Natural Resources Conservation Service November 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Record of Decision (ROD) for the Coal Creek Flood Control and Parkway Final Environmental Impact Statement is now available to the public. On September 1, 2006, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) published a Final Environmental Impact Statement consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, to disclose potential effects to the human environment resulting from proposed flood control improvements to Coal Creek in Cedar City, Utah. A notice of availability for the ROD was previously published in the Federal Register on October 3, 2006. Availability was delayed due to additional information about the proximity of Utah prairie dogs, a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The NRCS is now completing formal consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). No construction will begin until the NRCS has received a biological opinion from the FWS. The ROD authorizes implementation of Alternative C (Replace Main Street diversion/drop structure) in conjunction with the North Field Canal Option and Parkway Option C1.

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. 6 of the Big Creek Watershed, Craighead County, Arkansas.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) published in the Federal Register notice of October 24, 2006, (71 FR 62246) a document with an incorrect URL. The incorrect URL is located in the SUMMARY section on page 62247. This notice corrects the previously published document. The Department of Agriculture (USDA), NRC seeks comments on the proposed revision of the ``Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Programs ManualPart 513: Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Program.'' USDA asks for comments from RC&D Council members and individuals from tribal, State, and local governments and organizations involved in either natural resource conservation or community development groups. These comments will assist USDA in policy development and implementation of the RC&D Program. This manual is used by NRCS, other USDA staff members, RC&D Council members, and others that either develop RC&D applications or participate in the RC&D Program. This revision of the manual reflects changes in the NRCS organizational structure, incorporates new area planning requirements, provides guidelines for the RC&D Program Operations Information Tracking System, and incorporates additional exhibits to increase clarity. It is available for download at https://policy.nrcs.usda.gov/ scripts/lpsiis.dll/NB/NB39071a.pdf.

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