99-31872. Notice of the Technical Guidance for Developing Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans  

  • [Federal Register Volume 64, Number 236 (Thursday, December 9, 1999)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 68987-68994]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 99-31872]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
    
    Natural Resources Conservation Service
    
    
    Notice of the Technical Guidance for Developing Comprehensive 
    Nutrient Management Plans
    
    AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA.
    
    ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
    
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    SUMMARY: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking 
    comments on the draft Technincal Guidance for Developing Comprehensive 
    Nutrient Management Plans (CNMPs). USDA is asking for comments from 
    individuals, the livestock industry, private consultants, State, 
    Tribal, and local governments or subgroups thereof, universities, 
    colleges, environmental groups, and other organizations. These comments 
    will assist USDA in the development and implementation of the final 
    Technical Guidance for Developing Comprehensive Nutrient Management 
    Plans. This guidance document is intended for use for Natural Resources 
    Conservation Service (NRCS) and conservation partner State and local 
    field staffs, private consultants, landowners/operators, and others 
    that either will be developing or assisting in the development of 
    CNMPs.
    
    DATES: Comments will be received for a 90-day comment period commencing 
    December 9, 1999.
    
    ADDRESSES: Address all requests and comments to: Francine A. Gordon, 
    Management Assistant, Natural Resources Conservation Service, ATTN: 
    CNMP, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Stop Code 5473, Beltsville, Maryland 
    20705.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obie Ashford, Natural Resources 
    Conservation Service, 301-504-2197; fax 301-504-2264, e-mail 
    obie.ashford@usda.gov
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Technical Guidance for Developing 
    Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans is a document intended for use 
    by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and conservation 
    partner State and local field staffs, private consultants, landowners/
    operators, and others that either will be developing or assisting in 
    the development of CNMPs. The purpose of this document is to provide 
    technical guidance for local, tribal, State, or Federal programs, not 
    to establish regulatory requirements. This technical guidance is not 
    intended as a sole source or reference for developing
    
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    CNMPs. CNMP is a subset of a conservation plan that is unique to animal 
    feeding operations. A CNMP is a group of conservation practices and 
    management activities which, when combined into a system, will help to 
    ensure that both production and natural resource goals are achieved. It 
    incorporates practices to utilize animal manure and organic by-products 
    as a beneficial resource. A CNMP addresses natural resource concerns 
    dealing with nutrient and organic by-products and their adverse impacts 
    on water quality. The objective of a CNMP is to combine management 
    activities and conservation practices into a system that, when 
    implemented, will minimize the adverse impacts of animal feeding 
    operations on water quality.
        USDA prohibits discrimination in its programs and activities on the 
    basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, sexual 
    orientation, or disability. Additionally, discrimination on the basis 
    of political beliefs and marital or family status is also prohibited by 
    statutes enforced by USDA. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all 
    programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for 
    communication of program information (braille, large print, audio tape, 
    etc.) should contact the USDA's Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice 
    and TDD).
        To file a complaint of discrimination to USDA, write Director, 
    Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and 
    Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (202) 
    720-5964 (voice and TDD). The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and 
    employer.
    
        Signed at Washington, D.C., on December 3, 1999.
    Pearlie S. Reed,
    Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
    
    Table of Contents
    
    1.0  Introduction
    2.0  Definition
    3.0  Objective
    4.0  Elements To Consider
        4.1  Animal Outputs--Manure and Wastewater Collection, Handling, 
    Storage, Treatment, and Transfer
        4.2  Evaluation and Treatment of Sites Proposed for Land 
    Application
        4.3  Land Application
        4.4  Record of CNMP Implementation
        4.5  Inputs to Animals--Feed Management
        4.6  Outer Utilization Activities
    5.0  Appendices
        A.  The Natural Resources Conservation Service Planning Process
        B.  Technical References, Handbooks, and Policy Directives
        C.  Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan Format and Content
        D.  Conservation Practice Standards
        E.  Field Office Technical Guide
        F.  State Offices
    
    Technical Guidance for Developing Comprehensive Nutrient Management 
    Plans (CNMPs)
    
    1.0  Introduction
    
        Technical Guidance for Developing Comprehensive Nutrient Management 
    Plans (CNMPs) is a document intended for use by Natural Resources 
    Conservation Service (NRCS) and conservation partner State and local 
    field staffs, private consultants, landowners/operators, and others 
    that either will be developing or assisting in the development of 
    CNMPs. The purpose of this document is to provide technical guidance 
    for the development of CNMPs, not to establish regulatory requirements 
    for local, tribal, State, or Federal programs. This technical guidance 
    is not intended as a sole source of reference for developing CNMPs. 
    Rather, it is to be used as a tool in support of the planning process 
    (see Appendix A), as contained in the NRCS National Planning Procedures 
    Handbook (NPPH). (See Appendix B.) It provides a list of essential 
    elements that need to be considered in developing a CNMP. To 
    effectively use this technical guidance, the planner needs a solid 
    understanding of agricultural waste management systems, nutrient 
    management, the NRCS planning process, and the NRCS Field Office 
    Technical Guide.
    
