National Bulletin 290-24-5
National Bulletin: 290-24-5
Date: February 21, 2024
Subject: INV – 2024 National Resources Inventory Grazing Lands Onsite Data Collection Timelines
Action Required By: October 31, 2024
Purpose: This national bulletin provides information regarding the 2024 National Resources Inventory (NRI) Grazing Land Onsite Data Collection on nonfederal and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) federal land.
Expiration Date: December 31, 2024
Background
Under 290 GM Part 400, states are responsible for coordinating, collecting, and reviewing NRI data collection, including Grazing Land Onsite survey data, for nonfederal pastureland, nonfederal rangeland, and BLM-managed federal rangeland. Lists of the sample sites selected for NRI Grazing Land Onsite surveys are provided to states to assist with planning. Aerial photo maps of sample sites are also provided.
Explanation
The 2024 NRI Grazing Land Onsite surveys will collect data on:
- Nonfederal pastureland in the 48 coterminous states
- Nonfederal rangeland in 20 states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming)
- BLM-managed federal rangeland in 13 states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming)
Lists of sample segments have been provided to states for the 2024 NRI Grazing Land Onsite data collection on non-Federal pastureland and, where applicable, nonfederal rangeland and BLM-managed federal rangeland. NRCS is committed to honoring its agreement with the BLM to carry out data collection on their land in a timely manner, following established protocols.
Data collection will begin March 1, 2024, and continue until September 30, 2024, dependent on location. There are three collection windows, as shown in the attachments in both map and spreadsheet form. As needed based on conditions, data collection may occur up to 2 weeks before or after the allowed windows. States with questions about segment collection timelines should use best judgement on local vegetative growth patterns or consult with the NRI Grazing Land Onsite national leader identified below.
In fiscal year 2024, use of the Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro handheld data collection device, the Bad Elf Flex Mini GNSS, and the “NRI CASI for Grassland and Shrubland” Android app is mandatory. Information about fiscal year 2024 training opportunities will be provided by the FPAC Employee Development Section through AgLearn, or from the national program leader as appropriate.
The importance of quality assurance in the data collection and data review processes cannot be overstated. This importance is only superseded by the importance of employee safety during data collection and the confidentiality of all data and locations.
States must complete all data reviews for quality assurance by October 31, 2024. These data reviews are critical as they provide a state-level, local review of data collected before data analysis and release for approved use in support of the agency’s science-based, technical mission. Technical assistance is available throughout the data collection process from technical experts at the Iowa State University Center for Survey Statistics and Methodology (nri-graze-help@iastate.edu) and from NRCS regional grazing land specialists at each of the agency’s national technical support centers.
Contact
Contact Erik Suffridge, NRI Grazing Land Onsite national leader of the NRCS Resource Inventory and Assessment Division, at erik.suffridge@usda.gov with any questions.
MLRA Map of NRI Grazing Land Onsite Data Collection, February 2024.
MLRA Timelines of NRI Grazing Land Onsite Data Collection, February 2024.