Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Joint System Canal Project, Jackson County, OR, 46136-46138 [2023-15212]
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46136
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 137 / Wednesday, July 19, 2023 / Notices
Tameka Owens,
Assistant Administrator, Food and Nutrition
Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–15209 Filed 7–18–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–30–C
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation
Service
[Docket No. NRCS–2023–0012]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Joint System Canal Project,
Jackson County, OR
Natural Resources
Conservation Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare
an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS).
AGENCY:
The Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) Oregon
State Office announces its intent to
prepare a Watershed Plan and EIS for
the Joint System Canal Project, located
approximately 4 miles east of Eagle
Point, in Jackson County, Oregon. The
proposed Watershed Plan will examine
alternatives through the EIS process for
modernizing the Joint System Canal to
improve agricultural water management.
Medford Irrigation District (MID) is the
sponsoring local organization for the
project and Rogue River Valley
Irrigation District (RRVID) is a partner
organization. NRCS is requesting
comments to identify significant issues,
potential alternatives, 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 September 5, 2023.
Comments received after close of the
comment period 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–2023–0012. Follow
the online instructions for submitting
comments; or
• Mail or Hand Delivery: Jack Friend,
District Manager, Medford Irrigation
District, 5045 Jacksonville Hwy., Central
Point, OR 97502. For written comments,
specify the docket ID NRCS–2023–0012.
All comments received will be posted
without change and made publicly
available on www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary
Diridoni, telephone: (503) 414–3092;
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SUMMARY:
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email: Gary.Diridoni@USDA.gov for
questions related to submitting
comments; or visit the project website
at: https://oregonwatershedplans.org/
medford-id. Individuals who require
alternative means for communication
should contact the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) Target Center at
(202) 720–2600 (voice and text
telephone (TTY)) or dial 711 for
Telecommunications Relay service (both
voice and text telephone users can
initiate this call from any telephone).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need
The primary purpose of the proposed
watershed project is to improve
agricultural water management by
modernizing the Joint System Canal in
Jackson County, Oregon. Watershed
planning is authorized under the
Watershed Protection and Flood
Prevention Act of 1954 (Pub. L. 83–566),
as amended, and the Flood Control Act
of 1944 (Pub. L. 78–534).
The proposed project is needed due to
existing system water losses, inefficient
water delivery, and the risk of
infrastructure failure. The Joint System
Canal’s age and deteriorating condition
have reduced the water delivery
reliability for agricultural, residential,
industrial, and recreational uses.
Catastrophic failure of the canal would
flood adjacent properties and require
water deliveries to be stopped while the
canal was fixed, which could have large
impacts to crops and users that rely on
that water.
MID and RRVID jointly own, operate,
and maintain the Joint System Canal.
The two irrigation districts collectively
divert water from North Fork Little
Butte Creek and South Fork Little Butte
Creek into the North Fork Canal and the
South Fork Canal, respectively. The
North Fork and South Fork canals merge
to form the 13-mile Joint System Canal,
which conveys water to the Bradshaw
Drop pipeline. At the Bradshaw Drop,
the canal splits into MID’s and RRVID’s
systems. Since the Joint System Canal is
at the head of MID’s and RRIVD’s
systems, the districts have identified
eliminating this failure risk as critical to
maintaining agricultural water supplies.
The proposed project would
modernize the Joint System Canal and
associated siphons from the junction of
the North Fork Canal and South Fork
Canal to the Bradshaw Drop. The aging,
earthen and concrete-lined canal loses
approximately 6.7 cubic feet per second
of water, or 4,850 acre-feet annually,
due to seepage and evaporation. These
water losses are equivalent to
approximately 13 percent of the water
conveyed annually and contribute to
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water supply challenges for the districts
and local farms. Modernizing the canal
would significantly reduce water losses,
dramatically reduce the risk of failure,
and improve water delivery reliability.
MID and RRVID deliver water to
irrigate approximately 2,225 farms and
orchards on 21,758 irrigated acres in
Jackson County, Oregon. Agricultural
producers on these farms and orchards
grow high value pears, wine grapes, and
other fruit, as well as hay and other
crops. Agriculture is an essential part of
the Rogue Valley economy and
agricultural production depends on
reliable water deliveries from MID and
RRVID. The districts also deliver water
for outdoor residential use, industrial
users, golf courses and cemeteries.