    2.0  Definition
    
        A Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) is a subset of a 
    conservation plan that is unique to animal feeding operations. A CNMP 
    is a grouping of conservation practices and management activities 
    which, when combined into a system, will help to ensure that both 
    production and natural resource goals are achieved. It incorporates 
    practices to utilize animal manure and organic by-products as a 
    beneficial resource. A CNMP addresses natural resource concerns dealing 
    with nutrient and organic by-products and their adverse impacts on 
    water quality. A CNMP is developed to assist landowners/operators with 
    meeting all applicable local, tribal, State, and Federal regulations. 
    For certain unique, impacted watersheds or water bodies, special 
    management activities or conservation practices may be necessary to 
    help the landowner/operator meet specific local, tribal, State, or 
    Federal regulations.
        The conservation practices and management activities in a CNMP for 
    which NRCS maintains technical standards are to meet these standards. 
    Components of a CNMP for which NRCS does not currently maintain 
    standards are to meet criteria established by Land Grant Universities, 
    industry, or appropriate others. Ultimately, it is the landowner's/
    operator's responsibility as the decision-maker to select the system of 
    conservation practices and management activities that best meet his/her 
    production and environmental needs from the alternatives available.
    
    3.0  Objective
    
        The objective of a CNMP is to combine management activities and 
    conservation practices into a system that, when implemented, will 
    minimize the adverse impacts of animal feeding operations on water 
    quality. CNMPs are to be developed in accordance with procedures 
    contained in the NRCS National Planning Procedures Handbook (NPPH) 
    (Appendix B) and meet the technical requirements of the NRCS local 
    Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG). For guidance on CNMP plan format 
    and content see Appendix C. For a given enterprise to meet this 
    objective, a significant increase, over current levels, in the 
    intensity and comprehensiveness of technical assistance provided to 
    producers may be required.
    
        Elements to consider:
        1. Animal Outputs--Manure and Wastewater Collection, Handling, 
    Storage, Treatment, and Transfer
        2. Evaluation and Treatment of Sites Proposed for Land 
    Application
        3. Land Application
        4. Records of CNMP Implementation
        5. Inputs to Animals
        6. Other Utilization Activities
    
    4. Elements to Consider
    
    4.1  Animal Outputs--Manure and Wastewater Collection, Handling, 
    Storage, and Treatment, and Transfer
    
        A manure and wastewater management system for a given animal 
    feeding operation (AFO) should include all the components and 
    management activities necessary to minimize degradation of water 
    quality. A system may consist of a single component, such as a clean 
    water diversion, or as many components as necessary to meet the 
    production and environmental objectives of the landowner/operator while 
    minimizing the environmental impacts. An on-site visit(s) is required 
    to identify existing and potential nature resource concerns, problems, 
    and opportunities in the siting of manure
    
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    and wastewater management system components, including the 
    identification and documentation of infrastructure physical features 
    such as buildings, roads, houses, fences, power lines, and other 
    utilities Sufficient data and information need to be gathered to 
    analyze and understand the treatment needs in and around the production 
    site.
        A complete manure and wastewater management system may include, but 
    is not limited to, activities that address:
         adequate collection, storage, and/or treatment that allows 
    application during favorable weather conditions and at times compatible 
    with crop management
         identification of needed water control devices around the 
    production facility
         disposal of dead animals
         disposal of animal medical wastes
         spills and catastrophic events
         spoiled feed and other contaminants
         milk house cleanup water
         testing of manure and organic sources
         insect control
         silage leachates
         visual improvement
         off-site conditions
         identification of operation and maintenance (O&M) 
    practices/activities
    
