Natural Resources Conservation Service; Little Sandy Trail Creek Watershed Structure No. 1: Madison County, GA, 34297-34298 [E9-16786]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 134 / Wednesday, July 15, 2009 / Notices
Dated: July 9, 2009.
Julia Paradis,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. E9–16748 Filed 7–14–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–30–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation
Service; Little Sandy Trail Creek
Watershed Structure No. 1: Madison
County, GA
sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with NOTICES
AGENCY: Natural Resources
Conservation Service.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of a
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
Little Sandy Trail Creek Watershed
Structure No. 1, Madison County,
Georgia.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cran
Upshaw, Economist, Federal Building,
355 East Hancock Avenue, Athens,
Georgia 30601, Telephone (706) 546–
2277, e-mail cran.upshaw@ga.usda.gov.
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, James E. Tillman, Sr., State
Conservationist, has determined that the
preparation and review of an
environmental impact statement is not
needed for this project.
The project purpose is continued
flood prevention. The planned works of
improvement include upgrading an
existing floodwater retarding structure.
The Notice of a Finding of No
Significant Impact (FONSI) has been
forwarded to the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and to various
Federal, State, and local agencies and
interest parties. A limited number 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 Cran Upshaw at
the above number.
No administrative action on
implementation of the proposal will be
taken until 30 days after the date of this
publication in the Federal Register.
VerDate Nov<24>2008
17:21 Jul 14, 2009
Jkt 217001
Signed in Athens, Georgia, on July 2, 2009.
James E. Tillman, Sr.
State Conservationist.
(This activity is listed in the Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance under 10.916,
Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention,
and is subject to the provisions of Executive
Order 12372, which requires intergovernment consultation with State and local
officials).
Finding of No Significant Impact for
Little Sandy Trail Creek Watershed
Structure No. 1; Madison County,
Georgia, July 3, 2009
Introduction
The Little Sandy Trail Creek
Watershed is a federally assisted action
authorized for planning under Public
Law 106–472, the Watershed
Rehabilitation Act, which amends
Public Law 83–566, the Watershed
Protection and Flood Prevention Act.
An environmental assessment was
undertaken in conjunction with
development of the watershed plan.
This assessment was conducted in
consultation with local, State, and
Federal agencies as well as with
interested organizations and
individuals. Data developed during the
assessment are available for public
review at the following location: U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Natural
Resources Conservation Service, 355
East Hancock Avenue, Athens, Georgia
30601.
Recommended Action
This document describes a plan for
upgrading an existing floodwater
retarding structure, Little Sandy Trail
Creek Watershed Structure No. 1, to
meet current dam safety criteria in
Georgia. The plan calls for the
modification of the existing vegetative
auxiliary spillway, enlarging the
principal spillway and raising the top of
the dam on an existing dam. Works of
improvement will be accomplished by
providing financial and technical
assistance through an eligible local
sponsor.
The Principal Project Measures are to:
1. Modifying the existing vegetative
auxiliary spillway, enlarging the
principal spillway and raising the top of
the dam. This construction is designed
to bring the existing dam into
compliance with current dam safety
criteria in Georgia.
2. The measures will be planned and
installed by developing a contract with
the current operator of the dam.
Effects of Recommended Action
Modifying the existing vegetative
auxiliary spillway, enlarging the
principal spillway and raising the top of
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
34297
the dam will bring Little Sandy Trail
Creek Watershed Structure No. 1 into
compliance with current dam safety
criteria. This will essentially eliminate
the risk to loss of life for individuals in
6 homes and 10 roads downstream.
Additional effects will include
continued protection against flooding,
continued water quality benefits,
continued fishing activities, continued
recreational opportunities, protected
land values, protected road and utility
networks, and reduced maintenance
costs for public infrastructure.
Wildlife habitat will not be disturbed
during installation activities. No
wetlands, wildlife habitat, fisheries,
prime farmland, or cultural resources
will be destroyed or threatened by this
project. Some 30 acres of wetland and
wetland type wildlife habitat will be
preserved. Fishery habitats will also be
maintained.
No endangered or threatened plant or
animal species will be adversely
affected by the project.
There are no wilderness areas in the
watershed.
