Legislated Program

Legislated Program

Legislated State and federal programs have varying authorities and qualifying criteria that may require a different level of treatment or target one or more, but not all, identified resource problems and concerns. For example, RMS should not be confused with "conservation systems" as defined in 7CFR Section 12.2 for treatment of highly erodible land. A conservation system for Food Security Act purposes considers only erosion reduction. This reduction may not be equivalent to the quality criteria for RMS. As appropriate, program criteria and related guidance documents will be established and placed in Section III of the FOTG under separate headings. It is important that program criteria be distinguished from RMS criteria.

This section presents the requirements of Basic Conservation Systems (BCS) and Alternative. Conservation System (ACS) which are used when planning Highly Erodible Land under FSA. FSA plans are typically single purpose plans that address only the soil resource and mayor may not prescribe treatment to meet the quality criteria in the FOTG for the soil resource. If the plan prescribes treatment that meets quality criteria for soils, the FSA plan can be considered by definition an Alternative Management System (AMS) and a BCS. If the treatment prescribed does not meet quality criteria, then the plan is not considered an AMS, but for the purposes of FSA the plan qualifies as an ACS (see Figure 2).

Figure 2

FSA Plan
Meets Quality Criteria For Soils / Does No1 Meet Quality criteria For soils
BCS/AMS
Basic conservation System
Alternative Management System / ACS
Alternative Conservation System

Resource Management System

A Resource Management system is a combination of conservation practice and management measures identified by primary use of land and water. If installed will, at a minimum, protect the resource base by meeting acceptable soil losses, maintain acceptable water quality, maintain acceptable ecological and management levels for the selected resource use and meet the economic and social needs of the decision maker. In addition, Resource Management Systems may include conservation practices that restore or improve the resource base by exceeding the minimum to enhance water quality, land productivity, wildlife habitat, and improve health, safety and environmental conditions.

The kind of soil and the intended use of the resources must be considered in developing the Resource Management System. Soils suitable for each land use are found in Section II of the Technical Guide.

A Resource Management System is identified by primary land use, and is designed to meet resource needs and the land user's objectives. When a secondary land use is designated, minimum acceptable levels of essential treatment for both Resource Management Systems are required.

Performance Standards

The minimum levels of treatment for a Resource Management System apply to all and uses. They may not always apply equally to every land use or to every Resource Management System. However, when a resource problem is identified in the planning process, the treatment used for that resource problem must meet the minimum standard in order to establish a Resource Management System.

The Resource Concerns and quality criteria are as follows:

1. Erosion control -Soil loss is reduced to the designated "T" value or below and erosion from concentrated water flow is controlled.

1. Water disposal -Excess surface and subsurface water is safely disposed of through acceptable outlets without causing erosion or concentrating flow from other than natural patterns.

1. Animal waste and agri-chemical management -Animal wastes, other organic materials, pesticides, and fertilizers are managed to achieve the appropriate level of production using current recommendations and regulations to protect the resource base.

1. Resource management -Soils are managed to sustain plant production as well as promote acceptable ecological and vegetative conditions. Components adopted maintain soil tilth, minimize soil compaction, and provide adequate wildlife habitat using the most economical method.

1. Water management -Water is managed to provide land users with the acceptable quality and quantity as defined by their needs and state and local regulations.

1. Off-site effect -Off-site effects are evaluated and are at a level to meet Federal, State and local regulations.

Basic conservation systems

A Basic Conservation System is a practice or combination of practices that, as a minimum, provides for the reduction and/or maintenance of soil loss on Highly Erodible Land (HEL) to acceptable limits.

The objective in the planning and application of Basic Conservation Systems is to meet the minimum requirements of the Food Security Act (FSA) of 1985. A Basic Conservation system that meets the requirements of the FSA may differ from a Resource Management System in that it deals only with erosion control.

During the process of developing a Basic Conservation System, attention will be given to providing the producer with sound alternatives. The alternatives should give producers a chance to consider the most cost-effective treatment that meets their objectives and also provides for compliance with the FSA.

