[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 181 (Wednesday, September 18, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58755-58756]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-23684]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Upper Hocking Watershed, Structure R-23, Fairfield 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 
Structure R-23 in the Upper Hocking Watershed, in Fairfield 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 grade stabilization and erosion control. The 
action includes the rehabilitation of one 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 Upper Hocking Watershed, 
Fairfield County, Ohio

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 Upper Hocking Watershed Structure R-23 
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 R-23 would be to upgrade the dam to meet state dam safety 
criteria for a medium hazard dam (NRCS Class B and ODNR Class II). 
Rehabilitation would include replacing the deteriorated principal 
spillway with a new riser and outlet pipe, and reconstructing the 
auxiliary spillway to increase the storage-discharge capacity of the 
dam to safely pass 50 percent of the probable maximum precipitation 
event without overtopping the embankment.

Effect of the Preferred Alternative

    This alternative would fully meet the needs and desires of the 
sponsors and the public by protecting public health and safety while 
also meeting all applicable dam safety and performance standards. 
This alternative would greatly diminish the potential for dam 
failure. Total cost of this alternative is estimated to be 
$125,000.00.
    Construction activities would require draining the 5-acre pond, 
and removing part of the dam, to accomplish riser and pipe removal 
and replacement. It is anticipated that the project construction 
activities would take approximately 6 weeks. At least 4 landowners 
must drive across the private road on top of the dam to get to their 
residences. During the construction period, this road would be 
closed to the public. A temporary access road to the homes would be 
made part of the project.
    Temporary displacement of wildlife, aquatic species, and fish 
that use the lake would occur during construction. The water would 
be lowered very slowly to minimize impacts to the wildlife, aquatic 
species, and fish. 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 pond would be restocked with fish as per 
the concerns of the surrounding landowners.
    About 5 acres would be temporarily disturbed due to the 
construction of this project. All disturbed areas on the fill and in 
the emergency spillway will be seeded to an erosion controlling 
grass.
    This action will have 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, 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.

[[Page 58756]]

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 June, July, and 
December of 2001, and April of 2002. On April 23, 2002, the sponsors 
held a public meeting. 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 Upper 
Hocking Watershed Structure R-23.

    Dated: August 30, 2002.
Kevin Brown,
State Conservationist.
[FR Doc. 02-23684 Filed 9-17-02; 8:45 am]
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