Indian Creek Watershed Supplemental Watershed Plan & Environmental Assessment Number 1 Pottawattamie County, IA., 45647-45649 [05-15635]
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 151 / Monday, August 8, 2005 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Natural Resources Conservation
Service
Wilderness Evaluation Direction for
National Forest System Land
Management Planning
AGENCY:
Notice of Availability of a Finding of No
Significant Impact for the Caney-Coon
Creek Watershed Site No. 2 in Coal
County, OK
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of issuance of interim
directive.
ACTION:
The Forest Service has issued
an interim directive (ID) 1902.2–2005–
10 to Forest Service Handbook 1909.12,
section 71.12, to guide agency
employees in identifying and evaluating
potential wilderness areas during land
management planning. This ID revises
ID 1902.12–2005–8, issued March 23,
2005.
SUMMARY:
DATES: ID 1902.12–2005–10 was
effective on July 26, 2005.
ID 1902.12–2005–10 is
available electronically from the Forest
Service via the World Wide Web/
Internet at https://www.fs.fed.us/im/
directives or at https://www.fs.fed.us/
emc/nfma/index.htm. You may request
a compact disc (CD) copy of the ID by
contacting Regis Terney by email
(rterney@fs.fed.us) or by phone at 1–
866–235–6652 or 202–205–1552.
ADDRESSES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Regis Terney, Planning Specialist,
Ecosystem Management Coordination
Staff, Forest Service (202) 205–1552.
Direction
in the parent text to Forest Service
Handbook 1909.12, section 7.11b
(parent text is coded as a 1-digit chapter,
while IDs 1909.12–2005–8 and 1909.12–
2005–10 are coded as 2-digit chapters)
provided (in paragraph 4) that ‘‘The
location of the area is conducive to the
perpetuation of wilderness values.
Consider the relationship of the area to
sources of noise, air, and water
pollution, as well as unsightly
conditions that would have an effect on
the wilderness experience.
The amount and pattern of Federal
ownership is also an influencing
factor.’’ This direction was mistakenly
left out of ID 1909.12–2005–8. The
issuance of ID 1909.12–2005–10
incorporates this direction back into ID
1909.12–2005–8, section 71.12, as a new
paragraph 4 and renumbers previous
paragraphs 4 through 7 as paragraphs 5
through 8 respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Dated: July 27, 2005.
Dale N. Bosworth,
Chief.
[FR Doc. 05–15573 Filed 8–5–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
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Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) in
Oklahoma, U.S. Department of
Agriculture.
ACTION: Notice of Finding of No
Significant Impact.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c)
of the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969; the Council on
Environmental Quality Regulations (40
CFR Part 1500); and the Natural
Resources Conservation Service
Regulations (7 CFR Part 650); the
Natural Resources Conservation Service,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives
notice that an environmental impact
statement is not being prepared for the
Caney-Coon Creek Watershed Site No. 2,
Coal County, Oklahoma.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: M.
Darrel Dominick, State Conservationist,
Natural Resources Conservation Service,
100 USDA, Suite 206, Stillwater,
Oklahoma 74074, (405) 742–1206.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
environmental assessment of this
federally assisted action indicates that
the project will not cause significant
local, regional, or national impacts on
the environment. As a result of these
findings, M. Darrel Dominick, State
Conservationist, has determined that the
preparation and review of an
environmental impact statement is not
needed for this project. The project
purposes are flood control and
municipal water supply. The planned
works of improvement include the
rehabilitation of one aging floodwater
retarding structure to meet current
safety criteria and performance
standards for a high hazard dam.
The Notice of a Finding Of No
Significant Impact (FONSI) has been
forwarded to the Environmental
Protection Agency and to various
Federal, State, and local agencies and
interested parties. A limited number of
copies of the FONSI are available to fill
single copy requests at the above
address. Basic data developed during
the environmental assessment are on
file and may be reviewed by contacting
M. Darrel Dominick.
No administrative action on
implementation of the proposal will be
taken until 30 days after the date of this
publication in the Federal Register.
