[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 28 (Friday, February 11, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7227-7228]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-2663]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Notice of Intent

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 
1969, as amended, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural 
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Utah State Office, announces its 
intention to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to 
evaluate the impacts of floodplain and stream channel modifications in 
the Coal Creek Watershed. A plan would be developed to reduce safety 
risks and property damage caused by flooding of Cedar City and 
agricultural lands, improve water quality, and address related resource 
and amenity issues for the community. The EIS will analyze the 
potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts of alternatives to 
the human environment, as identified in the NEPA planning process, 
including any structural and non-structural measures that would address 
resource concerns in Coal Creek floodplain.
    The purpose of this notice is to request participation and invite 
comments from all those individuals and organizations interested in the 
development of the EIS.
    Proposed Action: The section of Coal Creek that traverses through 
Cedar City, Utah has channel stability and capacity deficiencies that 
pose a threat to existing infrastructure and development. Typical 
summer, fall, and winter discharges through this section of Coal Creek 
range from 5 to 15 cubic feet per second (cfs). However, intense summer 
cloudburst events centered in the upper Coal Creek watershed during the 
past 100 years have resulted in several flood events with peak 
discharges of between 4,000 and 5,000 cfs. The peak snowmelt event on 
record is approximately 1,800 cfs.
    The NRCS, in cooperation with Cedar City, proposes to modify 
portions of the Coal Creek channel that are located east of Interstate 
15 within the corporate limits of Cedar City. Channel modifications are 
needed to protect existing infrastructure and development from damage 
or loss caused by bank erosion or flood water from a 100-year flood 
event and to eliminate the portion of the 100-year floodplain located 
outside the stream channel, as defined on existing Federal Emergency 
Management Agency (FEMA) flood hazard boundary maps. In conjunction 
with needed channel improvements, one or more irrigation diversion 
structures on Coal Creek may have to be relocated upstream from their 
current locations to eliminate existing flooding hazards. It is an NRCS 
goal to construct new diversion facilities that will

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improve irrigation water quality by removing sediment from irrigation 
water after it is diverted from Coal Creek. NRCS will also consider the 
option of locating the new diversion facilities to allow a pressurized 
irrigation system to be constructed in the future. New pipeline 
facilities would need to be constructed as part of this project from 
any new diversion facilities to the heads of the existing canals where 
the existing diversions are located. In addition to the flood control 
and irrigation system improvements, NRCS and Cedar City propose to 
design and construct a trail system and other Parkway improvements 
adjacent to the Coal Creek Channel that would enhance aesthetic values 
and provide recreational opportunities for community residents and 
visitors.
    Public Participation: The NRCS invites full public participation to 
promote open communication and better decision-making. All persons and 
organizations that have an interest in the Coal Creek watershed and 
floodplain as it impacts Cedar City are urged to participate in the 
NEPA environmental analysis process. Assistance will be provided as 
necessary to anyone having difficulty in determining how to 
participate. A Public Involvement Plan (PIP) has been developed and 
will be followed.
    Public comments are welcomed throughout the NEPA process. 
Opportunities for public participation include: (1) The EIS scoping 
period when comments on the NRCS proposal will be solicited through 
various media and at a public meeting to be held in Cedar City, Utah, 
March 10, 2005; (2) the 45-day review and comment period for the 
published Draft EIS; and (3) for 30 days after publication of the Final 
EIS.
    Scoping Process: Public participation is requested throughout the 
scoping process. The NRCS is soliciting comments from the public 
indicating what issues and impacts the public believes should be 
encompassed within the scope of the EIS analysis, voicing any concerns 
they might have about the identified resource protection measures, and 
submitting any ideas they might have for addressing risks to life and 
property in the Coal Creek floodplain. Other opportunities for public 
input include: (1) Once the Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Draft 
EIS is published in the Federal Register, comments will be accepted on 
the Draft EIS for a period of not less than 45 days, and (2) once the 
Final EIS is published in the Federal Register; comments will be 
accepted for a period of not less than 30 days. The NRCS will provide a 
written response to all comments received and will consider the issues 
presented for study and possible inclusion in the EIS. The public 
participation plan describes responsibilities and outreach 
opportunities in this process.
    Date Scoping Comments are Due: Comments may be submitted by regular 
mail, facsimile, or E-mail until 5 p.m. MST, March 21, 2005. Written 
comments submitted by regular mail should be postmarked by March 21, 
2005, to ensure full consideration. (Note: The scoping period will 
continue for a period of 30 calendar days after the issuance date of 
this NOI.) Comments postmarked after this date will be considered to 
the extent practicable.
    Scoping Meeting: A public scoping meeting/open house will be held 
Thursday, March 10, 2005, to provide information on Coal Creek planning 
activities conducted to date, give the opportunity to discuss the 
issues and alternatives that should be covered in the Draft EIS, and to 
receive oral and written comments. The open house will be held from 4 
p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Cedar City Public Library, 303 North 100 East, 
Cedar City, Utah.

EFFECTIVE DATE: February 18, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Comments on what the public wishes to 
be analyzed or addressed within the Draft EIS should be mailed to: 
Marnie Wilson, Coal Creek EIS, USDA--NRCS, Wallace F. Bennett Federal 
Building, 125 South State Street, Room 4402, Salt Lake City, UT 84138-
1100. Project information is also available on the Internet at: http://
www.ut.nrcs.usda.gov under Public Notices.
    Comments may also be submitted by sending a facsimile to (801) 524-
4593, or by E-mail to Marnie.W[email protected] (please include the 
words ``Coal Creek Comment'' in the subject line of the E-mail). 
Respondents should provide mailing address information and an 
indication of wanting to be included on the EIS mailing list. All 
individuals on the mailing list will receive a copy of the Draft EIS.

    Signed in Salt Lake City, Utah on February 1, 2005.
Sylvia A. Gillen,
State Conservationist.
[FR Doc. 05-2663 Filed 2-10-05; 8:45 am]
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