Mississippi Administrative Code
Title 2 - Agriculture and Commerce
Part 903 - MSCWW Cost Share Program
Chapter 5 - Approved Practice Standard, Specifications Component Parts and Maintenance
Rule 2-903-5.2 - Practice Definition, Purpose, Where Applicable, Component Parts and Maintenance

1. Definition - An earth embankment, a channel or a combination of ridge and channel constructed across the slope.

2. Purpose -Terraces are constructed to reduce erosion damage and improve water quality by intercepting surface runoff and conducting it to a stable outlet at a non-erosive velocity.

3. Where applicable - Cropland subject to erosion from water runoff.

4. Policies:

5. Specifications - SCS Specification No. 600 will be used.

6. Component parts that are eligible for 60% cost share:

1. Definition - A strip of perennial vegetation established at the edge of a field by planting.

2. Purpose - Control erosion, protect edges of fields that are used as turn rows and improve water quality.

3. Where applicable - The edge of a cropland field where turn row has a slope that causes erosion.

4. Policies:

5. Specifications - SCS Specification No. 386 will be used.

6. Component parts that are eligible for 60% cost share:

1. Definition - A natural or constructed waterway or outlet, shaped or graded, and established in suitable vegetation for safe disposal of runoff.

2. Purpose - Provide for the disposal of excess surface water from terraces, diversions, or natural concentrations without causing excessive erosion decreasing water quality.

3. Where applicable - All sites where vegetative protection is required to control erosion from concentrated flow of runoff water and a stable grade and outlet can be provided.

4. Policies:

5. Specifications - SCS Specification No. 412 will be used.

6. Component parts that are eligible for 60% cost share:

1. Definition - A form of planting and tillage that retains protective amounts of residue on the surface throughout the year.

2. Purpose - Demonstrate no-till systems of farming for erosion control and improving water quality.

3. Where applicable - Cropland fields where excessive erosion is a problem.

4. Policies:

5. Specifications - SCS Specification No. 329-2 will be used.

6. Components Eligible and Cost Share Rates.

1. Definition - A short earth embankment or combination ridge and channel generally constructed across the slope and minor watercourses to form a silt or sediment basin.

2. Purpose -Trap sediment, reduce erosion and reform the land surface and improve water quality.

3. Where applicable - Any field where concentrated runoff is causing erosion that cannot be controlled by vegetation or residue cover alone.

4. Policies:

5. Specifications - NRCS Specification No. 638 and No. 521-B will be used.

6. Component parts that are eligible for 60% cost share:

1. Definition - Establishing long term stands of adapted perennial plants.

2. Purpose - Reduce erosion and pollution from agricultural non-point sources.

3. Where applicable - Any open field where erosion from the lack of cover is occurring.

4. Policies:

5. Specifications - NRCS Specification No. 512 will be used.

6. Component parts that are eligible for 60% cost share:

1. Definition - Planting vegetation on highly erodible or critically eroding areas.

2. Purpose - Control heavy erosion from water and improve water quality.

3. Where applicable - Open land where erosion cannot be controlled with special effort in land preparation.

4. Policies:

5. Specifications - NRCS Specification No. 342 will be used.

6. Component parts that are eligible for 60% cost share:

1. Definition - Set tree seedlings in the soil.

2. Purpose - Provide long time cover for erosion control and improve water quality.

3. Where applicable - Any open field where excessive water erosion is occurring.

4. Policies:

5. Specifications - NRCS Specification No. 612 will be used.

6. Component parts that are eligible for 60% cost share:

1. Definition - A structure to stabilize the grade or to control head cutting in natural or artificial channels.

2. Purpose - Control erosion by reducing grade and to improve water quality.

3. Where Applicable - The concentration and flow velocity of water requires a structure to stabilize the grade in channels or side inlet laterals where the over fall from the field level or side inlet channel bottom is 1.5 feet or more unless an active erosion problem exists that cannot be controlled by vegetative means.

4. Policies:

5. Specifications NRCS Specification No. 410 will be used.

6. Component parts eligible for 60% cost share:

1. Definition - Growing crops in a systematic arrangement of strips or bands to reduce water erosion. The crops are arranged so that a strip of grass or close growing crop is alternated with a strip of clean tilled crop or fallow or a strip of grass is alternated with a close growing crop.

2. Purpose - Establish a contour or field strip cropping system to protect soil from wind or water erosion and to reduce the pollution of water, air, or land from agricultural non-point sources.

3. Where applicable - Cropland subject to erosion or soil movement that constitutes a pollution hazard.

4. Policies:

5. Specifications - NRCS Specifications "Strip Cropping, Contour" (acres) No. 585 and Strip Cropping, Field No. 586 will be used.