Estimated federal funds required for
the construction of the proposed action
may exceed $25 million. The proposed
action will therefore require
congressional approval per the 2018
Agriculture Appropriations Act
amended funding threshold. In
accordance with 7 CFR 650.7(a)(2), an
EIS is required for projects requiring
congressional approval.
Preliminary Proposed Action and
Alternatives
The objective of the EIS is to
formulate and evaluate alternatives for
agricultural water management on the
Joint System Canal. The EIS is expected
to evaluate three alternatives: two action
alternatives and a no action alternative.
The alternatives that may be considered
for detailed analysis include:
—Alternative 1— No Action: Taking no
action would consist of activities
carried out if no Federal action or
funding were provided. No watershed
project would be implemented, and
the Joint System Canal and associated
infrastructure would not be
modernized.
—Alternative 2— Proposed Action: This
alternative would include the
following system improvement
measures including: piping the canal
in primarily the existing alignment,
with potentially small sections in new
alignments, siphon replacement,
access road improvements, and
upgraded turnouts. Options for each
measure would be evaluated.
—Alternative 3—This alternative would
include the following system
improvement measures including:
canal reshaping and lining in the
existing alignment, canal
stabilization, siphon replacement,
access road improvements, and
upgraded turnouts. Options for each
measure would be evaluated.
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 137 / Wednesday, July 19, 2023 / Notices
Summary of Expected Impacts
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
As mentioned above, initial cost
estimates of the proposed actions have
determined that the Federal
contribution to construction will exceed
$25 million, requiring congressional
approval. Per 7 CFR 650.7, an EIS is
required when projects require
congressional action. The NRCS Oregon
State Conservationist has determined
that the preparation of an EIS is
required for this watershed project. An
EIS will be prepared as required by
section 102(2)(C) of the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); the
Council on Environmental Quality
Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500–1508);
and NRCS regulations that implement
NEPA in 7 CFR part 650. In addition,
the EIS will be prepared in accordance
with the Principles, Requirements, and
Guidelines for Water and Land Related
Resources Implementation Studies
(PR&Gs, USDA NRCS 2017).1 NEPA
compliance will cover the analysis of
various resource issues listed below,
while compliance with the PR&Gs will
include additional assessments such as
analyzing effects to ecosystem services
and a National Economic Efficiency
Analysis.
Environmental resources in the Joint
System Canal Project area consist of the
natural and human-made environment.
Resource issues to be identified and
addressed in the EIS include Cultural
Resources, Economics, Soils, Land Use,
Environmental Justice, Endangered and
Threatened Species, Wildlife,
Hydrology, Wetlands, Vegetation, and
Climate Change. Other resources may be
identified through the scoping process.
• Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404
Permit. Implementation of the proposed
Federal action would require a CWA
section 404 permit from the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers. Permitting with the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding
potential impacts will be finalized prior
to final design and construction.
Schedule of Decision-Making Process
A Draft EIS (DEIS) will be prepared
and circulated for review and comment
by agencies, Tribes, consulting parties,
and the public for at least 45 days as
required by 40 CFR 1503.1, 1502.20,
1506.11, and 1502.17, and 7 CFR
650.13. The DEIS is anticipated to be
published in the Federal Register
approximately 16 months after
publication of this NOI. A Final EIS is
anticipated to be published within 6
months of completion of the public
comment period for the DEIS.
NRCS will decide whether to
implement one of the alternatives as
evaluated in the Final EIS. A NRCS
Record of Decision (ROD) will be
completed after the required 30-day
waiting period review process (36 CFR
part 218 or 36 CFR part 219) has
concluded. The responsible federal
official and decision maker for NRCS is
the Oregon State Conservationist.
Public Scoping Process
Public scoping meetings will be held
in the Medford, Oregon area to
determine the scope of the analysis to be
presented in the DEIS. Meetings are
scheduled to occur in the summer or fall
of 2023 and will be held at public
venues. Meeting locations and times
will be determined closer to the dates of
Anticipated Permits and Authorizations the events. Public notices will be placed
in local newspapers and on the NRCS,
The following permits and
MID, and RRVID websites. Additionally,
authorizations are anticipated to be
a letter providing details on the public
required:
meetings and the scoping comment and
• Endangered Species Act (ESA)
objection processes will be sent to
Consultation. Consultation with the U.S. federal and state agencies, Tribes, local
Fish and Wildlife Service will be
landowners, and interested parties.
conducted as required by the
Public scoping meetings provide an
Endangered Species Act of 1973.
opportunity to review and evaluate the
• Tribal Consultation. Consultation
Joint System Canal Project alternatives,
with the relevant Tribes will be
express concern or support, and gain
conducted.
further information regarding the Joint
• Section 106 Consultation.