        Note: The planned manure and wastewater management system needs 
    to be in conformance with the NRCS Waste Management System Standard 
    (Code 312). (See Appendix D). Components of the planned system need 
    to be in conformance with the applicable practice standards.
    4.2  Evaluation and Treatment of Sites Proposed for Land Application
        An on-site visit is required to identify existing and potential 
    natural resource concerns, problems, and opportunities for the 
    conservation management unit (CMU) \1\. This process will be used to 
    identify and assess operations and activities needed to address 
    existing and potential natural resource problems. the CMU assessment 
    will include, but is not limited to:
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        \1\ Conservation management unit (CMU)--a field, group of 
    fields, or other land units of the same land use and having similar 
    treatment needs and planned management. A CMU has definite 
    boundaries, such as fence, drainage, vegetation, topography, or soil 
    lines.
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         identification of the potential for nitrogen or phosphorus 
    transport off-site
         aerial site photographs or maps
         soil features and limitations
         identification of sensitive areas such as sinkholes, 
    streams, springs, lakes, ponds, wells, gullies, and drinking water 
    sources with setbacks, as necessary
         identification of conservation practices and management 
    activities needed for erosion control and water management
         soil test analysis for pH, nutrients, sodic condition, and 
    organic contents
         identification of pathogens and odors
         other site information features such as property 
    boundaries and location of streams and water bodies
         identification of operation and maintenance (O&M) 
    practices/activities
    
        Notes: 1. A documented record will be kept of the site 
    assessment for each CMU. As part of the CNMP, this record will need 
    to address problems or concerns identified during the on-site 
    assessment of the land application unit.
        2. The operation and maintenance plan will need to address all 
    structural and operational components in the CNMP.
        3. This planning and assessment process integrates economic, 
    social, and environmental considerations into a system that meets 
    the needs of the natural resources and assists the landowner/
    operator in meeting Federal, State, tribal and local requirements.
        4. Technical requirements will be in accordance with the NRCS 
    National Planning Procedures Handbook (NPPH) and the FOTG. (See 
    Appendix E).
    4.3  Land Application
        The potential short- and long-term impacts of planned land 
    application of all nutrients and organic by-products (e.g., animal 
    manure, wastewater, commercial fertilizers, crop residues, legume 
    credits, irrigation water, etc.) must be evaluated and documented for 
    each CMU.
        This should include:
         developing a nutrient budget for nitrogen, phosphorus, and 
    potassium that includes all potential sources of nutrients
         planned crop sequence
         current soil test results
         manure and organic by-product source testing results
         realistic yield goals
         crop nutrient use
         form, source, amount, timing and method of application of 
    nutrients
         calibration of application equipment
    
        Note: Site specific technical requirements will be based on the 
    NRCS Nutrient Management Standard (Code 590). (See Appendix D).
    4.4  Record of CNMP Implementation
        If the landowner/operator is to safely manage and assess CNMP, it 
    is critical that his/her maintain a record of activities and the 
    functionality of the system be maintained. A record-keeping plan should 
    be implemented that addresses key elements of the CNMP to aid in proper 
    application and provide for assessment documentation.
        This record may include:
         recommended nutrient application rates by CMU
         quanities, analysis and source of nutrients and organic 
    by-products applied
         dates on which nutrients were applied, by CMU
         weather conditions during nutrient application
         methods by which nutrients were applied, by CMU
         crops planted and planting and harvesting dates, by CMU
         dates of review, including person performing the review 
    and recommendations that resulted from the review
         results of any plant tissue sampling and testing, when 
    used, by CMU
         nutrient application equipment calibration
         off-site use of manure
    
        Notes: Specific record-keeping guidance may be obtained from 
    Land Grant Universities, Industry, or appropriate others. In 
    situations where the CNMP is part of a permitting or other 
    regulating program, it is the responsibility of the producer to 
    maintain any required documentation, including plans and 
    implementation records, and make them available to the regulatory 
    organization if required.
    4.5  Inputs to Animals--Feed Management
        Feed management activities may be used to reduce the nutrient 
    content of manure, making it easier to manage in a land application 
    scenario. Feed management is a planning consideration not a technical 
    standard. These activities may include phase feeding, amino acid 
    supplemented low crude protein diets, and the use of low phytin 
    phosphorus grain and enzymes, such as phytase or other additives. 
    Information and recommendations regarding feed management may be 
    obtained from Land Grant Universities, industry, USDA--Agricultural 
    Research Service, or other appropriate sources.
    4.6  Other Utilization Activities
        Using manure and organic by-products to provide for 
    environmentally-safe alternatives should be an integral part of the 
    overall CNMP. This is especially true where past land application of 
    manure and organic by-products is a problem because of residual soil 
    nutrient content and where future land application will make conditions 
    worse. Also, it should be recognized that most other utilization 
    strategies, such as biogas generation or
    
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    composing may result in the inadvertent loss of nitrogen, but not 
    phosphorus or other plant nutrients. It is the producers 
    responsibility, as the decision maker, to select the utilization 
    options to be used.
        Alternatives include, but are not limited to;
         transport and safe use off-site
         power generation (e.g., methane generation for fuel, 
    combustion of litter, for energy, etc.)
         converting to high-value product (e.g., composting, 
    fertilizer, etc.)
         soil conditioning
    
        Note: All manure and organic by-product utilization activities 
    are to comply with Federal, State, Tribal, and local laws. Specific 
    technical requirements will be based on NRCS Waste Utilization 
    Standard (Code 633) and Nutrient Management Standard (Code 590). 
    (See Appendix D.)
    
