[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 14, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2110-2111]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-727]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


North Forest Acres Levee/Road Project, City of Seward, Alaska

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of 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 Guidelines (40 
CFR part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, gives notice of a Finding of No Significant 
Impact according to the Environmental Assessment of the North Forest 
Acres Road/Levee Project.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shirley Gammon, State Conservationist, 
Natural Resources Conservation Service, 800 West Evergreen, Suite 100, 
Palmer, Alaska 99645-6539; telephone: (907) 761-7760.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The environmental assessment of this 
Federally assisted action indictes that there will be no significiant 
environmental impacts. As a result of these findings, Shirley Gammon, 
State Conservationist, has determined that the project should be 
completed as outlined in the assessment document. The objective of the 
North Forest Acres Road/Levee Project is to complete one part of a 
suite of action undertaken to minimize flooding damages to the city of 
Seward. The selected alternative is approximately 4,100 feet of levee 
topped by an asphalt paved road. Alternatives evaluated were No Action, 
four west alignments of the levee, and three east alignments. The 
selected alternatives are the West 2b (3,530 LF)

[[Page 2111]]

and the East 3 (550 LF). These alternatives were selected because they 
have no stream crossings of Japanese Creek, and no culverts or flood 
gates to operate and maintain. These selected alignments mimimize 
impact to wetlands. Encroachment on the floodplain is mimimal and 
results in no significant rise of flood waters in Resurrection River.
    A limited number of copies of the EA are available to fill single 
copy requests at the above address. Basic data developed during the 
environmental assessment are on file and may be reviewed by contacting 
Shirley Gammon.
    Further information on the proposed action may be obtained from 
Shirley Gammon, State Conservationist, at the above address.

    Dated: January 8, 2004.
Shirley Gammon,
State Conservationist.

Finding of No Significant Impact

    The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) requires 
Federal agencies to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for 
major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human 
environment. I have preliminarily determined, based upon the evaluation 
of impacts in the Environmental Assessment (EA), attached hereto and 
made a part hereof, and the reasons provided below, that there will be 
no significant individual or cumulative impacts on the quality of the 
human environment as a result of implementing the North Forest Acres 
Levee/Road Project in Seward, Alaska. In particular, there will be none 
of the significant adverse impacts which NEPA is intended to help 
decision makers avoid and mitigate against. Therefore, an EIS is not 
required.
    The city of Seward, Alaska has experienced flooding damages from 
the Resurrection River and Japanese Creek several times in the past. 
Damages from the 1995 flood alone amounted to 9.8 million dollars. A 
multi-agency task force recommended five complimentary actions to 
minimize the risk of future damages. Three of these actions (a levee on 
Japanese Creek, dredging at the mouth of the Resurrection River and 
widening of the highway bridges) have been completed. The Resurrection 
River Levee/Road Project, along with widening the railroad bridges are 
the final components of the flood control strategy. Congress has 
authorized funding for this project in the Natural Resources 
Conservation Service (NRCS) budget.
    Several meetings were held (EA, page 6) to assess public opinion 
and concerns regarding the project. At these meetings issues regarding 
impacts to the creek, concerns about commercial traffic, impacts to 
private property, hydrologic effects to the floodplain and road impacts 
to residents were identified (EA, page 4). Each of the alternatives 
considered in the EA is examined in regard to these concerns.
    Four west alignments and three east alignments of the levee/road 
were examined along with a ``no action'' alternative. Each of the 
alternatives would extend from the completed Japanese Creek levee at 
the upstream end and connect with the Seward Highway at the downstream 
end. The selected alternatives are the West 2b (3,530 LF) and the East 
3 (550 LF). These alternatives were selected because they have no 
stream crossings of Japanese Creek, and no culverts or flood gates to 
operate and maintain. These alignments minimize impact to wetlands. 
Encroachment on the floodplain is minimal and results in no significant 
rise of flood waters in Resurrection River.
    Based on the information presented in the North Forest Levee/Road 
Project EA, I find that the proposed action is not a major Federal 
action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. 
Therefore, an EIS will not be prepared.

    Dated: January 8, 2004.
Shirley Gammon,
Alaska State Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 
USDA.
[FR Doc. 04-727 Filed 1-13-04; 8:45 am]
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