[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 10, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57373-57374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-22859]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


West Fork Duck Creek, Structure 6 (Wolf Run Dam), Noble County, 
OH

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 
Rules (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 rehabilitation of 
Floodwater Retarding Structure No. 6 (Wolf Run Lake Dam) in the West 
Fork Duck Creek Watershed, Noble County, Ohio.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Brown; State Conservationist; 
Natural Resources Conservation Service; 200 North High Street, Room 
522, Columbus, Ohio 43215; telephone 614-255-2500.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The environmental assessment of this 
federally assisted action indicates that the project will not cause 
significant local, regional, or national effects on the human 
environment. As a result of these findings, Kevin Brown, State 
Conservationist, has determined that the preparation and review of an 
environmental impact statement are not needed for this project.
    The project purpose is flood prevention. The action includes the 
rehabilitation of one flood protection, water supply, and recreation 
dam. The Notice of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) has been 
forwarded to the Environmental Protection Agency; 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 
is on file and may be reviewed by contacting Kevin Brown.
    No administrative action on implementation of the preferred 
alternative will be taken until 30 days after the date of this 
publication in the Federal Register.

Kevin Brown,
State Conservationist.

Finding of No Significant Impact for the West Fork Duck Creek 
Watershed; Noble County, Ohio

Introduction

    This undertaking is being planned and will be implemented under 
the authority of the emergency Watershed Protection Program (7CFR 
624). This program was enacted by Section 216 of Public Law 81-516, 
Section 403 of Public Law 95-334 (Title IV of the Agricultural 
Credit Act of 1978), and Section 382 of Public Law 104-127 (Title 
III of the 1996 Farm Bill). This action is being planned in 
accordance with Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, Public Law 91-190, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
seq.). The policy and procedures of the Watershed Protection and 
flood Prevention Act, Public Law 83-566, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1000-
1008) are also being utilized for the planning and implementation of 
this undertaking.
    The rehabilitation of the W. Fork Duck Creek Watershed Structure 
6 (Wolf Run Dam) is a federally assisted action. An environmental 
assessment was completed for the action and was conducted in 
consultation with local, state, and federal agencies, as well as 
other interested organizations and individuals. Data developed 
during the assessment is available for public review at the 
following location: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, 200 
North High St., Rm. 522, Columbus, Ohio 43215-2478.

Preferred Alternative

    The sponsors preferred alternative for the rehabilitation of 
Wolf Run Dam would be to upgrade the dam to meet state dam safety 
criteria for a high hazard dam (NRCS Class C and ODNR Class I). 
Rehabilitation would include widening of the auxiliary spillway to 
increase the storage-discharge capacity of the dam to safely pass 
the probable maximum precipitation event without overtopping the 
embankment. Accumulated sediment would be removed in one 3-acre 
section of the upper pool area

Effect of the Preferred Alternative

    This alternative would fully meet the needs and desires of the 
sponsors and the public, and would greatly diminish the potential 
for dam failure and loss of life. The requirements to upgrade the 
dam to satisfy high hazard criteria would be met. This alternative 
would also include removal of accumulated sediment that would 
restore sediment storage capacity, restore fish and wildlife 
habitat, and improve recreational opportunities. Total cost of this 
alternative is estimated to be $370,000.00.
    The 215 acre lake is owned and operated by the Ohio Department 
of Natural Resources and is located within the Wolf Run State Park. 
The rehabilitated structure will continue to provide flood control 
protection for approximately 300 people downstream in the villages 
of Belle Valley and Caldwell, Ohio. Numerous homes, businesses, 
roads, bridges, utilities, and 400 acres of cropland are located in 
the valley downstream. The lake also provides vital water supply for 
the surrounding communities and recreational opportunities for the 
region. It is expected that the lake water level would be 
temporarily lowered only in the 3-acre area planned sediment removal 
area above County Road 14. This would allow removal of sediment in a 
de-watered state. Temporary displacement of wildlife and aquatic 
species may occur during construction. Some loss of fish and less 
mobile species may occur during construction, when the water level 
is lowered to remove the sediment. The water level would be lowered 
very slowly to minimize impacts to the wildlife and aquatic species. 
In the long term, use of the area by wildlife and aquatic species 
should return to pre-construction levels. After the project is 
completed, the lake would be enhanced for both recreational users 
and fish and wildlife.
    About 13 acres would be temporarily disturbed due to the 
construction of this

[[Page 57374]]

project. During the construction period the dam would be closed to 
the public. Other areas may be closed or restricted to accommodate 
construction activities. Park facilities may also be affected by 
temporary closure of roads.
    The water quality use designations would remain the same. This 
action will have little or no effect on wetlands, rare, or 
threatened and endangered species, and prime or unique farmland. Air 
quality in the watershed will be essentially unaffected by the 
rehabilitation project. There will be brief, temporary increases in 
noise levels and pollution of air from dust and exhaust emissions, 
which are inherent in earth moving construction processes.
    An environmental assessment was completed as part of the 
planning process. An inventory for cultural resources was completed 
as part of the environmental assessment. The Ohio Historic 
Preservation Office has submitted written notification, in 
accordance with the provisions of Section 106 of the National 
Historic Preservation Act, as amended, and the Act's implementing 
regulations, 36CFR 800, that there is little likelihood the project 
will encounter significant archaeological sites or buildings. It is 
of their opinion that the proposed work will not affect historic 
properties. Concerns have been addressed from contacted tribes. If 
there is a significant cultural resource discovery during 
construction, appropriate notice will be made by NRCS to the state 
Historic Preservation Officer. NRCS will take action as prescribed 
in NRCS General Manual 420, Part 401, to protect or recover any 
significant cultural resource during construction.

Alternatives

    The preferred alternative is the most practical alternative to 
meet the purpose and needs of this action. Three alternatives were 
considered: (1) No Action, (2) Decommission the Structure, and (3) 
Structure Rehabilitation.

Consultation--Public Participation

    Meetings were held with the project sponsors in April, May, and 
September of 2001, and February, April, and May 2002. On May 14, 
2001, and May 13, 2002, the sponsors held public meetings. In 
addition, letter requests for concerns and issues were sent to 
federal and state agencies, and organizations. All concerns and 
issues were addressed in the environmental assessment.

Conclusion

    The environmental assessment summarized above indicates that 
this Federal action will not cause significant local, regional, or 
national impacts on the human environment. Therefore, based on the 
above findings, I have determined that an environmental impact 
statement is not required for the rehabilitation of the W. Fork Duck 
Creek Watershed Structure 6 (Wolf Run Dam)

Dated: August 20, 2002.

Kevin Brown,
State Conservationist.

[FR Doc. 02-22859 Filed 9-9-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P