[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 31, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 68254]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33996]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Notice of availability of Record of Decision for Wainea-Paauilo 
Watershed, Hawaii County, Hawaii

AGENCY: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

ACTION: Notice of availability of record of decision.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Kenneth M. Kaneshiro, Responsible Federal Official for 
projects administered under the provisions of Public Law 83-566 in the 
State of Hawaii, is hereby providing notification that a record of 
decision to proceed with the installation of the Waimea-Paauilo 
Watershed project, signed December 16, 1997, is available.
    The record of decision documents the intent to implement 
Alternative 5--Kauahi Reservoir Plan as set forth in the final 
Watershed Plan-Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Waimea-
Paauilo Watershed, Hawaii County, Hawaii. The project will address the 
problems of inadequate and inconsistent irrigation water supply that 
prevent area farmers from full utilization of cropland and cause crop 
damage and losses during drought. The project will also address 
inconsistent supply and distribution of livestock drinking water to 
Waimea area ranches. The Selected Plan proposes the following 
improvements to the Waimea Irrigation System installation of a 131-
million gallon reservoir, reservoir supply pipeline, extension of the 
irrigation water distribution system pipeline, and installation of a 
livestock drinking water system. The economic benefits derived by 
implementation of the irrigation water supply components will exceed 
economic costs. The social and cultural benefits of the livestock 
drinking water system, which will primarily serve native Hawaiian 
ranchers, has been judged by the funding source, the Department of 
Hawaiian Home Lands, to justify its construction. The project meets the 
needs of the sponsoring local organizations.
    The record of decision documents that the Waimea-Paauilo Watershed 
project uses all practicable means, consistent with other essential 
considerations of national policy, to meet the goals established in the 
National Environmental Policy Act. The FEIS has been prepared, 
reviewed, and accepted in accordance with the National Environmental 
Policy Act.

ADDRESSES: Single copies of this record of decision may be obtained 
from Kenneth M. Kaneshiro, State Conservationist, Natural Resources 
Conservation Service, 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 4316, P.O. Box 50004, 
Honolulu, Hawaii 96850.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Kolman, Assistant State 
Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 300 Ala Moana 
Blvd., Room 4316, P.O. Box 50004, Honolulu, Hawaii 96850, telephone 
(808) 541-2602.

(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 consultiaont with State and 
local officials.)
Kenneth M. Kaneshiro,
State Conservationist.
[FR Doc. 97-33996 Filed 12-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-M