    Appendix A--The Natural Resources Conservation Service Planning 
    Process
    
        NRCS uses a three-phase, nine-step planning process. The three 
    phases and nine steps from a linear perspective are:
    
    Phase I--Collection and Analysis (Understanding the Problems and 
    Opportunities)
    
        1. Identify Problems
        2. Determine Objectives
        3. Inventory Resources
        4. Analyze Resource Data
    
    Phase II--Decision Support (Understanding the Solutions)
    
        5. Formulate Alternatives
        6. Evaluate Alternatives
        7. Make Decisions
    
    Phase III--Application and Evaluation (Understanding the Results)
    
        8. Implement the Plan
        9. Evaluate the Plan
        [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN09DE99.001
        
    
    BILLING CODE 3410-16-C
        The planning process is straight forward, but not necessarily 
    linear (See Figure 1). It is a cycling process--iterative--there is 
    a need to cycle back. All three phases and all nine steps are vital 
    for successful conservation planning.
         The planning process may start with any of the first 
    three planning steps or planning step nine.
         There may be a need to cycle back to step three 
    (inventory resources), while working on step four (analyze resource 
    data), if more inventory information is needed.
         Step one (identify problems) and step two (determine 
    objectives) will not be finalized until step four (analyze resource 
    data) is completed. The analysis in step four will, at the very 
    least, require a brief review of problem identification and 
    objective determination to make sure they are suitable.
         There also may be a need for the landowner/operator to 
    revise his objectives as alternatives are formulated and evaluated.
         Once the plan is developed, there may be a need to go 
    back through the entire planning process and revise the plan, or 
    that may become necessary while the plan is being implemented and 
    evaluated. A revision may be necessary because of a change in 
    objectives, size of the unit, livestock numbers, economics, weather 
    conditions, etc.
         Based on the results of implementation, there also may 
    be a need to look at additional alternatives if the results of plan 
    implementation are not solving the identified problems or meeting 
    the landowner's/operator's objectives.
    
    Appendix B--Technical References, Handbooks, and Policy Directives
    
    Technical References and Handbooks
    
        The Natural Resource Conservation Service has numerous technical 
    references and handbooks it uses to assist in the development of 
    conservation plans and their various components. Listed below are 
    those technical references and handbooks generally associated with 
    the development of comprehensive nutrient management plans.
    
    
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    United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources 
    Conservation Service (NRCS), National Engineering Handbook, Part 
    651, Agricultural Waste Management Field Handbook. This handbook is 
    available on the NRCS web site at http://www.ncg.nrcs.usda.gov/
    tech__ref.html and from the National Technical Information Service 
    at the address shown at the end of this Appendix.
    United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource 
    Conservation Service, National Range and Pasture Handbook. This 
    handbook is available on the NRCS web site at http://
    www.ncg.nrcs.usda.gov/tech__ref.html.
    United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource 
    Conservation Service, National Agronomy Manual. This manual is 
    presently under revision and is scheduled for release in Spring of 
    2000. The draft version is available on the USDA server in Ft. 
    Worth, TX at ftp://ftp.ftw.nrcs.usda.gov/pub/NAM/.
    United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource 
    Conservation Service, National Planning Procedures Handbook (NPPH). 
    This handbook is available from the NRCS, Conservation Operations 
    Division, by contacting: Director, Conservation Operations Division, 
    Natural Resources Conservation Service, 12th and Independence SW, 
    Washington, DC 20013.
    United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource 
    Conservation Service, Conservation Planning Course. This course is 
    available on the NRCS web site at http://www.ncg.nrcs.usda.gov/
    start.htm.
    United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource 
    Conservation Service, Agronomy Technical Notes. These notes are 
    available on the NRCS web site at http://www.ncg.nrcs.usda.gov/
    tech__notes.html.
    United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource 
    Conservation Service, Soil Quality Information Sheets. These sheets 
    are available on the NRCS web site at http://www.ncg.nrcs.usda.gov/
    tech__notes.html.
    
        Hard copies of available publications can be purchased from: 
    National Technical Information Service, U.S. Department of Commerce, 
    5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA. 22161; Telephone: 1-800-553-
    6847.
    
