Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Cove-East Fork Virgin River Watershed Plan, Kane County, Utah, 17979-17981 [2022-06579]
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17979
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 60 / Tuesday, March 29, 2022 / Notices
INCOME ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES—Continued
[Effective from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023—household size larger than 8]
Federal poverty guidelines—100%
Household size
Annual
13 ..............................................................
14 ..............................................................
15 ..............................................................
16 ..............................................................
Each add’l family member add .................
80,790
86,220
91,650
97,080
+ 5,430
The table of this Notice contains the
income limits by household size for the
48 contiguous States, the District of
Columbia, and all United States
Territories, including Guam. Separate
tables for Alaska and Hawaii have been
included for the convenience of the
State agencies because the poverty
guidelines for Alaska and Hawaii are
higher than for the 48 contiguous States.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 1786.
Cynthia Long,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service,
USDA.
[FR Doc. 2022–06541 Filed 3–28–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–30–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation
Service
[Docket No. NRCS–2022–0002]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Cove-East Fork Virgin River
Watershed Plan, Kane County, Utah
Natural Resources
Conservation Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare
an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS).
AGENCY:
The Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) Utah State
Office announces its intent to prepare
an EIS for the Cove-East Fork Virgin
River Watershed Plan EIS Project
located within the East Fork Virgin
River Watershed in Kane County, Utah.
The EIS process will examine
alternative solutions to provide
adequate irrigation water in Kane and
Washington counties during summer
months, local water-based recreation,
and green energy opportunities. This
EIS will also serve as the necessary
environmental documentation for
development of a new Black Knoll
borrow pit and potential expansion of
the existing Bald Knoll borrow pit. Both
pits are located on Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) administered public
lands and require BLM authorization.
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SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:01 Mar 28, 2022
Monthly
Jkt 256001
Twicemonthly
6,733
7,185
7,638
8,090
+ 453
Bi-weekly
3,367
3,593
3,819
4,045
+ 227
3,108
3,317
3,525
3,734
+ 209
Reduced price meals—185%
Weekly
1,554
1,659
1,763
1,867
+ 105
Annual
149,462
159,507
169,553
179,598
+ 10,046
The BLM will be a cooperating agency
in the development of this EIS. NRCS is
requesting comments to identify
significant issues, potential alternatives,
information, and analyses relevant to
the Proposed Action from all interested
individuals, Federal and State agencies,
and Tribes.
DATES: We will consider comments that
we receive by April 28, 2022. Comments
received later will be considered to the
extent possible.
ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit
comments in response to this notice.
You may submit your comments
through one of the methods below:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov and search
for docket ID NRCS–2022–0002. Follow
the online instructions for submitting
comments; or
• Hand Delivery or Mail: Brian
Parker, Biologist, Southwest Assistant
Regional Manager, 1745 South Alma
School Rd. Suite 220, Mesa, Arizona
85044. Please specify the docket ID
NRCS–2022–0002.
All comments received will be posted
and made publicly available on
www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Norm Evenstad, Assistant State
Conservationist—Water Resources;
telephone: (801) 524–4569; email:
norm.evenstad@usda.gov. Persons with
disabilities who require alternative
means for communication should
contact the USDA Target Center at (202)
720–2600 (voice).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need
The primary purpose for watershed
planning and preparation of this EIS is
to increase and maintain a reliable
supply of water for local agricultural use
and existing storage needs, increase
water conservation, and improve water
delivery efficiency in the Upper Virgin
Watershed in Kane County, Utah, and
for existing and future water demands
in Washington County, Utah. Watershed
planning is authorized under Public
Law 83–566, the Watershed Protection
and Flood Prevention Act of 1954, as
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Monthly
12,456
13,293
14,130
14,967
+ 838
Twicemonthly
6,228
6,647
7,065
7,484
+ 419
Bi-weekly
5,749
6,135
6,522
6,908
+ 387
Weekly
2,875
3,068
3,261
3,454
+ 194
amended, and Public Law 78–534, the
Flood Control Act of 1944.
