[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 198 (Tuesday, October 14, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59160-59161]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-25857]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Finding of No Significant Impact for Upper Salt Creek 10-A 
Rehabilitation, Lancaster County, NE

Introduction

    The Upper Salt Creek 10-A Rehabilitation is a federally assisted 
action authorized for planning under Pub. L. 83-566, the Watershed 
Protection and Flood Prevention Act as amended by Section 313 of Pub. 
L. 106-472 The Small Watershed Rehabilitation Amendments of 2000. 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 as well as with 
interested organizations and individuals. Data developed during the 
assessment are available for public review at the following location: 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 
Federal Building, Room 152, 100 Centennial Mall North, Lincoln, 
Nebraska 68508-3866.

Recommended Action

    Proposed is the rehabilitation of one floodwater retarding 
structure, Upper Salt Creek 10-A on an unnamed tributary of Hickman 
Branch. The Upper Salt Creek 10-A structure controls the drainage of 
2,052 acres.

[[Page 59161]]

Effect of Recommended Action

    Rehabilitation of the structure will meet state dam safety 
requirements and prolong the life of the structure and pool for 100 
years. The permanent pool will not change in size but the temporary 
flood pool will increase from 86 acres to 117 acres. Ten acres will be 
converted from cropland to a grassed auxiliary spillway.
    Sediment delivery to downstream areas will continue to be held 
back. Recreation will still be available on and around the pool and 
structure.
    Significant cultural resources identified during implementation 
will be avoided or otherwise preserved in place to the fullest 
practical extent. If significant cultural resources cannot be avoided 
or preserved, pertinent information will be recovered before 
construction. If there is a significant cultural resource discovery 
during construction, appropriate notice will be made by NRCS to the 
State Historic Preservation Officer and the National Park Service. 
Consultation and coordination have been and will continue to be used to 
ensure the provisions of Section 106 Pub. L. 89-665 have been met and 
to include provisions of Pub. L. 89-523, as amended by Pub. L. 93-291. 
NRCS will take action as prescribed in NRCS GM 420, Part 401, to 
protect or recover any significant cultural resources discovered during 
construction.
    No threatened or endangered species in the watershed will be 
adversely affected by the project.
    No significant adverse environmental impacts will result from 
installations except for temporary draining of the pool and minor 
inconveniences to local residents during construction.

Alternatives

    Four alternatives were analyzed in this plan.
    No Action alternative, the structure is breached by the sponsor in 
approximately four years. The structure will continue to be out of 
compliance with state dam safety regulations until it is breached. 
Flood protection provided by the structure would end and increased 
flooding and associated problems would increase. Recreational 
opportunities provided by the structure, pool and surrounding area 
which are owned by the state Game and Parks would be virtually 
eliminated.
    Decommissioning alternative, the structure would be removed and 
would therefore not be out of compliance with the state dam safety 
regulations. Flood protection provided by the structure would end and 
increased flooding and associated problems would increase. Recreational 
opportunities provided by the structure, pool and surrounding area 
which are owned by the state Game and Parks would be virtually 
eliminated.
    Home Relocation alternative, the structure would be rehabilitated 
to current Low Hazard Criteria and the downstream homes in the breach 
area would be removed. The structure would then be in compliance with 
state dam safety regulations and flood protection and recreational 
opportunities would continue to be provided by the structure, pool and 
surrounding area.
    Rehabilitation to High Hazard Criteria alternative, the structure 
would be rehabilitated to current High Hazard Criteria and would be 
brought into compliance with state dam safety regulations for high 
hazard structures. Flood protection and recreational opportunities 
would continue to be provided by the structure, pool and surrounding 
area.

Consultation-Public Participation

    The Lower Platte South Natural Resources District submitted an 
application for assistance January 2001. The request was a result of 
local concern and interest in addressing dam safety and flood 
protection.
    A scoping meeting was held June 6, 2002 involving interdisciplinary 
efforts. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Lancaster County Roads, 
Lower Platte South Natural Resources District, Nebraska Department of 
Natural Resources, Resource Conservation and Development, University of 
Nebraska Extension Service, and local residents were in attendance.
    The environmental assessment was transmitted to all participating 
and interested agencies, groups, and individuals for review and comment 
in July 2003. Public meetings were held throughout the planning process 
to keep all interested parties informed of the study progress and to 
obtain public input to the plan and environmental evaluation.
    Agency consultation and public participation to date have shown no 
unresolved conflicts with the implementation of the selected plan.

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 Upper 
Salt Creek 10-A Rehabilitation is not required.

    Dated:
Stephen K. Chick,
State Conservationist.
[FR Doc. 03-25857 Filed 10-10-03; 8:45 am]
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