[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 10, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57372-57373]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-22860]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Chippewa Creek Watershed, Structure VIII-D, Medina 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 VIII-D in the Chippewa Creek Watershed.

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 floodwater-retarding 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 Chippewa Creek Watershed; 
Medina County, OH

Introduction

    This undertaking is being planned and will be implemented under 
the authority of the emergency Watershed Protection Program (7 CFR 
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 Chippewa Creek Watershed Structure 
VIII-D 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 
Structure VIII-D would be to rehabilitate the dam and also meet 
state dam safety criteria for a medium hazard dam (NRCS Class B and 
ODNR Class II). Rehabilitation would include removing accumulated 
sediment and debris to restore sediment storage capacity and 
clearing dead trees from the sediment pool area. There would be no 
change to the dam itself. Improvements are also planned for the 
riser to improve the long term functioning of the principal 
spillway. Total cost of this alternative is estimated to be 
$175,000.00.

Effect of the Preferred Alternative

    This alternative would fully meet the needs and desires of the 
sponsors and the public, and would addresses the orders by ODNR to 
complete repairs to the structure to protect health and public 
safety while also meeting applicable safety and performance 
standards. This dry dam impounds no water and currently satisfies 
the state dam safety criteria for a medium hazard dam. This 
alternative would require control on the development in the 
downstream breach inundation area of the structure.
    Sediment storage capacity would be restored. Restoring sediment 
storage capacity also would restore the temporary flood storage 
volume available behind the dam. Additionally, removal of debris and 
dead trees would allow the principal spillway to function freely, as 
designed. Controls on development of the inundation area would 
assure that no future development occurs within the downstream 
breach inundation area that results in an increase in the hazard 
classification for the life of the structure. Rehabilitating the 
structure will extending its life for at least 50 more years.
    The stream segment through the sediment pool area would be 
temporarily affected by construction activities. Total suspended 
solids could increase during construction. The water quality in the 
stream below the structure would stabilize and reach a new 
equilibrium condition after construction.
    No significant changes in land use would occur with the 
rehabilitation project. About 10 acres would be temporarily 
disturbed due to construction activities to remove sediment from the 
pool area. All disturbed areas above the elevation of the sediment 
pool would be seeded to an erosion controlling grass.
    There would be temporary impacts to the aquatic, wetland, or 
wildlife habitat within the work area. The trees planned for removal 
do not provide appropriate nursery or roosting habitat for Indiana 
bats. Therefore, there would be no impact to this species. In the 
long term, use of the area by wildlife and aquatic species should 
return to pre-construction levels. The water quality use 
designations would also remain the same.
    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

[[Page 57373]]

accordance with the provisions of Section 106 of the National 
Historic Preservation Act, as amended, and the Act's implementing 
regulations, 36 CFR 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 from March, August, 
October of 2001, and February, April, May, June, and July in 2002. 
On June 3, 2002 the sponsors held a public scoping meeting. In 
addition, letter requests for concerns and issues were sent to 
federal and state agencies, and organizations. Site reviews and 
tours for public officials and agency representatives were also 
conducted. 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 Chippewa Creek 
Watershed, Structure VIII-D.

    Dated: August 20, 2002.

Kevin Brown,
State Conservationist.

[FR Doc. 02-22860 Filed 9-9-02; 8:45 am]
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