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45647
Dated: July 27, 2005.
M. Darrel Dominick,
State Conservationist, Oklahoma.
(This activity is listed in the Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance under No.
10.904, Watershed Protection and Flood
Prevention, and is subject to the provisions
of Executive Order 12372, which requires
intergovernmental consultation with State
and local officials.)
[FR Doc. 05–15633 Filed 8–5–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–16–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation
Service
Indian Creek Watershed Supplemental
Watershed Plan & Environmental
Assessment Number 1 Pottawattamie
County, IA.
Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS), USDA.
ACTION: Notice of Finding of No
Significant Impact.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section
102(2)(c)of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969; the Council on
Environmental Quality Regulations (40
CFR part 1500); and the Natural
Resources Conservation Service
Regulations (7 CFR part 650); the
Natural Resources Conservation Service,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives
notice that an environmental impact
statement is not being prepared for the
Indian Creek Watershed Supplemental
Watershed Plan and Environmental
Assessment Number 1, Pottawattamie
County, Iowa.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Richard Van Klaveren, State
Conservationist, Natural Resources
Conservation Service, 210 Walnut
Street, 693 Federal Building, Des
Moines, IA 50309–2180.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
environmental assessment of this
federally assisted action indicates that
the project will not cause significant
impacts on the environment. As a result
of these findings, Richard Van Klaveren,
State Conservationist, has determined
that the preparation and review of an
environmental impact statement are not
needed for this project.
The purpose of the project is to
provide continued gully stabilization
and sediment control while improving
public safety. The rehabilitation of Site
2 of the Indian Creek Watershed project
is necessary because seven houses
occupied by approximately 25 people
are in the breach inundation area of the
dam. One business is also located in the
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45648
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 151 / Monday, August 8, 2005 / Notices
breach area. Site 2 has been reclassified
as high hazard by NRCS and the State
of Iowa because of the potential loss of
life should the dam fail.
The plan consists of rehabilitating the
Site 2 dam to high hazard criteria for a
new 50-year life. The top of the dam
will be raised three feet, the principal
spillway elevation will remain at the
same elevation to maintain the current
water level, and a new vegetated
spillway will be added to the existing
dam.
The Notice of a Finding of No
Significant Impact (FONSI) has been
forwarded to the Environmental
Protection Agency and to various
Federal, State, and local agencies. A
limited number of copies of the FONSI
are available to fill single copy requests
at the above address. The FONSI is also
available at the Iowa NRCS Web site at
https://www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov. A copy of
the Supplemental Watershed PlanEnvironmental Assessment may be
obtained by contacting Richard Van
Klaveren.
No administrative action will be taken
until 30 days after the date of this
publication in the Federal Register.
Dated: July 29, 2005.
Richard Van Klaveren,
State Conservationist.
Introduction
The supplemental watershed plan and
environmental assessment describes the
recommended alternative and other
alternatives to prevent the loss of life
from a catastrophic failure of Site 2 of
the Indian Creek watershed project.
Rehabilitating Site 2 provides continued
grade stabilization and sediment
control.
This project is necessary because
seven houses occupied by about 25
people and one business are in the
breach inundation area of the dam. Site
2 has been reclassified as high hazard by
NRCS and the State of Iowa because of
the possibility of loss of life should the
dam fail.
The dam was installed to control
severe gully erosion and reduce
sedimentation. The drainage area of Site
2 is 687 acres.
The Indian Creek Watershed project
was authorized in 1961 under the
authority of the Watershed Protection
and Flood Prevention Act of 1954 (Pub.
L. No. 566, 83rd Congress.) The Site 2
dam was installed in 1975 as a
component of the Indian Creek
Watershed project.
This rehabilitation action is being
planned and will be implemented under
the Watershed Protection and Flood
Prevention Act of 1954 as amended by
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PL 106–472 the Small Watershed
Rehabilitation Amendments of 2000 (16
U.S.C. 1001 et seq.). It is being planned
and is in compliance with all National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and
the National Historic Preservation Act of
1966 as amended (NHPA) provisions.
