[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 139 (Friday, July 19, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47506-47508]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-18228]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Yellow River Watershed Structure No. 14: Gwinnett County, GA

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service.

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 Yellow 
River Watershed Structure No. 14, Gwinnett County, Georgia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jimmy Bramblett, Water Resources 
Specialist, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Federal Building, 
355 East Hancock Avenue, Athens, Georgia 30601, Telephone (706) 546-
2073, E-Mail jimmy,[email protected].

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, Leonard Jordan, State Conservationist, has 
determined that the preparation and review of an environmental impact 
statement is not needed for this project.
    The project purpose is continued flood prevention. The planned 
works of improvement include upgrading an existing floodwater retarding 
structure.
    The Notice of a Finding of No Significant Impact [FONSI] has been 
forwarded to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and to various 
Federal, States, and local agencies and interest parties. A limited 
number 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 Jimmy Bramblett at the 
above number.
    No administrative action on implementation of the proposal will be

[[Page 47507]]

taken until 30 days after the date of this publication in the Federal 
Register.

[This activity is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance under 10.904, Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention, 
and is subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12373, which 
requires inter-government consultation with State and local 
officials].
Leonard Jordan,
State Conservationist.

Introduction

    The Yellow River Watershed is a federally assisted action 
authorized for planning under Public Law 106-472, the Small Watershed 
Rehabilitation Act, which amends Public Law 83-566, the Watershed 
Protection and Flood Prevention Act. An environmental assessment was 
undertaken in conjunction with 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, 355 East Hancock Avenue, Athens, Georgia 30601.

Recommended Action

    This document describes a plan for upgrading an existing floodwater 
retarding structure, Yellow River Watershed Structure No. 14 [Y-14], to 
meet current dam safety criteria in Georgia. The plan calls for 
construction of a roller-compacted concrete emergency spillway over the 
top of an existing earthen embankment. Works of improvement will be 
accomplished by providing financial and technical assistance through an 
eligible local sponsor.
    The principal project measures are to:
    1. Construct a roller-compacted concrete emergency spillway over 
the top of an existing earthen embankment. This constructed emergency 
spillway is designed to bring the existing dam into compliance with 
current dam safety criteria in Georgia. The current emergency spillway 
will be removed from service by constructing a berm from material 
excavated on the existing embankment.
    2. The measures will be planned and installed by developing a 
contract with the current operator of the dam.

Effects of Recommended Action

    Installing a roller-compacted emergency spillway will bring Yellow 
River Watershed Structure No. 14 into compliance with current dam 
safety criteria. This will essentially eliminate the risk to loss of 
life for individuals in 45 homes, 2 businesses, 2 recreational 
facilities, and 5 roads [7 bridges] downstream. Additional effects will 
include continued protection against flooding, continued water quality 
benefits, continued fishing activities, continued recreational 
opportunities, protected land values, protected road and utility 
networks, and reduced maintenance costs for public infrastructure.
    Wildlife habitat will not be disturbed during installation 
activities. No wetlands, wildlife habitat, fisheries, prime farmland, 
or cultural resources will be destroyed or threatened by this project. 
Some 25 acres of wetland and wetland type wildlife habitat will be 
preserved. Fishery habitats will also be maintained.
    No endangered or threatened plant or animal species will be 
adversely affected by the project.
    There are no wilderness areas in the watershed.
    Scenic values will be complemented with improved riparian quality 
and cover conditions resulting from the installation of conservation 
animal waste management system and grazing land practices.

Alternatives

    Seven alternative plans of action were considered in project 
planning. No significant adverse environmental impacts are anticipated 
from installation of the selected alternative. Also, the planned action 
is the most practical, complete, and acceptable means of protecting 
life and property of downstream residents.

