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USDA/FS RIN: 0596-AC71 Publication ID: Spring 2011 
Title: Water Quality Management and Best Management Practices for Water and Soil Conservation  
Abstract: A new servicewide handbook, Best Management Practices for Water and Soil Conservation, is proposed to provide consistent national guidance for implementing the Agency's nonpoint source pollution control program in accordance with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly referred to as Clean Water Act; 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.), Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 311f et seq.), Department regulation (9500-007), and Agency policy (FSM 2532). Minor revisions to Agency policy to acknowledge and institutionalize the new handbook are also expected. This program is not new for the Forest Service; however, the guidance is. Existing regional BMPs, soil and water conservation practices, and monitoring programs that have proven to be successful are the foundation of the policy. Common aspects of these programs are being combined to standardize and streamline current Forest Service nonpoint source water pollution prevention programs for improved efficiency, consistency, and reporting. The Forest Service National BMP Program has two parts: * A set of BMPs that will encompass water resource protection measures for a full range of National Forest System land management activities. * A monitoring program to determine if practices are implemented and effective at meeting water resource and beneficial use protection objectives. Consolidating the many existing field-issued handbooks into a new servicewide directive is prompting both extensive internal review and a broad external review with interested publics. These reviews are critical to the success of implementing a consistent, national program. The proposed directive is expected to provide more effective implementation of the Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, the 1982 and 2008 NFMA planning regulations, and Department and Agency policies for protecting water resources from point sources of pollution. 
Agency: Department of Agriculture(USDA)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage 
Major: Undetermined  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: None     (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)
Legal Authority: Not Yet Determined   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
Proposed Directive  07/00/2011    
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined  Government Levels Affected: None 
Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Lorrie Parker
Regulatory Analyst
Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
ATTN: ORMS, D&R Branch, 1400 Independence Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20250-0003
Phone:202 205-6560
Fax:202 260-6539
Email: lsparker@fs.fed.us