This action is needed because
agriculture users in the Upper Virgin
Watershed routinely experience water
shortages during late summer months
when East Fork Virgin River flows are
depleted. Existing irrigation facilities
have limited capabilities to divert water
from the river, and there is currently no
capacity for storage during non-use and
high-flow periods. As a result, adequate
water is not available to local users;
therefore, the purpose of the action is to
provide enhanced conservation and
beneficial use of water by increasing
water availability through collection
and storage during non-use periods to
provide adequate flows during the
irrigation season.
Currently, a lack of irrigation water
near the communities of Mt. Carmel,
Orderville, and Glendale has resulted in
a limitation of the amount of alfalfa and
other crops that can be grown. In
particularly dry years, the number of
alfalfa cuttings has been reduced,
resulting in a loss of production. Lands
currently used for agricultural purposes
in Washington County have also
experienced a reduction in crop
production.
Three other objectives are included as
part of the proposed action. The existing
Glendale hydroelectric plant does not
meet the needs of the community, and
the Orderville plant only generates
power during the fall, winter, and early
spring months. The project proposes a
new Glendale facility and would make
water available during the summer
months at the Orderville site that could
help meet energy needs. Secondly, the
project plans to enhance existing
irrigation systems to promote water
conservation. Finally, project
development would offer additional
water-based recreation opportunities in
the area, and water-based recreation
activities are in high demand in Kane
County.
Preliminary Proposed Action and
Alternatives
The East Fork Virgin River watershed
focused planning area is approximately
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 60 / Tuesday, March 29, 2022 / Notices
153 square miles. Two action
alternatives and the no action
alternative will be evaluated in the Draft
EIS. The NRCS would provide technical
and financial assistance for the
proposed project through the NRCS
Watershed Protection and Flood
Prevention Program, and NRCS would
also design and implement a selected
alternative. The alternatives we intend
to carry forward in the analysis are
below:
1. No Action Alternative. Taking no
action would consist of activities carried
out if no federal action or funding were
provided. The new Glendale facility
would not be built, and no new
irrigation facilities would be developed
to provide additional water supply
during the summer months. No
improvements to the Mt. Carmel
irrigation system would be made. The
existing structures would continue to
operate in their current condition and
would not meet the purpose and need
to increase and maintain additional
water supply, as described above.
2. Action Alternative 1—Construction
of Cove Reservoir (Proposed Action).
Construction of a new reservoir (Cove
Reservoir) within the East Fork Virgin
River Watershed, plus additional
irrigation system improvements in the
Mt. Carmel, Orderville, and Glendale
area.
For the Cove Reservoir, two sizes
would be considered as sub-alternatives,
a 6,055-acre-foot reservoir and a 4,000acre-foot reservoir would be analyzed to
increase water conservation. The
irrigation improvements would convert
the ditched system at Mt. Carmel to a
pressurized system. A pressurized
system would reduce water loss during
transportation, conserving additional
water and increasing the efficiency of
the Mt. Carmel system. The currently
inoperable Glendale hydroelectric
power plant would be relocated and
upgraded to produce twice its current
power, and a new pipeline would be
constructed to access the new plant.
3. Action Alternative 2—Alternate
reservoir site. An alternate reservoir site
with recreation facilities within the East
Fork Virgin River Watershed, plus
additional irrigation system
improvements in the Mt. Carmel,
Orderville, and Glendale area. The same
irrigation improvements as in Action
Alternative 1 are proposed. The
alternative reservoir would have a
capacity of around 6,000 acre-feet, with
a maximum capacity of 6,750 acre-feet
per the Zion National Park agreement.
The reservoir would be located within
the watershed area at another suitable
location based on geological and
environmental suitability.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:01 Mar 28, 2022
Jkt 256001
Also, both action alternatives would
include one new borrow pit at Black
Knoll and expansion of the existing
borrow pit at Bald Knoll. Both pits are
located on Bureau of Land Management
(BLM)-administered public lands. The
BLM will need to provide approval
following completion of the
environmental analysis before any
material can be removed from these pits.