An environmental evaluation was
undertaken by the Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) in
conjunction with the development of
this rehabilitation plan. This evaluation
was undertaken in conjunction with
local, state and federal agencies as well
as interested organizations and
individuals. Data developed during this
evaluation and copies of the
rehabilitation plan are available for
public review at the following location:
Natural Resources Conservation Service,
210 Walnut Street, 693 Federal
Building, Des Moines, IA 50309–2180.
Recommended Action
The top of the dam will be raised
about three feet to elevation 1161. The
principal spillway crest will remain at
the same elevation, so no additional
land will be permanently inundated by
the rehabilitated dam. A new vegetated
spillway will be added to the existing
dam. This compacted earthfill auxiliary
spillway will be 80 feet wide with a
crest elevation of 1155. The private
access road on top of the dam that
currently provides access to multiple
properties will be rebuilt.
The county will enforce the current
state law that prohibits development of
the upstream area below the top of dam.
If the area is annexed by the city of
Council Bluffs, the West Pottawattamie
SWCD will assure continued
restrictions.
Effects of the Recommended Actions
• Wetlands: No impact on existing
artificial wetland areas.
• Prime Farmland: The selected plan
results in the potential for infrequent
short term flooding of 18.2 acres of
prime farmland in the flood pool, an
increase of 13.0 acres.
• Threatened and Endangered
Species: There are no identified
Threatened and Endangered species
present at the site; therefore no impact
to any Threatened and Endangered
species is anticipated.
• Cultural Resources: The plan does
not have the potential to affect historic
properties.
• Natural/Unique Areas: The plan
results in gully erosion control being
maintained in this portion of the Loess
Hills. Sheet and rill erosion and
ephemeral cropland gully erosion
control will be maintained to protect the
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Sfmt 4703
soil resources on 660 acres of the Loess
Hills.
• Safety/Social: Reduces the breach
flood threat to seven houses occupied
by 25 people and one business. The
breach flood threat to 370 Mudhollow
Road motorists per day and several
public utility service lines is greatly
reduced but not eliminated. Emergency
services to dozens of neighborhood
residents will be less threatened by a
sudden dam failure.
• Water Quality: Sediment and
attached nutrients will continue to be
trapped and stored in the flood pool.
• Real Estate Property Values:
Property values in and near the breach
inundation area are protected by
eliminating the breach hazard. Property
values adjacent to and near the pool are
maintained by keeping the pool level at
its current elevation.
• Stormwater Flooding: Release rates
do not change and flooding on Indian
Creek does not change.
• Soil Erosion: Gully erosion remains
controlled. Both sheet and rill erosion
and ephemeral cropland gully erosion
are controlled
• Wildlife Habitat: There is potential
for infrequent short term flooding of up
to 21 acres in the flood pool, an increase
of 15 acres. Consultation with the
USFWS and IDNR indicate that these
impacts to wildlife resources in the
watershed are minor and no formal
mitigation is necessary.
• Air Quality: Construction will result
in temporary generation of dust and
emissions from internal combustion
engines.
• No other significant adverse
environmental impacts will occur from
installation of project features.
• There are no existing or anticipated
public controversies associated with
this proposed action.
• Cumulative impacts: Effects of
public programs and individual actions
that protect or enhance soil, water and
related resources are maintained.
Alternative Actions
Other alternative actions were
considered in the planning process but
were rejected. The recommended plan is
the most acceptable to local residents
and local project sponsors. The
recommended plan eliminates threats to
loss of life from catastrophic breaches
and storm events. The original project
purposes of gully stabilization and
sediment control are maintained. The
recommended plan is the National
Economic Development (NED) plan.
