Notice of Intent, 7227-7228 [05-2663]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 28 / Friday, February 11, 2005 / Notices Forest Service welcomes any public comments on the proposal. National Environmental Policy Act at 40 CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points. Early Notice of Importance of Public Participation in Subsequent Environmental Review A draft environmental impact statement will be prepared for comment. The comment period on the draft environmental impact statement will be 45 days from the date the Environmental Protection Agency’s notice of availability appears in the Federal Register. It is very important that those interested in this proposed action participate at that time. To be the most helpful, comments on the draft environmental impact statement should be as specific as possible and may address the adequacy of the statement or the merits of the alternatives discussed. The Forest Service believes, at this early stage, it is important to give reviewers notice of several court rulings related to public participation in the environmental review process. First, reviewers of draft environmental impact statements must structure their participation in the environmental review of the proposal so that it is meaningful and alerts an agency to the reviewer’s position and contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553 (1978). Also, environmental objections that could be raised at the draft environmental impact statement stage but that are not raised until after completion of the final environmental impact statement may be waived or dismissed by the courts. City of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016, 1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Because of these court rulings, it is very important that those interested in this proposed action participate by the close of the 30day comment period so that substantive comments and objections are made available to the Forest Service at a time when it can meaningfully consider them and respond to them in the final environmental impact statement. To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues and concerns on the proposed action, comments on the draft environmental impact statement should be as specific as possible. It is also helpful if comments refer to specific pages or chapters of the draft statement. Comments may also address the adequacy of the draft environmental impact statement or the merits of the alternatives formulated and discussed in the statement. Reviewers may wish to refer to the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of the (Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22; Forest Service Handbook 1909.15, Section 21) VerDate jul<14>2003 17:18 Feb 10, 2005 Jkt 205001 Dated: February 7, 2005. Thomas L. Tidwell, Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 05–2672 Filed 2–10–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–M DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Notice of Tri-County Advisory Committee Meeting Forest Service, USDA. Notice of meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: Pursuant to the authorities in the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92–463) and under the Secure Rural Schools and Community SelfDetermination Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106– 393) the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest’s Tri-County Resource Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, March 3, 2005, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Deer Lodge, Montana, for a business meeting. The meeting is open to the public. DATES: Thursday, March 3, 2005. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the USDA Service Center, 1002 Hollenback Road, Deer Lodge, Montana. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas K. Reilly, Designated Forest Official (DFO), Forest Supervisor, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, at (406) 683–3973. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Agenda topics for this meeting includes a review of projects approved and proposed for funding as authorized under Title II of Public Law 106–393, new proposals for funding, review of a community fire plan, and public comment. If the meeting location is changed, notice will be posted in local newspapers, including The Montana Standard. Dated: February 7, 2005. Thomas K. Reilly, Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 05–2670 Filed 2–10–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–M DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Natural Resources Conservation Service Notice of Intent Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 ACTION: 7227 Notice of intent. SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Utah State Office, announces its intention to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to evaluate the impacts of floodplain and stream channel modifications in the Coal Creek Watershed. A plan would be developed to reduce safety risks and property damage caused by flooding of Cedar City and agricultural lands, improve water quality, and address related resource and amenity issues for the community. The EIS will analyze the potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts of alternatives to the human environment, as identified in the NEPA planning process, including any structural and non-structural measures that would address resource concerns in Coal Creek floodplain. The purpose of this notice is to request participation and invite comments from all those individuals and organizations interested in the development of the EIS. Proposed Action: The section of Coal Creek that traverses through Cedar City, Utah has channel stability and capacity deficiencies that pose a threat to existing infrastructure and development. Typical summer, fall, and winter discharges through this section