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Naphtha

A generic term applied to a petroleum fraction with an approximate boiling range between 122 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

National Agricultural Library (NAL)

A national depository of scientific and popular agricultural information located at the Agricultural Research Service’s research center in Beltsville, Maryland. NAL’s administration was merged with ARS in 1994.

National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)

A USDA agency that collects and publishes statistics on the U.S. food and fiber system, with offices located in each state’s department of agriculture.

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)

National standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency under authority of the Clean Air Act; NAAQS define the maximum allowable concentrations of specified air pollutants in outdoor (ambient) air. NAAQS have been set for carbon monoxide, particulate matter, sulfur oxides, nitrogen dioxide, lead, and ozone. "Primary" NAAQS protect human health, with a margin of safety; "secondary" NAAQS protect human welfare, which includes effects on soils, water, crops, vegetation, materials, etc.

National Environmental Policy Act of 1970

P.L. 91-190 (January 1, 1970) made a declaration of national environmental policy and established a continuing responsibility of the federal government to reach a number of substantive goals that embody nationwide improvements in environmental quality. Federal policies, regulations, and laws must be administered in accordance with NEPA. To insure this is accomplished, all federal agencies must consider the environmental consequences of their actions through the preparation of environmental impact statements (EIS). Also, the law creates the Council on Environmental Quality in the Executive Office of the President.

National forest

Originally, forest reserves, established by Presidential proclamation mostly between 1891 and 1909. Today, the boundaries of the 155 national forests cannot be modified without congressional authorization, although many (especially eastern) national forests are combined for easier administration. The 117 administrative units, commonly referred to as national forests, are managed by the Forest Service for multiple use and sustained yield of renewable resources, as determined in forest plans.

National Forest System (NFS)

The 192 million acres administered by the Forest Service for multiple use; comprised of 155 national forests (in 117 units) with 187 million acres, 20 national grasslands with 4 million acres, and 112 other units (e.g., purchase units, land utilization projects, research and experimental areas) with about 500,000 acres. While the NFS lands are concentrated in the West, the 25 million acres east of the 100th Meridian (the Great Plains) make the Forest Service the largest land manager in the East.

National Resources Inventory (NRI)

A periodic survey of status and changing conditions of the soil, water, and related resources on private land conducted by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. The survey is conducted every 5 years, most recently in 1997. As of early 1999, the most recent published survey was for 1992.

National Wetland Inventory

An ongoing national survey of wetlands conducted by the Fish and Wildlife Service, primarily for scientific purposes. The data and maps it produces were used to track gains and losses of wetlands for more than two decades. The wetland tracking function will be now be done by the Natural Resources Inventory, most recently conducted in 1997.

National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS)

Consists of all of the National Wildlife Refuges, the Waterfowl Production Areas, and certain other small tracts managed by states under cooperative agreements with the Fish and Wildlife Service. In general, these areas are managed primarily for conservation of wild plants and animals (particularly waterfowl). Other uses, such as recreation, grazing, energy development, etc., are permitted to the extent they are compatible with the conservation purpose. Some refuges have additional purposes defined in law.

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