6. Component Parts that are eligible for 60% cost share:

1. Definition - A form of planting and tillage (other than no-till) that leaves at least 30% of the soil surface covered after planting.

2. Purpose - Demonstrate reduced tillage systems of farming for erosion control and improving water quality.

3. Where applicable - Cropland fields where excessive erosion is a problem.

4. Policies:

5. Specifications - NRCS Specification No. 329 will be used.

6. Component parts that are eligible for cost-share:

1. Definition - A crop of close growing grasses, legumes, or small grain grown primarily for seasonal protection and soil improvement. It usually is grown for one (1) year or less, except where there is permanent cover as in orchards.

2. Purpose - Control erosion during periods when the major crops do not furnish adequate cover; add organic material to the soil; and improve infiltration, aeration and tilth.

3. Where applicable - Cropland; certain recreation and wildlife areas; and orchard, vineyard and small fruit areas.

4. Policies:

5. Specifications - NRCS Specification No. 340 will be used.

6. Component parts eligible for cost-share:

1. Definition - Establishing and reestablishing long-term stands of adapted species of perennial, biennial, or reseeding forage plants. (Includes pasture and hayland renovation. Does not include grassed waterway or outlets on cropland.)

2. Purpose - Reduce erosion, to produce high quality forage, and to adjust land use.

3. Where applicable - Existing pasture and hayland or on land that is converted from other uses.

4. Policies: Same as for SEC 6 - Establishment of Permanent Vegetation.

5. Specifications - NRCS Specification No. 512-1 will be used.

6. Component parts that are eligible for 60% cost share:

1. Definition - Using vegetation or structures to stabilize and protect banks of streams, lakes, estuaries, or excavated channels against scour and erosion.

2. Purpose - Stabilize or protect banks of streams, lakes, estuaries, or excavated channels for one or more of the following purposes:

3. Where applicable - This practice applies to natural or excavated channels where the stream banks are susceptible to erosion from the action of water, ice, or debris or to damage from livestock or vehicular traffic. It also applies to controlling erosion on shorelines where the problem can be solved with relatively simple structural measures, vegetation, or upland erosion control practices and where failure of structural measures will not create a hazard to life or result in serious damage to property.

4. Policies:

5. Specifications - NRCS Specification No. 580 will be used.

6. Component parts that are eligible for 60% cost-share:

1. Definition - Loosening the soil, without inverting and with a minimum of mixing of the surface soil, to shatter restrictive layers below normal plow depth that inhibit water movement or root development.

2. Purpose - The purpose of this practice is to conserve soil moisture by using mechanical measures that retard runoff, improve water penetration and reduce soil loss.

3. Where applicable - On suitable soils, chiseling is applicable if restrictive layers are less than sixteen (16) inches deep. On suitable soils, subsoiling is applicable is restrictive soil layers are more than sixteen (16) inches deep.

4. Policies:

5. Specifications - NRCS Specification No. 324-2 will be used.

6. Components Eligible and Cost-share Rates.

1. Definition - Protecting heavily used areas by establishing vegetative cover, surfacing with suitable materials, or installing needed structures.

2. Purpose - The purpose of this practice is to stabilize urban, recreation, agricultural, or facility areas frequently and intensely used by people, animals, or vehicles.

3. Where applicable - Urban, recreation, and agricultural areas or other frequently and intensely used areas that require special treatment to protect them from erosion or other deterioration.

4. Specifications - NRCS Specification No. 561 will be used.

5. Components parts that are eligible for 60% cost share:

1. Definition - Application of one or more erosion control measures on forest land. Erosion control system includes the use of conservation plants, cultural practices, and erosion control structures on disturbed forest land for the control of sheet and rill erosion, gully formation, and mass soil movement.

2. Purpose - The purpose of this practice is to protect the resource base by reducing erosion and sedimentation and by protecting and improving water quality on forest land disturbed by silvicultural or other activities.

3. Where applicable - Applies to untreated disturbed forest land areas including logging roads, skid roads, and loading areas; buffer or filter strips; slash disposal areas; site preparation; and burned and overgrazed areas.

4. Specifications - NRCS Specification No. 408-1 will be used.

5. Components parts that are eligible for 60% cost share:

1. Definition The controlled harvest of vegetation with grazing or browsing animals, managed with the intent to achieve a specified objective.

2. Purpose This practice may be applied as part of a conservation system to accomplish one or more of the following purposes:

3. Where applicable This practice may be applied on all lands where grazing and or browsing animals are managed.

4. Criteria:

5. Polices and Planning Guidelines:

6. Specifications NRCS Specifications No. 528A will be used.

7. Components Eligible and Cost Share Rates:

An incentive payment will be made for documented management practices on the following per acre basis. (Limited to three (3) years)

1. Definition Managing the amount, source, placement, form and timing of the application of nutrients and soil amendments.