of Coal Creek range from 5 to 15 cubic feet per second (cfs). However, intense summer cloudburst events centered in the upper Coal Creek watershed during the past 100 years have resulted in several flood events with peak discharges of between 4,000 and 5,000 cfs. The peak snowmelt event on record is approximately 1,800 cfs. The NRCS, in cooperation with Cedar City, proposes to modify portions of the Coal Creek channel that are located east of Interstate 15 within the corporate limits of Cedar City. Channel modifications are needed to protect existing infrastructure and development from damage or loss caused by bank erosion or flood water from a 100-year flood event and to eliminate the portion of the 100-year floodplain located outside the stream channel, as defined on existing Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood hazard boundary maps. In conjunction with needed channel improvements, one or more irrigation diversion structures on Coal Creek may have to be relocated upstream from their current locations to eliminate existing flooding hazards. It is an NRCS goal to construct new diversion facilities that will E:\FR\FM\11FEN1.SGM 11FEN1 7228 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 28 / Friday, February 11, 2005 / Notices improve irrigation water quality by removing sediment from irrigation water after it is diverted from Coal Creek. NRCS will also consider the option of locating the new diversion facilities to allow a pressurized irrigation system to be constructed in the future. New pipeline facilities would need to be constructed as part of this project from any new diversion facilities to the heads of the existing canals where the existing diversions are located. In addition to the flood control and irrigation system improvements, NRCS and Cedar City propose to design and construct a trail system and other Parkway improvements adjacent to the Coal Creek Channel that would enhance aesthetic values and provide recreational opportunities for community residents and visitors. Public Participation: The NRCS invites full public participation to promote open communication and better decision-making. All persons and organizations that have an interest in the Coal Creek watershed and floodplain as it impacts Cedar City are urged to participate in the NEPA environmental analysis process. Assistance will be provided as necessary to anyone having difficulty in determining how to participate. A Public Involvement Plan (PIP) has been developed and will be followed. Public comments are welcomed throughout the NEPA process. Opportunities for public participation include: (1) The EIS scoping period when comments on the NRCS proposal will be solicited through various media and at a public meeting to be held in Cedar City, Utah, March 10, 2005; (2) the 45-day review and comment period for the published Draft EIS; and (3) for 30 days after publication of the Final EIS. Scoping Process: Public participation is requested throughout the scoping process. The NRCS is soliciting comments from the public indicating what issues and impacts the public believes should be encompassed within the scope of the EIS analysis, voicing any concerns they might have about the identified resource protection measures, and submitting any ideas they might have for addressing risks to life and property in the Coal Creek floodplain. Other opportunities for public input include: (1) Once the Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Draft EIS is published in the Federal Register, comments will be accepted on the Draft EIS for a period of not less than 45 days, and (2) once the Final EIS is published in the Federal Register; comments will be accepted for a period of not less than 30 days. The NRCS will provide a VerDate jul<14>2003 17:18 Feb 10, 2005 Jkt 205001 written response to all comments received and will consider the issues presented for study and possible inclusion in the EIS. The public participation plan describes responsibilities and outreach opportunities in this process. Date Scoping Comments are Due: Comments may be submitted by regular mail, facsimile, or E-mail until 5 p.m. MST, March 21, 2005. Written comments submitted by regular mail should be postmarked by March 21, 2005, to ensure full consideration. (Note: The scoping period will continue for a period of 30 calendar days after the issuance date of this NOI.) Comments postmarked after this date will be considered to the extent practicable. Scoping Meeting: A public scoping meeting/open house will be held Thursday, March 10, 2005, to provide information on Coal Creek planning activities conducted to date, give the opportunity to discuss the issues and alternatives that should be covered in the Draft EIS, and to receive oral and written comments. The open house will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Cedar City Public Library, 303 North 100 East, Cedar City, Utah. EFFECTIVE DATE: February 18, 2005. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Comments on what the public wishes to be analyzed or addressed within the Draft EIS should be mailed to: Marnie Wilson, Coal Creek EIS, USDA—NRCS, Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building, 125 South State Street, Room 4402, Salt Lake City, UT 84138–1100. Project information is also available on the Internet at: https://www.ut.nrcs.usda.gov under Public Notices. Comments may also be submitted by sending a facsimile to (801) 524–4593, or by E-mail to Marnie.Wilson@ut.usda.gov (please include the words ‘‘Coal Creek Comment’’ in the subject line of the Email). Respondents should provide mailing address information and an indication of wanting to be included on the EIS mailing list. All individuals on the mailing list will receive a copy of the Draft EIS. Signed in Salt Lake City, Utah on February 1, 2005. Sylvia A. Gillen, State Conservationist. [FR Doc. 05–2663 Filed 2–10–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–16–P PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Housing Service Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) Rural Housing Service, USDA. Notice; correction/deadline extension. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The Rural Housing Service (RHS) is correcting a notice published October 27, 2004 (69 FR 62639–62648). This action is taken to correct the program requirement and eligibility criteria for the location of the lowincome rural community office that will be receiving the financial and technical assistance. This correction provides clarification to applicants on how to determine 80 percent of the median household income for a low-income community location. This correction also extends the application deadline date from January 25, 2005, to February 25, 2005. Accordingly, the notice published October 27, 2004 (69 FR 62639–62648), is corrected as follows: On page 62640, in the second column, under the heading Program Requirements, number 1 should read: ‘‘1. The recipient and beneficiary, but not the intermediary must be located in an eligible rural area. The location of the low-income rural community office that will be receiving the financial and technical assistance must be in a community with a median household income at or below, 80 percent of the State or national median household income. The applicable Rural Development State Office can assist in determining the eligibility of an area. A listing of Rural Development State Offices is included in this Notice.’’ On page 62640, in the third column, under the heading Program Requirements, number 3 should read: ‘‘3. Documentation must be submitted to verify recipient eligibility. Acceptable documentation varies depending on the type of recipient: Private nonprofit community-based housing and development organizations must provide a letter confirming its taxexempt status from the IRS, a certificate of incorporation and good standing from the Secretary of State, or other similar and valid documentation of nonprofit status; for low-income rural community recipients, the Agency requires: (a) evidence the entity is a public body, and (b) census data verifying that the median household income of the community where the office receiving the financial and technical assistance is E:\FR\FM\11FEN1.SGM 11FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 28 (Friday, February 11, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7227-7228]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-2663]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Notice of Intent

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 
1969, as amended, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural 
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Utah State Office, announces its 
intention to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to 
evaluate the impacts of floodplain and stream channel modifications in 
the Coal Creek Watershed. A plan would be developed to reduce safety 
risks and property damage caused by flooding of Cedar City and 
agricultural lands, improve water quality, and address related resource 
and amenity issues for the community. The EIS will analyze the 
potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts of alternatives to 
the human environment, as identified in the NEPA planning process, 
including any structural and non-structural measures that would address 
resource concerns in Coal Creek floodplain.
    The purpose of this notice is to request participation and invite 
comments from all those individuals and organizations interested in the 
development of the EIS.
    Proposed Action: The section of Coal Creek that traverses through 
Cedar City, Utah has channel stability and capacity deficiencies that 
pose a threat to existing infrastructure and development. Typical 
summer, fall, and winter discharges through this section of Coal Creek 
range from 5 to 15 cubic feet per second (cfs). However, intense summer 
cloudburst events centered in the upper Coal Creek watershed during the 
past 100 years have resulted in several flood events with peak 
discharges of between 4,000 and 5,000 cfs. The peak snowmelt event on 
record is approximately 1,800 cfs.
    The NRCS, in cooperation with Cedar City, proposes to modify 
portions of the Coal Creek channel that are located east of Interstate 
15 within the corporate limits of Cedar City. Channel modifications are 
needed to protect existing infrastructure and development from damage 
or loss caused by bank erosion or flood water from a 100-year flood 
event and to eliminate the portion of the 100-year floodplain located 
outside the stream channel, as defined on existing Federal Emergency 
Management Agency (FEMA) flood hazard boundary maps. In conjunction 
with needed channel improvements, one or more irrigation diversion 
structures on Coal Creek may have to be relocated upstream from their 
current locations to eliminate existing flooding hazards. It is an NRCS 
goal to construct new diversion facilities that will

[[Page 7228]]

improve irrigation water quality by removing sediment from irrigation 
water after it is diverted from Coal Creek. NRCS will also consider the 
option of locating the new diversion facilities to allow a pressurized 
irrigation system to be constructed in the future. New pipeline 
facilities would need to be constructed as part of this project from 
any new diversion facilities to the heads of the existing canals where 
the existing diversions are located. In addition to the flood control 
and irrigation system improvements, NRCS and Cedar City propose to 
design and construct a trail system and other Parkway improvements 
adjacent to the Coal Creek Channel that would enhance aesthetic values 
and provide recreational opportunities for community residents and 
visitors.
