[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 219 (Tuesday, November 12, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 58030]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-28861]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service


Ecleto Creek Watershed, DeWitt, Guadalupe, Karnes, and Wilson 
Counties, Texas Floodwater Retarding Structure No. 7

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 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 Ecleto 
Creek Watershed, Floodwater Retarding Structure No. 7, Karnes County, 
Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Harry W. Oneth, State Conservationist, 
Natural Resources Conservation Service, 101 South Main, Temple, Texas 
76501-7682, Telephone (817) 774-1214.

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, Harry W. Oneth, State Conservationist, has 
determined that the preparation and review of an environmental impact 
statement is not needed for this project.
    The project will reduce flooding and improve surface water quality 
in and below Floodwater Retarding Structure No. 7. The recommended 
actions included in the original work plan proposed installing 11 
floodwater retarding structures, as well as land treatment measures. An 
environmental assessment was completed on five of the floodwater 
retarding structures in July of 1991. Four of the five floodwater 
retarding structures assessed at that time have been constructed. This 
particular environmental assessment addresses the installation of an 
additional site, Floodwater Retarding Structure No. 7.
    Installation of this site, including dam, emergency spillway, and 
sediment pool, will require 99.0 acres. The dam and emergency spillway 
will be planted to grasses that have wildlife values. The dam and 
emergency spillway will be fenced to control livestock, therefore 
greatly benefiting ground nesting birds. This structure will not impact 
any prime farmland. Downstream flooding of wildlife habitat will be 
reduced.
    Floodwater Retarding Structure No. 7 will create about 43 acres of 
aquatic habitat, as well as creating a fisheries resource where none 
exists. Woody vegetation will be removed from about 4 acres of riparian 
habitat. The original work plan provided for financial and technical 
assistance for the installation of this site. This environmental 
assessment will complete the necessary requirements for Site 7. Federal 
assistance will be provided under authority of Public Law 83-566, 83rd 
Congress, 68 Stat. 666, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1001-1008). Total project 
costs for Floodwater Retarding Structure No. 7 are $931,200, of which 
$765,400 will be paid from Public Law 83-566 funds and $165,800 from 
local funds.
    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 
Harry W. Oneth.
    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: October 31, 1996.
Tomas M. Dominguez,
Deputy State Conservationist.
[FR Doc. 96-28861 Filed 11-8-96; 8:45 am]
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