2. Purpose:

3. Where applicable This practice applies to all lands where plant nutrients, either organic or inorganic, and soil amendments are applied.

4. Criteria: General criteria applicable for all the purposes stated above. All criteria listed in NRCS Specification No. 590 shall apply.

5. Polices and Planning Guidelines: Plans and specifications will be in keeping with the above mentioned standard and will describe the requirements for applying the practice to achieve its intended purpose(s), using nutrients to achieve production goals and to prevent or minimize water quality impairment.

6. Specifications - NRCS Specifications No. 590 will be used. (NRCS Specification 595 "Pest Management" may be followed and applied in conjunction with 590)

7. Components Eligible for 60% Cost Share:

1. Definition Reshaping the surface of the land to be irrigated to planned grade and to improve water conservation.

2. Purpose Land leveling is done to permit uniform and efficient application of water.

3. Where applicable Where land is suited for use as irrigated land and soil is deep enough to allow shaping while maintaining sufficient root zone.

4. Policies:

5. Specifications NRCS Specification No. 464 will be used.

6. Component parts that are eligible for 60% cost share: a. Earth Moving - Reshaping surface

1. Definition Ability to collect, store and transport irrigation tailwater for reuse in the farm irrigation system.

2. Purpose Conserve farm irrigation water supplies, improve water quality and water conservation.

3. Where applicable Where irrigation is performed on sloping lands by surface application.

4. Policies:

5. Specifications NRCS Specification No. 447 will be used.

6. Component parts that are eligible for 60% cost share:

1. Definition A waterway or outlet having an erosion-resistant lining of concrete, stone, or other permanent material. The lined section extends up the side slopes to a designed depth. The earth above the permanent lining may be vegetated or otherwise protected.

2. Purpose Provide for safe disposal of runoff from natural concentrations of flow or from constructed practices without damage by erosion or flooding, where unlined or grassed waterways would be inadequate.

3. Where applicable This practice applies when any of the following or similar conditions exist:

4. Policies:

5. Component parts that are eligible for 60% cost share:

1. Definition Providing temporary surface storage and controlled release of storm water runoff on paved (impervious) parking areas or within parking lot landscaped islands.

2. Purpose Reduce the adverse impact of runoff from impervious parking surfaces on receiving waters.

3. Where applicable This practice applies where portions of large, paved parking lots can be temporarily used for storm water storage without significantly interfering with normal vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Also applies wherever parking lot landscaped islands are required.

4. Policies:

5. Component parts that are eligible for 60% cost share:

1. Definition A small concrete lined channel to convey water on a relatively steep slope to a non-erosive release in a stream or waterway.

2. Purpose Conduct concentrated runoff safely down the face of a cut or fill slope without causing erosion.

3. Where applicable This practice applies where concentrated storm runoff must be conveyed from the top to the bottom of a cut or fill slope as part of a permanent erosion control system.

4. Policies:

5. Component parts that are eligible for 60% cost share:

1. Definition A rock lined apron and flow area at the outlet of a conduit, paved flume, lined waterway, or other flow system to control erosion.

2. Purpose Prevent scour and erosion at the outlet of a channel or conduit by reducing velocity of flows and dissipating energy.

3. Where applicable This practice applies where the discharge velocity of a pipe, box culvert, diversion, open channel, or other water conveyance structure exceeds the permissible velocity of the receiving channel or disposal area.

4. Policies:

5. Component parts that are eligible for 60% cost share:

1. Definition A flexible tubing or conduit extending from the top to the bottom of a cut or fill slope.

2. Purpose Temporarily conduct concentrated storm water runoff safely down the face of a cut or fill slope without causing erosion problems on or below the slope.

3. Where applicable This practice applies on cut or fill slopes before permanent storm water drainage structures are installed or before permanent vegetation is established.

4. Policies: a. Criteria found in planning and design manual for the control of erosion, sediment and storm water will be used.

5. Component parts that are eligible for 60% cost share: a. Earth moving b. Pipe and appurtenances c. Installation of materials

1. Definition A perforated conduit, such as corrugated plastic tubing, tile, or pipe, installed beneath the ground surface to collect and/or convey drainage water to an outlet.

2. Purpose Improve the soil environment for vegetative growth, reduce erosion, and improve water quality.

3. Where applicable This practice applies to areas having a high water table where the benefits of lowering the water table or controlling ground water or surface runoff justify installing such a system.

4. Policies:

5. Component parts that are eligible for 60% cost share:

1. Definition A ridge of compacted soil or loose rock or gravel constructed across disturbed rights-of-way and similar sloping areas.

