[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 98 (Thursday, May 20, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29126-29127]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-11423]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Yellow River Watershed Structure No. 16: Gwinnett County, GA

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, Agriculture.

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 Yellow 
River Watershed Structure No. 16, Gwinnett County, Georgia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jimmy Bramblett, Water Resources 
Programs Leader, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Federal 
Building, 355 East Hancock Avenue, Athens, Georgia 30601, Telephone 
[706] 546-2073, E-Mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Environmental Assessment of this federal 
assisted action indicates that the project will not cause significant 
local, regional, or national impacts on the environment. As a result of 
these findings, Leonard Jordan, State Conservationist, has determined 
that the preparation and review of an environmental impact statement is 
not needed for this project.
    The project purpose is continued flood prevention. The planned 
works of improvement include upgrading an existing floodwater retarding 
structure.
    The Notice of a Finding of No Significant Impact [FONSI] has been 
forwarded to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and to various 
Federal, State, and local agencies and interest parties. A limited 
number of the FONSI 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 Jimmy Bramblett at the 
above number.
    No administrative action on implementation of the proposal will be 
taken until 30 days after the date of this publication in the Federal 
Register.

Leonard Jordan,
State Conservationist.

[This activity is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance under 10.904, Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention, 
and is subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372, which 
requires inter-government consultation with State and local 
officials].

Finding of No Significant Impact for Yellow River Watershed Structure 
No. 16, Gwinnett County, Georgia, May 2004

Introduction

    The Yellow River Watershed is a federally assisted action 
authorized for planning under Public Law 106-472, the Watershed 
Rehabilitation Act, which amends Public Law 83-566, the Watershed 
Protection and Flood Prevention Act. An environmental assessment was 
undertaken in conjunction with 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, 355 East Hancock Avenue, Athens, Georgia 30601.

Recommended Action

    This document describes a plan for upgrading an existing floodwater 
retarding structure, Yellow River Watershed Structure No. 16[Y-16], to 
meet current dam safety criteria in Georgia. The plan calls for 
construction of a roller compacted concrete spillway over the 
embankment of the existing earthen dam. Works of improvement will be 
accomplished by providing financial and technical assistance through an 
eligible local sponsor.
    The principal project measures are to:
    1. Construct a 260-foot wide rollover compacted concrete [RCC] 
chute spillway to protect underlying soil materials from erosion during 
overtopping. The RCC will be constructed as a staged broad-crested 
weir. This constructed auxiliary spillway is designed to bring the 
existing dam into compliance with current dam safety criteria in 
Georgia. The current auxiliary spillway will be removed from service.
    2. The measures will be planned and installed by developing a 
contract with the current operator of the dam.

Effects of Recommended Action

    Installing a roller compacted concrete spillway will bring Yellow 
River Watershed Structure No. 16 into compliance with current dam 
safety criteria. This will essentially eliminate the risk to loss of 
life for individuals in 40 homes, 1 recreational facility, and 1 road 
downstream. Additional effects will include continued protection 
against flooding, continued water quality benefits, continued fishing 
activities, continued recreational opportunities, protected land 
values, protected road and utility networks, and reduced maintenance 
costs for public infrastructure.
    Wildlife habitat will not be disturbed during installation 
activities. No wetlands, wildlife habitat, fisheries, prime farmland, 
or cultural resources will be destroyed or threatened by this project. 
Some 13 acres of wetland and wetland type wildlife habitat will be 
preserved. Fishery habitats will also be maintained.
    No endangered or threatened plant or animal species will be 
adversely affected by the project.
    There are no wilderness areas in the watershed.
    Scenic values will be complemented with improved riparian quality 
and cover conditions resulting from the installation of conservation 
animal waste management system and grazing land practices.

Alternatives

    Eight alternative plans of action were considered in project 
planning. No significant adverse environmental impacts are anticipated 
from installation of the selected alternative. Also, the planned action 
is the most practical, complete, and acceptable means of protecting 
life and property of downstream residents.