Alternatives
Six alternative plans of action were
considered in project planning. No
significant adverse environmental
impacts are anticipated from installation
of the selected alternative. Also, the
planned action is the most practical,
complete, and acceptable means of
protecting life and property of
downstream residents.
Consultation—Public Participation
Original sponsoring organizations
include the Georgia Soil and Water
Conservation Commission, Broad River
Soil and Water Conservation District
and Madison County. At the initiation
of the planning process, meetings were
held with representatives of the original
sponsoring organizations to ascertain
their interest and concerns regarding the
Little Sandy Trail Creek Watershed. The
Georgia Soil and Water Conservation
Commission agreed to serve as ‘‘lead
sponsor’’ being responsible for leading
the planning process with assistance
from NRCS. As lead sponsor they also
agreed to provide non-federal costshare, property rights, operation and
maintenance, and public participation
during, and beyond, the planning
process.
An Interdisciplinary Planning Team
provided for the ‘‘technical’’
administration of this project. Technical
administration includes tasks pursuant
to the NRCS nine-step planning process,
and planning procedures outlined in the
NRCS–National Planning Procedures
Handbook. Examples of tasks completed
E:\FR\FM\15JYN1.SGM
15JYN1
34298
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 134 / Wednesday, July 15, 2009 / Notices
by the Planning Team include, but are
not limited to, Preliminary
Investigations, Hydrologic Analysis,
Reservoir Sedimentation Surveys,
Economic Analysis, Formulating and
Evaluating Alternatives, and Writing the
Watershed Plan—Environmental
Assessment. Data collected from partner
agencies, databases, landowners, and
others throughout the entire planning
process were presented at the public
meeting on May 27, 2009. Informal
discussions amongst planning team
members, partner agencies, and
landowners were conducted throughout
the entire planning period.
Public Participation
A public meeting was held on May
27, 2009 to explain the Watershed
Rehabilitation Program and to scope
resource problems, issues, and concerns
of local residents associated with the
project area. Potential alternative
solutions to bring Little Sandy Trail
Creek No. 1 into compliance with
current dam safety criteria were also
presented. Through a voting process,
eleven meeting participants heard
summaries of planning
accomplishments to date, provided
input on issues and concerns to be
considered in the planning process,
were made aware of results from the
reservoir sedimentation survey, and
identified which planning alternative
(i.e., No Action, Decommission,
Structural, Non-Structural) was most
desirable.
Conclusion
The Environmental Assessment
summarized above indicates that this
Federal action will not cause significant
adverse local, regional, or national
impacts on the environment. Therefore,
based on the above findings, I have
determined that an environmental
impact statement for the recommended
plan of action on Little Sandy Trail
Creek Watershed Structure No. 1 is not
required.
Dated: July 2, 2009.
James E. Tillman, Sr.,
State Conservationist.
[FR Doc. E9–16786 Filed 7–14–09; 8:45 am]
sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with NOTICES
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation
Service
Sandy Creek Watershed Structure No.
23: Jackson County, GA
VerDate Nov<24>2008
17:21 Jul 14, 2009
Jkt 217001
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
Sandy Creek Watershed Structure No.
23, Jackson County, Georgia.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cran
Upshaw, Economist, Federal Building,
355 East Hancock Avenue, Athens,
Georgia 30601, Telephone (706) 546–
2277, e-mail cran.upshaw@ga.usda.gov.
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, James E. Tillman, Sr., State
Conservationist, has determined that the
preparation and review of an
environmental impact statement is not
needed for this project.
The project purpose is continued
flood prevention. The planned works of
improvement include upgrading an
existing floodwater retarding structure.
The Notice of a Finding of No
Significant Impact (FONSI) has been
forwarded to the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and to various
Federal, State, and local agencies and
interest parties. A limited number 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 Cran Upshaw at
the above number.
No administrative action on
implementation of the proposal will be
taken until 30 days after the date of this
publication in the Federal Register.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Signed in Athens, Georgia, on July 2, 2009.
James E. Tillman, Sr.,
State Conservationist.
BILLING CODE 3410–16–P
AGENCY: Natural Resources
Conservation Service, Agriculture.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of a
Finding of No Significant Impact.