Performance Standards

The minimum level of treatment for a Basic Conservation System is that which when applied, results in soil loss at or below acceptable levels. In developing a Basic Conservation System, all forms of soil erosion including sheet, rill, wind and gully erosion must be controlled to the established acceptable level.

Alternative conservation system

An Alternative Conservation System (ACS) consists of a conservation practice or combination of conservation practices that "substantially" reduces erosion on highly erodible land (HEL).

The objective in the planning and application of ACS's is to meet the minimum requirements of the Food Security Act (FSA) of 1985.

ACS's are available to land users who cannot, for economic or other reasons, be reasonably expected to install a Basic Conservation System. The justification for the ACS must be documented in the conservation assistance notes.

During the planning process, the land user will be provided with sound alternatives that include practices needed to upgrade an ACS to a basic conservation system.

The following page includes ACS's approved for use in Rhode Island. Other practices may be substituted for those listed in a system, provided erosion is treated to a level equivalent to that shown in the examples. All installed practices must meet standards and specifications in FOTG Section IV.

These ACS's are based upon average field situations. Additional practices will be required when the actual field conditions require further treatment because of steeper or longer slopes or more intensive cropping operations. In addition to the ACS selected for the field, any ephemeral gully erosion must be treated to a level equivalent to that of sheet and rill erosion using the selected ACS.

Alternative Conservation System

Conservation Practice / Alternative Conservation System
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15
CCS-1: Continuous corn for silage / X / X / X / X / X
CCS-2: Silage corn-3 years; hay-1 year / X
CCS-3: Silage corn-3 years; Rye cover-UN-harvested / X
CCS-4: Silage corn-3 years; hay-1 year / X
CCS-5: Silage corn-1 year; Rye cover-UN-harvested / X
CCS-6: Silage corn-1 years; hay-2 year / X
CCS-7: Silage corn-2 years; hay-5 year / X
CCS-8: Silage corn-3 years; hay-8 year / X
CCS-9: Silage corn-3 years; hay-5 year or max. C= 0.20 / X
CCS-10: Silage corn-5 years; hay-5 year or max. C= 0.11 / X
CROSS-SLOPE / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
COVER CROP-1: Plant by September 15 / X / X / X / X / X
COVER CROP-2: Plant by October 1 / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
CONTILLAGE: Conservation Tillage with 30% residues / X / X
REDUCED TILL: At least 20% residues at corn planting time / X / X
DIVERSION/TERRACE / X
CCS-11: Continuous Vegetables or flowers / X

Alternative Conservation Systems (ACS'S)

Soil Capability Class II - 3 to 8 percent slopes

Before Condition - Continuous silage corn planted in may, no cover, up and down the slope direction, maximum slope of 8 percent and slope length of 200 feet.

Before soil loss - a = RKLSCP

A = 150 X .24 assume X 1.4 X .46 X 1 = 23 tons per acre.

To produce continuous corn on slopes of 3 to 8%, land users need to have an acceptable conservation system to reduce soil loss to not more than 11 tons per acre (reduction of 50% of the worst case, no treatment, condition of 23 tons per acre). This is to be achieved with the following constraint: LSC-max = 0.31. LS = 0.31/C and C = 0.31/LS.

If slope is at maximum of 8 percent for before condition, then slope length maximum must be reduced to no more than 120 feet for the following ACS conditions:

ACS #1 - Continuous silage corn, conventional plant in May, cross slope tillage, and fall cover established by October 1, annually.

After Soil Loss (ACS #1)

A = RKLSCP = 150 X .24 X 1.1 X .31 X .9 =11 tons per acre.

(If C = 0.31, then LS-max = 1.1 when P = 0.9)

ACS #2 - Continuous silage corn, conventional plant in May, up and down slope tillage, and fall cover established by September 15 annually.

After Soil Loss (ACS #2)

A = RKLSCP = 150 X .24 X 1.1 X .28 X 1 = 11 tons per acre.