    Policy Directives
    
        NRCS policy is contained in Natural Resources Conservation 
    Service, General Manual. The index for the entire manual can be 
    found at NRCS web site http://policy.nrcs.usda.gov/national/gm/
    index.htm. Listed below are those policy directives contained in the 
    General Manual generally associated with the development of 
    comprehensive nutrient management plans.
    
    Natural Resources Conservation Service, General Manual, Title 450, 
    Technology, Part 401, Technical Guides. This part of the General 
    Manual is available at the NRCS web site at http://
    policy.nrcs.usda.gov/national/gm/title450/part401/index.htm.
    Natural Resources Conservation Service, ``General Manual'', Title 
    190, Ecological Sciences, Part 402, Nutrient Management. This part 
    of the General Manual is available at the NRCS web site at http://
    www.nhq.nrcs.usda.gov/BCS/nutri/gm-190.html.
    
    Appendix C--Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan Format and 
    Content
    
    Introduction
    
        The conservation plan is developed by the landowner/operator for 
    his/her use to record decisions for natural resource protection, 
    conservation, and enhancement.
        Decisions and resource information needed during implementation 
    and maintenance of the plan are recorded. The plan narrative and 
    supporting documents provide guidance for implementation and may 
    serve as a basis for compliance with State and Federal regulations 
    and/or program funding through Federal, State, or local financial 
    support initiatives.
        A comprehensive nutrient management plan (CNMP) is to include 
    all land units, on which manure and organic by-products will be 
    generated, handled, or applied, and that the landowner/operator 
    either owns or has decision making authority over.
        The following guidance helps to maintain quality and provide 
    appropriate documentation of a plan. The list shows the suggested 
    items to be given to the landowner/operator. However, the plan 
    content should be tailored to meet the landowner's/operator's needs.
    
    Plan Format and Content
    
        The plan document provided to the landowner/operator should be a 
    quality document containing meaningful information for the 
    landowner/operator. It should include the following items:
        1. A folder, binder, or other means to assemble the contents of 
    the plan.
        2. A soil map with appropriate interpretations, such as land 
    capability groupings, woodland suitability groups, pasture and 
    hayland suitability groups, and other interpretive information 
    regarding suitability for specific land uses.
        3. Appropriate worksheets developed with the landowner/operator. 
    The worksheets should include such things as resource impact 
    summaries, forage inventories, erosion estimates, and cost 
    estimates.
        4. Available job sheets and other prepared material applicable 
    to the landowner's/operator's specific planned practices.
        5. Operation and maintenance agreements and procedures. More 
    detailed operation and maintenance procedures, depending on their 
    extent and complexity, may be contained in a separate document, but 
    must be referenced in the CNMP in conjunction with the conservation 
    system and practices contained in the plan.
        6. In some cases, engineering designs may be included. However, 
    these designs generally are kept in the office file under the 
    landowner's/operator's name.
        7. A conservation plan map. At a minimum, each map should 
    include the following:
        a. Title block showing:
         ``Conservation Plan Map''
         ``Prepared with assistance from
          ________________________(Name)
         Name of the conservation district, county and State
         Scale of the map
         Date prepared
         North arrow
        b. Body of map with:
         Boundary lines of the planning unit outlined
         Field boundaries
         Land use and acres for each land unit correlating to 
    landowner/operator land use in the case file
         Appropriate map symbols and a map symbol legend on the 
    map, or as an attachment
        c. Land use designations:
         Landowner/operator--specific land use designations 
    (e.g., cropland, grazed range, forest, etc.) will be used on the 
    plan map.
        8. A record of the landowner's/operator's decisions.
         The recorded decisions will apply to land units 
    reflecting common land use, objectives, and treatment needs 
    (referred to as conservation management units).
         Include the appropriate land unit label, official 
    practice name, brief description of the practice, and schedule of 
    practice application in the proper sequence by calendar year.
        9. Available maps, sketches, and designs resulting from the 
    planning process that will be useful to the landowner/operator in 
    implementing the plan.
    
    The CNMP Case File Will Contain:
    
        1. Landowner's/operator's objectives and decisions
        2. Assistance notes
        3. Engineering notes
        4. Operation and maintenance agreements and plans
        5. Design documentation
        6. Documentation of applied practices
        7. Forms and worksheets used in developing and evaluating 
    alternatives
        8. Environmental documentation
        9. Maps--conservation plan and soils
        10. Other appropriate supporting documents
    
    Appendix D--Conservation Practice Standards
    
        Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation 
    practice standards provide guidance for applying technology on the 
    land, and set the minimum level for acceptable application of the 
    technology.
        NRCS issues national conservation practice standards in its 
    National Handbook of Conservation Practices (NHCP). National 
    standards for each practice are available at the NRCS web site 
    http://www.ncg.nrcs.usda.gov/nhcp__2.html. State Conservationists 
    determine which national standards will be used in his/her State.
    
