[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 176 (Tuesday, September 13, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-22537]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 13, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Soil Conservation Service

 

Burgess Community Flood Prevention; RC&D Measure, South Carolina

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 Guidelines (40 
CFR Parts 1500-1508); and the Soil Conservation Service Guidelines (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 Burgess Community Flood Prevention RC&D 
Measure, Horry County, South Carolina.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The environmental evaluation of this 
federally-assisted action indicates that the proposed measure will not 
cause significant adverse local, regional, or national impacts on the 
environment. As a result of these findings, Mr. Jose J. Acevedo, Deputy 
State Conservationist, has determined that the preparation and review 
of an EIS is not needed.
    The proposed action is to reduce flooding and improve flow 
conditions on 4.0 miles of new and/or renovated channels to facilitate 
the removal of stormwater.
    The Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) has been forwarded to 
the Environmental Protection Agency. The basic data developed during 
the environmental evaluation and the environmental assessment are on 
file and may be reviewed by interested parties at the Soil Conservation 
Service, 1202 1st Avenue, Conway, South Carolina 29526, (803) 248-9118.
    The FONSI has been sent to interested federal, state, and local 
agencies and other interested parties. A limited number of copies of 
the FONSI are available to fill single copy requests.
    No administrative action on implementation of the proposal will be 
taken until 30 days after the date of this publication.

    This activity is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance under No. 10.904--Watersheld Protection and Flood 
Prevention--and is subject to the provisions of Executive Order 
12372 which requires intergovernmental consultation with State and 
Local Officials.

    Dated: September 1, 1994.
Jose J. Acevedo,
Acting State Conservationist.

Finding of No Significant Impact for Burgess Community Flood Prevention 
Measure RC&D Measure Horry County, South Carolina

Introduction

    The Burgess Community Flood Prevention RC&D Measure is a federally 
assisted action authorized for planning under Public Law 97-98, 
Agriculture and Food Act of 1981. An environmental assessment was 
undertaken in conjunction with the development of the 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, 1202 1st 
Avenue, Conway, South Carolina 29526

Recommended Action

    Proposed is the construction of the Burgess Community Flood 
Prevention Measure consisting of four miles of new and/or renovated 
channels in order to properly remove the stormwater from the 
residential areas of the watershed. The proposed measure plan will 
reduce flooding around 113 homes and reduce flooding of roads.

Effect of Recommended Action

    The proposed action will protect the private and public 
improvements within the watershed by improving the removal of excess 
stormwater. The channels which will be constructed or modified will be 
designed to remove the 10 year frequency storm event. Streamflow will 
be stabilized to the extent that peak flood flow rates will be slightly 
reduced and flow will be attenuated.
    The project will impact 0.76 acres of wetlands. The channels depths 
will be designed from 0.0 feet to a maximum depth of 5.0 feet. This 
design will permit out of bank flow while minimizing any hydrological 
change to the surrounding wetlands. All spoil and debris will be 
removed from the wetlands.
    There will be a land use change of approximately 15 acres. These 
changes are a result of land clearing to accommodate easements and 
channel location. The change is from forested to open vegetated 
maintenance road adjacent to the channel. A vegetated plan will be 
developed by the SCS biologist in consultation with the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service and the South Carolina Department of Natural 
Resources.
    The proposed project will improve quality of life and improve the 
health of the community. The removal of ponded stormwater will allow 
the septic systems to work more effectively, improving the surface and 
groundwater quality.
    An initial management survey of cultural resources concluded that 
no significant adverse impacts will occur to cultural resources in the 
project area. SCS archaeologist will conduct a complete survey of the 
project area prior to the commencement of any project component.
    Threatened and endangered plant species have been identified in the 
project area in recent history but will not be impacted by the proposed 
project. SCS in consultation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
concluded that the proposed project as planned will not adversely 
affect federally listed or proposed endangered and threatened species 
in Phase I. Field investigations have not revealed any endangered 
species in Phase II or III due to other habitat changes.
    Fish and wildlife habitats will be temporarily disturbed during the 
installation of the project. The project will provide long-term 
benefits by providing diversity in landuse by creating open space, 
wildlife plantings, and improved water quality.
    No significant adverse environmental impacts will result from 
installations, with the exception of minor inconveniences to local 
residents during construction.

Alternatives

    The measure plan consisted of three alternatives, the no action 
plan, construction of 4 miles of channels, and the removal of all 
residents from the flood area. Alternative 2, the construction and 
modification of the channels, was chosen as the best economical and 
cost effective solution. Alternative No. 2 has been modified three 
times to avoid possible endangered species habitat and wetlands at the 
request of those agencies involved in the comment processes.

Consultation--Public Participation

    Formal agency consultation began with the initiation of the 
notification of the State Single Point of Contact for Federal 
Assistance in April 1992. Agencies were again notified when planning 
was authorized in August 1992.
    Scoping meetings were conducted with SCS staff and included 
representatives from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, 
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, and 
South Carolina Coastal Council. Meetings were held during April 1992, 
September 1992, June 1993, and September 1993. Planning involved all 
agencies identified and included county government and landowners 
within the project area.
    Specific consultation was conducted with the state Historic 
Preservation officer and residents within the watershed as to cultural 
and historical resources.
    The measure plan was transmitted to all participating and 
interested agencies, groups, and individuals for review and comments in 
January 1994. Public meeting with landowners and sponsors were held 
throughout the planning process to keep all interested parties informed 
of the study progress and to obtain public input to the measure plan 
and environmental evaluation.
    Agency consultation and public participation to date has shown no 
unresolved conflicts with the implementation of the selected plan.

Conclusion

    The Environmental Assessment summarized above indicates that this 
Federal action will not cause significant local, regional, or national 
impacts on the environment. Therefore based on the above findings, I 
have determined that an environmental impact statement for the Burgess 
Community Flood Prevention Measure is not required.

    Dated: September 1, 1994.
Jose J. Acevedo,
Deputy State Conservationist.
[FR Doc. 94-22537 Filed 9-12-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-M