Consultation and Public Participation
The West Pottawattamie County
SWCD and the Pottawattamie County
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 151 / Monday, August 8, 2005 / Notices
Board of Supervisors held discussions at
regular meetings in 2003 regarding the
need for rehabilitating Indian Creek Site
2. A meeting to present the initial
results of the NRCS assessment and
preliminary rehabilitation ideas was
held on August 6, 2003. The meeting
was attended by representatives of the
SWCD, County Board of Supervisors,
City of Council Bluffs, and the Council
Bluffs Chamber of Commerce.
The NRCS planning staff met with the
County Board of Supervisors at their
regular meeting on August 20, 2003. As
a result of this meeting, sponsors firmly
supported proceeding with the
development of a plan to rehabilitate
Site 2.
A public meeting conducted jointly
by sponsors and the NRCS was held in
Council Bluffs the evening of September
17, 2003. Preliminary alternatives were
presented and public input was
requested. Forty-five local residents
attended the meeting. Most of the
attendees live near the Site 2 pool and
along Mudhollow Road. Following the
presentation, many questions and much
discussion occurred about the breach
inundation area, property values, and
preliminary alternatives.
Forty letters of invitation were sent to
representatives of state and federal
agencies, conservation groups,
agricultural groups, and others for a
‘‘scoping meeting’’ on September 18,
2003. No representatives of the target
audience attended except for two
representatives of the sponsors who
attended the public meeting the night
before and earlier meetings. The two
declined the opportunity for further
discussions.
The tri-agency biology review for Site
2 was initiated by a field review on
September 30, 2003. The Iowa DNR,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
consulted with NRCS on the likely
impacts of the project on wildlife
habitat, wetlands, and T&E species.
Eight Indian tribal contacts and the
local county historical society were
notified of this intended action in
accordance with 36CFR800. They were
consulted about their knowledge of
historical properties in the project area.
No response was received from the
tribal contacts. The local historical
society responded that they knew of no
historic properties in the project area.
NRCS planning staff members met
with sponsors at a Pottawattamie
County Board of Supervisors meeting on
May 12, 2004. The staff presented initial
study results of the alternatives. The
sponsors requested further study of
outflow rates from Site 2 for various
storm events. They also requested
discontinuing study of an alternative
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that would reduce the pool size by over
50 percent. Reducing the pool size was
not acceptable to the sponsors or the
local residents of the watershed. The
NRCS agreed to follow up on these
requests and meet again with the
sponsors.
The follow up meeting was held on
August 11, 2004. Sponsors received
updates from NRCS planning staff
studies. The sponsors agreed they
would select an alternative and respond
to NRCS by September 1, 2004. The
sponsors agreed to coordinate a public
information meeting in the early fall.
The sponsors selected Alternative F
on August 25, 2004. They asked NRCS
to proceed with plan development
following a public information meeting
in October 2004.
A public informational meeting was
held in Council Bluffs on October 20,
2004. The alternative plans, their
effects, and their costs were presented
by NRCS to the 26 local people present.
Most of the attendees live in proximity
to Site 2. Representatives of the
sponsors publicly endorsed Alternative
F as their selection. Members of the
public present supported the plan and
did not present any new information to
consider in plan development. No
public controversy was evident.
Conclusion
The Environmental Assessment
summarized above indicates that this
Federal action will not cause significant
impacts on the environment. Therefore,
based on the above findings, I have
determined that an environmental
impact statement for the Indian Creek
Watershed Draft Supplemental
Watershed Plan and Environmental
Assessment Number 1 is not required.
Dated: July 29, 2005.
Richard Van Klaveren,
State Conservationist.
[FR Doc. 05–15635 Filed 8–5–05; 8:45 am]
45649
SUMMARY: It is the intention of NRCS in
Indiana to issue eight revised
conservation practice standards in
Section IV of the FOTG. The revised
standards are: Waste Storage Facility
(313), Waste Treatment Lagoon (359),
Irrigation Storage Reservoir (436),
Irrigation Storage, Microirrigation, (441)
Irrigation System, Sprinkler (442),
Irrigation System, Surface and
Subsurface (443), Irrigation Water
Management (449), and Irrigation
Regulating Reservoir (552).