System Canal Project. Comments
Consultation with the Oregon State
received, including the names and
Historic Preservation Office and the
addresses of those who comment, will
Tribal Historic Preservation Office will
be part of the public record. Comments
be conducted as required by the
submitted anonymously will be
National Historic Preservation Act
accepted and considered.
(NHPA) of 1966.
Identification of Potential Alternatives,
Information, and Analyses
1 USDA NRCS. (2017). Guidance for Conducting
Analyses Under the Principles, Requirements, and
NRCS invites agencies, Tribes,
Guidelines for Water and Land Related Resources
consulting parties, and individuals who
Implementation Studies and Federal Water
have special expertise, legal
Resource Investments. https://www.usda.gov/
directives/dm-9500-013.
jurisdiction, or interest to provide
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46137
comments concerning the scope of the
analysis and identification of potential
alternatives, information, and analyses
relevant to the Proposed Action in
writing.
NRCS will use the scoping process to
help fulfill the public involvement
process under section 106 of the NHPA
(54 U.S.C. 306108), as provided in 36
CFR 800.2(d)(3). Information about
historic and cultural resources within
the area potentially affected by the
proposed project will assist NRCS in
identifying and evaluating impacts to
resources in the context of both NEPA
and section 106.
NRCS will consult with Native
American tribes on a government-togovernment basis in accordance with 36
CFR 800.2 and 800.3, Executive Order
13175, and other policies. Tribal
concerns, including impacts on Indian
Trust Assets and potential impacts to
cultural resources and historic
properties, will be given full
consideration.
Authorities
This document is published pursuant
to the NEPA regulations regarding
publication of a NOI to issue an EIS (40
CFR 1501.9(d)). This EIS will be
prepared to evaluate potential
environmental impacts as required by
section 102(2)(C) of 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).
Federal Assistance Programs
The title and number of the Federal
assistance programs, as found in the
Assistance Listing,2 to which this
document applies, is 10.904, Watershed
Protection and Flood Prevention.
Executive Order 12372
Executive Order 12372,
‘‘Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs,’’ requires consultation with
State and local officials that would be
directly affected by proposed Federal
financial assistance. The objectives of
the Executive Order are to foster an
intergovernmental partnership and a
strengthened federalism, by relying on
State and local processes for State and
local government coordination and
review of proposed Federal financial
assistance and direct Federal
development. This Watershed Plan is
2 See
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46138
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 137 / Wednesday, July 19, 2023 / Notices
subject to the provisions of Executive
Order 12372, which requires
intergovernmental consultation with
State and local officials.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Census Bureau
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
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.
Individuals 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 text
telephone) or dial 711 for
Telecommunications Relay Service
(both voice and text telephone users can
initiate this call from any phone).
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.
Ronald Alvarado,
Oregon State Conservationist, Natural
Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–15212 Filed 7–18–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–16–P
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Agency Information Collection
Activities; Submission to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
Review and Approval; Comment
Request; Household Pulse Survey
On June 6, 2023, the Department of
Commerce received clearance from the
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) in accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 to
conduct Phase 3.9 of the Household
Pulse Survey (OMB No. 0607–1013,
Exp. 10/31/23). The Household Pulse
Survey was designed to meet a need for
timely information associated with
household experiences during the
Covid-19 pandemic. The Department is
committed to ensuring that the data
collected by the Household Pulse
Survey continue to meet information
needs as they may evolve over the
course of the pandemic. This notice
serves to inform of the Department’s
intent to request clearance from OMB to
make some revisions to the Household
Pulse Survey questionnaire. To ensure
that the data collected by the Household
Pulse Survey continue to meet
information needs as they evolve over
the course of the pandemic, the Census
Bureau submits this Request for
Revision to an Existing Collection for a
revised Phase 3.10 questionnaire.
