholders.
NRCS Oregon is a lead technical member of the Governor's Drought
Readiness Council and Water Supply Availability Committee. The Drought
Readiness Council and Water Supply Availability Committee members
include Federal and State agency representatives that review drought
and water supply conditions monthly to provide input to the Governor's
office and to make decisions based upon critical water supply
conditions across Oregon.
Soil Health
Comment: Comments expressed that soil health is important,
especially in a rangeland setting.
Response: NRCS appreciates this comment supporting soil health and
agrees that soil health is very important in rangelands to improve
water infiltration and retention.
Source Water
Comment: Comments suggested source water considerations should be a
part of the western water quantity strategy. The comments recommended
that NRCS consider involving drinking water providers or other source
water stakeholders in setting priorities, including in the State
Technical Committees.
Response: Protecting drinking water sources is a priority for NRCS
and partners and is incorporated into our program implementation as
identified by the 2018 Farm Bill. NRCS will continue to address this
priority and agrees that having source water stakeholders participating
in State Technical Committee meetings is a good idea. Interested
stakeholders should contact their NRCS State Conservationists to
receive information about State Technical Committee participation.
Water Rights
Comment: Comments suggested that NRCS needs to have greater
involvement in processes related to State determinations of water
rights, such as a curtailment by a State engineer.
Response: NRCS does not have a role with the purchase, sale,
enforcement, or adjudication of water rights under State law.
Wildlife Habitat
Comment: Comments addressed a multitude of wildlife habitat issues.
Response: NRCS has strong relationships with its Federal and State
wildlife partners, and greatly appreciates the coordination of its
programs with these partners under the Working Lands for Wildlife
(WLFW) partnership. Through WLFW, USDA uses a win-win approach to
[[Page 10085]]
systematically target conservation efforts to improve agricultural and
forest productivity which enhances wildlife habitat on working
landscapes. Target species are used as barometers for success because
their habitat needs are representative of healthy, functioning
ecosystems where conservation efforts benefit a much broader suite of
species. NRCS recognizes that water availability is a need for wildlife
as well as agriculture, and partners help NRCS to identify mutually
beneficial solutions for both.
Framework for Conservation
In January 2021, NRCS convened a working group of State and
national subject matter experts to review input received from the
public listening session and written comment period. Based on the
working group's analysis, NRCS developed a western-focused strategic
framework to address challenges posed by water scarcity and guide
program delivery at the State and local level. Referred to as NRCS's
Western Water and Working Lands Framework for Conservation Action, the
broad planning guidance will help NRCS leaders in each State improve
their business plans to better address cross-cutting issues related to
protecting water resources in their State.
The first step of developing the new framework was completed in the
summer of 2021 when State Conservationists briefed State Technical
Committees with a summary of input received during the listening
session and provided them an opportunity to advise further. NRCS
experts reviewed all the input received and formulated strategies for
increasing conservation opportunities that address challenges related
to managing water resources across western landscapes. The next step
will be for NRCS leaders in each State to use the framework to develop
targets for increased conservation actions over the next few years.
Terry Cosby,
Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-03278 Filed 2-15-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P
