[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 156 (Thursday, August 13, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43368-43369]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21772]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Buena Vista Watershed, City of Buena Vista and Rockbridge County, 
Virginia

AGENCY: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation 
Service.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

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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 Part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service 
Guidelines (7 CFR Part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation Service 
(NRCS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives notice that an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) is being prepared for the Buena 
Vista Watershed, City of Buena Vista and Rockbridge County, Virginia
    A draft EIS will be prepared and circulated for review by agencies 
and the public. The NRCS invites participation and consultation of 
agencies and individuals that have special expertise, legal 
jurisdiction, or interest in the preparation of the draft EIS.

DATES: A scoping meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. on September 3, 
1998 in the Library located at 138 South Main Street in Lexington, 
Virginia to determine the scope of the evaluation of the proposed 
action. Interested individuals, organizations and agencies are invited 
to attend.
    Written comment on the scope of the EIS and requests for copies of 
the draft or final EIS should be directed to Ms. M. Denise Doetzer at 
the address below. Written comments should be postmarked by September 
18, 1998 to ensure consideration. Comments received after this date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. M. Denise Doetzer, State Conservationist, Natural Resources 
Conservation Service, 1606 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 209, Richmond, VA 
23229-5014, telephone number: (804) 287-1691.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The environmental assessment for this 
federally assisted action was distributed for interagency and public 
comment on April 1, 1998. The comment deadline was May 18, 1998. 
Comments have been incorporated into the document. Based on the 
environmental assessment and the comments received during the review of 
the draft plan, the environmental impacts of the proposed project will 
not cause significant local, regional, or national impacts on the 
environment. However, the cost of the proposed solutions exceeds $5 
million and therefore, must be approved by the appropriate 
Congressional Committees. NRCS regulations require an EIS for 
``projects requiring Congressional action'' accoring to 7 CFR Part 
650.7(a)(2). Therefore, an EIS is required for this project. As a 
result of this statute, Ms. M. Denise Doetzer, State Conservationist, 
has determined that the preparation and review of an EIS is needed for 
this project.
    The project concerns a plan to reduce flood damages caused by four 
streams (Chalk Mine Run, Indian Gap Run, Noel's Run and Pedlar Gap Run) 
that run through the City of Buena Vista. Alternatives under 
consideration to reach this objective include both structural and 
nonstructural measures from a variety of funding sources.
    The nonstructural measures to be implemented within Buena Vista are 
a part of a Federal Emergeny Management Agency effort to acquire, 
relocate or elevate some structures located in the floodplain. Some 
channel improvement measures are planned by the City using Community 
Block Grant Funding. These efforts are not part of the recommended 
actions in the watershed plan being evaluated by NRCS.
    The EIS will evaluate the environmental impacts associated with the 
measures needed to further reduce flood damages within the watershed. 
The flood mitigation measures being considered include debris basins, 
replace/remove/enlarge culverts and bridges, construct floodwalls and 
earthen berms, increase the stream channel capacity, and replace 
railroad bridges.
    The City of Buena Vista and the Natural Bridge Soil and Water 
Conservation District submitted an Application for Federal Assistance 
to the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board in May 1993. The 
application was given a priority 1 rating and was approved in July 
1993. The application was then referred to NRCS for response. This 
study is being performed under the authorization provided in the 
Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act of the 83rd Congress 
(Public Law 83-566, as

[[Page 43369]]

amended). That legislation authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to 
cooperate with other federal, state, and local agencies in the 
investigation of watersheds and river basins to develop coordinated 
programs.

(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)

    Dated: August 5, 1998.
M. Denise Doetzer,
State Conservationist.
[FR Doc. 98-21772 Filed 8-12-98; 8:45 am]
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