[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 64 (Thursday, April 3, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16258-16260]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-8030]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Lingle-Ft. Laramie Water Quality Project, Goshen County, WY

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 
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 Lingle-Ft. 
Laramie Water Quality Project, Goshen County, Wyoming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lincoln E. Burton, State 
Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Room 3124, 
Federal Building, 100 East B Street, Casper, Wyoming 82601, telephone 
(307) 261-6453.

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 human 
environment. As a result of these findings, Lincoln E. Burton, State 
Conservationist, has determined that the preparation and review of an 
environmental impact statement are not needed for this project.
    The project purposes have been changed to include Wildlife Habitat 
Improvement. Project purposes are: (1) Agricultural Water Management--
the on-site treatment of agricultural related pollutants for off-site 
benefits. The planned works of improvement include accelerated 
technical assistance for land treatment, accelerated financial 
assistance to treat 8,300 acres to reduce the amount of nitrogen 
available to be leached to the groundwater, 25 animal waste management 
facilities, and 35 abandoned wells will be decommissioned. (2) Wildlife 
Habitat Improvement--on-site treatment will increase wildlife habitat 
units by about 1,100 units.
    The Notice of a Finding Of No Significant Impact (FONSI) has been 
forwarded to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and to various 
federal, state, and local agencies, and interested parties. A limited 
number of copies of the FONSI is available to fill

[[Page 16259]]

single copy requests at the above address. Basic data developed during 
the environmental assessment are on file and may be reviewed by 
contacting Lincoln E. Burton.
    No administrative action on implementation of the proposal will be 
taken until 30 days after the date of this publication in the Federal 
Register. The Environmental Assessment will then be signed and funding 
authorization requested. All plans will be written within five years, 
and implementation will continue for up to ten years.

    Dated: March 21, 2003.
Lincoln E. Burton,
State Conservationist.

(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.)

Finding of No Significant Impact for Lingle-Ft. Laramie Water Quality 
Project; Goshen County, Wyoming

Introduction

    The Lingle-Ft. Laramie Water Quality Project is a federally 
assisted action authorized for planning under Pub. L. 83-566, the 
Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act. An environmental 
assessment was undertaken in conjunction with the development of the 
watershed plan. This assessment was conducted in consultation with 
local, state, and federal agencies, including section 7(a)(2) of the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (50 CFR 402.13) 
consultation, as well as with interested organization and individuals. 
Data developed during the assessment is available for public review at 
the following location: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural 
Resources Conservation Service, Room 3124 Federal Building, 100 East B 
Street, Casper, Wyoming 82601-1969.

Recommended Action--Alternative 2: Accelerated Land Treatment

    Proposed is the development of about 48 conservation plans that 
will provide for land treatment and wildlife habitat improvement 
measures to be applied on farms for the reduction of the agricultural 
contribution to nitrate contamination of the groundwater and habitat 
improvement. The proposed plan will treat 8,300 acres with increased 
irrigation efficiency to reduce the amount of nitrogen available to be 
leached to the groundwater. Twenty-five animal waste management 
facilities and application practices will be installed in the 
watershed. Thirty-five abandoned wells will be decommissioned. Wildlife 
habitat units will be increased by 1,100 units.
    Costs were updated from 2000 Draft EA to 2003 costs, due to a 
change in discount rates. Federal cost share will be at 65 percent for 
a total financial assistance of $3,534,020. Average annual benefits 
equals $1,017,170, with average annual costs equal to $801,333, for a 
benefit: cost ratio of 1.27:1. FT 2003 Water Resources discount rate at 
5.785 percent.

