NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE CONSERVATION PRACTICE STANDARD LAND SMOOTHING (Ac.) 466 DEFINITION The land to be smoothed will be cleared of vegetative matter and trash. Land smoothing is removing irregularities on the land surface. CONSIDERATIONS PURPOSE Where possible, the ground surface should be plowed or disked prior to smoothing. Land smoothing improves surface drainage, provides for more uniform cultivation, and Consider the effects on the budget, improves equipment operation and efficiency. especially on volumes and rates of runoff, infiltration, and evaporation. CONDITIONS WHERE PRACTICE APPLIES Effect on erosion and the movement of This practice applies to land areas where sediment and soluble substances attached to depressions, mounds, old terraces, turn-rows, sediment carried by runoff should be and other surface irregularities interfere with minimized. the application of needed soil and water Potential for earth moving to uncover or conservation and management practices. redistribute toxic materials, such as saline soils Land smoothing is limited to land having should be addressed. adequate soil depth or where topsoil can be Consider the effects on wetland hydrology salvaged and replaced. and/or wetland wildlife habitat. Land smoothing does not apply to the regular Address potential impacts to existing utilities maintenance on irrigated land or on land that by locating and avoiding all utilities. has been modified using practice standards Precision Land Forming (462) or Irrigation Consider the effects on soil loss due to Land Leveling (464). increased wind erosion potential and subsequent deposition. CRITERIA Ensure that cultural resources, inventory and The extent of rough grading required and assessment have been completed prior to tolerances of the finished smoothing job must movement of soil. be in keeping with the requirements of the planned cropping system. PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS Construction operations are to be carried out in Plans and specifications for land smoothing such a manner that erosion and air and water must be in keeping with this standard and must pollution are minimized. describe the requirements for applying the practice to achieve its intended purpose. Smooth irregularities to the degree required for Plans and specifications must include the planned use. construction plans, drawings, job sheets or
NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE CONSERVATION PRACTICE STANDARD LAND SMOOTHING (Ac.) 466 DEFINITION Land smoothing is removing irregularities on the land surface. PURPOSE Land smoothing improves surface drainage, provides for more uniform cultivation, and improves equipment operation and efficiency. CONDITIONS WHERE PRACTICE APPLIES This practice applies to land areas where depressions, mounds, old terraces, turn-rows, and other surface irregularities interfere with the application of needed soil and water conservation and management practices. Land smoothing is limited to land having adequate soil depth or where topsoil can be salvaged and replaced. Land smoothing does not apply to the regular maintenance on irrigated land or on land that has been modified using practice standards Precision Land Forming (462) or Irrigation Land Leveling (464). CRITERIA The extent of rough grading required and tolerances of the finished smoothing job must be in keeping with the requirements of the planned cropping system. Construction operations are to be carried out in such a manner that erosion and air and water pollution are minimized. Smooth irregularities to the degree required for the planned use. The land to be smoothed will be cleared of vegetative matter and trash. CONSIDERATIONS Where possible, the ground surface should be plowed or disked prior to smoothing. Consider the effects on the budget, especially on volumes and rates of runoff, infiltration, and evaporation. Effect on erosion and the movement of sediment and soluble substances attached to sediment carried by runoff should be minimized. Potential for earth moving to uncover or redistribute toxic materials, such as saline soils should be addressed. Consider the effects on wetland hydrology and/or wetland wildlife habitat. Address potential impacts to existing utilities by locating and avoiding all utilities. Consider the effects on soil loss due to increased wind erosion potential and subsequent deposition. Ensure that cultural resources, inventory and assessment have been completed prior to movement of soil. PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS Plans and specifications for land smoothing must be in keeping with this standard and must describe the requirements for applying the practice to achieve its intended purpose. Plans and specifications must include construction plans, drawings, job sheets or
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