[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 120 (Thursday, June 21, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33226-33227]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-15579]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Elm Fork Watershed of the Trinity River Watershed, Cooke County, 
Texas, Multiple-Purpose Structure No. 19

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,

[[Page 33227]]

U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives notice that an environmental 
impact statement is not being prepared for the Elm Fork Watershed, 
Multiple-Purpose Structure (MPS) No. 19, Cooke County, Texas.

For Further Information Contact: Salvador Salinas, Assistant State 
Conservationist (SP&P), Natural Resources Conservation Service, 101 
South Main, Temple, Texas 76501-7682, Telephone (254) 742-9800.

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, John P. Burt, State Conservationist, has 
determined that the preparation and review of an environmental impact 
statement is not needed for this project.
    The project will provide municipal water and recreational 
activities for the city of Muenster, Texas and reduce flooding and 
improve surface water quality in and below MPS No. 19. The 
environmental assessment addresses the installation of the Multiple-
Purpose Structure (MPS No. 19) that remains to be installed.
    Installation of the site, including dam, emergency spillway, and 
municipal water pool, will require 359 acres. The dam and emergency 
spillway will be planted to grasses that have wildlife values. A 
mitigation plan has been developed to offset the loss of any wildlife 
habitat. The fee title area needed for the structure will be fenced to 
control livestock, therefore greatly benefiting ground nesting birds. 
The structure will affect 185 acres of prime farmland. Downstream 
flooding of wildlife habitat will be reduced. No endangered plants or 
animals or their habitat will be affected. No cultural or historical 
properties will be affected.
    Multiple-Purpose Structure No. 19 will create 309 acres of aquatic 
habitat creating a fisheries resource where none exists.
    Federal assistance will be provided under authority of Public Law 
78-534, the Flood Control Act of 1944. Total project costs for 
Multiple-Purpose Structure No. 19 is estimated to be $6,923,687, of 
which $3,810,525 will be paid from Public Law 534 funds and $3,113,162 
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 
John P. Burt.
    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: June 8, 2001.
Salvador Salinas,
Assistant State Conservationist (SP&P).
[FR Doc. 01-15579 Filed 6-20-01; 8:45 am]
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