    [[Page 68992]]
    
        State Conservationists that choose to use national standards, 
    without changes, adapt them for use in their State and issue them as 
    State conservation practice standards. State Conservationists add 
    the technical detail needed to effectively use the standards at the 
    field office level. Also, State Conservationists can make their 
    conservation practiced standards more restrictive, but not less 
    restrictive. State conservation practice are contained in Section IV 
    of the Field Office Technical Guide.
        Copies of NRCS State conservation practice standards are not 
    currently available from the NRCS Homepage, but may be available 
    later. Copies presently can be obtained by contacting the 
    appropriate NRCS State Office. (See Appendix F.)
        Following is a listing of the most commonly considered 
    conservation practice standards that may be used when developing a 
    comprehensive nutrient management plan (CNMP):
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                          Presently
            Practice code                              Practice name                      Date of last      under
                                                                                            revision      revision
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    317..........................  Composting Facility..................................        12/90    \1\
    328..........................  Conservation Crop Rotation...........................         6/99   ............
    332..........................  Contour Buffer Strips................................         3/99   ............
    340..........................  Cover and Green Manure Crop..........................        10/77    \1\
    589C.........................  Cross Wind Trap Strips...............................         3/99    \1\
    362..........................  Diversion............................................        10/85    \1\
    382..........................  Fence................................................         4/95      
    393..........................  Filter Strip.........................................         3/99   ............
    410..........................  Grade Stabilization Structure........................        10/85    \1\
    412..........................  Grassed Waterway.....................................        10/85    \1\
    449..........................  Irrigation Water Management..........................         3/99   ............
    590..........................  Nutrient Management..................................         4/99   ............
    595A.........................  Pest Management......................................         7/97    \1\
    516..........................  Pipeline.............................................        10/85      
    521A.........................  Pond Sealing or Lining--Flexible Membrane............         6/84    \1\
    521C.........................  Pond Sealing or Lining--Bentonite Sealant............        10/77      
    329A.........................  Residue Management, No-till and Strip Till...........         3/99   ............
    329B.........................  Residue Management, Mulch Till.......................         3/99   ............
    558..........................  Roof Runoff Management...............................         6/84      
    574..........................  Spring Development...................................        10/87      
    585..........................  Stripcropping, Contour...............................        10/78      
    600..........................  Terrace..............................................         4/82     
    614..........................  Trough or Tank.......................................        10/87      
    472..........................  Use Exclusion........................................         6/94     
    312..........................  Waste Management System..............................         4/79    \1\
    313..........................  Waste Storage Facility...............................         4/95    \1\
    359..........................  Waste Treatment Lagoon...............................         6/84    \1\
    633..........................  Waste Utilization....................................         4/99      
    XXX..........................  Closure of Waste Impoundments........................     Proposed      
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\ New release anticipated in 2000.
    
    Appendix E--Field Office Technical Guide
    
        The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Field Office 
    Technical Guide (FOTG) is an essential tool for resource planning. 
    The FOTG contains five Sections:
    
    General Resource References--References, maps, cost lists, typical 
    crop budgets, and other information for use in understanding the 
    field office working area, or in making decisions about resource use 
    and resource management.
    Soil and Site Information--Soils are described and interpreted to 
    help make decisions about land use and management. In most cases, 
    this will be an electronic database.
    Resource Management Systems--Guidance for developing conservation 
    management systems. A description of the resource considerations and 
    their acceptable levels of quality or criteria are included in this 
    section.
    Practice Standards and Specifications--Contains standards and 
    specifications for conservation practices used in the field office. 
    Conservation practice standards contain minimum quality criteria for 
    designing and planning each practice; specifications describe 
    requirements necessary to install a practice.
    Conservation Effects--Contains Conservation Practices Physical 
    Effects matrices that outline the impact of practices on various 
    aspects of the five major resources--soil, air, water, plants, and 
    animals.
    
        The FOTG is a document that is being updated continually to 
    reflect changes in technology, resource information, and agency 
    policy. The FOTG contains information that is unique to States and 
    local field offices within States. To obtain information contained 
    within the FOTG, contact a United States Department of Agriculture, 
    NRCS, State Office (See Appendix F for a listing).
    
