Natural Resources Conservation Service

Fiscal Year 2022 Program Guidance

Document or Resource Name

Description

NRCS eDirectives - NI 440-320 - Guidance for Implementing Conservation Planning Activity, Design and Implementation Activity, and Conservation Evaluation and Monitoring Activity

Code
 

Type

Name

Description

Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan

A site specific design and implementation activity plan developed for an Animal Feeding Operation (AFO) or user of the by-products of an AFO that includes components for both structural and non-structural conservation practices that address the planned practices for land application of manure and nutrients, and the handling, transfer, storage and treatment of animal wastes.

A site specific conservation plan developed for an Animal Feeding Operation (AFO) or user of the by-products of an AFO that includes the following two components: (a) The production area including the animal confinement, feed and other raw materials storage areas, and the waste handling containment or storage areas, and (b) the land treatment area, including any land under control of the AFO owner or operator, whether it is owned, rented, or leased, and to which manure or process wastewater from the production area is, or might be, applied for crop and/or pasture production.

Forest Management Plan

A site specific conservation plan that contains planned forest related conservation treatment activities for one or more resource concerns.

A conservation plan that contains planned conservation treatment activities for resource concerns resulting from the transition of conventional to organic production systems.

Conservation Plan Supporting Transition to Organic is a component plan that includes a combination of structural and management practices for an agricultural operation transitioning to become certified organic by USDA.

A site-specific component of a conservation plan. The DIA-140 is developed for a client to address one or more resource concerns on farms transitioning to certified organic production where related conservation activities and/or practices will be planned and implemented. The plan describes how to implement long-term goals through practices that direct farm development to provide for intended future uses.

Plan, design and document the conservation practices needed to address a fish or wildlife habitat resource concern.

A fish and wildlife habitat Design and Implementation Activity (DIA) is a site-specific plan developed for a client who wishes to plan and implement decisions with consideration for fish and wildlife habitat.

Plan, design and document the conservation practices needed to address a pollinator habitat resource concern.

A pollinator habitat enhancement plan is a site-specific plan developed for a client that addresses the improvement, protection, restoration, enhancement, or expansion of flower-rich habitat that supports native and/or managed pollinators.

Design the rate, source, placement, and timing of plant nutrients and soil amendments while reducing environmental impacts. Implementation requirements for Conservation Practice Standard (CPS) 590 Nutrient Management along with other supporting conservation practices are developed.

Nutrient management plans are documents of record, establishing how nutrients will be managed including the Rate, Source, Placement and Timing of plan nutrients for plant production while addressing identified resource concerns including the offsite movement of nutrients. Prepare plans in collaboration with the producer and/or landowner design them to help the producer implement and maintain an effective nutrient application plan based on available sources.

Manage the harvest of vegetation with grazing and/or browsing animals with the intent to achieve specific ecological, economic and management objectives. Plan prescribed grazing to accomplish one or more purposes described in the conservation practice following general criteria, considerations and operation and maintenance.

A Grazing Management Design and Implementation Activity (DIA) is a site-specific plan developed for a client who wishes to plan and implement decisions on land where grazing related activities or practices will be planned and applied.

Planned fire applied to a predetermined area to accomplish one or more of the purposes described in the conservation practice standard following general criteria, considerations and operation and maintenance.

A Prescribed Burning Design and Implementation Activity (DIA) is a site-specific plan developed for a client who wishes to plan and implement decisions on land where prescribed burning related activities or practices will be planned and applied.

Pest Management Conservation System manages pests using a combination of conservation practices and Prevention, Avoidance, Monitoring, and Suppression (PAMS) techniques. It addresses beneficial organism, plant pressure, surface, and groundwater impacts.

Pest management plans are documents of record establishing how pests will be managed while addressing identified resource concerns including plant pest pressure, beneficial organisms, and the movement of pesticides. These plans are prepared in collaboration with producer and/or landowner and designed to help the producer implement and maintain an effective plan for the management of pests from available sources.

Develop site specific recommendations and designs for soil health related practices that address the 4 principles of soil health as identified in CPA 116 or a conservation plan.

Design the drainage volume and water table elevation by regulating the flow from a surface or subsurface agricultural drainage system. Implementation requirements for CPS 554 Drainage Water Management along with other supporting conservation practices are developed.

Design conservation practices found in a site specific Forest Management Plan (CPA 106) or that address the planned practices to meet conservation objectives.

A site-specific forestry activity, as a component of a forest management plan. The DIA-165 is developed for a client to address one or more resource concerns on nonindustrial private forestland where forestry-related conservation activities and/or practices will be planned and implemented. The plan describes how to implement long-term goals through practices that direct forest development to provide for intended future uses.

 A Conservation Plan addresses a limited number of resource concerns - or even a single resource concern – and consequently does not achieve a resource management system (RMS) level of treatment.

Quantitative testing for physical, biological, or chemical characteristics of soil and constraints of soil using approved laboratory methods.

Quantitative assessment of the carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation scenarios for an operation with a conservation plan using COMET-Farm.