(This activity is listed in the Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance under 10.916,
Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention,
and is subject to the provisions of Executive
Order 12372, which requires intergovernment consultation with State and local
officials).
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Finding of No Significant Impact for
Sandy Creek Watershed Structure No.
23, Jackson County, Georgia, July 3,
2009
Introduction
The Sandy Creek Watershed is a
Federally assisted action authorized for
planning under Public Law 106–472,
the Watershed Rehabilitation Act,
which amends Public Law 83–566, the
Watershed Protection and Flood
Prevention Act. An environmental
assessment was undertaken in
conjunction with development of the
watershed plan. This assessment was
conducted in consultation with local,
State, and Federal agencies as well as
with interested organizations and
individuals. Data developed during the
assessment are available for public
review at the following location: U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Natural
Resources Conservation Service, 355
East Hancock Avenue, Athens, Georgia
30601.
Recommended Action
This document describes a plan for
upgrading an existing floodwater
retarding structure, Sandy Creek
Watershed Structure No. 23, to meet
current dam safety criteria in Georgia.
The plan calls for the construction of a
roller compacted concrete chute
spillway on an existing dam. Works of
improvement will be accomplished by
providing financial and technical
assistance through an eligible local
sponsor.
The principal project measures are to:
1. Construction of a roller compacted
concrete chute spillway. This
construction is designed to bring the
existing dam into compliance with
current dam safety criteria in Georgia.
2. The measures will be planned and
installed by developing a contract with
the current operator of the dam.
Effects of Recommended Action
Construction of a roller compacted
concrete chute spillway will bring
Sandy Creek Watershed Structure No.
23 into compliance with current dam
safety criteria. This will essentially
eliminate the risk to loss of life for
individuals in 5 homes and 1 road
downstream. Additional effects will
include continued protection against
flooding, continued water quality
benefits, continued fishing activities,
continued recreational opportunities,
protected land values, protected road
and utility networks, and reduced
maintenance costs for public
infrastructure.
Wildlife habitat will not be disturbed
during installation activities. No
E:\FR\FM\15JYN1.SGM
15JYN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 134 (Wednesday, July 15, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34297-34298]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-16786]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service; Little Sandy Trail Creek
Watershed Structure No. 1: Madison County, GA
AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of a 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 Little
Sandy Trail Creek Watershed Structure No. 1, Madison County, Georgia.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cran Upshaw, Economist, Federal
Building, 355 East Hancock Avenue, Athens, Georgia 30601, Telephone
(706) 546-2277, e-mail cran.upshaw@ga.usda.gov.
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, James E. Tillman, Sr., State
Conservationist, has determined that the preparation and review of an
environmental impact statement is not needed for this project.
The project purpose is continued flood prevention. The planned
works of improvement include upgrading an existing floodwater retarding
structure.
The Notice of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) has been
forwarded to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and to various
Federal, State, and local agencies and interest parties. A limited
number 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 Cran Upshaw at the above
number.
No administrative action on implementation of the proposal will be
taken until 30 days after the date of this publication in the Federal
Register.
Signed in Athens, Georgia, on July 2, 2009.
James E. Tillman, Sr.
State Conservationist.
(This activity is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance under 10.916, Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention,
and is subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372, which
requires inter-government consultation with State and local
officials).
Finding of No Significant Impact for Little Sandy Trail Creek Watershed
Structure No. 1; Madison County, Georgia, July 3, 2009
Introduction
The Little Sandy Trail Creek Watershed is a federally assisted
action authorized for planning under Public Law 106-472, the Watershed
Rehabilitation Act, which amends Public Law 83-566, the Watershed
Protection and Flood Prevention Act. An environmental assessment was
undertaken in conjunction with development of the watershed plan. This
assessment was conducted in consultation with local, State, and Federal
agencies as well as with interested organizations and individuals. Data
developed during the assessment are available for public review at the
following location: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources
Conservation Service, 355 East Hancock Avenue, Athens, Georgia 30601.
Recommended Action
This document describes a plan for upgrading an existing floodwater
retarding structure, Little Sandy Trail Creek Watershed Structure No.
