[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 144 (Friday, July 26, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 48869]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-18909]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Little Red River Water Management Project; White County, AR

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA.

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); the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, gives notice that an environmental impact 
statement is being prepared for the creation of a water management plan 
to assist the Little Red River Regional Irrigation District in its 
efforts to reduce the useage of declining groundwater and to enhance 
fish and wildlife habitat. The project area is located in White County, 
Arkansas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kalven L. Trice, State 
Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Room 3416 
Federal Building, 700 West Capitol Avenue, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201, 
Telephone (501) 301-3100.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The project area comprises approximately 
81,000 acres of which 35,000 irrigated acres are currently used for 
grain production such as soybeans and rice. A large majority of the 
marginal cropland has been converted to non-crop uses such as grass 
cover and reforestation through the Natural Resources Conservation 
Service' Conservation Reserve Program. In addition, many acres of on-
farm water storage reservoirs and tailwater recovery systems have 
already been installed under a previous Natural Resources Conservation 
watershed project. Due to potential public concern regrading the 
project, Kalven L. Trice, State Conservationist, has determined that 
the preparation and review of an environmental impact statement is 
needed for this project.
    Alternatives presently under consideration other than the ``no 
Action'' alternative, include the diversion and delivery of water from 
the Little Red River near West Point, Arkansas, construction of on-farm 
water storage reservoirs, underground pipelines, tailwater recovery 
systems, and improved irrigation management. In addition, the 
feasibility of providing water to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission 
Raft Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) will also be explored.
    A draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) will be prepared and 
circulated for review by agencies and the public. The Natural Resources 
Conservation Service invites participation and consultation of agencies 
and individuals that have special expertise, legal jurisdiction, or 
interest in the preparation of the draft environmental impact 
statement. A public scoping meeting will be held to solicit input from 
the public and to determine the scope of the environmental impact 
statement on August 15, 2002 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Griffithville 
Senior Citizen's Center located at 208 Main Street (Hwy 385) in 
Griffithville, Arkansas.
    Submit written comments and suggestions on the proposal, or 
requests to be placed on the EIS mailing list, to Jim Ellis, Biologist, 
Natural Resources Conservation Service, Natural Resources Planning 
Staff, Room 3416, Federal Building, 700 West Capitol Avenue, Little 
Rock, Arkansas 72201, or e-mail to [email protected].

(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: July 22, 2002.
David A. Weeks,
Assistant State Conservationist, Natural Resources Planning.
[FR Doc. 02-18909 Filed 7-25-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3210-16-P