These practices may be used in
conservation systems that treat highly
erodible land and/or wetlands.
DATES: Comments will be received for a
30-day period commencing with this
date of publication.
ADDRESSES: Address all requests and
comments to Jane E. Hardisty, State
Conservationist, Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS), 6013
Lakeside Blvd., Indianapolis, Indiana
46278. Copies of these standards will be
made available upon written request.
You may submit your electronic
requests and comments to
darrell.brown@in.usda.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jane
E. Hardisty, 317–290–3200.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section
343 of the Federal Agriculture
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996
states that after enactment of the law,
revisions made to NRCS state technical
guides used to carry out highly erodible
land and wetland provisions of the law,
shall be made available for public
review and comment. For the next 30
days, the NRCS in Indiana will receive
comments relative to the proposed
changes. Following that period, a
determination will be made by the
NRCS in Indiana regarding disposition
of those comments and a final
determination of changes will be made.
BILLING CODE 3410–16–P
Dated: July 25, 2005.
Jane E. Hardisty,
State Conservationist, Indianapolis, Indiana.
[FR Doc. 05–15626 Filed 8–5–05; 8:45 am]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
BILLING CODE 3410–16–U
Natural Resources Conservation
Service
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Notice of Proposed Changes to
Section IV of the Field Office Technical
Guide (FOTG) of the Natural Resources
Conservation Service in Indiana
Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS).
ACTION: Notice of availability of
proposed changes in Section IV of the
FOTG of the NRCS in Indiana for review
and comment.
AGENCY:
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Natural Resources Conservation
Service
Notice of Meeting of the Agricultural
Air Quality Task Force
Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS), USDA.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Agricultural Air Quality
Task Force (AAQTF) will meet to
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 151 (Monday, August 8, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45647-45649]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15635]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Indian Creek Watershed Supplemental Watershed Plan &
Environmental Assessment Number 1 Pottawattamie County, IA.
AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), USDA.
ACTION: Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c)of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations
(40 CFR part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service
Regulations (7 CFR part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives notice that an
environmental impact statement is not being prepared for the Indian
Creek Watershed Supplemental Watershed Plan and Environmental
Assessment Number 1, Pottawattamie County, Iowa.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Van Klaveren, State
Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 210 Walnut
Street, 693 Federal Building, Des Moines, IA 50309-2180.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The environmental assessment of this
federally assisted action indicates that the project will not cause
significant impacts on the environment. As a result of these findings,
Richard Van Klaveren, State Conservationist, has determined that the
preparation and review of an environmental impact statement are not
needed for this project.
The purpose of the project is to provide continued gully
stabilization and sediment control while improving public safety. The
rehabilitation of Site 2 of the Indian Creek Watershed project is
necessary because seven houses occupied by approximately 25 people are
in the breach inundation area of the dam. One business is also located
in the
[[Page 45648]]
breach area. Site 2 has been reclassified as high hazard by NRCS and
the State of Iowa because of the potential loss of life should the dam
fail.
The plan consists of rehabilitating the Site 2 dam to high hazard
criteria for a new 50-year life. The top of the dam will be raised
three feet, the principal spillway elevation will remain at the same
elevation to maintain the current water level, and a new vegetated
spillway will be added to the existing dam.
The Notice of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) has been
forwarded to the Environmental Protection Agency and to various
Federal, State, and local agencies. A limited number of copies of the
FONSI are available to fill single copy requests at the above address.
The FONSI is also available at the Iowa NRCS Web site at https://
www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov. A copy of the Supplemental Watershed Plan-
Environmental Assessment may be obtained by contacting Richard Van
Klaveren.
No administrative action will be taken until 30 days after the date
of this publication in the Federal Register.
Dated: July 29, 2005.
Richard Van Klaveren,
State Conservationist.
Introduction
The supplemental watershed plan and environmental assessment
describes the recommended alternative and other alternatives to prevent
the loss of life from a catastrophic failure of Site 2 of the Indian
Creek watershed project. Rehabilitating Site 2 provides continued grade
stabilization and sediment control.