1, to meet current dam safety criteria in Georgia. The plan calls for
the modification of the existing vegetative auxiliary spillway,
enlarging the principal spillway and raising the top of the dam on an
existing dam. Works of improvement will be accomplished by providing
financial and technical assistance through an eligible local sponsor.
The Principal Project Measures are to:
1. Modifying the existing vegetative auxiliary spillway, enlarging
the principal spillway and raising the top of the dam. This
construction is designed to bring the existing dam into compliance with
current dam safety criteria in Georgia.
2. The measures will be planned and installed by developing a
contract with the current operator of the dam.
Effects of Recommended Action
Modifying the existing vegetative auxiliary spillway, enlarging the
principal spillway and raising the top of the dam will bring Little
Sandy Trail Creek Watershed Structure No. 1 into compliance with
current dam safety criteria. This will essentially eliminate the risk
to loss of life for individuals in 6 homes and 10 roads downstream.
Additional effects will include continued protection against flooding,
continued water quality benefits, continued fishing activities,
continued recreational opportunities, protected land values, protected
road and utility networks, and reduced maintenance costs for public
infrastructure.
Wildlife habitat will not be disturbed during installation
activities. No wetlands, wildlife habitat, fisheries, prime farmland,
or cultural resources will be destroyed or threatened by this project.
Some 30 acres of wetland and wetland type wildlife habitat will be
preserved. Fishery habitats will also be maintained.
No endangered or threatened plant or animal species will be
adversely affected by the project.
There are no wilderness areas in the watershed.
Alternatives
Six alternative plans of action were considered in project
planning. No significant adverse environmental impacts are anticipated
from installation of the selected alternative. Also, the planned action
is the most practical, complete, and acceptable means of protecting
life and property of downstream residents.
Consultation--Public Participation
Original sponsoring organizations include the Georgia Soil and
Water Conservation Commission, Broad River Soil and Water Conservation
District and Madison County. At the initiation of the planning process,
meetings were held with representatives of the original sponsoring
organizations to ascertain their interest and concerns regarding the
Little Sandy Trail Creek Watershed. The Georgia Soil and Water
Conservation Commission agreed to serve as ``lead sponsor'' being
responsible for leading the planning process with assistance from NRCS.
As lead sponsor they also agreed to provide non-federal cost-share,
property rights, operation and maintenance, and public participation
during, and beyond, the planning process.
An Interdisciplinary Planning Team provided for the ``technical''
administration of this project. Technical administration includes tasks
pursuant to the NRCS nine-step planning process, and planning
procedures outlined in the NRCS-National Planning Procedures Handbook.
Examples of tasks completed
[[Page 34298]]
by the Planning Team include, but are not limited to, Preliminary
Investigations, Hydrologic Analysis, Reservoir Sedimentation Surveys,
Economic Analysis, Formulating and Evaluating Alternatives, and Writing
the Watershed Plan--Environmental Assessment. Data collected from
partner agencies, databases, landowners, and others throughout the
entire planning process were presented at the public meeting on May 27,
2009. Informal discussions amongst planning team members, partner
agencies, and landowners were conducted throughout the entire planning
period.
Public Participation
A public meeting was held on May 27, 2009 to explain the Watershed
Rehabilitation Program and to scope resource problems, issues, and
concerns of local residents associated with the project area. Potential
alternative solutions to bring Little Sandy Trail Creek No. 1 into
compliance with current dam safety criteria were also presented.
Through a voting process, eleven meeting participants heard summaries
of planning accomplishments to date, provided input on issues and
concerns to be considered in the planning process, were made aware of
results from the reservoir sedimentation survey, and identified which
planning alternative (i.e., No Action, Decommission, Structural, Non-
Structural) was most desirable.
Conclusion
The Environmental Assessment summarized above indicates that this
Federal action will not cause significant adverse local, regional, or
national impacts on the environment. Therefore, based on the above
findings, I have determined that an environmental impact statement for
the recommended plan of action on Little Sandy Trail Creek Watershed
Structure No. 1 is not required.
Dated: July 2, 2009.
James E. Tillman, Sr.,
State Conservationist.
[FR Doc. E9-16786 Filed 7-14-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P