Natural Resources Conservation Service 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969: the Council of 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 Pigeon Roost Watershed, Jackson County, Kentucky.

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 being prepared for South Fork of Licking River Watershed, Licking, Perry, Fairfield Counties, Ohio.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, to disclose potential effects to the human environment. The section of Coal Creek that traverses Cedar City, Utah, has channel stability and capacity deficiencies that pose a threat to existing infrastructure and development due to flooding. The NRCS proposes to modify the Coal Creek channel to safely convey floodwaters from a 100-year flood event. In conjunction with the proposed channel improvements, two irrigation diversion/drop structures on Coal Creek (the Main Street Diversion and the Woodbury Diversion) will have to be reconstructed to eliminate significant channel and capacity restrictions. In conjunction with the reconstruction of the diversion structures, sedimentation facilities would be constructed to remove gravel from water diverted from the Main Street Diversion. Also as part of this project, Cedar City proposes to improve and expand an existing parkway along Coal Creek to enhance aesthetic values and provide recreational opportunities for community residents and visitors. The Draft EIS presents detailed analyses for three alternatives. Alternative ANo Action, would continue the frequency and level of dredging and other management actions as they are currently planned. Existing channel and structural deficiencies would not be corrected. Alternative BRelocate Main Street Diversion, would remove the Main Street diversion/drop structure currently in use and relocate it to near 200 East. Implementation of this alternative would require approximately 3,250 feet of pipeline to be installed, flood and slope/ grading-related channel modifications from Center Street to I-15, and the continuation of periodic dredging as necessary. A sedimentation basin would be constructed to remove gravels from diverted irrigation water. The Woodbury diversion/drop structure would be reconstructed. Under this alternative, the parkway would be extended to Airport Road and landscaped. Parkway Option B1 proposes a crosswalk at the Main Street Bridge. Parkway Option B2 proposes to access existing sidewalks from the pedestrian bridge at 400 North to cross Main Street and avoid additional property acquisition. Alternative CReplace Main Street Diversion, would modify the Main Street diversion/drop structure by removing approximately half the drop. Implementation of this alternative would require approximately 3,000 feet of pipeline to be installed, flood and slope/grading-related channel modifications from Center Street to west of I-15, and the continuation of periodic dredging as necessary. Two sedimentation basins would be constructed to remove gravels from diverted irrigation water. The Woodbury diversion/drop structure would be reconstructed. Under this alternative, the parkway would be extended to Airport Road and landscaped. In addition, a historic pedestrian truss bridge would be removed to prevent channel constriction and potential flooding. Parkway Option C1 would construct an elevated pedestrian pathway under the Main Street Bridge. Parkway Option C2 would construct a large box culvert for pedestrian use just north of the bridge and under Main Street. As required by the NRCS for water projects, the National Economic Development (NED) benefit-cost process was used to determine benefit- cost ratios for each alternative. The alternative with the highest benefit-cost ratio (3.47:1) and thus designated as the NED Alternative was Alternative C, Parkway Option C1. Accordingly, the NRCS selected Alternative C, Parkway Option C1, as the Preferred Alternative. Written comments regarding this Draft EIS should be mailed to: Marnie Wilson, Coal Creek EIS, USDANRCS, Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building, 125 South State Street, Room 4402, Salt Lake City, UT 84138- 1100. Project information is also available on the Internet at: https:// www.ut.nrcs.usda.gov under Public Notices. Comments must be received no later than 45 days after this notice is published (December 26, 2005). Comments may also be submitted by sending a facsimile to (801) 524- 4593, or by e-mail to Marnie.Wilson@ut.usda.gov (please include the words ``Coal Creek Comment'' in the subject line of the E-mail).

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to reinstate and revise a previously approved information collection. The collected information will help NRCS to match the skills of individuals who are applying for volunteer work that will further the Agency's mission. Information will be collected from potential volunteers who are 14 years of age or older.

Pursuant to the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, Public Law 83-566, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Guidelines (7 CFR part 622), the Natural Resources Conservation Service gives notice of the deauthorization of Federal funding for the Broad Creek Watershed project Sussex and Kent Counties, Delaware.

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 South River Watershed Dams Numbers 23, 25 and 26, Augusta County, Virginia.

Publication of the NRCS revision to the System of Records to reflect an Agency reorganization changing the name of the Soil Conservation Service to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, to change the system name to reflect categories of files contained in the system, to add a routine use to allow records to be accessed by technical service providers and contractors, and to update authorities, agency contact information, system accessibility, file maintenance, storage, and retrieval.