(If C = 0.28, then LS-max = 1.1 when P = 1.0)

Note:
For Slope percents of less than the maximum 8 percent for LLC # 2 conditions, the following adjustments can be made for ACS # 1 and ACS # 2:
Percent Slope / Maximum Length (Feet)
3 / None
4 / None
5 / 400
6 / 250
7 / 200
8 / 120

* See Soil Survey of Rhode Island - individual soil map unit descriptions for capability class.

To meet requirements for using ACS #1 and ACS #2 for continuous silage corn, stay within the 400 feet maximum length for a 5 percent slopes down to the maximum limit of 120 feet for 8 percent slopes.

ACS #3 - Continuous silage corn, reduced tillage with 20 percent over after corn planting in May, cross slope tillage, and fall cover established by October 1, annually.

After Soil Loss (ACS #3)

A = RKLSCP = 150 X .24 X 1.6 X .18 X .1 = 10 Tons per acre.

ACS #4 - Continuous silage corn, reduced tillage with 20 percent cover after corn planting in May, up and down slope, and fall cover established by September 15, annually.

After Soil Loss (ACS #4)

A = RKLSCP = 150 X .24 X 1.6 X .22 X .9 =11 tons per acre

ACS #5 - Rotation of silage corn for three years, conventional plant in May, cross slope tillage, fall cover established by October 1, annually, and hay planted for one year.

After Soil Loss (ACS #5)

A = RKLSCP = 150 X .24 X 1.6 X .22 X .9 = 11 Tons per acre.

ACS #6 - Rotation of silage corn for three years, conventional plant in May, cross slope tillage, fall cover established by October 1, annually and rye cover planted for ACR and managed for three years.

After Soil Loss (ACS #6)

A = RKLSCP = 150 X .24 X 1.6 X .22 X .9 = 11 Tons per acre.

(If C = .22 then LS-max = 1.6 At 8 percent slope, maximum slope length = 250 feet).

Example: LS = A/RKCP = 10/150 X .24 X .18 X 1 =1.6

***

Soil Capability Class III - 8 to 15 percent slopes

BEFORE CONDITION - continuous silage corn, no cover, up and down the slope direction, charlton/paxton/woodbridge soils, maximum slope of 15 percent and slope length of 200 feet.

BEFOR SOIL LOSS - A = RKLSCP

A = 150 X .24 X 3.6 X .46 X 1 = 60 tons per acre.

To produce silage corn on slopes of 8 to 15%, land users need to have an acceptable conservation system to reduce soil loss to not more than 12 tons per acre. This is to be achieved with the following constraint: LSC-max = 0.37.

If slope is at maximum of 15 percent for LCC #3 before condition, then slope length maximum must be reduced to no more than 100 feet for the following ACS conditions:

ACS #7 - Continuous silage corn, conservation tillage with 30 percent cover after corn planting in May, cross slope tillage, and fall cover established by September 15, annually.

AFTER SOIL LOSS (ACS #7)

A = RKLSCP = 150 X .24 X 2.5 X .14 X .9 = 11 tons per acre.

ACS #8 - Rotation of silage corn for three years, conventional plant in May, cross slope tillage, fall cover established by October 1, annually and hay planted for three years.

AFTER SOIL LOSS (ACS #8)

A = RKLSCP = 150 X .24 X 2.5 X .15 X .9 = 12 tons per acre.

ACS #9 - Rotation of silage corn for one year, conventional plant in May, cross slope tillage, fall cover established by September 15, and rye cover managed for ACR for three years.

AFTER SOIL LOSS (ACS #9)

A = RKLSCP = 150 X .24 X 2.5 X .15 X .9 = 12 tons per acre.

***

Soil Capability Class VI - 15 to 25 percent slopes

BEFORE CONDITION - continuous silage corn planted in May, no cover, up and down the slope direction, charlton/paxton/woodbridge soils, maximum slope of 25 percent and slope length of 200 feet.

BEFORE SOIL LOSS - A = RKLSCP

A = 150 X .24 X 8.3 X .46 X 1 = 137 tons per acre.