This project is necessary because seven houses occupied by about 25
people and one business are in the breach inundation area of the dam.
Site 2 has been reclassified as high hazard by NRCS and the State of
Iowa because of the possibility of loss of life should the dam fail.
The dam was installed to control severe gully erosion and reduce
sedimentation. The drainage area of Site 2 is 687 acres.
The Indian Creek Watershed project was authorized in 1961 under the
authority of the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act of 1954
(Pub. L. No. 566, 83rd Congress.) The Site 2 dam was installed in 1975
as a component of the Indian Creek Watershed project.
This rehabilitation action is being planned and will be implemented
under the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act of 1954 as
amended by PL 106-472 the Small Watershed Rehabilitation Amendments of
2000 (16 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.). It is being planned and is in compliance
with all National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the National
Historic Preservation Act of 1966 as amended (NHPA) provisions.
An environmental evaluation was undertaken by the Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) in conjunction with the development of this
rehabilitation plan. This evaluation was undertaken in conjunction with
local, state and federal agencies as well as interested organizations
and individuals. Data developed during this evaluation and copies of
the rehabilitation plan are available for public review at the
following location: Natural Resources Conservation Service, 210 Walnut
Street, 693 Federal Building, Des Moines, IA 50309-2180.
Recommended Action
The top of the dam will be raised about three feet to elevation
1161. The principal spillway crest will remain at the same elevation,
so no additional land will be permanently inundated by the
rehabilitated dam. A new vegetated spillway will be added to the
existing dam. This compacted earthfill auxiliary spillway will be 80
feet wide with a crest elevation of 1155. The private access road on
top of the dam that currently provides access to multiple properties
will be rebuilt.
The county will enforce the current state law that prohibits
development of the upstream area below the top of dam. If the area is
annexed by the city of Council Bluffs, the West Pottawattamie SWCD will
assure continued restrictions.
Effects of the Recommended Actions
Wetlands: No impact on existing artificial wetland areas.
Prime Farmland: The selected plan results in the potential
for infrequent short term flooding of 18.2 acres of prime farmland in
the flood pool, an increase of 13.0 acres.
Threatened and Endangered Species: There are no identified
Threatened and Endangered species present at the site; therefore no
impact to any Threatened and Endangered species is anticipated.
Cultural Resources: The plan does not have the potential
to affect historic properties.
Natural/Unique Areas: The plan results in gully erosion
control being maintained in this portion of the Loess Hills. Sheet and
rill erosion and ephemeral cropland gully erosion control will be
maintained to protect the soil resources on 660 acres of the Loess
Hills.
Safety/Social: Reduces the breach flood threat to seven
houses occupied by 25 people and one business. The breach flood threat
to 370 Mudhollow Road motorists per day and several public utility
service lines is greatly reduced but not eliminated. Emergency services
to dozens of neighborhood residents will be less threatened by a sudden
dam failure.
Water Quality: Sediment and attached nutrients will
continue to be trapped and stored in the flood pool.
Real Estate Property Values: Property values in and near
the breach inundation area are protected by eliminating the breach
hazard. Property values adjacent to and near the pool are maintained by
keeping the pool level at its current elevation.
Stormwater Flooding: Release rates do not change and
flooding on Indian Creek does not change.
Soil Erosion: Gully erosion remains controlled. Both sheet
and rill erosion and ephemeral cropland gully erosion are controlled
Wildlife Habitat: There is potential for infrequent short
term flooding of up to 21 acres in the flood pool, an increase of 15
acres. Consultation with the USFWS and IDNR indicate that these impacts
to wildlife resources in the watershed are minor and no formal
mitigation is necessary.
Air Quality: Construction will result in temporary
generation of dust and emissions from internal combustion engines.
No other significant adverse environmental impacts will
occur from installation of project features.
There are no existing or anticipated public controversies
associated with this proposed action.