Summary of Expected Impacts
An NRCS evaluation of this federally
assisted action indicates that proposed
alternatives may have significant local,
regional, or national impacts on the
environment. Potential impacts include
wetland and flood plain alteration due
to the construction of the reservoir.
Potential realignment of roads and/or
removal of structures could occur,
depending on the reservoir location.
Long-term beneficial impacts would
occur with additional water supply
provided to Kane County and
Washington County, plus additional
recreational opportunities at the
reservoir. The proposed action would
reduce on-going water shortages
experienced by Kane County agriculture
users during the summer months.
Anticipated Permits and Authorizations
The following permits and other
authorizations are anticipated to be
required:
• CWA Section 404 permit.
Implementation of the proposed federal
action would require a Clean Water Act
(CWA) Section 404 permit from the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers. Permitting
with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
regarding potential wetland impacts is
ongoing and will be finalized prior to
final design and construction.
• CWA Section 401 permit. The
project would also require water quality
certification under Section 401 of the
CWA and permitting under Section 402
of the CWA (National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System Permit).
• Dam safety and floodplain permit.
Local dam safety and floodplain permits
will be required.
• NHPA Section 106 consultation.
Consultation with Tribal Nations and
interested parties will be conducted as
required by the National Historic
Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended)
(16 U.S.C. 470f).
• Wild and Scenic Rivers Act Section
7 Consultation. Consultation with the
National Park Service regarding impacts
to Virgin River outstandingly
remarkable values downstream of the
proposed project.
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Sfmt 4703
Schedule of Decision-Making Process
A Draft EIS will be prepared and
circulated for review and comment by
agencies and the public for at least 45
days per 40 CFR 1503.1, 1502.20,
1506.11, and 1502.17, and 7 CFR
650.13. The Draft EIS is anticipated to
be published in the Federal Register
approximately 10 months after
publication of this NOI. A Final EIS is
anticipated to be published within 8
months of completion of the public
comment period for the DEIS.
There will be two decisions made and
one or two Record(s) of Decision:
• NRCS Decision. The NRCS will
decide whether to implement one of the
action alternatives or the No Action
Alternative. The Record of Decision will
be completed after the required 30-day
waiting period. The decision maker and
responsible federal official for the NRCS
is Emily Fife, Utah State
Conservationist.
• BLM Decision. The BLM will decide
to authorize the usage of one or more
borrow pits to provide material for
construction of the earthen dam for
either action alternative.
Public Scoping Process
NRCS invites all interested
individuals and organizations, public
agencies, and Native American Tribes to
comment on the scope of the EIS,
including the project’s purpose and
need, alternatives proposed, new
alternatives that should be considered,
specific areas of study, data to be
obtained or included in the analysis,
and evaluation methodology. A virtual
scoping meeting presenting the project
and develop the scope of the EIS was
held online via Zoom on October 20,
2021, from 6:00–7:30 p.m. MDT.
Scoping meeting presentation materials,
including a video recording of the
meeting, is available on the project
website, along with project background
information at https://bit.ly/3AX7Pg4.
This meeting involved a project
presentation followed by a group
question and answer period. Project
team members were available for
discussion of individual questions.
Scoping provides the ability for the
public to provide input on the kinds of
issues that should be addressed, what
alternatives should be considered,
impacts and additional research that
should be considered, and any actions
that could be related to the project.
Comments received, including the
names and addresses of those who
comment, will be part of the public
record.
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 60 / Tuesday, March 29, 2022 / Notices
Identification of Potential Alternatives,
Information, and Analyses
NRCS invites agencies and
individuals who have special expertise,
legal jurisdiction, or interest in the
Cove-East Fork Virgin River Watershed
in Kane County, Utah to provide
comments concerning the scope of the
analysis and identification of relevant
information and studies. All interested
parties are invited to provide input
related to the identification of potential
alternatives, information, and analyses
relevant to the Proposed Action in
writing or during the public scoping
meeting.