Consultation--Public Participation

    Original sponsoring organizations include the Gwinnett County 
Government, Gwinnett County Soil and Water Conservation District, and 
the Upper Ocmulgee River Resource Conservation and Development Council. 
At the initiation of the planning process, meetings were held with 
representatives of the original sponsoring organizations to ascertain 
their interest and concerns regarding the Yellow River Watershed. 
Gwinnett County agreed to serve as ``lead sponsor'' being responsible 
for leading the planning process with assistance from NRCS. As lead 
sponsor they also agreed to provide non-federal cost-share, property 
rights, operation and maintenance, and public participation during, and 
beyond, the planning process. Meetings with the project sponsors were 
held throughout the planning process, and project sponsors provided 
representation at planning term, technical advisory, and public 
meetings.
    An Interdisciplinary Planning Team provided for the ``technical'' 
administration of this project. Technical administration includes tasks 
pursuant to the NRCS nine-step planning process, and planning 
procedures outlined in the NRCS-National Planning Procedures Handbook. 
Examples of tasks completed by the Planning Team include, but are not 
limited to, Preliminary Investigations, Hydrologic Analysis, Reservoir 
Sedimentation Surveys, Economic Analysis, Formulating and Evaluating 
Alternatives, and Writing and Watershed Plan--Environmental Assessment. 
Data collected from partner agencies, databases, landowners, and others 
throughout the entire planning process, were evaluated at Planning Team 
meetings held on 1/27/02, 2/14/02, 2/27/02, 3/20/02, 5/29/02, 6/12/02, 
and 6/26/02. Informal discussions amongst planning team members, 
partner agencies, and landowners were conducted throughout the entire 
planning period.
    A Technical Advisory Group was developed to aid the Planning Team 
with the planning process. The following agencies were involved in 
developing this plan and provided representation on the Technical 
Advisory Group:

 Gwinnett County Government
 Gwinnett County Soil and Water Conservation Districts
 Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental 
Protection Division [EPD], Safe Dams Program
 Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources 
Division [WRD], Game and Fisheries Section
 United States Environmental Protection Agency [EPA], Region IV
 USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service [NRCS]
 USDA, Fish and Wildlife Service [F&WS]
 US Army Corps of Engineers [COE]
    A meeting and field tour with the Technical Advisory Group was held 
on February 27, 2002 to assess proposed measures and their potential 
impact on resources of concern. A review of National Environmental 
Policy Act [NEPA] concerns was initiated at this meeting. Effects of 
proposed measures on NEPA concerns reviewed were documented. Additional 
field tours were held with the COE on March 11, 2002 to determine the 
most efficient 404 permitting process.
    Suzanne Kenyon, Cultural Resources Specialist with the NRCS-
National Water Management Center, visited the

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project site in the fall of 2001. She provided a methodology for 
considering culturally significant resources, which was followed in 
this planning process. An inventory of the watershed, and associated 
downstream impacted area was completed with no culturally important or 
archaeological sites noted. The area of potential effect was provided 
to the Georgia State Historic Preservation Office with passive 
concurrence provided.

Public Participation

    A public meeting was held on March 20, 2002 to explain the Small 
Watershed Rehabilitation Program and to scope resource problems, 
issues, and concerns of local residents associated with the Y-14 
project area. Potential alternative solutions to bring Y-14 into 
compliance with current dam safety criteria were also presented. 
Through a voting process, meeting participants provided input on issues 
and concerns to be considered in the planning process, and identified 
the most socially acceptable alternative solution.
    A second public meeting was held on June 26, 2002 to summarize 
planning accomplishments, convey results of the reservoir sedimentation 
survey, and present various structural alternatives. The roller 
compacted concrete alternative was identified as the most complete, 
acceptable, efficient, and effective plan for the watershed.

Conclusion

    The Environmental Assessment summarized above indicates that this 
Federal action will not cause significant adverse local, regional or 
national impacts on the environment. Therefore, based on the above 
finding, I have determined that an environmental impact statement for 
the recommended plan of action on Yellow River Watershed Structure No. 
14 is not required.

    Dated: July 8, 2002.
Leonard Jordan,
State Conservationist.
[FR Doc. 02-18228 Filed 7-18-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-M