Natural Resources Conservation Service – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice of availability presents the Record of Decision (ROD) on a Watershed Project PlanProgrammatic Environmental Impact Statement (Plan-PEIS) for the Coon Creek Watershed prepared in partnership with La Crosse, Monroe, and Vernon Counties, Wisconsin (Sponsors). This notice announces the plan to proceed with the implementation of Alternative 2Proposed ActionDecommission Dams, identified in the Plan-PEIS. Alternative 2 proposes to decommission all 14 dams by excavating a notch to pass the 100-year flood without impounding water. This action will avoid environmental impacts to the extent possible and mitigate impacts that are unavoidable.

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has prepared a Notice of Availability for Record of Decisions (ROD) for Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for Etowah River Watershed Dam No.13-A (Russel Creek Reservoir Multipurpose Project) in Dawson County, Georgia; Pocasset River, Rhode Island; Odessa Subarea Special Study Project in Adams, Franklin, Grant, and Lincoln counties, Washington; and Cart Creek Site 1 of the North Branch Park River Watershed in North Dakota.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is reopening the comment period for 30 days due to impacts of recent hurricanes to allow the public to provide comments on the specified conservation practice standards to be revised in the National Handbook of Conservation Practices (NHCP) published on September 24, 2024.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is revising specific conservation practice standards (CPS) in the National Handbook of Conservation Practices (NHCP). NRCS is also giving the public an opportunity to provide comments on the proposed changes to the specific CPS.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is amending its regulations for watershed projects to allow Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations to sponsor needed watershed projects. While federally recognized Tribes generally maintain regulatory jurisdiction over their land and can therefore exert eminent domain, Alaska Native Corporations and Tribal organizations do not have eminent domain authority, which has been one of the requirements to be a watershed project sponsor. This rule change will provide an option to better allow federally recognized Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, or Tribal organizations to become watershed project sponsors.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Nebraska State Office announces its intent to prepare an EIS that will examine alternative solutions to flood risk reduction for the Elm and Turkey Creeks Project watershed plan for these watersheds near Kearney, Nebraska. The Elm Creek and Turkey Creek Watersheds face recurring flooding issues due to limited channel capacity and frequent overland flooding. A catastrophic 2019 flood caused significant damage to properties and infrastructure, with estimated losses exceeding $35 million in the Kearney area. The watershed's rural economy relies on agriculture, and addressing these challenges is crucial for managing flood impacts and protecting lives and property. NRCS is requesting comments to identify significant issues, potential alternatives, information, and analyses relevant to the proposed action from all interested individuals, Federal and State agencies, and Tribes.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Utah State Office announces its intent to prepare an EIS for the Pleasant Creek watershed in Sanpete County, Utah. The proposed EIS will examine alternative solutions to address watershed structure rehabilitation, flood damage prevention and reduction, agricultural water management, water conservation, and public recreational efforts in Mt. Pleasant City and portions of unincorporated Sanpete County. The Pleasant Creek watershed includes Mt. Pleasant City; existing water resource facilities, including the Upper Debris Basin, Lower Debris Basin, the Surge Pond, and the Agricultural Reservoir; private agricultural land; and U.S. Forest Service-managed land in the upper watershed. NRCS is requesting comments to identify significant issues, potential alternatives, information, and analyses relevant to the proposed action from all interested individuals, Federal and State agencies, and Tribes.

The Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP) notice published in the Federal Register on May 1, 2024, concerning nominations for four new members to serve on the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory Committee (UAIPAC). We are republishing the entire contents of the May 1, 2024, notice to correct the list of the four vacancies for which OUAIP is seeking nominations for individuals to serve on UAIPAC. The UAIPAC advises the Secretary of Agriculture on the development of policies and outreach relating to urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production practices. The 12 members appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture are expected to serve a 3-year term. The 2024 nomination period includes four vacancies, including one individual who is an agriculture producer or farmer using innovative technology; one individual from an institution of higher education or extension program; one individual with supply chain experience, which may include a food aggregator, wholesale food distributor, food hub, or an individual who has direct-to-consumer market experience; and one individual with related experience in urban, indoor, and other emerging agriculture production practices.

The Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP) is seeking nominations for individuals to serve on the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory Committee (UAIPAC). The UAIPAC advises the Secretary of Agriculture on the development of policies and outreach relating to urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production practices. The 12 members appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture are expected to serve a 3-year term. The nomination period includes four vacancies, including the: urban producer representative; higher education or extension program representative; business and economic development representative; and representative with related experience in urban, indoor, and other emerging agriculture production practices.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Iowa State Office announces its intent to prepare a watershed plan for the Clarke County Water Supply project, which is located approximately 27.2 miles upstream of the confluence with the South River in the proximity of Osceola, Iowa. The proposed watershed plan will examine alternative solutions to the limited availability of a reliable water supply. The Clarke County Water Supply project includes the cities of Osceola, Murray, and Woodburn, Iowa, and the Clarke County rural service area. NRCS is requesting comments to identify significant issues, potential alternatives, information, and analyses relevant to the proposed action from all interested individuals, Federal and State agencies, and Tribes.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Utah State Office announces its intent to prepare a watershed plan and EIS for the Logan River Watershed Project located within the Logan River Watershed in Cache County, Utah. The proposed watershed plan will examine alternative solutions to reduce water loss and increase efficiency in the current agricultural water delivery system, provide flood control and protection, and enhance recreational facilities in portions of Logan, North Logan, and Hyde Park cities and portions of unincorporated Cache County, Utah between and to the west of the cities. NRCS is requesting comments to identify significant issues, potential alternatives, information, and analyses relevant to the proposed action from all interested individuals, Federal, State agencies, and Tribes.

In accordance with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA), the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) Oil Spill Final Programmatic Damage Assessment Restoration Plan and Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision, and the Consent Decree referenced below, the Federal and State natural resource trustee agencies for the Mississippi Trustee Implementation Group (MS TIG) have prepared and are making available to the public the ``Mississippi Trustee Implementation Group Final Restoration Plan 4 and Environmental Assessment: Restoration of Wetlands, Coastal, and Nearshore Habitats; Nutrient Reduction (Nonpoint Source), and Provide and Enhance Recreational Opportunities'' (Final RP4 and EA); and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The Final RP4 and EA analyzes projects to partially restore wetlands, coastal, and nearshore habitats; reduce nutrient pollution (nonpoint source); and provide and enhance recreational opportunities to compensate for lost recreational use in the Mississippi Restoration Area resulting from the DWH oil spill. The Final RP4 and EA evaluates a reasonable range of project alternatives under OPA, the OPA Natural Resources Damage Assessment (NRDA) regulations, and NEPA and the NEPA implementing regulations, and selects seven projects for funding and implementation. A No Action alternative is also evaluated for each of the restoration types. The estimated cost to implement MS TIG's proposed action (seven preferred alternatives) is $26.4 million. Of this amount, $18,500,000 will be funded from the Wetlands, Coastal and Nearshore Habitats restoration allocation, $5,000,000 from the Nutrient Reduction restoration allocation, and $2,853,000 from the Recreational Use restoration allocation.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will hold a public meeting of the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory Committee (UAIPAC). UAIPAC will convene to discuss proposed recommendations for the Secretary of Agriculture on the development of policies and outreach relating to urban, indoor, and other emerging agriculture production practices. UAIPAC is authorized under the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended.

In accordance with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA), the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) Oil Spill Final Programmatic Damage Assessment Restoration Plan and Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision, and the Consent Decree, the Federal and State natural resource trustee agencies for the Mississippi Trustee Implementation Group (MS TIG) have prepared the ``Mississippi Trustee Implementation Group Draft Restoration Plan 4 and Environmental Assessment: Restoration of Wetlands, Coastal, and Nearshore Habitats; Nutrient Reduction (Nonpoint Source), and Provide and Enhance Recreational Opportunities'' (Draft RP4 and EA). In the Draft RP4 and EA, MS TIG proposes projects to partially restore wetlands, coastal, and nearshore habitats; reduce nutrient pollution (nonpoint source); and provide and enhance recreational opportunities to compensate for lost recreational use in the Mississippi Restoration Area as a result of the DWH oil spill. The Draft RP4 and EA, a No Action alternative is also evaluated for each of the restoration types. The approximate cost to implement the MS TIG's proposed action (seven preferred alternatives) is $26.4 million. We invite public comments on the Draft RP4 and EA.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act requirement, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Outreach and Partnership Division (OPD) is requesting comments from all interested individuals and organizations on a new information collection request associated with Conservation Outreach, Education, and Technical Assistance. The approved recipients will report the equity information to NRCS OPD on the underserved producers and communities who receive conservation assistance and students who are interested to pursue agriculture, natural resources and related sciences careers.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will hold a public meeting of the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory Committee (UAIPAC). UAIPAC will convene to discuss proposed recommendations for the Secretary of Agriculture on the development of policies and outreach relating to urban, indoor, and other emerging agriculture production practices. UAIPAC is authorized under the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Montana State Office, in coordination with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, announces its intent to prepare a Watershed Plan and EIS for the St. Mary Canal Modernization Watershed Project (Milk River Project), located east of Babb, in Glacier County, Montana. The proposed Watershed Plan will examine alternatives through the EIS process for improving the St. Mary Canal system to provide for agricultural water management. NRCS is requesting comments to identify significant issues, potential alternatives, information, and analyses relevant to the proposed action from all interested individuals, Federal and State agencies, and Tribes.

The Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP) is seeking nominations for individuals to serve on the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory Committee (UAIPAC). The UAIPAC advises the Secretary of Agriculture on the development of policies and outreach relating to urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production practices. The 12 members appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture are expected to serve a 3-year term. This specific nomination period includes four vacancies, including: the urban producer representative; the higher education or extension program represenative; the business and economic development representative; and a representative with related experience in urban, indoor, and other emerging agriculture production practices.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will hold a public meeting of the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory Committee (UAIPAC). UAIPAC will reconvene to continue the discussion of the interim recommendations for the Secretary of Agriculture on the development of policies and outreach relating to urban, indoor, and other emerging agriculture production practices. UAIPAC is authorized under the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended.

The Secretary of Agriculture invites nominations of qualified candidates to be considered for a 2-year term on the Task Force on Agricultural Air Quality Research, typically referred to as the Agricultural Air Quality Task Force (AAQTF), established by the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to provide recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture on agricultural air quality issues. This notice solicits nominations for membership to AAQTF.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) hosted a virtual, open, public listening session, 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.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Nebraska State Office announces its intent to prepare an EIS for the Wood River Watershed Project in the proximity of Oconto, Nebraska, downstream to Grand Island, Nebraska. The EIS process will examine the potential impacts of alternative solutions to reduce flood risk and damages caused by flooding to the communities and agricultural lands throughout the watershed. NRCS is requesting comments to identify significant issues, potential alternatives, information, and analyses relevant to the proposed action from all interested individuals, Federal and State agencies, and Tribes.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Wyoming State Office, in coordination with the USDA Forest Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), announces its intent to prepare an EIS for the West Fork Battle Creek Watershed Plan in the proximity of Savery-Little Snake River in Wyoming. The proposed Watershed Plan includes construction of a dam and reservoir on the West Fork of Battle Creek to provide for rural agricultural water management. NRCS is requesting comments to identify significant issues, potential alternatives, information, and analyses relevant to the Proposed Action from all interested individuals, Federal and State Agencies, and Tribes.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) California State Office announces its intent to prepare an EIS for the McGriff LakesSutter Basin Watershed Flood Control and Flood Safety Project, which is located approximately 30 miles northwest of Sacramento in the proximity of Knights Landing, California. NRCS is requesting comments to identify significant issues and alternatives to be addressed in the EIS from all interested individuals, Tribes, and Federal, State and local Agencies and jurisdictions. The EIS process will examine alternative solutions to modernize the existing Karnak Drainage Facility, portions of which are over 100 years old, to continue to provide reliable flood protection for the Reclamation District No. 1500 (RD 1500) service area. The Reclamation District service area includes over 60,000 acres of agricultural farmland, the community of Robbins and surrounding rural areas, and California State Route 113, a designated emergency route through the watershed. The primary purpose for this watershed plan is to provide reliable and long-term flood prevention and damage reduction to the RD 1500 service area and improve public safety and emergency access. Although the existing Karnak Drainage Facility has been well maintained, the required repairs for the pump stations are becoming more costly while the reliability of the facility is decreasing because parts needed for repair and continued operation are no longer available and must be custom fabricated. The aging infrastructure and lack of parts availability puts all land within the RD1500 service area at risk in the event of a significant rainfall event. Without adequate and reliable flood control, millions of dollars in agricultural products would be at risk, the designated emergency route would be in jeopardy of flood closures, and substantial property damage and potential loss of life are possible in the community of Robbins and surrounding areas.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) requests public input for NRCS to use to inform how NRCS will implement funds received under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to fund the deployment of climate-smart practices on US farms, ranches, and forestlands through four Farm Bill conservation programs. NRCS is also requesting input on funding to quantify carbon sequestration and carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide emissions at the field scale. NRCS is specifically interested in public input and recommendations that NRCS can use to improve, expand, and/or build on scientifically-designed quantification systems to monitor and quantify improvements in soil carbon, reductions in nitrogen losses, and the reduction, capture, avoidance, or sequestration of carbon dioxide, methane, or nitrous oxide emissions, associated with agricultural production. In implementing the IRA, NRCS is interested in supporting program implementation and improving program delivery by effectively leveraging partners to increase outreach and expand access to underserved producers. This effort will help NRCS identify and prioritize process improvements for the delivery of funding made available under IRA and the overall administration of the NRCS conservation programs. NRCS will look to identify immediate changes that can be implemented for funding available for fiscal year (FY) 2023 and will continue to identify and adopt additional changes in future years.