Natural Resources Conservation Service March 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

It has been determined by the NRCS State Conservationist for Iowa that changes must be made in the NRCS State Technical Guide specifically in Section 4, Practice Standards and Specifications 328, Conservation Crop Rotation; 330, Contour Farming; and 332, Contour Buffer Strips, to account for improved technology. These practices can be used in systems that treat highly erodible 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, gives notice that an environmental impact statement is not being prepared for a federally assisted proposed project by the Lower Payette Ditch Company, Payette County, Idaho.

This document establishes an amendment to the interim final rule governing activities under the Conservation Security Program (CSP) which is administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The CSP sets forth a mechanism to provide financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers who, in accordance with certain requirements, conserve and improve the quality of soil, water, air, energy, plant and animal life, and support other conservation activities. The CSP regulations implement provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, and are intended to assist agricultural producers in taking actions that will provide long-term beneficial effects to our Nation.

Under the regulations of the Commodity Credit Corporation for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will review and update national priorities for implementation based upon information gained from state and national listening sessions and response to this document. This document requests the public to provide input to NRCS about which resource concerns should be given national priority in the implementation of EQIP for FY 2006 and thereafter.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), has prepared a plan and environmental assessment consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended. Funding for salinity control projects is available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program which is covered by a programmatic EA. The Muddy Creek plan and EA were developed to more specifically evaluate the effects associated with this type of water quality activity. Upon review of the information in the Muddy Creek EA, the State Conservationist, NRCS, Utah, made a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and the determination was made that no environmental impact statement is required to support the Muddy Creek Plan. 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 Muddy Creek Salinity Control Project, Emery and Sevier Counties, Utah. Written comments regarding this action may be submitted to: Sylvia Gillen, State conservationist, USDA/NRCS, Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building, 125 South State Street, Room 4402, Salt Lake City, UT 84138-1100. Comments must be received no later than 30 days after this notice is published.