Authorities
This document is published pursuant
to the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) regulations regarding
publication of a notice of intent to issue
an environmental impact statement (40
CFR 1501.9(d)). This EIS will be
prepared to evaluate potential
environmental impacts as required by
section 102(2)(C) of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA); the Council on Environmental
Quality regulations (40 CFR parts 1500–
1508); and NRCS regulations that
implement NEPA in 7 CFR part 650.
Watershed planning is authorized under
the Watershed Protection and Flood
Prevention Act of 1954, as amended,
(Pub. L. 83–566) and the Flood Control
Act of 1944 (Pub. L. 78–534). Also, the
title and number of the federal
assistance program in the Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance to which
this Notice of Funding Availability
applies is 10.904 Watershed Protection
and Flood Prevention.
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USDA Non-Discrimination Policy
17:01 Mar 28, 2022
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Emily Fife,
Utah State Conservationist, Natural
Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2022–06579 Filed 3–28–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–16–P
COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS
Notice of Public Meeting of the Illinois
Advisory Committee to the U.S.
Commission on Civil Rights
U.S. Commission on Civil
Rights.
ACTION: Announcement of virtual
business meeting.
AGENCY:
Notice is hereby given,
pursuant to the provisions of the rules
and regulations of the U.S. Commission
on Civil Rights (Commission) and the
Federal Advisory Committee Act, that
the Illinois Advisory Committee
(Committee) to the U.S. Commission on
Civil Rights will hold a virtual business
meeting via Webex at 11:00 p.m. CT on
Wednesday, April 27, 2022. The
purpose of the meeting is to continue
planning for upcoming web hearings
examining equal access to postsecondary education and the efficiency
of civil rights protections to ensure
access for protected groups.
DATES: The meeting will take place on
Wednesday, April 27, 2022, from 1:00
p.m.–2:30 p.m. CT.
Link To Join (Audio/Visual): https://
tinyurl.com/2uapfchb.
Telephone (Audio Only): Dial 800–
360–9505 USA Toll Free; Access code:
2763 183 6495.
SUMMARY:
In accordance with Federal civil
rights law and USDA civil rights
regulations and policies, USDA, its
Agencies, offices, and employees, and
institutions participating in or
administering USDA programs are
prohibited from discriminating based on
race, color, national origin, religion, sex,
gender identity (including gender
expression), sexual orientation,
disability, age, marital status, family or
parental status, income derived from a
public assistance program, political
beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior
civil rights activity, in any program or
activity conducted or funded by USDA
(not all bases apply to all programs).
Remedies and complaint filing
deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means of communication for
program information (for example,
braille, large print, audiotape, American
VerDate Sep<11>2014
Sign Language, etc.) should contact the
responsible Agency or USDA TARGET
Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and
TTY) or (844) 433–2774 (toll-free
nationwide). Additionally, program
information may be made available in
languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination
complaint, complete the USDA Program
Discrimination Complaint Form, AD–
3027, found online at https://
www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-aprogram-discrimination-complaint and
at any USDA office or write a letter
addressed to USDA and provide in the
letter all the information requested in
the form. To request a copy of the
complaint form, call (866) 632–9992.
Submit your completed form or letter to
USDA by mail to: U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
DC 20250–9410 or email: OAC@
usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity
provider, employer, and lender.
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17981
Ana
Fortes, DFO, at afortes@usccr.gov or
(202) 519–2938.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Committee meetings are available to the
public through the conference link
above. Any interested member of the
public may listen to the meeting. An
open comment period will be provided
to allow members of the public to make
a statement as time allows. If joining via
phone, callers can expect to incur
regular charges for calls they initiate
over wireless lines, according to their
wireless plan. The Commission will not
refund any incurred charges.
Individuals who are deaf, deafblind, and
hard of hearing may also follow the
proceedings by first calling the Federal
Relay Service at 1–800–877–8339 and
providing the Service with the
conference details found through
registering at the web link above. To
request additional accommodations,
please email afortes@usccr.gov at least
ten (10) days prior to the meeting.