Effect of Recommended Action

    The recommended action will improve groundwater quality, improve 
human health and safety, improve irrigation efficiency, reduce 
irrigation labor, and increase wildlife habitat. Nitrates available for 
leaching will be reduced through installation of fertilizer injection 
systems, nutrient management, and irrigation water management.
    The proposed action will reduce the amount of nitrogen available to 
be leached. It is estimated at full implementation, there will be a 33 
percent reduction of nitrate leached below the root zone, which equals 
about 81 pounds of nitrate per acre each year over the entire project 
area at a 60 percent participation rate. Nitrogen reduction is 
considered not to be a controversial issue.
    The proposed action will install 25 animal waste management systems 
to collect and store run-off from feed lots until it can be safely 
applied to the agricultural fields.
    The proposed action will improve on farm irrigation efficiency, 
which will increase the water available to meet crop consumptive use.
    The proposed action will increase the number of wildlife habitat 
units by about 1,100 units as treatments are installed.
    A literature review and search of the State Historic Preservation 
Office (SHPO) records were conducted for the project area. The effect 
of project installation will be determined for each individual project 
contract according to Natural Resource Conservation Service, Northern 
Plains Region procedures.
    It is likely that more sites will be discovered during the planning 
and installation of the accelerated land treatment practices. Since 
project practices will be installed on a ``voluntary participation'' 
basis, location of ground disturbances is presently unknown. Most 
surface disturbances below the plow zone will occur as a result of 
installing ag waste facilities, pipelines, land leveling, grading, and 
shaping. NRCS cultural resources procedures, as described in the NRCS 
Northern Plains Region procedures, will be followed when ground 
disturbances are planned.
    Compliance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) protection 
rules for each farm will follow the procedures in the NRCS General 
Manual, Section 190 and 420, respectively.
    The proposed action will have little or no effect on wetlands. With 
on farm improved irrigation efficiencies some reduction in tail water 
run-off will occur, but with the sandy soils in the watershed most of 
the run-off has gone to groundwater and not surface water. Wetland 
restoration, creation and enhancement will increase a total of about 24 
acres as operator's contracts are developed. A 2 acre-foot depletion 
will be offset by a debit from the National Fish and Wildlife 
Foundation account.
    No wilderness areas are in the watershed.
    There is potential habitat for the threatened Ute ladies' tresses 
(Spiranthes diluvialis) and Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus 
hudsonius preblei), but none have been identified within the watershed, 
the determination of ``may affect, but not likely to adversely affect'' 
for both species, was arrived at with section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (50 CFR 402.13) consultation. The 
habitat will not be adversely impacted. There are no known resident 
threatened or endangered animals within the watershed area.
    The proposed action will increase vegetative cover suitable for 
wildlife as a result of the application of conservation practices that 
include vegetative components. Wildlife habitat units will increase by 
about 1,100 units. Fish habitat will not be effected.
    The proposed action will not disproportionately affect any 
protected groups.
    No significant adverse environmental impacts will result from 
installation of the proposed action.

Alternatives

    Based on the above summary of effects (as discussed in the EA), I 
have determined the alternative that I have selected, will not have 
significant affect on the human environment. For that reason, no 
environmental impact statement needs to be prepared.
    The planned action is the most practical means of reducing the 
agricultural contribution of nitrate to the groundwater. Because no 
significant adverse environmental impacts will

[[Page 16260]]

result from the installation of the on farm conservation measures, no 
other alternatives, other than the no action alternative, were 
considered.

Consultation--Public Participation

    On June 17, 1996, the North Platte Valley Conservation District, 
and the Lingle-Fort Laramie Conservation District Boards of 
Supervisors, filed an application for Pub. L. 83-566 assistance in 
developing a plan for the Goshen County, Lingle-Ft. Laramie Water 
Quality Project. The State of Wyoming Governor's Office referred the 
application to the Wyoming Board of Agriculture for ranking and 
approval. On September 18, 2000, the board gave the project a ranking 
of high and approved the request to be submitted to the NRCS. 
Acceptance was acknowledged by the State Conservationist, and 
appropriate agencies and Sponsors were notified. The town of Torrington 
and the Goshen County Commissioners were later added to the list of 
Sponsors.
    The Sponsors held two interagency and two public meetings to 
determine the extent of the problem. The Sponsors requested that NRCS 
analyze alternative solutions and prepare a preliminary investigation 
report. In September 2000, a preliminary investigation report was 
completed for the Lingle-Ft. Laramie Water Quality Project.
    Numerous newspaper articles, newsletters, and radio public service 
announcements have been aired in order to provide public information. 
Public meetings, with the news media in attendance, were held to gain 
public input and inform the public.
    On October 24, 1996, an interagency meeting was held to determine 
concerns of the other agencies.
    June 14, 2000, a public scoping meeting was held to determine 
public concerns and opinions. A public response analysis was completed 
on the responses.
    On October 18, 2000, another public meeting was held to review the 
alternatives developed and obtain further public input.
    On June 11, 2001, the Sponsors met to review the Draft Plan-EA.
    On July 25, 2002, the Sponsors held a public meeting to begin the 
Public/Interagency review of the Draft Plan-EA. Written comments were 
requested from agencies, organizations, and groups identified in the 
planning process as interested. The comments were reviewed and 
responses prepared on each comment. The comments and responses are 
contained in the Final Plan Environmental Assessment.
    Written comments were requested from 70 agencies, organizations, 
and groups identified in the planning process.
    Agency consultation and public participation to date have shown no 
unresolved conflicts with the implementation of the selected plan. 
Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (50 
CFR 402.13) consultation has been completed and incorporated.

Conclusion

    The Environmental Assessment summarized above indicates that this 
federal action will not cause significant local, regional, or national 
impacts on the environment. Therefore, based on the above findings, I 
have determined that an environmental impact statement for the Lingle-
Ft. Laramie Water Quality Project Plan is not required.
    Additional Information or questions can be directed to: George W. 
Cleek IV, Assistant State Conservationist, USDA-NRCS, 100 East B 
Street, Room 3124, Casper, WY 82601-1969, Phone: 307-261-6457, e-mail: 
[email protected].

    Dated: March 21, 2003.
Lincoln E. Burton,
State Conservationist.
[FR Doc. 03-8030 Filed 4-2-03; 8:45 am]
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