    Appendix F--State offices
    
    United States Department of Agriculture
    
    Natural Resources Conservation Service
    
    Alabama
    
    3381 Skyway Drive, P.O. Box 311, Auburn, AL 36830
        Phone: 334/887-4500 Fax: 334/887-4552
    
    Alaska
    
    949 East 36th Ave., Suite 400, Anchorage, AK 99508-4302
        Phone: 907/271-2424 Fax: 907/271-3951
    
    Arizona
    
    3003 North Central Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix, AZ 85012-2945
        Phone: 602/280-8801 Fax: 602/280-8809
    
    Arkansas
    
    Federal Building, Room 3416, 700 West Capitol Avenue, Little Rock, 
    AR 72201-3228
        Phone: 501/301-3121 Fax: 501/301-3194
    
    California
    
    430 G Street, Suite 4164, Davis, CA 95616-4164
        Phone: 530/792-5600 Fax: 530/792-5790
    
    [[Page 68993]]
    
    Colorado
    
    655 Parfet Street, Room E200C, Lakewood, CO 80215-5517
        Phone: 303/236-2886 x 202 Fax: 303/236-2896
    
    Connecticut
    
    16 Professional Park Road, Storrs, CT 06268-1299
        Phone: 860/487-4011 Fax: 860/487-4054
    
    Delaware
    
    1203 College Park Drive, Suite 101, Dover, DE 19904-8713
        Phone: 302/678-4160 Fax: 302/678-0843
    
    Florida
    
    2614 N.W. 43d Street, Gainesville, FL 32606-6611
        Phone: 352/338-9500 Fax: 352/338-9574
    
    Georgia
    
    Federal Building, Stop 200, 355 East Hancock Avenue, Athens, GA 
    30601-2769
        Phone: 706/546-2272 Fax: 706/546-2120
    
    Guam
    
    Director, Pacific Basin Area, FHB Building, Suite 301, 400 Route 8, 
    Maite, GU 96927
        Phone: 671/472-7490 Fax: 671/472-7288
    
    Hawaii
    
    300 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 4-118, P.O. Box 50004, Honolulu, HI 96850-
    0002
        Phone: 808/541-2600 x100 Fax: 808/541-1335
    
    Idaho
    
    9173 West Barnes Drive, Suite C, Boise, ID 83709
        Phone: 208/378-5700 Fax: 208/378-5735
    
    Illinois
    
    1902 Fox Drive, Champaign, IL 61820-7335
        Phone: 217/398-5267 Fax: 217/373-4550
    
    Indiana
    
    6013 Lakeside Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46278-2933
        Phone: 317/290-3200 Fax: 317/290-3225
    
    Iowa
    
    693 Federal Building, 210 Walnut Street, Suite 693, Des Moines, IA 
    50309-2180
        Phone: 515/284-6655 Fax: 515/284-4394
    
    Kansas
    
    760 South Broadway, Salina, KS 67401-4642
        Phone: 785/823-4565 Fax: 785/823-4540
    
    Kentucky
    
    771 Corporate Drive, Suite 110, Lexington, KY 40503-5479
        Phone: 606/224-7350 Fax: 606/224-7399
    
    Louisiana
    
    3737 Government St, Alexandria, LA 71302
        Phone: 318/473-7751 Fax: 318/473-7626
    
    Maine
    
    5 Godfrey Drive, Orono, ME 04473
        Phone: 207/866-7241 Fax: 207/866-7262
    
    Maryland
    
    John Hanson Business Center, 339 Busch's Frontage Road, Suite 301, 
    Annapolis, MD 21401-5534
        Phone: 410/757-0861 x314 Fax: 410/757-0687
    
    Massachusetts
    
    451 West Street, Amherst, MA 01002-2995
        Phone: 413/253-4351 Fax: 413/253-4375
    
    Michigan
    
    1405 South Harrison Road, Room 101, East Lansing, MI 48823-5243
        Phone: 517/337-6701 x1201 Fax: 517/337-6905
    
    Minnesota
    
    375 Jackson Street, Suite 600, St. Paul, MN 55101-1854
        Phone: 651/602-7856 Fax: 651/602-7914 or 7915
    
    Mississippi
    
    Suite 1321, Federal Building, 100 West Capitol Street, Jackson, MS 
    39269
        Phone: 601/965-5205 Fax: 601/965-4940
    
    Missouri
    
    Parkade Center, Suite 250, 601 Business Loop 70 West, Columbia, MO 
    65203-2546
        Phone: 573/876-0901 Fax: 573/876-0913
    
    Montana
    
    Federal Building, Room 443, 10 East Babcock Street, Bozeman, MT 
    59175-4704
        Phone: 406/587-6868 Fax: 406/587-6761
    
    Nebraska
    
    Federal Building, Room 152, 100 Centennial Mall, North, Lincoln, NE 
    68508-3866
        Phone: 402/437-5300 Fax: 402/437-5327
    
