[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 166 (Monday, August 26, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43729-43730]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21627]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service


Potomac Headwaters Watershed, Hardy, Hampshire, Mineral, Grant, 
and Pendleton Counties WV; Finding of No Significant Impact

AGENCY: Natural Resources 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 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 Potomac 
Headwaters Watershed, Hardy, Hampshire, Mineral, Grant, and Pendleton 
Counties, West Virginia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Roger L. Bensey, State Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation 
Service, 75 High Street, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, Telephone: 
304-291-4153.

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, Roger L. Bensey, State Conservationist, has 
determined that the preparation and review of an environmental impact 
statement are not needed for this project.
    The project purpose is water quality improvement of streams in the 
Potomac Headwaters. The planned works of improvement include 
installation of animal waste storage systems, dead bird composters, 
livestock confinement areas, nutrient management plans, and riparian 
buffer zones.
    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 
Roger L. Bensey.
    No administrative action on implementation of the proposal will be 
taken until 30 days after the date of this publication in the Federal 
Register.


[[Page 43730]]


(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.)
Richard W. Sims,
Acting State Conservationist.

Finding of No Significant Impact for Potomac Headwaters Land Treatment 
Watershed Project Hardy, Hampshire, Mineral, Grant, and Pendleton 
Counties, West Virginia

Introduction

    The Potomac Headwaters Land Treatment Watershed Project is a 
federally assisted action authorized for planning under Public Law 78-
534, the Flood Control Act. An environmental assessment was undertaken 
in conjunction with the development of the watershed 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, Natural Resources 
Conservation Service, 75 High Street, Room 301, Morgantown, West 
Virginia 26505.

Recommended Action

    Proposed is the installation of animal waste storage systems, dead 
bird composters, livestock confinement improvements, nutrient 
management plans, and riparian buffer zones for the purpose of reducing 
nutrient and bacterial pollution in the Potomac River headwaters.

Effects of the Recommended Action

    Improvements in animal waste management will result in decreased 
runoff of nutrients and bacteria to streams, improving the water 
quality of the project area. Proper storage and application of manure 
and poultry litter will not only improve water quality, but will also 
improve the farmers efficiencies and make the product available for 
market. Installation of dead bird composters will enable more growers 
to manage this poultry waste product in an environmentally sound and 
economical means. Development of nutrient management plans will assure 
proper field application rates of animal waste. Installation of 
riparian buffer zones will reduce nutrient and bacteria runoff to 
streams and surface waters.
    Risks of water-borne illnesses will be reduced, and the water 
pollution threat to fishing, boating, swimming, and tourism in the area 
will be lessened.
    The proposed action will have little or no effect on wetlands. No 
adverse effects to threatened/endangered species are anticipated.
    Consultation has been initiated with the State Historic 
Preservation Office. Should significant cultural resources be 
identified during implementation, they will be avoided or otherwise 
preserved in place to the fullest practical extent. If significant 
cultural resources cannot be avoided or preserved, pertinent 
information will be recovered before construction. If there is a 
significant cultural resource discovery during construction, 
appropriate notice will be made by NRCS to the State Historic 
Preservation Officer and the National Park Service. Consultation and 
coordination have been and will continue to be used to ensure the 
provisions of Section 106 of Public Law 89-665 have been met and to 
include provisions of Public Law 89-523, as amended by Public Law 93-
291. NRCS will take action as prescribed in NRCS GM 420, Part 401, to 
protect or recover any significant cultural resources discovered during 
construction.

Alternatives

    The planned action is the most practical means of reducing nutrient 
and bacterial pollution of streams. Because no significant adverse 
environmental impacts will result from installation of the measures, no 
other alternatives, other than the no project one, 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 in September 1995. Scoping meetings were held in September, 
October, and December 1995 and interdisciplinary efforts were used in 
all cases. A public meeting was held on May 2, 1996 to present the 
Draft Plan-Environmental Assessment to the Public and to receive 
comments and questions.
    Specific consultation was conducted with the State Historic 
Preservation Officer concerning cultural resources in the watershed, 
and with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding threatened/
endangered species. The U.S. Geological Survey, through a cooperative 
agreement, conducted water sampling and testing to establish baseline 
water quality values.
    The plan-environmental assessment was transmitted to all 
participating and interested agencies, groups, and individuals for 
review and comment on March 29, 1996.
    Agency consultation and public participation to date have 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 Potomac 
Headwaters Land Treatment Watershed Project is not required.

    Dated: August 19, 1996.
Richard W. Sims,
Acting State Conservationist.
[FR Doc. 96-21627 Filed 8-25-96; 8:45 am]
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