[[Page 29127]]

Consultation--Public Participation

    Original sponsoring organizations include the Gwinnett County 
Government, Gwinnett County Soil and Water Conservation District, and 
the Upper Ocmulgee River Resource Conservation and Development Council. 
At the initiation of the planning process, meetings were held with 
representatives of the original sponsoring organizations to ascertain 
their interest and concerns regarding the Yellow River Watershed. 
Gwinnett County agreed to serve as ``lead sponsor'' being responsible 
for leading the planning process with assistance from NRCS. As lead 
sponsor they also agreed to provide non-federal cost-share, property 
rights, operation and maintenance, and public participation during, and 
beyond, the planning process. Meetings with the project sponsors were 
held throughout the planning process, and project sponsors provided 
representation at planning team, technical advisory, and two public 
meetings.
    An Interdisciplinary Planning Team provided for the ``technical'' 
administration of this project. Technical administration includes tasks 
pursuant to the NRCS nine-step planning process, and planning 
procedures outlined in the NRCS-National Planning Procedures Handbook. 
Examples of tasks completed by the Planning Team include, but are not 
limited to, Preliminary Investigations, Hydrologic Analysis, Reservoir 
Sedimentation Surveys, Economic Analysis, Formulating and Evaluating 
Alternatives, and Writing the Watershed Plan--Environmental Assessment. 
Data collected from partner agencies, databases, landowners, and others 
throughout the entire planning process, were evaluated at Planning Team 
meetings. Informal discussions amongst planning team members, partner 
agencies, and landowners were conducted throughout the entire planning 
period.
    A Technical Advisory Group was developed to aid the Planning Team 
with the planning process. The following agencies were involved in 
developing this plan and provided representation on the Technical 
Advisory Group:
     Gwinnett County Government
     Gwinnett County Soil and Water Conservation Districts
     Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental 
Protection Division [EPD], Safe Dams Program
     Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife 
Resources Division [WRD], Game and Fisheries Section
     United States Environmental Protection Agency [EPA], 
Region IV
     USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service [NRCS]
     USDI, Fish and Wildlife Service [F&WS]
     U.S. Army Corps of Engineers [COE]
    A meeting and field tour with the Technical Advisory Group was held 
on February 27, 2002 to assess proposed measures and their potential 
impact on resources of concern. A review of National Environmental 
Policy Act [NEPA] concerns was initiated at this meeting. Effects of 
proposed measures on NEPA concerns reviewed were documented. Additional 
field tours were held with the COE on March 11, 2002 to determine the 
most efficient 404 permitting process.
    Suzanne Kenyon, Cultural Resources Specialist with the NRCS-
National Water Management Center, visited the project site in the fall 
of 2001. She provided a methodology for considering culturally 
significant resources, which was followed in this planning process. An 
inventory of the watershed, and associated downstream impacted area was 
completed with no culturally important or archaeological sites noted. 
The area of potential effect was provided to the Georgia State Historic 
Preservation Office with passive concurrence provided.

Public Participation

    A public meeting was held on November 13, 2002 to explain the 
Watershed Rehabilitation Program and to scope resource problems, 
issues, and concerns of local residents associated with the Y-16 
project area. Potential alternative solutions to bring Y-16 into 
compliance with current dam safety criteria were also presented. 
Through a voting process, meeting participants provided input on issues 
and concerns to be considered in the planning process, and identified 
the most socially acceptable alternative solution.
    A second public meeting was held on April 1, 2004 to summarize 
planning accomplishments, convey results of the reservoir sedimentation 
survey, and present various structural alternatives.
    The roller compacted concrete chute spillway was identified as a 
complete, acceptable, efficient, and effective plan for the watershed 
and is the alternative preferred by the homeowners as indicated in the 
public meetings.

Conclusion

    The Environmental Assessment summarized above indicates that this 
Federal action will not cause significant adverse local, regional, or 
national impacts on the environment. Therefore, based on the above 
findings, I have determined that an environmental impact statement for 
the recommended plan of action on Yellow River Watershed Structure No. 
16 is not required.

    Dated: May 11, 2004.
Leonard Jordan,
State Conservationist.
[FR Doc. 04-11423 Filed 5-19-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-M