Members of the public are also
entitled to submit written comments;
the comments must be received in the
regional office within 30 days following
the meeting. Written comments may be
emailed to Liliana Schiller at lschiller@
usccr.gov. Persons who desire
additional information may contact the
Regional Programs Coordination Unit at
(312) 353–8311.
Records generated from this meeting
may be inspected and reproduced at the
Regional Programs Coordination Unit
Office, as they become available, both
before and after the meeting. Records of
the meeting will be available via
www.facadatabase.gov under the
Commission on Civil Rights, Illinois
Advisory Committee link. Persons
interested in the work of this Committee
are directed to the Commission’s
website, https://www.usccr.gov, or may
contact the Regional Programs
Coordination Unit at the above phone
number.
Agenda
I. Welcome
II. Debrief of March 22, 2022, Web
Hearing
III. Planning for Upcoming Web
Hearings
IV. Public Comment
V. Adjournment
Dated: March 23, 2022.
David Mussatt,
Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit.
[FR Doc. 2022–06530 Filed 3–28–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 60 (Tuesday, March 29, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17979-17981]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-06579]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service
[Docket No. NRCS-2022-0002]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
the Cove-East Fork Virgin River Watershed Plan, Kane County, Utah
AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Utah State
Office announces its intent to prepare an EIS for the Cove-East Fork
Virgin River Watershed Plan EIS Project located within the East Fork
Virgin River Watershed in Kane County, Utah. The EIS process will
examine alternative solutions to provide adequate irrigation water in
Kane and Washington counties during summer months, local water-based
recreation, and green energy opportunities. This EIS will also serve as
the necessary environmental documentation for development of a new
Black Knoll borrow pit and potential expansion of the existing Bald
Knoll borrow pit. Both pits are located on Bureau of Land Management
(BLM) administered public lands and require BLM authorization. The BLM
will be a cooperating agency in the development of this EIS. NRCS is
requesting comments to identify significant issues, potential
alternatives, information, and analyses relevant to the Proposed Action
from all interested individuals, Federal and State agencies, and
Tribes.
DATES: We will consider comments that we receive by April 28, 2022.
Comments received later will be considered to the extent possible.
ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments in response to this notice.
You may submit your comments through one of the methods below:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for docket ID NRCS-2022-0002. Follow the
online instructions for submitting comments; or
Hand Delivery or Mail: Brian Parker, Biologist, Southwest
Assistant Regional Manager, 1745 South Alma School Rd. Suite 220, Mesa,
Arizona 85044. Please specify the docket ID NRCS-2022-0002.
All comments received will be posted and made publicly available on
www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Norm Evenstad, Assistant State
Conservationist--Water Resources; telephone: (801) 524-4569; email:
[email protected]. Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication should contact the USDA Target
Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need
The primary purpose for watershed planning and preparation of this
EIS is to increase and maintain a reliable supply of water for local
agricultural use and existing storage needs, increase water
conservation, and improve water delivery efficiency in the Upper Virgin
Watershed in Kane County, Utah, and for existing and future water
demands in Washington County, Utah. Watershed planning is authorized
under Public Law 83-566, the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention
Act of 1954, as amended, and Public Law 78-534, the Flood Control Act
of 1944.
This action is needed because agriculture users in the Upper Virgin
Watershed routinely experience water shortages during late summer
months when East Fork Virgin River flows are depleted. Existing
irrigation facilities have limited capabilities to divert water from
the river, and there is currently no capacity for storage during non-
use and high-flow periods. As a result, adequate water is not available
to local users; therefore, the purpose of the action is to provide
enhanced conservation and beneficial use of water by increasing water
availability through collection and storage during non-use periods to
provide adequate flows during the irrigation season.
Currently, a lack of irrigation water near the communities of Mt.
Carmel, Orderville, and Glendale has resulted in a limitation of the
amount of alfalfa and other crops that can be grown. In particularly
dry years, the number of alfalfa cuttings has been reduced, resulting
in a loss of production. Lands currently used for agricultural purposes
in Washington County have also experienced a reduction in crop
production.
