Comment on FR Doc # 2026-11327

See attached documents for full comments Re: Docket No. NRCS-2026-0034-0001 Submitted electronically via http://www.regulations.gov Dear Mr. Jones: This letter is the official response of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) request in the Federal Register (Docket No NRCS-2026-0034-0001) for comments regarding the proposed revisions to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices for the Natural Resources Conservation Service. As the state agency in Texas responsible for protecting fish and wildlife resources, TPWD’s duties include providing information and recommendations that protect fish and wildlife resources to local, state, and federal agencies that make decisions, deliver programmatic financial assistance and technical guidance, or make rules for practice implementation that may affect those resources. As such, TPWD appreciates the opportunity to provide comments on the revisions to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices as requested. NRCS Technical Assistance and Financial Assistance programs are important tools for the conservation of air, soil, water, and wildlife habitat, which are equally important natural resource priorities in the Farm Bill. National Conservation Practice Standards (CPS) are put forth as notices in the National Handbook of Conservation Practices (NHCP) and distributed to agencies, planning staff, states, and the public through access to the Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG). The establishment of minimum practice standards guides the use of conservation practices across NRCS programs and are often referenced for many conservation delivery programs developed by other federal, state, and non-government organizations across the nation. NRCS conservation practices have the potential to benefit both production agriculture and wildlife habitat, provided that CPS set appropriate minimum requirements. These standards must avoid limiting opportunities to enhance wildlife habitat or favoring practices that could degrade it. TPWD will participate in the USDA rulemaking process, as appropriate, to advocate for outcomes that best serve both Texans and the wildlife resources we are entrusted to manage. The comments provided reflect our intent to support and defend beneficial rules while offering constructive feedback to improve program effectiveness. TPWD has organized its comments as general recommendations on CPS language, grouped by Practice Name and corresponding numeric Practice Code. General Comments • Inclusion of Wildlife Habitat as a Resource Concern: Clearly identifying wildlife habitat as a resource concern in the Definition and Purpose sections of CPS notices reinforces its legitimacy as a conservation priority for NRCS programs. This language should be standardized across all practices that meaningfully establish, restore, improve, or manage natural resources in ways that benefit wildlife populations. • Consultation with State Wildlife Agencies: State fish and wildlife agencies are the appropriate authorities for determining whether CPS outcomes are beneficial to wildlife habitat. • Use of Native, Site-Appropriate Plant Materials: The use of non-native species has contributed to the decline of native plant communities and the wildlife species that rely on them. CPS language should prioritize, and where feasible, require the use of native, site-appropriate plant materials across all practices involving non-crop plantings and their management to fulfill the purposes of the practice. TPWD encourages NRCS to rely on Ecological Site Description models to prioritize the selection of appropriate native plant species and varieties, and to incorporate this approach consistently into practice standards and through program implementation at the federal, state, and local levels. TPWD supports the inclusion of language stating that the planning, design, and construction of a water well must meet all applicable federal, state, tribal and local laws, rules, regulations, permits as Texas has sensitive aquifer areas such as the Edwards Aquifer. TPWD appreciates the opportunity to review and comment on the proposed revisions to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices on behalf of the wildlife and natural resources of Texas. We look forward to providing further assistance as needed. Please contact the TPWD Farm Bill Coordinator, Mr. Will Newman by email at william.newman@tpwd.texas.gov or by phone at (254) 718-7684, if you have any questions or wish to discuss these recommendations. Sincerely, Alan Cain Wildlife Division Director