    Nevada
    
    5301 Longley Lane, Building F, Suite 201, Reno, NV 89511-1805
        Phone: 702/784-5863 Fax: 702/784-5939
    
    New Hampshire
    
    Federal Building, 2 Madbury Road, Durham, NH 03824-2043
        Phone: 603/433-0505 Fax: 603/868-5301
    
    New Jersey
    
    1370 Hamilton Street, Somerset, NJ 08873-3157
        Phone: 732/246-1171 Fax: 732/246-2358
    
    New Mexico
    
    6200 Jefferson Street, N.E., Suite 305, Albuquerque, NM 87109-3734
        Phone: 505/761-4400 Fax: 505/761-4462
    
    New York
    
    441 South Salina Street, Suite 354, Syracuse, NY 13202-2450
        Phone: 315/477-6504 Fax: 315/477-6550
    
    North Carolina
    
    4405 Bland Road, Suite 205, Raleigh, NC 27609-6293
        Phone: 919/873-2102 Fax: 919/873-2156
    
    North Dakota
    
    220 E. Rosser Avenue, Room 278, P.O. Box 1458, Bismarck, ND 58502-
    1458
        Phone: 701/250-4421 Fax: 701/250-4778
    
    Ohio
    
    200 North High Street, Room 522, Columbus, OH 43215-2478
        Phone: 614/469-6962 Fax: 614/469-2083
    
    Oklahoma
    
    USDA Agri-Center Bldg., 100 USDA, Suite 203, Stillwater, OK 74074-
    2655
        Phone: 405/742-1204 Fax: 405/742-1201
    
    Oregon
    
    101 SW Main Street, Suite 1300, Portland, OR 97204-3221
        Phone: 503/414-3221 Fax: 503/414-3277
    
    Pennsylvania
    
    1 Credit Union Place, Suite 340, Harrisburg, PA 17110-2993
        Phone: 717/237-2210 Fax: 717/237-2238
    
    Puerto Rico
    
    Director, Caribbean Area, IBM Building, Suite 604, 654 Munoz Rivera 
    Avenue, Hato Rey, PR 00918-4123
        Phone: 787/766-5206 Fax: 787/766-5987
    
    Rhode Island
    
    60 Quaker Lane, Suite 46, Warwick, RI 02886-0111
        Phone: 401/828-1300 Fax: 401/828-0433
    
    South Carolina
    
    Strom Thurmond Federal Building, 1835 Assembly Street, Room 950, 
    Columbia, SC 29201-2489
        Phone: 803/253-2935 Fax: 803/253-3670
    
    South Dakota
    
    Federal Building, Room 203, 200 Fourth Street, S.W., Huron, SD 
    57350-2475
        Phone: 605/352-1200 Fax: 605/352-1270
    
    Tennessee
    
    675 U.S. Courthouse, 801 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203-3878
        Phone: 615/736-5471 Fax: 615/736-7135
    
    Texas
    
    W.R. Poage Building, 101 South Main Street, Temple, TX 76501-7682
        Phone: 254/742-9800 Fax: 254/742-9819
    
    Utah
    
    W.F. Bennett Federal Building, 125 South State Street, Room 4402, 
    Salt Lake City, UT 84138
    P.O. Box 11340, SLC, UT 84147-0350
        Phone: 801/524-5050 Fax: 801/524-4403
    
    Vermont
    
    60 Union Street, Winooski, VT 05404-1999 Fax: 802/951-6327
        Phone: 802/951-6795
    
    Virginia
    
    Culpeper Building, Suite 209, 1606 Santa Rosa Road, Richmond, VA 
    23229-5014
        Phone: 804/287-1676 Fax: 804/287-1737
    
    Washington
    
    Rock Pointe Tower II, W. 316 Boone Avenue, Suite 450, Spokane, WA 
    99201-2348
        Phone: 509/323-2900 Fax: 509/323-2909
    
    West Virginia
    
    75 High Street, Room 301, Morgantown, WV 26505
        Phone: 304/291-4152 x136 Fax: 304/291-4628
    
    Wisconsin
    
    6515 Watts Road, Suite 200, Madison, WI 53719-2726
        Phone: 608/276-8732 x229 Fax: 608/276-5890
    
    Wyoming
    
    Federal Building, Room 3124, 100 East B Street, Casper, WY 82601-
    1911
    
    [[Page 68994]]
    
        Phone: 307/261-6453 Fax: 207/261-6490
    
    [FR Doc. 99-31872 Filed 12-8-99; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 3410-16-M
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
12/09/1999
Department:
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice and request for comments.
Document Number:
99-31872
Dates:
Comments will be received for a 90-day comment period commencing December 9, 1999.
Pages:
68987-68994 (8 pages)
PDF File:
99-31872.pdf