Phase 3.10 includes split-panel tests
of two versions of the gender identity
question and the placement of the
health items in the instrument. The
Phase 3.10 instrument also includes the
return of the original Hispanic origin,
race/ethnicity, childcare arrangements,
and children’s mental health behaviors
items, and new questions on military
participation of a spouse, shortages of
critical products, difficulty accessing
medical care/treatment during natural
disasters, and a question asking the
respondent if they will opt-in to receive
optional surveys and email updates
from the Bureau. There are also
modifications to existing children’s
vaccine booster, infant formula, reasons
not working, unemployment insurance,
natural disaster, and contact
information items. Several questions
will be removed for Phase 3.10,
including questions about obtaining at
home COVID tests, not working due to
the pandemic or natural disaster,
households affected by the infant
formula shortage, type of formula used,
and best contact method.
It is the Department’s intention to
commence data collection using the
revised instrument on or about August
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23, 2023. The Department invites the
general public and other Federal
agencies to comment on proposed, and
continuing information collections,
which helps us assess the impact of our
information collection requirements and
minimize the public’s reporting burden.
Public comments were previously
sought on the Household Pulse Survey
via the Federal Register on May 19,
2020, June 3, 2020, February 1, 2021,
April 13, 2021, June 24, 2021, October
26, 2021, January 24, 2022, April 18,
2022, July 2, 2022, November 10, 2022,
and April 28, 2023. This notice allows
for an additional 30 days for public
comments on the proposed revisions.
Agency: U.S. Census Bureau,
Department of Commerce.
Title: Household Pulse Survey.
OMB Control Number: 0607–1013.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Request: Request for a
Revision of a Currently Approved
Collection.
Number of Respondents: 141,552.
Average Hours per Response: 20
minutes.
Burden Hours: 46,712.
Needs and Uses: Data produced by
the Household Pulse Survey are
designed to inform on a range of topics
related to households’ experiences
during the COVID–19 pandemic. Topics
to date have included employment,
facility to telework, travel patterns,
income loss, spending patterns, food
and housing security, amount of
monthly rent and changes in monthly
rent, access to benefits, mental health
and access to care, difficulty with selfcare and communicating, intent to
receive the COVID–19 vaccine/booster,
timing of coronavirus testing, use of
coronavirus treatments, the experience
of long COVID, post-secondary
educational disruption, access to infant
formula, the effects of increasing prices,
natural disasters, school meals for
children, and children’s mental health
treatment. The requested revision, if
approved by OMB, will remove selected
items from the questions for which
utility has declined and add questions
based on information needs expressed
via public comment and in consult with
other Federal agencies. The overall
burden change to the public will be
insignificant.
The Household Pulse Survey was
initially launched in April, 2020 as an
experimental project (see https://
www.census.gov/data/experimentaldata-products.html) under emergency
clearance from the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) initially
granted April 19, 2020; regular
clearance was subsequently sought and
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 137 (Wednesday, July 19, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46136-46138]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-15212]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service
[Docket No. NRCS-2023-0012]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
the Joint System Canal Project, Jackson County, OR
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) Oregon State
Office announces its intent to prepare a Watershed Plan and EIS for the
Joint System Canal Project, located approximately 4 miles east of Eagle
Point, in Jackson County, Oregon. The proposed Watershed Plan will
examine alternatives through the EIS process for modernizing the Joint
System Canal to improve agricultural water management. Medford
Irrigation District (MID) is the sponsoring local organization for the
project and Rogue River Valley Irrigation District (RRVID) is a partner
organization. NRCS is requesting comments to identify significant
issues, potential alternatives, 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 September 5, 2023.
Comments received after close of the comment period 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-2023-0012. Follow the
online instructions for submitting comments; or
Mail or Hand Delivery: Jack Friend, District Manager,
Medford Irrigation District, 5045 Jacksonville Hwy., Central Point, OR
97502. For written comments, specify the docket ID NRCS-2023-0012.
All comments received will be posted without change and made
publicly available on www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Diridoni, telephone: (503) 414-
3092; email: [email protected] for questions related to submitting
comments; or visit the project website at: https://oregonwatershedplans.org/medford-id. Individuals who require
alternative means for communication should contact the U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA) Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and text
telephone (TTY)) or dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay service (both
voice and text telephone users can initiate this call from any
telephone).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need
The primary purpose of the proposed watershed project is to improve
agricultural water management by modernizing the Joint System Canal in
Jackson County, Oregon. Watershed planning is authorized under the
Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act of 1954 (Pub. L. 83-566),
as amended, and the Flood Control Act of 1944 (Pub. L. 78-534).
The proposed project is needed due to existing system water losses,
inefficient water delivery, and the risk of infrastructure failure. The
Joint System Canal's age and deteriorating condition have reduced the
water delivery reliability for agricultural, residential, industrial,
and recreational uses. Catastrophic failure of the canal would flood
adjacent properties and require water deliveries to be stopped while
the canal was fixed, which could have large impacts to crops and users
that rely on that water.
MID and RRVID jointly own, operate, and maintain the Joint System
Canal. The two irrigation districts collectively divert water from
North Fork Little Butte Creek and South Fork Little Butte Creek into
the North Fork Canal and the South Fork Canal, respectively. The North
Fork and South Fork canals merge to form the 13-mile Joint System
Canal, which conveys water to the Bradshaw Drop pipeline. At the
Bradshaw Drop, the canal splits into MID's and RRVID's systems. Since
the Joint System Canal is at the head of MID's and RRIVD's systems, the
districts have identified eliminating this failure risk as critical to
maintaining agricultural water supplies.
The proposed project would modernize the Joint System Canal and
associated siphons from the junction of the North Fork Canal and South
Fork Canal to the Bradshaw Drop. The aging, earthen and concrete-lined
canal loses approximately 6.7 cubic feet per second of water, or 4,850
acre-feet annually, due to seepage and evaporation. These water losses
are equivalent to approximately 13 percent of the water conveyed
annually and contribute to water supply challenges for the districts
and local farms. Modernizing the canal would significantly reduce water
losses, dramatically reduce the risk of failure, and improve water
delivery reliability.
MID and RRVID deliver water to irrigate approximately 2,225 farms
and orchards on 21,758 irrigated acres in Jackson County, Oregon.
Agricultural producers on these farms and orchards grow high value
pears, wine grapes, and other fruit, as well as hay and other crops.
Agriculture is an essential part of the Rogue Valley economy and
agricultural production depends on reliable water deliveries from MID
and RRVID. The districts also deliver water for outdoor residential
use, industrial users, golf courses and cemeteries.
Estimated federal funds required for the construction of the
proposed action may exceed $25 million. The proposed action will
therefore require congressional approval per the 2018 Agriculture
Appropriations Act amended funding threshold. In accordance with 7 CFR
650.7(a)(2), an EIS is required for projects requiring congressional
approval.
Preliminary Proposed Action and Alternatives
The objective of the EIS is to formulate and evaluate alternatives
for agricultural water management on the Joint System Canal. The EIS is
expected to evaluate three alternatives: two action alternatives and a
no action alternative. The alternatives that may be considered for
detailed analysis include:
--Alternative 1-- No Action: Taking no action would consist of
activities carried out if no Federal action or funding were provided.
No watershed project would be implemented, and the Joint System Canal
and associated infrastructure would not be modernized.
--Alternative 2-- Proposed Action: This alternative would include the
following system improvement measures including: piping the canal in
primarily the existing alignment, with potentially small sections in
new alignments, siphon replacement, access road improvements, and
upgraded turnouts. Options for each measure would be evaluated.
--Alternative 3--This alternative would include the following system
improvement measures including: canal reshaping and lining in the
existing alignment, canal stabilization, siphon replacement, access
road improvements, and upgraded turnouts. Options for each measure
would be evaluated.
[[Page 46137]]
Summary of Expected Impacts
As mentioned above, initial cost estimates of the proposed actions
have determined that the Federal contribution to construction will
exceed $25 million, requiring congressional approval. Per 7 CFR 650.7,
an EIS is required when projects require congressional action. The NRCS
Oregon State Conservationist has determined that the preparation of an
EIS is required for this watershed project. An EIS will be prepared as
required by section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA); the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR parts
1500-1508); and NRCS regulations that implement NEPA in 7 CFR part 650.
In addition, the EIS will be prepared in accordance with the
Principles, Requirements, and Guidelines for Water and Land Related
Resources Implementation Studies (PR&Gs, USDA NRCS 2017).\1\ NEPA
compliance will cover the analysis of various resource issues listed
below, while compliance with the PR&Gs will include additional
assessments such as analyzing effects to ecosystem services and a
National Economic Efficiency Analysis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ USDA NRCS. (2017). Guidance for Conducting Analyses Under
the Principles, Requirements, and Guidelines for Water and Land
Related Resources Implementation Studies and Federal Water Resource
Investments. https://www.usda.gov/directives/dm-9500-013.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Environmental resources in the Joint System Canal Project area
consist of the natural and human-made environment. Resource issues to
be identified and addressed in the EIS include Cultural Resources,
Economics, Soils, Land Use, Environmental Justice, Endangered and
Threatened Species, Wildlife, Hydrology, Wetlands, Vegetation, and
Climate Change. Other resources may be identified through the scoping
process.
Anticipated Permits and Authorizations
The following permits and authorizations are anticipated to be
required:
Endangered Species Act (ESA) Consultation. Consultation
with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be conducted as required
by the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
Tribal Consultation. Consultation with the relevant Tribes
will be conducted.
Section 106 Consultation. Consultation with the Oregon
State Historic Preservation Office and the Tribal Historic Preservation
Office will be conducted as required by the National Historic
Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966.
Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 Permit. Implementation
of the proposed Federal action would require a CWA section 404 permit
from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Permitting with the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers regarding potential impacts will be finalized prior
to final design and construction.
Schedule of Decision-Making Process
A Draft EIS (DEIS) will be prepared and circulated for review and
comment by agencies, Tribes, consulting parties, and the public for at
least 45 days as required by 40 CFR 1503.1, 1502.20, 1506.11, and
1502.17, and 7 CFR 650.13. The DEIS is anticipated to be published in
the Federal Register approximately 16 months after publication of this
NOI. A Final EIS is anticipated to be published within 6 months of
completion of the public comment period for the DEIS.
NRCS will decide whether to implement one of the alternatives as
evaluated in the Final EIS. A NRCS Record of Decision (ROD) will be
completed after the required 30-day waiting period review process (36
CFR part 218 or 36 CFR part 219) has concluded. The responsible federal
official and decision maker for NRCS is the Oregon State
Conservationist.
Public Scoping Process
Public scoping meetings will be held in the Medford, Oregon area to
determine the scope of the analysis to be presented in the DEIS.
Meetings are scheduled to occur in the summer or fall of 2023 and will
be held at public venues. Meeting locations and times will be
determined closer to the dates of the events. Public notices will be
placed in local newspapers and on the NRCS, MID, and RRVID websites.
Additionally, a letter providing details on the public meetings and the
scoping comment and objection processes will be sent to federal and
state agencies, Tribes, local landowners, and interested parties.
Public scoping meetings provide an opportunity to review and
evaluate the Joint System Canal Project alternatives, express concern
or support, and gain further information regarding the Joint System
Canal Project. Comments received, including the names and addresses of
those who comment, will be part of the public record. Comments
submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered.
Identification of Potential Alternatives, Information, and Analyses
NRCS invites agencies, Tribes, consulting parties, and individuals
who have special expertise, legal jurisdiction, or interest to provide
comments concerning the scope of the analysis and identification of
potential alternatives, information, and analyses relevant to the
Proposed Action in writing.
NRCS will use the scoping process to help fulfill the public
involvement process under section 106 of the NHPA (54 U.S.C. 306108),
as provided in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). Information about historic and
cultural resources within the area potentially affected by the proposed
project will assist NRCS in identifying and evaluating impacts to
resources in the context of both NEPA and section 106.
NRCS will consult with Native American tribes on a government-to-
government basis in accordance with 36 CFR 800.2 and 800.3, Executive
Order 13175, and other policies. Tribal concerns, including impacts on
Indian Trust Assets and potential impacts to cultural resources and
historic properties, will be given full consideration.
Authorities
This document is published pursuant to the NEPA regulations
regarding publication of a NOI to issue an EIS (40 CFR 1501.9(d)). This
EIS will be prepared to evaluate potential environmental impacts as
required by section 102(2)(C) of 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).
Federal Assistance Programs
The title and number of the Federal assistance programs, as found
in the Assistance Listing,\2\ to which this document applies, is
10.904, Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention.
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\2\ See https://sam.gov/content/assistance-listings.
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Executive Order 12372
Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs,'' requires consultation with State and local officials that
would be directly affected by proposed Federal financial assistance.
The objectives of the Executive Order are to foster an
intergovernmental partnership and a strengthened federalism, by relying
on State and local processes for State and local government
coordination and review of proposed Federal financial assistance and
direct Federal development. This Watershed Plan is
[[Page 46138]]
subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372, which requires
intergovernmental consultation with State and local officials.
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.
Individuals 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 text telephone) or dial
711 for Telecommunications Relay Service (both voice and text telephone
users can initiate this call from any phone). 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.
Ronald Alvarado,
Oregon State Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-15212 Filed 7-18-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P