Cumulative impacts: Effects of public programs and
individual actions that protect or enhance soil, water and related
resources are maintained.
Alternative Actions
Other alternative actions were considered in the planning process
but were rejected. The recommended plan is the most acceptable to local
residents and local project sponsors. The recommended plan eliminates
threats to loss of life from catastrophic breaches and storm events.
The original project purposes of gully stabilization and sediment
control are maintained. The recommended plan is the National Economic
Development (NED) plan.
Consultation and Public Participation
The West Pottawattamie County SWCD and the Pottawattamie County
[[Page 45649]]
Board of Supervisors held discussions at regular meetings in 2003
regarding the need for rehabilitating Indian Creek Site 2. A meeting to
present the initial results of the NRCS assessment and preliminary
rehabilitation ideas was held on August 6, 2003. The meeting was
attended by representatives of the SWCD, County Board of Supervisors,
City of Council Bluffs, and the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce.
The NRCS planning staff met with the County Board of Supervisors at
their regular meeting on August 20, 2003. As a result of this meeting,
sponsors firmly supported proceeding with the development of a plan to
rehabilitate Site 2.
A public meeting conducted jointly by sponsors and the NRCS was
held in Council Bluffs the evening of September 17, 2003. Preliminary
alternatives were presented and public input was requested. Forty-five
local residents attended the meeting. Most of the attendees live near
the Site 2 pool and along Mudhollow Road. Following the presentation,
many questions and much discussion occurred about the breach inundation
area, property values, and preliminary alternatives.
Forty letters of invitation were sent to representatives of state
and federal agencies, conservation groups, agricultural groups, and
others for a ``scoping meeting'' on September 18, 2003. No
representatives of the target audience attended except for two
representatives of the sponsors who attended the public meeting the
night before and earlier meetings. The two declined the opportunity for
further discussions.
The tri-agency biology review for Site 2 was initiated by a field
review on September 30, 2003. The Iowa DNR, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, consulted with NRCS on the likely impacts of the project on
wildlife habitat, wetlands, and T&E species.
Eight Indian tribal contacts and the local county historical
society were notified of this intended action in accordance with
36CFR800. They were consulted about their knowledge of historical
properties in the project area. No response was received from the
tribal contacts. The local historical society responded that they knew
of no historic properties in the project area.
NRCS planning staff members met with sponsors at a Pottawattamie
County Board of Supervisors meeting on May 12, 2004. The staff
presented initial study results of the alternatives. The sponsors
requested further study of outflow rates from Site 2 for various storm
events. They also requested discontinuing study of an alternative that
would reduce the pool size by over 50 percent. Reducing the pool size
was not acceptable to the sponsors or the local residents of the
watershed. The NRCS agreed to follow up on these requests and meet
again with the sponsors.
The follow up meeting was held on August 11, 2004. Sponsors
received updates from NRCS planning staff studies. The sponsors agreed
they would select an alternative and respond to NRCS by September 1,
2004. The sponsors agreed to coordinate a public information meeting in
the early fall.
The sponsors selected Alternative F on August 25, 2004. They asked
NRCS to proceed with plan development following a public information
meeting in October 2004.
A public informational meeting was held in Council Bluffs on
October 20, 2004. The alternative plans, their effects, and their costs
were presented by NRCS to the 26 local people present. Most of the
attendees live in proximity to Site 2. Representatives of the sponsors
publicly endorsed Alternative F as their selection. Members of the
public present supported the plan and did not present any new
information to consider in plan development. No public controversy was
evident.
Conclusion
The Environmental Assessment summarized above indicates that this
Federal action will not cause significant impacts on the environment.
Therefore, based on the above findings, I have determined that an
environmental impact statement for the Indian Creek Watershed Draft
Supplemental Watershed Plan and Environmental Assessment Number 1 is
not required.
Dated: July 29, 2005.
Richard Van Klaveren,
State Conservationist.
[FR Doc. 05-15635 Filed 8-5-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P