Proposed Revisions to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, 42287-42288 [2023-13929]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 125 / Friday, June 30, 2023 / Notices the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of FSIS’ estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the method and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques, or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to both FSIS, at the addresses provided above, and the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Washington, DC 20253. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 Additional Public Notification Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy development is important. 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Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the responsible Mission Area, agency, or staff office; the USDA TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TTY); or the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–8339. To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should complete a Form AD–3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, which can be obtained online at https://www.ocio.usda.gov/document/ ad-3027, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632–9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD–3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by: (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410; (2) Fax: (833) 256–1665 or (202) 690– 7442; or (3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. 42287 Notice of availability, request for comments. ACTION: Paul Kiecker, Administrator. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is revising specific 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 offer comments on the proposed changes to the specific conservation practice standards. DATES: We will consider comments that we receive by July 31, 2023. ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments in response to this notice. You may submit your comments through one of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRCS–2023–0013. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. • Mail or Hand Delivery: National Agricultural Engineer, Conservation Engineering Division, NRCS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, South Building, Room 4636, Washington, DC 20250. In your comment, please specify the Docket ID NRCS–2023–0013. All comments received will be made publicly available on https:// www.regulations.gov. Copies of the proposed revised standards are available through https:// www.regulations.gov by accessing Docket No. NRCS–2023–0013. Alternatively, the proposed revised standards can be downloaded or printed from https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/gettingassistance/conservation-practices. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. William Reck at (202) 720–4485, or by email at bill.reck@usda.gov. Individuals who require alternative means for communication should contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Target Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: [FR Doc. 2023–13883 Filed 6–29–23; 8:45 am] Background BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P NRCS plans to revise the conservation practice standards in NHCP. This notice provides an overview of the planned changes and gives the public an opportunity to offer comments on the specific conservation practice standards and NRCS’s proposed changes. 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 wetland. Section 343 of the Federal Agriculture DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Natural Resources Conservation Service [Docket No. NRCS–2023–0013] Proposed Revisions to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices for the Natural Resources Conservation Service Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\30JNN1.SGM 30JNN1 42288 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 125 / Friday, June 30, 2023 / Notices ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104–127) 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 NHCP The extent 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 current standard, which can be found at: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/ guides-and-instructions/conservationpractice-standards. NRCS is requesting comments on the following conservation practice standards: • Fish Raceway or Tank (Code 398); • Irrigation Pipeline (Code 430); • Stripcropping (Code 585); and • Woody Residue Treatment (Code 384). The following paragraphs highlight some of the proposed changes to each standard. Fish Raceway or Tank (Code 398): The revised standard expands the practice purposes to include treatment of effluents before release into receiving waters as well as assessment and planning for increased system efficiency to conserve energy use. The revised standard makes clear that it applies to the production of aquatic organisms in general, and not just finfish. We added additional component details for flow-through systems to the ‘‘Criteria’’ section for waste (effluent) management. We removed the species-specific water quality requirements for the two species listed and replaced them with references to land-grant university requirements. We added new content to the ‘‘Considerations’’ section to provide options for recirculating aquaculture system approaches that minimize water use and permit secondary use of wastewater (such as in aquaponics systems). Also, in the ‘‘Considerations’’ section, we added an additional evaluation of the effects of water withdrawal on native aquatic organisms. Finally, we made minor revisions throughout the standard to improve readability, and references were updated based on literature review. Irrigation Pipeline (Code 430): We made minor rewording edits throughout the standard to improve readability. We added maximum permitted surge for a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe to the ‘‘Flexible conduit design’’ subsection. We added a new subsection VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:33 Jun 29, 2023 Jkt 259001 to address protection of pipeline and appurtenances was added to the ‘‘Considerations’’ section. We updated the ‘‘Additional Considerations for Economics’’ subsection to include the collapsible lay flat tubing application, replacement of which is considered operation and maintenance. We updated the ‘‘Additional Considerations for Water Quality and Quantity’’ subsection to include impacts to downstream drinking water and drought mitigation; we also updated references were also updated. Stripcropping (Code 585): We edited the ‘‘Definition,’’ ‘‘Criteria,’’ and ‘‘Considerations’’ sections of the standard for clarity. We added a reference to the use of the ‘‘Implementation Requirement’’ document to the ‘‘Plans and Specifications’’ section. Woody Residue Treatment (Code 384): We reduced the practice life span to 1 year and refined the ‘‘Purpose’’ section. We removed two purposes and combined two other purposes. We modified the burning criteria to follow the ‘‘Prescribed Burning’’ (Code 338). We refined the ‘‘Considerations,’’ ‘‘plans and Specifications,’’ and ‘‘Operation and Maintenance’’ sections, and updated references. 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, 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’s TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and text telephone (TTY)) 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. PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD– 3027, found online at the USDA web page on How to File a Program 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 (1) mail to U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250– 9410; or (2) email to program.intake@ usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Terry Cosby, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service. [FR Doc. 2023–13929 Filed 6–29–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–16–P COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Notice of Public Meeting of the Florida Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: 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 Florida Advisory Committee (Committee) to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will hold a public meeting via Zoom at 2:00 p.m. ET on Monday, July 17, 2023. The purpose of the meeting is to continue discussing the draft report on voting rights in the state. Members of the public may request a copy of the draft report in advance of the meeting. To do so, please email Liliana Schiller, Support Services Specialist, at lschiller@usccr.gov. DATES: Monday, July 17, 2023, from 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held via Zoom. Registration Link (Audio/Visual): https://www.zoomgov.com/j/ 1613385197. Join by Phone (Audio Only): (833) 435–1820 USA Toll-Free; Meeting ID: 161 338 5197. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Mussatt, Designated Federal Officer, at dmussatt@usccr.gov or (312) 353–8311. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\30JNN1.SGM 30JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 125 (Friday, June 30, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42287-42288]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-13929]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service

