Natural Resources Conservation Service 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Minor editorial changes are being made to clarify and update the existing regulation on plant materials centers. Although the changes are minor, the entire part is published in this final rule for the convenience of the reader.

This notice announces the intention of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to request comments on a currently approved information collection for which approval will expire, 0578-0030, Emergency Watershed Protection Program. Public Participation: The NRCS invites full public participation to promote open communication and better decision-making. All persons and organizations that have an interest in the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program are urged to provide comments. Scoping Process: Public participation is requested throughout the scoping process. The NRCS is soliciting comment the public indicating what issues and impacts the public believes should be encompassed within the scope of the EWP Program. Comments are invited on (a) 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, (b) The accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used, (c) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected, and (d) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, such as through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technologic collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Date Scoping Comments Are Due: Comments on this notice must be received by January 18, 2008 to ensure consideration. Comments may be sent to Phyllis I. Watkins, Agency OMB Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Mailstop 5460, Beltsville, MD 20705-5000; (301) 504- 2170; phyllis.i.watkins@wdc.usda.gov.

Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Guidelines (7 CFR part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives notice that an environmental impact statement is not being prepared for Supplemental Watershed Plan-Environmental Assessment for the Mary's Creek Watershed Floodwater Retarding Structure No. 7, Shelby County, Tennessee.

The Agricultural Air Quality Task Force (AAQTF) will meet to continue discussions on air quality issues relating to agriculture.

Kevin Wickey, responsible Federal official for projects administered under the provisions of the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, Public Law 83-566, 16 U.S.C. 1001-1008, in the State of West Virginia, is hereby providing notification that a Record of Decision to proceed with the installation of the Dunloup Creek Watershed Project is available. Single copies of this Record of Decision may be obtained from Kevin Wickey at the address shown below.

The NRCS has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for a stream restoration project on a private landowner's land on McDonald Creek. A copy of the FONSI and the final Environmental Assessment (EA) is available for public review at the following locations: NRCS Office, 10507 N. McAlister Road, OR 97850. Grande Ronde Model Watershed, 1114 J Avenue, La Grande, OR 97850. La Grande Public Library, 2006 Fourth Street, La Grande, OR 97850. Additional copies may be obtained by contacting Greg Kuehl, NRCS, 541-963-4178, ext. 107.

Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Guidelines (40 CFR Part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Guidelines (7 CFR Part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives notice that an Environmental Impact Statement is not being prepared for the North Fork Powell River Watershed in Lee County, Virginia.

Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Guidelines (40 CFR Part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Guidelines (7 CFR Part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, has decided to subordinate its rights, acquired under the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP), to allow the Gulf South Pipeline Company, LP (Gulf South) to cross NRCS held conservations easements associated with the East Texas to Mississippi Expansion Project (Project) in Madison Parish, Red River Parish, Richland Parish and Ouachita Parish, LA. On September 1, 2006, Gulf South filed, in Docket No. CP04-446-000, an application under section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA) for authorization to construct and operate its proposed project. The proposed project consists of 241.9 miles of pipeline, and 110,604 horsepower (hp) of compression that will connect Gulf South's existing facilities in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana to Gulf South's pipeline in Simpson County, Mississippi. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has prepared a final environmental impact statement (EIS) to fulfill requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The purpose of this document was to make public the analysis of the environmental impacts that would likely result from the construction and operation of the proposed Project. The NRCS participated as a cooperating agency in the preparation of the EIS. The project will affect approximately 16 NRCS held Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) easements by creating a 60 ft. permanent right of way (within a 100 ft. construction right of way) that extends for approximately 241.9 miles of which 12.5 miles is over lands encumbered under WRP easements located in Madison, Red River, Richland and Ouachita Parishes, Louisiana. Of the 34,584 acres encumbered by WRP easements in Madison Parish, Louisiana 76.43 acres will be affected; Of the 513 acres encumbered by WRP easements in Red River Parish, Louisiana 4.61 acres will be affected; of the 7,285 acres encumbered by WRP easements in Richland Parish, Louisiana 6.36 acres will be affected; of the 3,716 acres encumbered by WRP easements in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana 1.82 acres will be affected.

Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR Part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Regulations (7 CFR Part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives notice that an environmental impact statement is not being prepared for the rehabilitation of Multiple Purpose Dam No. 3 of the Muddy Fork of the Illinois River Watershed, Washington County, Arkansas.

It has been determined by the NRCS State Conservationist for Virginia that changes must be made in the NRCS State Technical Guide specifically in practice standard: 382, Fence. This practice will be used to plan and install conservation practices on cropland, pastureland, woodland, and wildlife land.

Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Regulations (7 CFR part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives notice that an environmental impact statement is not being prepared for the Florence Flood Retarding Structure (FRS) Supplemental Watershed Plan, Pinal County, Arizona.

Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Regulations (7 CFR part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives notice that an environmental impact statement is not being prepared for the rehabilitation of Floodwater Retarding Structure No. 15 of the Nolan Creek Watershed, Bell County, Texas.

Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Guidelines (40 CFR Part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Guidelines (7 CFR Part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives notice that an environmental impact statement is not being prepared for the Marysville Irrigation Company, Gravity Pressurized, Irrigation Delivery System, Fremont County, Idaho.

It has been determined by the NRCS State Conservationist for Virginia that changes must be made in the NRCS State Technical Guide specifically in practice standards: 647, Early Successional Habitat Development Management, 511, Forage Harvest Management, 655, Forest Trails and Landings and 512, Pasture and Hay Planting. These practices will be used to plan and install conservation practices on cropland, pastureland, woodland, and wildlife land.

It has been determined by the NRCS State Conservationist for Tennessee that changes must be made in the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide, specifically in practice standards Residue and Tillage Management, Mulch Till; Residue and Tillage Management, No-till/Strip Till/Direct Seed; and Residue and Tillage Management, Ridge Till to account for improved technology. These practice standards can be used in conservation systems designed to treat highly erodible cropland.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has prepared a plan and environmental assessment (EA) consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended. Funding for salinity control projects is available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program which is covered by a programmatic EA. The Manila- Washam plan and EA were developed to more specifically evaluate the effects associated with this type of water quality activity. Upon review of the information in the Manila-Washam EA, the Utah NRCS State Conservationist made a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and the determination was made that no environmental impact statement is required to support the Manila-Washam Plan. Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Regulations (7 CFR part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives notice that an environmental impact statement is not being prepared for the Manila-Washam Salinity Control Project, Daggett County, Utah; and Sweetwater County, Wyoming. Written comments regarding this action may be submitted to: Sylvia Gillen, State Conservationist, USDA/NRCS, Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building, 125 South State Street, Room 4402, Salt Lake City, UT 84138-1100. Comments must be received no later than 30 days after this notice is published.

Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR Part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Regulations (7 CFR Part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives notice that an environmental impact statement is not being prepared for the rehabilitation of Floodwater Retarding Structure No. 8 of the Poteau River Watershed, Scott County, Arkansas.