Three other objectives are included as part of the proposed action.
The existing Glendale hydroelectric plant does not meet the needs of
the community, and the Orderville plant only generates power during the
fall, winter, and early spring months. The project proposes a new
Glendale facility and would make water available during the summer
months at the Orderville site that could help meet energy needs.
Secondly, the project plans to enhance existing irrigation systems to
promote water conservation. Finally, project development would offer
additional water-based recreation opportunities in the area, and water-
based recreation activities are in high demand in Kane County.
Preliminary Proposed Action and Alternatives
The East Fork Virgin River watershed focused planning area is
approximately
[[Page 17980]]
153 square miles. Two action alternatives and the no action alternative
will be evaluated in the Draft EIS. The NRCS would provide technical
and financial assistance for the proposed project through the NRCS
Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program, and NRCS would also
design and implement a selected alternative. The alternatives we intend
to carry forward in the analysis are below:
1. No Action Alternative. Taking no action would consist of
activities carried out if no federal action or funding were provided.
The new Glendale facility would not be built, and no new irrigation
facilities would be developed to provide additional water supply during
the summer months. No improvements to the Mt. Carmel irrigation system
would be made. The existing structures would continue to operate in
their current condition and would not meet the purpose and need to
increase and maintain additional water supply, as described above.
2. Action Alternative 1--Construction of Cove Reservoir (Proposed
Action). Construction of a new reservoir (Cove Reservoir) within the
East Fork Virgin River Watershed, plus additional irrigation system
improvements in the Mt. Carmel, Orderville, and Glendale area.
For the Cove Reservoir, two sizes would be considered as sub-
alternatives, a 6,055-acre-foot reservoir and a 4,000-acre-foot
reservoir would be analyzed to increase water conservation. The
irrigation improvements would convert the ditched system at Mt. Carmel
to a pressurized system. A pressurized system would reduce water loss
during transportation, conserving additional water and increasing the
efficiency of the Mt. Carmel system. The currently inoperable Glendale
hydroelectric power plant would be relocated and upgraded to produce
twice its current power, and a new pipeline would be constructed to
access the new plant.
3. Action Alternative 2--Alternate reservoir site. An alternate
reservoir site with recreation facilities within the East Fork Virgin
River Watershed, plus additional irrigation system improvements in the
Mt. Carmel, Orderville, and Glendale area. The same irrigation
improvements as in Action Alternative 1 are proposed. The alternative
reservoir would have a capacity of around 6,000 acre-feet, with a
maximum capacity of 6,750 acre-feet per the Zion National Park
agreement. The reservoir would be located within the watershed area at
another suitable location based on geological and environmental
suitability.
Also, both action alternatives would include one new borrow pit at
Black Knoll and expansion of the existing borrow pit at Bald Knoll.
Both pits are located on Bureau of Land Management (BLM)-administered
public lands. The BLM will need to provide approval following
completion of the environmental analysis before any material can be
removed from these pits.
Summary of Expected Impacts
An NRCS evaluation of this federally assisted action indicates that
proposed alternatives may have significant local, regional, or national
impacts on the environment. Potential impacts include wetland and flood
plain alteration due to the construction of the reservoir. Potential
realignment of roads and/or removal of structures could occur,
depending on the reservoir location. Long-term beneficial impacts would
occur with additional water supply provided to Kane County and
Washington County, plus additional recreational opportunities at the
reservoir. The proposed action would reduce on-going water shortages
experienced by Kane County agriculture users during the summer months.
Anticipated Permits and Authorizations
The following permits and other authorizations are anticipated to
be required:
CWA Section 404 permit. Implementation of the proposed
federal action would require a Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 permit
from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Permitting with the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers regarding potential wetland impacts is ongoing and
will be finalized prior to final design and construction.
CWA Section 401 permit. The project would also require
water quality certification under Section 401 of the CWA and permitting
under Section 402 of the CWA (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System Permit).