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 Sallisaw Creek Watershed Site Nos. 32, 33, and 34 Sequoyah County, Oklahoma.

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 Resource Conservation Service Regulations (7 CFR Part 650); the Natural Resource Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives notice that an environmental impact statement is not being prepared for the Canon City C-4 Dam Repair Project, Fremont County, Colorado.

The Agricultural Air Quality Task Force (AAQTF) will meet to continue discussions on critical air quality issues in relation to agriculture. Special emphasis will be placed on obtaining a greater understanding about the relationship between agricultural production and air quality.

It is the intention of NRCS in Indiana to issue eight revised conservation practice standards in Section IV of the FOTG. The revised standards are: Waste Storage Facility (313), Waste Treatment Lagoon (359), Irrigation Storage Reservoir (436), Irrigation Storage, Microirrigation, (441) Irrigation System, Sprinkler (442), Irrigation System, Surface and Subsurface (443), Irrigation Water Management (449), and Irrigation Regulating Reservoir (552). These practices may be used in conservation systems that treat highly erodible land and/or wetlands.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), has prepared an Environmental Assessment in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as amended, the implementing regulations for NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and NRCS policy. The St. George and Washington Canal Washington Fields Pipeline Project is a federally assisted action authorized as a Congressional Earmark under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004. The Environmental Assessment was developed in coordination with the Washington County Water Conservancy District and the Bureau of Land Management. Upon review of the Environmental Assessment, the State Conservationist for NRCS, Utah, made a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and the determination was made that no environmental impact statement is required to support the project. 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 St. George and Washington Canal Washington Fields Pipeline Project. 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.

The Conservation Security Program (CSP) is authorized by Title XII, Chapter 2, Subchapter A, of the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) published an amendment to the interim final rule for CSP on March 25, 2005, (70 FR 15201), with a comment period expiring July 25, 2005. By this notice, NRCS is extending the period during which it will accept public comment on the amended interim final rule for CSP to September 9, 2005. This extension is to give the public additional time to comment on key issues that have been raised regarding the implementation of the program under the amended interim final rule.

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 Big Cedar Creek Watershed Floyd and Polk County, Georgia.

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, give notice that an environmental impact statement is being prepared for the Cape Cod Watershed, Barnstable County, Massachusetts.

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 (FRS) No. 18A of the Little Elm and Laterals Watershed of the Trinity River Watershed, Collin 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 being prepared for the South Kona Watershed, Hawaii County, Hawaii.

It is the intention of NRCS in Michigan to issue revised conservation practice standards in Section IV of the FOTG. The revised standards include:

It is the intention of NRCS in Indiana to issue five revised conservation practice standards in Section IV of the FOTG. The revised standards are: Clearing and Snagging (326), Fence (382), Field Border (386), Riparian Herbaceous Cover (390) and Roof Runoff Structure (558). These practices may be used in conservation systems that treat highly erodible land and/or wetlands.

Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 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 (EIS) is being prepared for West Tarkio Watershed, Page and Montgomery Counties, Iowa and Atchison County, Missouri.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), has prepared an Environmental Assessment consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended. The Goshute Spring Range Improvement is a federally assisted action authorized for planning under Public Law 76-159 the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act, and federal financial assistance through the Enviromental Quality Incentives Program. An Environmental Assessment was undertaken in conjunction with the development of the conservation plan. This assessment was undertaken in conjunction with local, state, and federal agencies as well as the Goshute Tribal Government, and other interested parties and individuals. Upon review of the information in the Goshute Spring Range Improvement, the State Conservationist, NRCS, Utah, made a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and the determination was made that no environmental impact statement is required to support the Goshute Spring Range Improvement. 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 Goshute Spring Range Improvement, Goshute Reservation, Ibapah, Utah. 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 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 Raccoon Island Shore Protection/Marsh Creation Project (TE-48), Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is issuing a final rule for the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program to improve the effectiveness of its response to natural disasters. This final rule establishes the process by which NRCS will administer the EWP Program, responds to comments on the proposed rule received from the public during the 60-day comment period, and incorporates modifications and clarifications to improve implementation of the program.

It has been determined by the NRCS State Conservationist for Iowa that changes must be made in the NRCS State Technical Guide specifically in Section 4, Practice Standards and Specifications 328, Conservation Crop Rotation; 330, Contour Farming; and 332, Contour Buffer Strips, to account for improved technology. These practices can be used in systems that treat highly erodible land.

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 a federally assisted proposed project by the Lower Payette Ditch Company, Payette County, Idaho.