The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking public input on Nonindustrial Private Forest Land related to technical and financial assistance available through conservation programs of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

“We want to ensure we continue program consistency across USDA agencies with how we are defining nonindustrial private forest lands,” said Denise Coleman, NRCS State Conservationist in Pennsylvania. “It’s important that our conservation assistance reach all eligible lands in accordance with proper criteria to ensure we enroll eligible lands that hold meaningful opportunities.”

NRCS welcomes input from stakeholders across the nation, including those in Pennsylvania, to assist with the development of guidance about how to identify NIPF for program enrollment purposes.

NRCS must ensure that such guidance is consistent with how other USDA agencies identify NIPF under identical or similar programmatic frameworks.

Nonindustrial private forest land criteria will be adopted after the close of the 30-day period and after consideration of all comments.

Click Here for a copy of the proposal.

Submitting Comments

NRCS invites input on this technical guidance through January 19. Electronic comments must be submitted through regulations.gov under Docket ID NRCS–2020–0009 [when posted on that website].  All written comments received will be publicly available on regulations.gov [when posted].

For more information on programs, initiatives, technical and financial assistance, visit the NRCS-PA webpage.

Related Articles - Water:

-- Vote Online Now For Pennsylvania's 2021 River Of the Year

-- Coldwater Heritage Partnership Now Accepting Conservation Grant Applications

-- Bay Journal: Landowners, Turkey Hill Dairy, Trout Unlimited, Lancaster Clean Water Partners, Conservation Districts, NFWF, Chesapeake Conservancy, Others Partner On Precision Conservation In PA

-- DEP Provides Update On Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan Efforts; New Stormwater Manual Coming; Next State Team Meeting Jan. 26

-- Water Quality Cleanup Needs To Focus Not Only On 'Hot Spots' But 'Hot Moments' In Time During Increasingly Frequent Storm Events Using Buffers, Stream Fencing, Cover Crops, No-Till

-- Introducing A Diversion Best Management Practice To Control Erosion, Sedimentation And Runoff At Timberidge Farms, York County

-- Penn State Extension: Stormwater Training For Municipal Staff, Elected Officials

-- CBF: Salt For Snow And Ice: Effects On Waterways Not Very Nice

-- The Importance Of Snow And Forests To PA Streams And Groundwater

-- EPA Recognizes Excellence & Innovation in Clean Water Infrastructure Projects, Including Temple University Green Roof Project

-- Presentation Videos From 2020 Delaware Watershed Congress Now Available

-- DEP Announces $248,000 In Grants For Lake Erie Coastal Zone

-- DEP Announces $579,432 In Grants For Delaware Estuary Coastal Zone

-- Delaware River Basin Commission Recaps Dec. 9 Business Meeting

-- Save The Date: DRBC Advisory Committee On Climate Change To Host Climate Change Forum March 2

-- Andrew Johnson, William Penn Foundation’s Director Of Watershed Programs, To Retire In 2021

-- Dept. Of Agriculture Unveils Schedule For Virtual 2021 PA Farm Show; Highlights Of Educational, Environmental, Energy Events

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Releases Draft Comprehensive Plan For Public Comment; January Webinars Set

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Recaps Dec. 11 Business Meeting

-- PA, MD, VA Student Leaders Draft New Chesapeake Bay Outdoor Bill Of Rights

-- Chesapeake Bay Foundation Applauds Biden's Pick For EPA Administrator

-- Op-Ed: Biden-Harris Administration Should Invest In The Chesapeake Bay And Farmers - U.S. Senator Bob Casey

[Posted: December 15, 2020]

12/21/2020