Dam safety and floodplain permit. Local dam safety and
floodplain permits will be required.
NHPA Section 106 consultation. Consultation with Tribal
Nations and interested parties will be conducted as required by the
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended) (16 U.S.C.
470f).
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act Section 7 Consultation.
Consultation with the National Park Service regarding impacts to Virgin
River outstandingly remarkable values downstream of the proposed
project.
Schedule of Decision-Making Process
A Draft EIS will be prepared and circulated for review and comment
by agencies and the public for at least 45 days per 40 CFR 1503.1,
1502.20, 1506.11, and 1502.17, and 7 CFR 650.13. The Draft EIS is
anticipated to be published in the Federal Register approximately 10
months after publication of this NOI. A Final EIS is anticipated to be
published within 8 months of completion of the public comment period
for the DEIS.
There will be two decisions made and one or two Record(s) of
Decision:
NRCS Decision. The NRCS will decide whether to implement
one of the action alternatives or the No Action Alternative. The Record
of Decision will be completed after the required 30-day waiting period.
The decision maker and responsible federal official for the NRCS is
Emily Fife, Utah State Conservationist.
BLM Decision. The BLM will decide to authorize the usage
of one or more borrow pits to provide material for construction of the
earthen dam for either action alternative.
Public Scoping Process
NRCS invites all interested individuals and organizations, public
agencies, and Native American Tribes to comment on the scope of the
EIS, including the project's purpose and need, alternatives proposed,
new alternatives that should be considered, specific areas of study,
data to be obtained or included in the analysis, and evaluation
methodology. A virtual scoping meeting presenting the project and
develop the scope of the EIS was held online via Zoom on October 20,
2021, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. MDT. Scoping meeting presentation materials,
including a video recording of the meeting, is available on the project
website, along with project background information at https://bit.ly/3AX7Pg4.
This meeting involved a project presentation followed by a group
question and answer period. Project team members were available for
discussion of individual questions. Scoping provides the ability for
the public to provide input on the kinds of issues that should be
addressed, what alternatives should be considered, impacts and
additional research that should be considered, and any actions that
could be related to the project. Comments received, including the names
and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record.
[[Page 17981]]
Identification of Potential Alternatives, Information, and Analyses
NRCS invites agencies and individuals who have special expertise,
legal jurisdiction, or interest in the Cove-East Fork Virgin River
Watershed in Kane County, Utah to provide comments concerning the scope
of the analysis and identification of relevant information and studies.
All interested parties are invited to provide input related to the
identification of potential alternatives, information, and analyses
relevant to the Proposed Action in writing or during the public scoping
meeting.
Authorities
This document is published pursuant to the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) regulations regarding publication of a notice of
intent to issue an environmental impact statement (40 CFR 1501.9(d)).
This EIS will be prepared to evaluate potential environmental impacts
as required by section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 (NEPA); the Council on Environmental Quality regulations
(40 CFR parts 1500-1508); and NRCS regulations that implement NEPA in 7
CFR part 650. Watershed planning is authorized under the Watershed
Protection and Flood Prevention Act of 1954, as amended, (Pub. L. 83-
566) and the Flood Control Act of 1944 (Pub. L. 78-534). Also, the
title and number of the federal assistance program in the Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance to which this Notice of Funding
Availability applies is 10.904 Watershed Protection and Flood
Prevention.
USDA Non-Discrimination Policy
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights
regulations and policies, USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees,
and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are
prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin,
religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual
orientation, disability, age, marital status, family or parental
status, income derived from a public assistance program, political
beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in
any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases
apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by
program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of
communication for program information (for example, braille, large
print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the
responsible Agency or USDA TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and
TTY) or (844) 433-2774 (toll-free nationwide). Additionally, program
information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA
Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint and
at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in
the letter all the information requested in the form. To request a copy
of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form
or letter to USDA by mail to: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of
the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20250-9410 or email: [email protected].
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Emily Fife,
Utah State Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-06579 Filed 3-28-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P