2. Purpose Shorten the flow length within a long sloping right-of-way, thereby reducing the erosion potential by diverting storm runoff to a stabilized outlet or sediment trapping device.

3. Where applicable This practice applies where there will be little or no construction traffic within the right-of-way. Gravel structures are more applicable to roads and other rights-of-way which accommodate vehicular traffic.

4. Policies:

5. Component parts that are eligible for 60% cost share:

1. Definition A basin or depression area to temporarily retain storm water on site providing for infiltration, pollution reduction, and downstream water quality improvement.

2. Purpose Incorporate pollution control and groundwater recharge concepts into the design and construction of storage areas for the percolation of storm water runoff so that the adverse impact of urban type development on receiving waters can be reduced.

3. Where applicable Applicability of this practice is primarily dependent upon the availability of an adequate site for a retention area or for the creation or modifications of a retention area. The soil and water table conditions must also be such that the system can, within a maximum of seventy-two (72) hours following a storm water event, provide for a new volume of storage through percolation and/or evapo-transpiration

4. Policies:

5. Component parts that are eligible for 60% cost share:

1. Definition A temporary barrier consisting of a filter fabric stretched across and attached to supporting posts and entrenched. There are two types. The Silt Fence is a temporary linear filter barrier constructed of synthetic filter fabric, posts, and depending upon the strength of the fabric used, wire fence for support. The Filter Barrier is constructed of stakes and burlap or synthetic fabric.

2. Purpose Intercept and detain small amounts of sediment from disturbed areas during construction operations in order to prevent sediment from leaving the site. To decrease the velocity of sheet flows and low-to-moderate level channel floods.

3. Where applicable Below disturbed areas where erosion would occur in the form of sheet and rill erosion.

4. Policies: a. Criteria found in planning and design manual for the control of erosion, sediment and storm water will be used.

5. Component parts that are eligible for 60% cost share:

1. Definition Controlling runoff and erosion on disturbed areas by establishing perennial vegetative cover with seed.

2. Purpose Reduce erosion and decrease sediment yield from disturbed areas, and to permanently stabilize such areas in a manner that is economical, adapts to site conditions, and allows selection of the most appropriate plant materials.

3. Where applicable This practice applies to fine graded areas on which permanent, long lived vegetative cover is the most practical or most effective method of stabilizing the soil. Permanent seeding may also be used on rough graded areas.

4. Policies:

5. Component parts that are eligible for 60% cost share:

1. Definition A travel-way constructed across a stream to allow livestock, equipment, or vehicles to cross with minimal disturbance to the stream ecosystem.

2. Purpose Prevent or minimize water degradation from sediment, nutrient, and organic loading. To protect the water course from degradation and adverse hydrological impacts. To protect the land from streambank erosion. To provide a means for animals, equipment, or vehicles to cross a water course.

3. Where applicable This practice applies to all land uses where an intermittent or perennial water course exists, and livestock are currently crossing the water course.

4. Policies:

5. Specifications NRCS Specification No. 728 will be used.

6. Component parts that are eligible for 60% cost share:

1. Definition Recycling chemical containers, used oils and lubricants so as to reduce pollution of water, land or air.

2. Purpose Provide an incentive for landowners or land operators to properly dispose of chemical containers used oils and lubricants in a manner that will prevent degradation of natural resources.

3. Where applicable All agricultural lands.

4. Policies:

1. Definition A facility to allow for the feeding of cattle in a manner that will allow for the collection, storage, and proper utilization of animal waste.

2. Purpose Prevent or reduce the pollution of water, land or air by animal wastes.

3. Where applicable This practice applies to areas on farmland where animal waste from the farm constitutes a significant pollution hazard.

4. Policies:

5. Component parts that are eligible for 60% cost share:

1. Definition The sealing and permanent closure of a water well no longer in use.

2. Purpose Prevent entry of vermin, debris, or other foreign substances into the well or well bore hole; eliminate the physical hazard of an open hole to people, animals or farm machinery; prevent entry of contaminated surface water into well and migration of contaminants into unsaturated zone or saturated zone; prevent the mixing of chemically or physically different ground waters between separate water bearing zones.

3. Where applicable This practice applies to any drilled, dug, driven, bored, or otherwise constructed vertical water well determined to have no further beneficial use.

4. Policies: a. This practice does not apply to wells that were used for waste disposal, or if evidence of contamination still exists. This practice does not apply to wells that contain contaminant levels that exceed state or federal water quality standards. Treatment of contamination source(s) is required before a well is decommissioned.

5. Specifications NRCS Specification No. 351 will be used.

6. Component parts that are eligible for 60% cost share: