Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the GreenThumb Gardens Water Supply Project, New York, NY for Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, and Richmond Counties, 31130-31132 [2024-08725]
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 80 / Wednesday, April 24, 2024 / Notices
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation
Service
[Docket No. NRCS–2024–0005]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for
the GreenThumb Gardens Water
Supply Project, New York, NY for
Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, and
Richmond Counties
Natural Resources
Conservation Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent (NOI) to prepare
an environmental impact statement
(EIS).
AGENCY:
The Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) New York
State Office announces its intent to
prepare an environmental impact
statement for the GreenThumb Gardens
Water Supply Project watershed plan,
under the jurisdiction of New York City
(NYC) Parks and Recreation Department
GreenThumb Network, located within
the Five Borough Watershed in New
York City, New York. The proposed
watershed plan will examine alternative
solutions to address insufficient
agricultural water supply to support the
food production needs of the identified
community gardens. The GreenThumb
Community Gardens includes 254 food
producing community gardens within
the jurisdiction of the NYC Parks and
Recreation Department. 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 May 24, 2024. We will
consider comments received after close
of the comment period 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–2024–0005. Follow
the online instructions for submitting
comments; or
• Mail or Hand Delivery: Dennis
DeWeese, Assistant State
Conservationist USDA, NRCS, New
York State Office, 441 S. Salina Street,
Syracuse New York 13202. In your
comments, specify the docket ID NRCS–
2024–00005.
All comments received will be posted
without change and made publicly
available on www.regulations.gov.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:48 Apr 23, 2024
Jkt 262001
Dennis DeWeese; telephone: (315) 477–
6527; email: dennis.deweese@usda.gov.
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 for the
watershed plan is to supply dependable
and accessible water to the GreenThumb
Community Gardens that produce food.
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 sponsoring local organization is the
NYC Parks and Recreation Department
GreenThumb Network, which supports
the creation and maintenance of
volunteer led community gardens
within the NYC Parks and Recreation
Department jurisdiction.
The GreenThumb Gardens Water
Supply Project is essential for the
establishment of secure and reliable onsite agricultural water supply to address
deficiencies in the existing water
delivery systems. Improving on-site
water infrastructure within community
gardens would strengthen the local food
system, improve efficiency, contribute
to the conservation and enhancement of
natural resources and lower barriers to
water access. Additionally, on-site
agricultural water supply for
community gardens would improve
public health and safety through the
enrichment of food quality and quantity,
increased community engagement
opportunities, and the reduction of fire
hydrant related safety and efficiency
concerns. This action would implement
water conservation activities on existing
agricultural lands and would address
solutions to insufficient water supply
and quality for the community gardens.
The primary beneficiaries of the
GreenThumb Gardens Water Supply
Project are urban food producing
community gardens under the NYC
Parks and Recreation Department
GreenThumb jurisdiction that do not
have accessible and safe permanent
access to a dependable water supply.
Estimated Federal funds required for
the construction of the proposed action
may exceed $25 million and the
proposed action will, therefore, require
congressional approval per the 2018
Agriculture Appropriations Act
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
amended funding threshold. In
accordance with the regulation in 7 CFR
650.7(a)(2), an EIS is required for
projects requiring congressional
approval.
Preliminary Proposed Action and
Alternatives
The EIS objective is to formulate and
evaluate alternatives for the agricultural
water management in the NYC Parks
and Recreation Department
GreenThumb community gardens
Project area. The EIS is expected to
evaluate two alternatives: one action
alternative and one no action
alternative. The alternatives that may be
considered for detailed analysis include:
• Alternative 1—No Action
Alternative: Taking no action would
consist of activities conducted if no
Federal action or funding were
provided. If the No Action Alternative is
selected on-site water supply would
continue at its current pace. No Federal
action or funding would be associated
with the No Action Alternative.
• Alternative 2—Proposed Action—
Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) System:
The proposed action would include the
installation of on-site water supply
using a RPZ system at eligible food
producing GreenThumb community
gardens throughout NYC.
Summary of Expected Impacts
The EIS will be prepared 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.
Resource concerns for scoping were
identified and categorized as relevant or
not relevant to the proposed action. The
NYC Parks and Recreation Department
GreenThumb Network and NRCS are
evaluating the GreenThumb Gardens
Water Supply Project’s existing
conditions along with relevant resource
concerns for each proposed solution.
Environmental resources in the
GreenThumb Gardens Water Supply
Project area consist of both natural and
man-made resources.
Resource concerns include the
following: insufficient agricultural water
supply, plant productivity and health,
and human economic considerations of
labor and risk. A special environmental
concern is environmental justice.
An NRCS evaluation of this federally
assisted action indicates the proposed
alternatives may have local effects on
the environment. Potential negative
effects include short-term disruption in
pedestrian and traffic movement at
individual community gardens during
E:\FR\FM\24APN1.SGM
24APN1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 80 / Wednesday, April 24, 2024 / Notices
GreenThumb Gardens Water Supply
Project installation. Long-term
beneficial effects associated with the
establishment of on-site water supply at
food producing community gardens
include: increased produce quality and
quantity of food; increased water
efficiency; and improved safety and
equity. Broader community-oriented
benefits range from a reduction in the
urban heat island effect to improved
community connectedness and social
capital.
Anticipated Permits and Authorizations
The following permit is anticipated to
be required:
• NYC Department of Environmental
Protection. The GreenThumb Gardens
Water Supply Project would require a
site connection permit for all
connections made to the city’s water
mains.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
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 45 days as required
by the regulations in 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 9 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 action alternatives
as evaluated in the EIS. A Record of
Decision will be completed after the
required 30-day waiting period and will
be publicly available. The responsible
Federal official and decision maker for
NRCS is the New York NRCS State
Conservationist.
Public Scoping Process
The date, time, and location for a
public scoping meeting will be
announced on the GreenThumb Gardens
Water Supply Project website.
Comments received, including the
names and addresses of those who
comment, will be part of the public
record. Scoping meeting presentation
materials will be available for review
and comment for 30 days after the
meeting.
Federal, State, Tribal, local agencies
and representatives, and the public are
invited to take part in the watershed
plan scoping period. The NYC Parks
and Recreation Department
GreenThumb Network and NRCS will
organize a public scoping meeting to
provide an opportunity to review and
evaluate the GreenThumb Gardens
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:48 Apr 23, 2024
Jkt 262001
Water Supply Project alternatives,
express concern or support, and gain
further information regarding the
GreenThumb Gardens Water Supply
Project. To determine the most viable
alternatives for the EIS, the NYC Parks
and Recreation Department
GreenThumb Network will use input
obtained during public scoping
discussions to focus on relevant
resource concerns and issues and
eliminate those that are not relevant
from further detailed study.
NRCS will coordinate the scoping
process to correspond with Section 106
of the National Historic Preservation Act
(NHPA) (54 U.S.C. 306108) as allowed
in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3) and 800.8.
Identification of Potential Alternatives,
Information, and Analyses
NRCS invites agencies, Tribes,
consulting parties, and individuals that
have special expertise, legal
jurisdiction, or interest in the
GreenThumb Gardens Water Supply
Project to provide written comments
concerning the scope of the analysis and
identification of potential alternatives,
information, and analyses relevant to
the Proposed Action.
The information about historic and
cultural resources within the area
potentially affected by the proposed
GreenThumb Gardens Water Supply
Project will assist NRCS in identifying
and evaluating impacts to such
resources in the context of both NEPA
and NHPA.
NRCS will consult with Native
American tribes on a government-togovernment basis in accordance with
the regulations in 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
due consideration.
Authorities
This document is published as
specified by the NEPA regulations
regarding publication of an NOI to issue
an EIS (40 CFR 1501.9(d)). Watershed
planning is authorized under the
Watershed Protection and Flood
Prevention Act of 1954, as amended and
the Flood Control Act of 1944.
Federal Assistance Programs
The title and number of the Federal
Assistance Program as found in the
Assistance Listing 1 to which this
document applies is 10.904, Watershed
Protection and Flood Prevention.
1 See
PO 00000
https://sam.gov/content/assistance-listings.
Frm 00005
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
31131
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. The GreenThumb
Gardens Water Supply Project is 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
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) 6329992.
Submit your completed form or letter to
USDA by: (1) mail to: U.S. Department
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31132
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 80 / Wednesday, April 24, 2024 / Notices
of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
DC 20250–9410; (2) Fax: (202 690–7442;
or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity
provider, employer, and lender.
Blake Glover,
New York State Conservationist, Natural
Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2024–08725 Filed 4–23–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–16–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Office of Partnerships and Public
Engagement
USDA Generic Clearance for
Fellowships, Scholarships,
Internships, and Training
Office of Partnerships and
Public Engagement (OPPE).
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice announces OPPE’s intention to
request a new, generic information
collection.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be
received within 60 days of publication
in the Federal Register to be assured of
consideration.
ADDRESSES: OPPE invites interested
persons to submit comments on this
notice. Comments may be submitted by
one of the following methods:
• Electronic Submission of
Comments: Submit comments identified
by Docket ID: USDA–xxxx–xxxx, via the
Federal eRulemaking Portal.
• Submission of Comments by Mail,
Hand Delivery, or Courier: U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Office of
Partnerships and Public Engagement,
Docket Clerk, 1400 Independence Ave.
SW, Mailstop 0601, Washington, DC
20250–3700.
All items submitted by mail or
electronic mail must include the Agency
name and docket number Office of
Partnerships and Public Engagement
and USDA–xxxx–xxxx. Comments
received in response to this docket will
be made available for public inspection
and posted without change, including
any personal information, to: https://
www.regulations.gov.
For access to background documents
or comments received, go to the Office
of Partnerships and Public Engagement
at 1400 Independence Ave. SW,
Washington, DC 20250–3700, Mail Stop
0601 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.,
Monday through Friday.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:48 Apr 23, 2024
Jkt 262001
Kim
Okahara, Performance Improvement
Officer, at kim.okahara@usda.gov or
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office
of Partnerships and Public Engagement,
Attention: Kim Okahara, 1400
Independence Ave. SW, Washington,
DC 20250–3700 Mail Stop 0601, via
telephone at 202–720–6350.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
Chapter 3506(C)(2)(A)), this notice
announces the intention of The Office of
Partnerships and Public Engagement to
request comments concerning the USDA
Generic Clearance for Fellowships,
Scholarships, Internships, and Training
information collection request.
Comments are invited on: (1) whether
the proposed collection of information
is necessary for the proper performance
of the functions of the agency, including
whether the information will have
practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the
agency’s estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information
including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (3)
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and (4) ways to minimize the
burden of the collection of information
on those who are to respond, including
the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other
technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
All comments received will be
available for public inspection during
regular business hours at the same
address.
All responses to this notice will be
summarized and included in the request
for OMB approval. All comments,
including any personal information
contained therein, will become a matter
of public record.
Agency: USDA Office of Partnerships
and Public Engagement.
Proposed Collection Title: Generic
Clearance for Application Information
and Follow-up Information for
Fellowships, Scholarships, Internships,
and Training Programs.
OMB Number: 0503–New.
Expiration Date of Approval: Three
years from approval date.
Type of Request: New generic
information collection.
Abstract: OPPE coordinates outreach
activities, including fellowship
programs, scholarship programs,
internship programs, and new
initiatives that the Secretary of
Agriculture deems appropriate on behalf
of the Department’s agencies, offices,
divisions, and units (7 U.S.C. 6934(c)).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
OPPE collects application information
to effectively coordinate selection and
placement for agency fellowship,
scholarship, internship, and training
programs. In addition, OPPE collects
feedback from participants upon
completion of their respective programs.
This generic collection will enable
USDA to streamline application
processes and collect participant
feedback in an efficient, timely manner,
in accordance with the Administration’s
commitment to providing career
pathways to Federal positions.
Affected Public: Individuals.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
50,000.
Frequency: Biannual, Annual.
Total Estimated Annual Responses:
45,000.
Estimated Average Time per
Response: 1.7 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: 30,833.
Total Estimated Annual Other Cost
Burden: $0.
The respondents of this information
collection will incur no costs other than
the investment of their time.
Anton X. Malkowski,
Chief of Staff, USDA Office of Partnerships
and Public Engagement.
[FR Doc. 2024–08724 Filed 4–23–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3412–88–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Foreign-Trade Zones Board
[B–16–2024]
Foreign-Trade Zone 123—Denver,
Colorado; Application for
Reorganization Under Alternative Site
Framework
An application has been submitted to
the Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ) Board by
the World Trade Center Denver, grantee
of FTZ 123, requesting authority to
reorganize the zone under the
alternative site framework (ASF)
adopted by the FTZ Board (15 CFR
400.2(c)). The ASF is an option for
grantees for the establishment or
reorganization of zones and can permit
significantly greater flexibility in the
designation of new subzones or ‘‘usagedriven’’ FTZ sites for operators/users
located within a grantee’s ‘‘service area’’
in the context of the FTZ Board’s
standard 2,000-acre activation limit for
a zone. The application was submitted
pursuant to the Foreign-Trade Zones
Act, as amended (19 U.S.C. 81a–81u),
and the regulations of the Board (15 CFR
part 400). It was formally docketed on
April 18, 2024.
E:\FR\FM\24APN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 80 (Wednesday, April 24, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31130-31132]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-08725]
[[Page 31130]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service
[Docket No. NRCS-2024-0005]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
the GreenThumb Gardens Water Supply Project, New York, NY for Bronx,
Kings, New York, Queens, and Richmond Counties
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) New York
State Office announces its intent to prepare an environmental impact
statement for the GreenThumb Gardens Water Supply Project watershed
plan, under the jurisdiction of New York City (NYC) Parks and
Recreation Department GreenThumb Network, located within the Five
Borough Watershed in New York City, New York. The proposed watershed
plan will examine alternative solutions to address insufficient
agricultural water supply to support the food production needs of the
identified community gardens. The GreenThumb Community Gardens includes
254 food producing community gardens within the jurisdiction of the NYC
Parks and Recreation Department. 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 May 24, 2024. We
will consider comments received after close of the comment period 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-2024-0005. Follow the
online instructions for submitting comments; or
Mail or Hand Delivery: Dennis DeWeese, Assistant State
Conservationist USDA, NRCS, New York State Office, 441 S. Salina
Street, Syracuse New York 13202. In your comments, specify the docket
ID NRCS-2024-00005.
All comments received will be posted without change and made
publicly available on www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dennis DeWeese; telephone: (315) 477-
6527; email: [email protected]. 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 for the watershed plan is to supply dependable
and accessible water to the GreenThumb Community Gardens that produce
food.
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 sponsoring local
organization is the NYC Parks and Recreation Department GreenThumb
Network, which supports the creation and maintenance of volunteer led
community gardens within the NYC Parks and Recreation Department
jurisdiction.
The GreenThumb Gardens Water Supply Project is essential for the
establishment of secure and reliable on-site agricultural water supply
to address deficiencies in the existing water delivery systems.
Improving on-site water infrastructure within community gardens would
strengthen the local food system, improve efficiency, contribute to the
conservation and enhancement of natural resources and lower barriers to
water access. Additionally, on-site agricultural water supply for
community gardens would improve public health and safety through the
enrichment of food quality and quantity, increased community engagement
opportunities, and the reduction of fire hydrant related safety and
efficiency concerns. This action would implement water conservation
activities on existing agricultural lands and would address solutions
to insufficient water supply and quality for the community gardens. The
primary beneficiaries of the GreenThumb Gardens Water Supply Project
are urban food producing community gardens under the NYC Parks and
Recreation Department GreenThumb jurisdiction that do not have
accessible and safe permanent access to a dependable water supply.
Estimated Federal funds required for the construction of the
proposed action may exceed $25 million and the proposed action will,
therefore, require congressional approval per the 2018 Agriculture
Appropriations Act amended funding threshold. In accordance with the
regulation in 7 CFR 650.7(a)(2), an EIS is required for projects
requiring congressional approval.
Preliminary Proposed Action and Alternatives
The EIS objective is to formulate and evaluate alternatives for the
agricultural water management in the NYC Parks and Recreation
Department GreenThumb community gardens Project area. The EIS is
expected to evaluate two alternatives: one action alternative and one
no action alternative. The alternatives that may be considered for
detailed analysis include:
Alternative 1--No Action Alternative: Taking no action
would consist of activities conducted if no Federal action or funding
were provided. If the No Action Alternative is selected on-site water
supply would continue at its current pace. No Federal action or funding
would be associated with the No Action Alternative.
Alternative 2--Proposed Action--Reduced Pressure Zone
(RPZ) System: The proposed action would include the installation of on-
site water supply using a RPZ system at eligible food producing
GreenThumb community gardens throughout NYC.
Summary of Expected Impacts
The EIS will be prepared 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.
Resource concerns for scoping were identified and categorized as
relevant or not relevant to the proposed action. The NYC Parks and
Recreation Department GreenThumb Network and NRCS are evaluating the
GreenThumb Gardens Water Supply Project's existing conditions along
with relevant resource concerns for each proposed solution.
Environmental resources in the GreenThumb Gardens Water Supply Project
area consist of both natural and man-made resources.
Resource concerns include the following: insufficient agricultural
water supply, plant productivity and health, and human economic
considerations of labor and risk. A special environmental concern is
environmental justice.
An NRCS evaluation of this federally assisted action indicates the
proposed alternatives may have local effects on the environment.
Potential negative effects include short-term disruption in pedestrian
and traffic movement at individual community gardens during
[[Page 31131]]
GreenThumb Gardens Water Supply Project installation. Long-term
beneficial effects associated with the establishment of on-site water
supply at food producing community gardens include: increased produce
quality and quantity of food; increased water efficiency; and improved
safety and equity. Broader community-oriented benefits range from a
reduction in the urban heat island effect to improved community
connectedness and social capital.
Anticipated Permits and Authorizations
The following permit is anticipated to be required:
NYC Department of Environmental Protection. The GreenThumb
Gardens Water Supply Project would require a site connection permit for
all connections made to the city's water mains.
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 45
days as required by the regulations in 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 9 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 action
alternatives as evaluated in the EIS. A Record of Decision will be
completed after the required 30-day waiting period and will be publicly
available. The responsible Federal official and decision maker for NRCS
is the New York NRCS State Conservationist.
Public Scoping Process
The date, time, and location for a public scoping meeting will be
announced on the GreenThumb Gardens Water Supply Project website.
Comments received, including the names and addresses of those who
comment, will be part of the public record. Scoping meeting
presentation materials will be available for review and comment for 30
days after the meeting.
Federal, State, Tribal, local agencies and representatives, and the
public are invited to take part in the watershed plan scoping period.
The NYC Parks and Recreation Department GreenThumb Network and NRCS
will organize a public scoping meeting to provide an opportunity to
review and evaluate the GreenThumb Gardens Water Supply Project
alternatives, express concern or support, and gain further information
regarding the GreenThumb Gardens Water Supply Project. To determine the
most viable alternatives for the EIS, the NYC Parks and Recreation
Department GreenThumb Network will use input obtained during public
scoping discussions to focus on relevant resource concerns and issues
and eliminate those that are not relevant from further detailed study.
NRCS will coordinate the scoping process to correspond with Section
106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (54 U.S.C. 306108)
as allowed in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3) and 800.8.
Identification of Potential Alternatives, Information, and Analyses
NRCS invites agencies, Tribes, consulting parties, and individuals
that have special expertise, legal jurisdiction, or interest in the
GreenThumb Gardens Water Supply Project to provide written comments
concerning the scope of the analysis and identification of potential
alternatives, information, and analyses relevant to the Proposed
Action.
The information about historic and cultural resources within the
area potentially affected by the proposed GreenThumb Gardens Water
Supply Project will assist NRCS in identifying and evaluating impacts
to such resources in the context of both NEPA and NHPA.
NRCS will consult with Native American tribes on a government-to-
government basis in accordance with the regulations in 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 due
consideration.
Authorities
This document is published as specified by the NEPA regulations
regarding publication of an NOI to issue an EIS (40 CFR 1501.9(d)).
Watershed planning is authorized under the Watershed Protection and
Flood Prevention Act of 1954, as amended and the Flood Control Act of
1944.
Federal Assistance Programs
The title and number of the Federal Assistance Program as found in
the Assistance Listing \1\ to which this document applies is 10.904,
Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention.
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\1\ 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. The GreenThumb Gardens Water Supply Project
is 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 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: (1) mail to: U.S. Department
[[Page 31132]]
of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights,
1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410; (2) Fax: (202
690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected].
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Blake Glover,
New York State Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-08725 Filed 4-23-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P
