An area that includes all operational rail systems and their rights-of-way. Abandoned railroad beds are not included.

The number of rainfall erosion index units, plus a factor for runoff from snowmelt or applied water where such runoff is significant.

Male sheep of breeding age. Baby males are called

Land where the potential plant cover is composed of native grasses, grass like plants, forbs or shrubs suitable for grazing and browsing and introduced forage species that are managed like rangeland. Grasslands, savannas, many wetlands, some deserts, and tundra area considered to be rangeland.

Land or water that is used primarily for recreation purposes.

An annual payment for continuing to perform/ maintain conservation practices that are present when a program contract is signed.

Practices repeated on the same field over the life of a contract to achieve specific habitat attributes such as early successional stages.

The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) employee authorized to direct and supervise NRCS activities in a region.

The process whereby dry land is permanently exposed by a gradually receding waterline.

The science and art of obtaining information about an object, area, or phenomenon through the analysis of data acquired by a device that is not in contact with the object, area, or phenomenon under investigation.

The cost at today's prices and using today's construction methods, of building an improvement having the same or equivalent usefulness as the subject property.

The cost at today's prices of constructing an exact replica of the subject improvements using the same or very similar materials.

The combination of conservation practices that, when installed, will provide the treatment required to solve identified problems to meet identified program objectives.

a pond, lake, basin, or other space, created for the use of storage, regulation, and control of water.

Elements of the natural resources that may be sensitive to change by natural forces or human activity. These elements directly impact the conservation planning process.

The Resource Conservation and Development, or RC&D, is a unit of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is administered by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). RC&D is a unique program that is led by local volunteer councils. The RC&D helps people protect and develop their economic, natural, and social resources. Program objectives address improving the quality of life, continuing prudent use of natural resources and strengthening local citizen

A system of conservation practices and management of land or water use that helps to prevent the degradation of natural resources.

The condition related to one or more resources that does not meet the minimum condition levels.

A crop rotation that includes at least one resource-conserving crop and that reduces erosion, maintains, or improves soil fertility and tilth, interrupts pest cycles, or conserves soil moisture and water.

The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) official with responsibility to hear the appellant

A measure of the effect of ridges made by tillage and planting equipment.

Land along water bodies that is normally distinctly different from the surrounding land because of unique soil and vegetation characteristics.

The trees and other vegetation that grow along the edges of a waterway. These plants provide a buffer that protects the stream and can stabilize the stream channel.

The right of a landowner whose land borders a river or stream to use and enjoy that water.

All wetland and deepwater habitats contained within a channel.

Barren, coarse-textured land that is exposed along streams at low water and are subject to shifting during normal high water. It is a subcategory of barren land.

Pasturing system that allows short periods of heavy use, followed by a recovery period; it allows the forage to be used more fully and effectively.

Genetically engineered soybeans that are resistant to the effects of the herbicide glyphosate, which is often marketed under the trade name Roundup. Roundup Ready seed is more expensive, but it usually requires fewer herbicide applications. This benefits farmers since it reduces crop protectant and labor costs, and it benefits everybody, including farmers, since it reduces the overall volume of crop protectant used on soybeans.

Row crops include corn, soybeans, peanuts, potatoes, sorghum, sugar beets, sunflowers, tobacco, vegetables, and cotton.

The Rural Development (RD) is a unit of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. RD helps to improve the economy and quality of life in rural areas by providing financial assistance, economic development, housing programs, community empowerment programs, and essential public facilities and services.

Land that consists of all highways, roads, railroads, and associated right of ways outside urban areas.