    Public Participation: The NRCS invites full public participation to 
promote open communication and better decision-making. All persons and 
organizations that have an interest in the Coal Creek watershed and 
floodplain as it impacts Cedar City are urged to participate in the 
NEPA environmental analysis process. Assistance will be provided as 
necessary to anyone having difficulty in determining how to 
participate. A Public Involvement Plan (PIP) has been developed and 
will be followed.
    Public comments are welcomed throughout the NEPA process. 
Opportunities for public participation include: (1) The EIS scoping 
period when comments on the NRCS proposal will be solicited through 
various media and at a public meeting to be held in Cedar City, Utah, 
March 10, 2005; (2) the 45-day review and comment period for the 
published Draft EIS; and (3) for 30 days after publication of the Final 
EIS.
    Scoping Process: Public participation is requested throughout the 
scoping process. The NRCS is soliciting comments from the public 
indicating what issues and impacts the public believes should be 
encompassed within the scope of the EIS analysis, voicing any concerns 
they might have about the identified resource protection measures, and 
submitting any ideas they might have for addressing risks to life and 
property in the Coal Creek floodplain. Other opportunities for public 
input include: (1) Once the Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Draft 
EIS is published in the Federal Register, comments will be accepted on 
the Draft EIS for a period of not less than 45 days, and (2) once the 
Final EIS is published in the Federal Register; comments will be 
accepted for a period of not less than 30 days. The NRCS will provide a 
written response to all comments received and will consider the issues 
presented for study and possible inclusion in the EIS. The public 
participation plan describes responsibilities and outreach 
opportunities in this process.
    Date Scoping Comments are Due: Comments may be submitted by regular 
mail, facsimile, or E-mail until 5 p.m. MST, March 21, 2005. Written 
comments submitted by regular mail should be postmarked by March 21, 
2005, to ensure full consideration. (Note: The scoping period will 
continue for a period of 30 calendar days after the issuance date of 
this NOI.) Comments postmarked after this date will be considered to 
the extent practicable.
    Scoping Meeting: A public scoping meeting/open house will be held 
Thursday, March 10, 2005, to provide information on Coal Creek planning 
activities conducted to date, give the opportunity to discuss the 
issues and alternatives that should be covered in the Draft EIS, and to 
receive oral and written comments. The open house will be held from 4 
p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Cedar City Public Library, 303 North 100 East, 
Cedar City, Utah.

EFFECTIVE DATE: February 18, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Comments on what the public wishes to 
be analyzed or addressed within the Draft EIS should be mailed to: 
Marnie Wilson, Coal Creek EIS, USDA--NRCS, Wallace F. Bennett Federal 
Building, 125 South State Street, Room 4402, Salt Lake City, UT 84138-
1100. Project information is also available on the Internet at: https://
www.ut.nrcs.usda.gov under Public Notices.
    Comments may also be submitted by sending a facsimile to (801) 524-
4593, or by E-mail to Marnie.Wilson@ut.usda.gov (please include the 
words ``Coal Creek Comment'' in the subject line of the E-mail). 
Respondents should provide mailing address information and an 
indication of wanting to be included on the EIS mailing list. All 
individuals on the mailing list will receive a copy of the Draft EIS.

    Signed in Salt Lake City, Utah on February 1, 2005.
Sylvia A. Gillen,
State Conservationist.
[FR Doc. 05-2663 Filed 2-10-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P
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