Natural Resources Conservation Service 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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.