National Bulletin:	210-22-12	Date:	September 15, 2022
Subject:	ENG – Review of Draft 210-NEH Part 631, Chapter 5

Action Required By: October 15, 2022

Purpose. The purpose of this national bulletin is to request State (or equivalent) and Center review of draft Title 210, National Engineering Handbook (NEH), Part 631, Chapter 5, “Engineering Geology Logging, Sampling, and Testing”.

Expiration Date. October 31, 2022

Background. 210-NEH-631, Chapter 5 is the preferred NRCS reference for the logging, sampling, and testing in geologic investigations and design of on-farm conservation practices. This version of 210-NEH-631, Chapter 5 incorporates technical releases and updates to drilling methods, techniques, shipping considerations, and equipment.

Attached to this national bulletin are:

1. A draft copy of 210-NEH-631, Chapter 5 for review

2. A revision summary sheet for 210-NEH-631, Chapter 5, which includes notes regarding NEH chapter formatting

3. A spreadsheet for compiling State review comments for Chapter 5.

Explanation. State Conservation Engineers (or equivalent) and Center staffs are to review the attached 210-NEH-631, Chapter 5 and submit one set of compiled comments per State (or equivalent) or Center by October 15, 2022. The attached spreadsheet contains further instructions.

More than one submittal per State or Center will not be accepted. State Conservation Engineer or Center Director, or their designee, must send submittal with an explanatory note. States are asked to respond by the due date whether they submit comments or not.

Email comments and responses to Steve Reinsch, Acting Director of Conservation Engineering Division (CED), at steve.reinsch@usda.gov.

States are urged not to delay starting reviews until right before the due date.

Contact. Contact Steve Reinsch, Acting Director of CED, by email at steve.reinsch@usda.gov with any questions or concerns about the contents of this national bulletin.

/s/

Noller Herbert
Deputy Chief for Science and Technology

Attachment 1 – Draft of 210-NEH-631, Chapter 5
Attachment 2 – Revision Summary to 210-NEH-631, Chapter 5
Attachment 3 – Spreadsheet for Compiling State Review Comments for Chapter 5