[Docket No. NRCS-2023-0013]


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

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture.

ACTION: Notice of availability, request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is revising 
specific 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 offer comments 
on the proposed changes to the specific conservation practice 
standards.

DATES: We will consider comments that we receive by July 31, 2023.

ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments in response to this notice. 
You may submit your comments through one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRCS-2023-0013. Follow the 
online instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail or Hand Delivery: National Agricultural Engineer, 
Conservation Engineering Division, NRCS, USDA, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, South Building, Room 4636, Washington, DC 20250. In your 
comment, please specify the Docket ID NRCS-2023-0013.
    All comments received will be made publicly available on https://www.regulations.gov.
    Copies of the proposed revised standards are available through 
https://www.regulations.gov by accessing Docket No. NRCS-2023-0013. 
Alternatively, the proposed revised standards can be downloaded or 
printed from https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/getting-assistance/conservation-practices.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. William Reck at (202) 720-4485, or 
by email at [email protected]. Individuals who require alternative 
means for communication should contact the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    NRCS plans to revise the conservation practice standards in NHCP. 
This notice provides an overview of the planned changes and gives the 
public an opportunity to offer comments on the specific conservation 
practice standards and NRCS's proposed changes.
    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 wetland. Section 343 of the Federal Agriculture

[[Page 42288]]

Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-127) 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 NHCP

    The extent 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 current standard, which can be found at: 
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/conservation-practice-standards.
    NRCS is requesting comments on the following conservation practice 
standards:
     Fish Raceway or Tank (Code 398);
     Irrigation Pipeline (Code 430);
     Stripcropping (Code 585); and
     Woody Residue Treatment (Code 384).
    The following paragraphs highlight some of the proposed changes to 
each standard.
    Fish Raceway or Tank (Code 398): The revised standard expands the 
practice purposes to include treatment of effluents before release into 
receiving waters as well as assessment and planning for increased 
system efficiency to conserve energy use. The revised standard makes 
clear that it applies to the production of aquatic organisms in 
general, and not just finfish. We added additional component details 
for flow[hyphen]through systems to the ``Criteria'' section for waste 
(effluent) management. We removed the species[hyphen]specific water 
quality requirements for the two species listed and replaced them with 
references to land[hyphen]grant university requirements. We added new 
content to the ``Considerations'' section to provide options for 
recirculating aquaculture system approaches that minimize water use and 
permit secondary use of wastewater (such as in aquaponics systems). 
Also, in the ``Considerations'' section, we added an additional 
evaluation of the effects of water withdrawal on native aquatic 
organisms. Finally, we made minor revisions throughout the standard to 
improve readability, and references were updated based on literature 
review.
    Irrigation Pipeline (Code 430): We made minor rewording edits 
throughout the standard to improve readability. We added maximum 
permitted surge for a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe to the 
``Flexible conduit design'' subsection. We added a new subsection to 
address protection of pipeline and appurtenances was added to the 
``Considerations'' section. We updated the ``Additional Considerations 
for Economics'' subsection to include the collapsible lay flat tubing 
application, replacement of which is considered operation and 
maintenance. We updated the ``Additional Considerations for Water 
Quality and Quantity'' subsection to include impacts to downstream 
drinking water and drought mitigation; we also updated references were 
also updated.
    Stripcropping (Code 585): We edited the ``Definition,'' 
``Criteria,'' and ``Considerations'' sections of the standard for 
clarity. We added a reference to the use of the ``Implementation 
Requirement'' document to the ``Plans and Specifications'' section.
    Woody Residue Treatment (Code 384): We reduced the practice life 
span to 1 year and refined the ``Purpose'' section. We removed two 
purposes and combined two other purposes. We modified the burning 
criteria to follow the ``Prescribed Burning'' (Code 338). We refined 
the ``Considerations,'' ``plans and Specifications,'' and ``Operation 
and Maintenance'' sections, and updated references.

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, 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's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and text telephone (TTY)) 
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 the 
USDA web page on How to File a Program 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 (1) mail to U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of 
the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, 
Washington, DC 20250-9410; or (2) email to [email protected].
    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Terry Cosby,
Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-13929 Filed 6-29-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P
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