Federal Register #NRCS-2026-0001

This notice from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announces updates to the hydric soils selection criteria in the National Soil Information System (NASIS) database. - Government Buyer: - United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) - OEMs and Vendors: - USDA NRCS (database owner and criteria authority) - Products/Services Requested: - No products or services are being procured; this is an informational and regulatory update - Notable Requirements and Details: - Update includes the addition of subaqueous landforms to the hydric soils list - Reflects new mapping and improved understanding of soils in previously unmapped areas - Based on the National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils (NTCHS) publication 'Hydric Soils of the United States' - Update is expected to have an insignificant impact on the overall acreage of hydric soils - Public comments are invited on the updated criteria and hydric soils lists - No procurement action, contract, or purchase is associated with this notice

The National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils (NTCHS) has updated the hydric criteria used to select map unit components for the hydric soils list. The update includes the addition of subaqueous landforms to the list of hydric soils, reflecting new mapping and knowledge of soils in previously unmapped areas. These soils have always met the hydric definition, so the change represents an insignificant increase in acreage. The notice provides details on the updated criteria and invites public comments by April 24, 2026.