[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 24, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-9647]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 24, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Soil Conservation Service

 

Battery Creek High School Recreational RC&D Project; Beaufort, SC

AGENCY: Soil Conservation Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of a finding of no significant impact.

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SUMMARY: 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 Soil Conservation Service Regulations (7 
CFR part 650), the Soil Conservation Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, gives notice that an environmental impact statement (EIS) 
is not being prepared for the Battery Creek High School recreational 
project in Beaufort County, South Carolina.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Ellis Morrow, Acting State 
Conservationist, Soil Conservation Service, 1835 Assembly Street, room 
950, Columbia, South Carolina 29201, telephone (803) 765-5681.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The environmental assessment of this 
federally assisted action indicates that the project will not cause 
significant local, regional, or national impacts on the environment. As 
a result of these findings, Ellis Morrow, Acting State Conservationist, 
has determined that the preparation and review of an environmental 
impact statement are not needed for this project.
    The project purposes are to improve athletic facilities for Battery 
Creek High School. The planned works of improvement include the 
construction of an asphalt running track.
    The notice of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) has been 
forwarded to the Environmental Protection Agency and to various 
Federal, State, and local agencies and interested parties. A limited 
number of copies of the FONSI are available to fill single copy 
requests at the above address. Basic data developed during the 
environmental assessment are on file and may be reviewed by contacting 
Walter Earley, USDA--Soil Conservation Service, Ridgeland-Beaufort 
Field Office, Federal Building and Post Office, Main St., P.O. Drawer 
K, Ridgeland, SC 29936.
    No administrative action on implementation of the proposal will be 
taken until 30 days after the date of this publication in the Federal 
Register.

    Dated: April 12, 1994.
Ellis Morrow,
Acting State Conservationist.
    This activity is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance under No. 10.904--Watershed Protection and Flood 
Prevention--and is subject to the provisions of Executive Order 
12372 which requires intergovernmental consultation with State and 
local officials.

Introduction

    The Battery Creek High School Recreational Facility is a federally 
assisted action authorized for planning under Public Law 97-98, the 
Agriculture and Food Act of 1981. An environmental assessment was 
undertaken in conjunction with the development of the Resource 
Conservation and Development (RC&D) Measure Plan. This assessment was 
conducted in consultation with local, State, and Federal agencies as 
well as with interested organizations and individuals. Data developed 
during the assessment are available for public review at the following 
location:

    U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 1835 
Assembly St., room 950, Columbia, SC 29201.

Recommended Action

    The proposal includes the construction of a running track at the 
Battery Creek High School. The High School, Beaufort County School 
district and the local athletic committee have committed over 78% of 
the funds needed for the project. The engineering plans and 
specifications have been completed by the school district and only 
financial assistance is requested. State and/or local permits 
concerning water or air pollution will be obtained prior to 
construction by the local sponsors. The Corps of Engineers 404 permit 
and South Carolina Coastal Council authorizations will not be required.

Effect of Recommended Action

    The Battery Creek High School has an enrollment of 1,200 students 
of which 61.5% are minority. Improved recreational facilities will 
enable students to practice and compete with other schools which will 
increase self-esteem, reduce dropout rate, improve grades to remain 
eligible to participate in sports, and, overall, will develop a more 
well-rounded citizen.
    No land use changes will occur as the track will be constructed on 
an established recreational area. The proposed action will have no 
effect on wetlands nor will it affect archaeological and historical 
areas, since the track will be built around an existing football field.
    Endangered or threatened plants or animals are not known to exist 
on the site. The topography of the site is generally flat and all 
adjacent lands are protected with permanent grass. The soil is Sewee 
Fine Sand and is not considered to be prime or important farmland. The 
area has been committed to recreation by the school.
    No significant adverse environmental impacts will result from 
installation of this project.

Alternatives

    The planned action will provide a high quality track and field 
facility which will minimize injuries and allow the students to compete 
with other school districts in field and track competition, thereby 
developing self esteem and student pride.
    Because no significant adverse environmental impacts will result 
from installation of the measures, no other alternatives, other than 
the no project, were considered.

Consultation--Public Participation

    Formal agency consultation began with the initiation of the 
notification of the State Single Point of Contact for Federal 
Assistance on February 11, 1994.
    An interdisciplinary scoping trip was not conducted because the 
proposed project is planned to be placed on previously developed school 
property.
    Public meetings with regard to this project have been conducted 
during local district meetings and by actions of the stadium committee 
and booster clubs.
    The stadium committee and booster clubs are volunteer organizations 
with a goal of improving the athletic facilities of Battery Creek High 
School. The ultimate objective being to provide a better atmosphere to 
improve learning and produce better citizens for the community and the 
area. These organizations have raised over $5,000 toward this project.

Conclusion

    The environmental assessment summarized above indicates that this 
Federal action will not cause significant local, regional or national 
adverse impacts on the environment. Therefore, based on the above 
findings, I have determined that an environmental impact statement 
(EIS) for the Battery Creek High School Recreation Facility RC&D 
project is not required.

    Dated: April 12, 1994.
Ellis Morrow,
Acting State Conservationist.
[FR Doc. 94-9647 Filed 5-23-94; 8:45 am]
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