[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 163 (Tuesday, August 23, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52635-52636]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-21467]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service
[Docket No. NRCS-2011-0018]
Notice of Proposed Changes to the National Handbook of
Conservation Practices for the Natural Resources Conservation Service
AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
ACTION: Notice of availability of proposed changes in the NRCS National
Handbook of Conservation Practices for public review and comment.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of the intention of NRCS to issue a
series of revised conservation practice standards in the National
Handbook of Conservation Practices. These standards include: Dam or
Pond Removal (Code 403), Dry Hydrant (Code 432), Feed Management (Code
592), Fishpond Management (Code 399), Land Clearing (Code 460),
Livestock Pipeline (Code 516), Pond Sealing or Lining, Flexible
Membrane (Code 521A), Fuel Break (Code 383), Stream Crossing (Code
578), and Subsurface Drain (Code 606).
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 (HEL)
or on land determined to be a wetland. Section 343 of the Federal
Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 requires NRCS to make
available for public review and comment all proposed revisions to
conservation practice standards used to carry out HEL and wetland
provisions of the law.
DATES: Effective Date: This is effective August 23, 2011.
Comment Date: Submit comments on or before September 22, 2011.
Final versions of these new or revised conservation practice standards
will be adopted after the close of the 30-day period, and after
consideration of all comments.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted, identified by Docket Number
NRCS-2011-0018, using any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
E-mail: [email protected]. Include Docket
Number NRCS-2011-0018 or ``comment on practice standards'' in the
subject line of the message.
Mail: Comment Submissions, Attention: Anetra L. Harbor,
Policy Analyst, Resource Economics, Analysis and Policy Division,
Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service,
George Washington Carver Center, 5601 Sunnyside Ave, Room 1-1112D,
Beltsville, Maryland 20705.
All comments received will become a matter of public record and
will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including
any personal information provided.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wayne Bogovich, National Agricultural
Engineer, Conservation Engineering Division, Department of Agriculture,
Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW.,
Room 6136 South Building, Washington, DC 20250.
Electronic copies of these standards can be downloaded or printed
from the following Web site: ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NHQ/practice-standards/federal-register/. Requests for paper versions or
inquiries may be directed to Wayne Bogovich, National Agricultural
Engineer, Conservation Engineering Division, Department of Agriculture,
Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW.,
Room 6136 South Building, Washington, DC 20250.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The amount of the proposed changes varies
considerably for each of the Conservation Practice Standards addressed
in this notice. To fully understand the proposed changes, individuals
are encouraged to compare these changes with each standard's current
version as shown at: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/Standards/nhcp.html. To aid in this comparison, following are highlights of the
proposed revisions to each standard:
Dam or Pond Removal (Code 403)--This is a new conservation practice
standard for the purpose of removing existing dams or ponds.
Dry Hydrant (Code 432)--The Criteria section was clarified, Plans
and Specification section added a list of items to include, and
references were added.
Feed Management (Code 592)--The units changed from Animal Units
(AUs) or Number to only AUs. The Purpose changed to include pathogen,
odor, particulate matter, and greenhouse gas mitigation. Additions to
Conditions Where Practice Applies, Criteria, Considerations, Operations
and Maintenance, and References were made to support the change in
Purpose.
[[Page 52636]]
Fishpond Management (Code 399)--The Definition was changed. Two
issues previously included under ``Considerations'' have been moved to
the ``Criteria'' section and additional action was added to the
``Operation and Maintenance'' section.
Fuel Break (Code 383)--Only minor edits are being proposed.
Land Clearing (Code 460)--The purpose was rewritten. Criteria was
added for soil quality and water quality.
Livestock Pipeline (Code 516)--The title changed from ``Pipeline''
to ``Livestock Pipeline.'' Revised Criteria and removed material
specifications; expanded Considerations; revised Plans and
Specifications; and revised Operation and Maintenance.
Pond Sealing or Lining, Flexible Membrane (Code 521A)--The material
requirements have been revised to conform to industry-wide practice and
to the most current versions of accepted generic standards, such as
ASTM and other industry standards.
Stream Crossing (Code 578)--Criteria include more details related
to passage of aquatic organisms and hydraulic criteria.
Subsurface Drain (Code 606)--Revised Purposes; expanded Conditions
Where Practice Applies; revised Criteria; expanded Considerations;
added Operation and Maintenance; and added References
Signed this 28th day of July, 2011, in Washington, DC.
Dave White,
Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-21467 Filed 8-22-11; 8:45 am]
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