Natural Resources Conservation Service 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Section 1261 of the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended (the 1985 Act), requires the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) to establish a technical committee in each State to assist the Secretary in the considerations relating to implementation and technical aspects of the conservation programs authorized under the 1985 Act. Section 1262 of the 1985 Act describes the responsibilities of the State Technical Committees to work with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in an advisory capacity. Part 610, Subpart C of title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations contains the current regulations for State Technical Committees. Section 2711 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Act) amended Sections 1261 and 1262 of the 1985 Act to expand agricultural and forestry involvement on the committees, expand the committees' authority related to reviewing Local Working Groups' efforts to address State program priorities, and require the Secretary to standardize committee operations. Section 246(f)(3) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 exempted State Technical Committees from the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The 2008 Act clarifies that the Local Working Groups shall be considered a subcommittee of the applicable State Technical Committee for the purposes of this exemption. This interim final rule adopts these changes.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces NRCS' intention to reinstate a previously approved information collection. The collected information will help NRCS match the skills of individuals who are applying for volunteer work that will further the Agency's mission, and provides a timekeeping method for volunteers. Information will be collected from potential volunteers who are 14 years of age or older.

Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR Part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Regulations (7 CFR Part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives notice that an environmental impact statement is not being prepared for the New Creek Site 14 Rehabilitation Project of the New CreekWhites Run Subwatershed of the Potomac River Watershed, Grant County, West Virginia.

Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Guidelines (40 CFR part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Guidelines (7 CFR part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives notice that an environmental impact statement is not being prepared for the Denbury Onshore, LLC 24'' CO2 Delhi PipelineMadison and Richland Parishes, Louisiana and Issaquena, Warren and Yazoo Counties, Mississippi.

Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Guidelines (40 CFR Part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Guidelines (7 CFR Part 650), the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture has decided to subordinate its rights, acquired under the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP), to allow the Midcontinent Express Pipeline LLC (Midcontinent), to cross NRCS held conservations easements associated with the Midcontinent Project in Madison Parish, LA and Fannin County, Texas. On October 9, 2007, Midcontinent Express Pipeline LLC (Midcontinent) filed an application under section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA) for authorization to construct and operate a pipeline and facilities to be known as the Midcontinent Express Pipeline. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has prepared a final environmental impact statement (EIS) to fulfill requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The purpose of this document was to make public the analysis of the environmental impacts that would likely result from the construction and operation of the proposed Project. The NRCS participated as a cooperating agency in the preparation of the EIS. The project will affect approximately 5 NRCS held Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) easements by creating a 50 ft. permanent right of way (within a 100 ft. construction right of way) that extends for approximately 506 miles of which 1.41 miles is over lands encumbered under WRP easements located in Madison Parish, Louisiana and Fannin, Texas.

Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Regulations (7 CFR part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives notice that an environmental impact statement is not being prepared for the White Tanks No. 4 Flood Retarding Structure (FRS) Rehabilitation Plan, Maricopa County, Arizona.

Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR part 1500); and the regulations of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (7 CFR part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives notice of a Finding of No Significant Impact based on the Environmental Assessment and its Supplemental for the North Forest Acres Road/Levee Project.

Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Guidelines (40 CFR part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Guidelines (7 CFR part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, has decided to subordinate its rights, acquired under the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP), to allow the Gulf Crossing Pipeline Company, LLC to cross NRCS held conservations easements associated with the Gulf Crossing Project in Madison Parish, LA and Fannin, Texas. On June 19, 2007, Gulf Crossing Pipeline Company LLC (Gulf Crossing) and Gulf South Pipeline Company LP (Gulf South) jointly filed an application under section 7C of the Natural Gas Act (NGA) for authorization to construct and operate facilities to be known as the Gulf Crossing Project which constitutes four compressor stations and an interstate natural gas pipeline. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has prepared a final environmental impact statement (EIS) to fulfill requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The purpose of this document was to make public the analysis of the environmental impacts that would likely result from the construction and operation of the proposed project. The NRCS participated as a cooperating agency in the preparation of the EIS. The project will affect approximately three (3) NRCS held Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) easements by creating a 50 ft. permanent right of way (within a 100 ft. construction right of way) that extends for approximately 356.3 miles of which 4.6 miles is over lands encumbered under WRP easements located in Madison, Louisiana and Fannin, Texas.

It is the intention of the NRCS in Idaho to issue a revised conservation practice standards in its National Handbook of Conservation Practices. The revised standard is: Filter Strip (393).

Notice is hereby given of the intention of NRCS to issue a series of revised conservation practice standards in its National Handbook of Conservation Practices. These standards include: Residue Management, Seasonal (Code 344); Grassed Waterway (Code 412); Mulching (Code 484); Stripcropping (Code 585); Cross Wind Ridges (Code 588); Terrace (Code 600); Underground Outlet (Code 620); and Water and Sediment Control Basin (Code 638). NRCS State Conservationists who choose to adopt these practices for use within their States will incorporate them into Section IV of their respective electronic Field Office Technical Guide. These practices may be used in conservation systems that treat highly erodible land or on land determined to be a wetland.

Pursuant to Section 102 (2) (C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Guidelines (40 CFR Part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Guidelines (7 CFR Part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives notice that an environmental impact statement is not being prepared for the Penchant Basin Natural Resources Plan (TE-34), Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana.

Pursuant to Section 102[2][c] of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations [40 CFR Part 1500]; and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Regulations [7 CFR Part 650]; the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives notice that an environmental impact statement is not being prepared for the rehabilitation of Pohick Creek Watershed Dam No. 3, Fairfax County, Virginia.

Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Regulations (7 CFR part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives notice that an environmental impact statement is not being prepared for the rehabilitation of Floodwater Retarding Structure No. 5 of the Plum Creek Watershed, Hays County, Texas.

Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Guidelines (40 CFR Part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Guidelines (7 CFR Part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives notice that an environmental impact statement is not being prepared for the South Shore of the Pen Shoreline Protection and Marsh Creation Project (BA- 41), Jefferson Parish, Louisiana.

It has been determined by the NRCS State Conservationist for Virginia that changes must be made in the NRCS State Technical Guide specifically in practice standards: 642, Water Well; 516, Pipeline; 614, Watering Facility; 533, Pumping Plant; and 527, Sinkhole and Sinkhole Area. These practices will be used to plan and install conservation practices on cropland, pastureland, woodland, and wildlife land.

The Commodity Credit Corporation and Natural Resources Conservation Service published in the Federal Register on March 27, 2008, (73 FR 16246), a document stating ``Notice of the Conservation Security Program, (CSP-08-01) sign-up. This notice corrects the end date from May 17, 2008 to May 16, 2008, in the SUMMARY and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION sections of the previously published document. Additionally, page 16251 of the Federal Register, Vol. 73, No. 60, dated Thursday, March 27, 2008, contains a 2008 Conservation System CriteriaCropland table that requires numerical corrections. The 2008 Conservation System CriteriaCropland table needs to be revised by deleting: from the Group Level 2 row``and

The Pine Barren Creek Watershed is a federally assisted action authorized for planning under Public Law 83-566, the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act. An environmental assessment was undertaken in conjunction with the development of a watershed plan that outlines alternatives for flood reduction within the City of Atmore, Alabama.

It has been determined by the NRCS State Conservationist for Virginia that changes must be made in the NRCS State Technical Guide specifically to add practice standard: 395, Stream Habitat Improvement and Management. This practice will be used to maintain, improve or restore stream habitat necessary for meeting the life history requirements of desired aquatic species.

Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; Public Law 91-190, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.), the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR Part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Regulations (7 CFR Part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives notice that an Environmental Impact Statement is not being prepared for the Kaycee Flood Protection Project, Middle Fork Powder River Watershed, Johnson County, Wyoming.

It has been determined by the NRCS State Conservationist for Virginia that changes must be made in the NRCS State Technical Guide specifically in practice standards: 578, Stream Crossing; 574, Spring Development; 561, Heavy Use Area protection; 575, Animal Trails and Walkways; and 560, Access Road. These practices will be used to plan and install conservation practices on cropland, pastureland, woodland, and wildlife land.

Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Guidelines (40 CFR Part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Guidelines (7 CFR Part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, has decided to subordinate its rights, acquired under the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP), to allow the Southeast Supply Header, LLC to cross NRCS held conservations easements associated with the Southeast Supply Header Project in Madison Parish, LA. On December 18, 2006, SESH filed, in Docket No. CP07-446-000, an application with the Commission pursuant to section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act and Part 157 of the Commission's regulations for a Certificate to construct, operate, and maintain an interstate natural gas pipeline and associated ancillary and aboveground facilities. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has prepared a final environmental impact statement (EIS) to fulfill requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The purpose of this document was to make public the analysis of the environmental impacts that would likely result from the construction and operation of the proposed Project. The NRCS participated as a cooperating agency in the preparation of the EIS. The project will affect approximately 7 NRCS held Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) easements by creating a 50 ft. permanent right of way (within a 100 ft. construction right-of-way) that extends for approximately 269 miles of which 6.7 miles is over lands encumbered under WRP easements located in Madison Parish, Louisiana. Of the 34,584 acres encumbered by WRP easements in Madison Parish, Louisiana 73.93 acres will be affected.