To produce occasional row crops on slopes of 15 to 20 percent, land users need to have an acceptable conservation system to reduce soil loss to not more than 12 tons per acre. This is to be achieved with the following constraint: LSC-max = 0.33, and NO ROW CROPS ARE ALLOWED ON ANY SLOPES GREATER THAN 20 PERCENT. Slopes greater than 20 percent need to plant to hay, pasture or other protective land uses.

If slope is at maximum of 20 percent for LCC #4 before conditions, then slope length maximum must be reduced to no more than 100 feet for the following ACS conditions:

ACS #10 - Rotation of silage corn for one year, conventional plant in May, up and down slope tillage, fall cover established by October 1, annually, and hay planted for two years.

AFTER SOIL LOSS (ACS #10)

A = RKLSCP = 150 X .24 X 4.1 X .08 X 1 = 12 tons per acre.

ACS #11 - Rotation of silage corn for two years, conventional plant in May, up and down slope tillage, fall cover established by October 1, annually, and hay planted for five years.

AFTER SOIL LOSS (ACS #11)

A = RKLSCP = 150 X .24 X 4.1 X .08 X 1 = 12 tons per acre.

ACS #12 - Rotation of silage corn for three years, conventional plant in May, up and down slope tillage, fall cover established by October 1, annually, and hay planted for eight yearsl

AFTER SOIL LOSS (ACS #12)

A = RKLSCP = 150 X .24 X 4.1 X .08 X 1 = 12 tons per acre.

***

SITUATION 4: Continuous corn for silage, no cover, up and down slope farming. Slopes is 15% for 200 feet. Soil is Newport. (ALTERNATIVE #8)

A = RKLSCP

A = 150 X 0.28 X 3.6 X 0.46 X 1

A = 70 tons per acre per year.

ACS #13 - Crop Rotation of corn 3 years, hay 5 years, conventional tillage, cover crop (mid-October), contour farming, reduce slope (diversion/terrace).

A = RKLSCP

A = 150 X 0.28 X 2.57 X 0.11 X 0.8

A = 9.5 tons per acre per year.

The following Alternative is acceptable only for fields of 8% slopes or less (or maximum LS = 1.21), 5 acres size or less, and length of field is greater than twice the width.

ACS #14 - Crop Rotation of corn 5 years, hay 5 years, conventional tillage, cover crop (mid-October), up and down slope farming.

A = RKLSCP

A = 150 X 0.28 X 1.21 X 0.20 X 1

A = 10.2 tons per acre per year.

SITUATION: Continuous vegetables or flowers, no cover, up and down slopes farming. Slope is 6% for 140 feet. Soil is Charlton (ALTERNATIVE #1)

A = RKLSCP

A = 150 X 0.24 X 0.8 X 0.64 X 1

A = 18 tons per acre per year.

ACS #15 - Continuous vegetables or flowers, conventional tillage, cover crop (early September), cross slope farming.

A = RKLSCP

A = 150 X 0.24 X 0.8 X 0.31 X 0.75

A = 6.7 tons per acre per year.

Notes

If actual, onsite slope lengths are greater than those given in the listed ACS's, either adjust the crop C-max factor downward through less intensive cropping sequences, or reduce the slopes length mechanically through installation of conservation practices to stay within the maximum LSC constraints for each land capability class.

If actual, onsite slope lengths are less than those given in the listed ACS's, it is permissible to adjust the crop C-max factor upward through more intensive cropping sequences, yet not exceed the maximum LSC constraints for each land capability class.

If 15 to 20 tons of as-produced manure (i.e. free stall with little bedding) is added in the fall and spring tilled, reduce the overall C-factor by 0.02.

If 15 to 20 tons of manure with bedding (i.e. young stock or stanchion barns with hay or straw) is added in the fall and spring tilled, reduce the overall C-factor by 10 percent.

Substitute ACS's may be used so long as they do not exceed the land capability class constraints or raise the soil loss above that of the ACS being substituted.

A conservation system on a long slope length may be acceptable for treating sheet and rill erosion yet may have ephemeral gullies. If so, plan to treat this erosion separately.

USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service 1Draft August, 2002

Rhode Island Technical GuideSection III