[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 41 (Thursday, March 3, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10353-10354]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-4125]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Environmental Assessment; Notice of Availability

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), has 
prepared a plan and environmental assessment consistent with the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended. Funding for 
salinity control projects is available through the Environmental 
Quality Incentives Program which is covered by a programmatic EA. The 
Muddy Creek plan and EA were developed to more specifically evaluate 
the effects associated with this type of water quality activity. Upon 
review of the information in the Muddy Creek EA, the State 
Conservationist, NRCS, Utah, made a Finding of No Significant Impact 
(FONSI) and the determination was made that no environmental impact 
statement is required to support the Muddy Creek Plan. 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 Muddy Creek Salinity Control Project, Emery and 
Sevier Counties, Utah. Written comments regarding this action may be 
submitted to: Sylvia Gillen, State conservationist, USDA/NRCS, Wallace 
F. Bennett Federal Building, 125 South State Street, Room 4402, Salt 
Lake City, UT 84138-1100. Comments must be received no later than 30 
days after this notice is published.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 3, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sylvia Gillen, State Conservationist, 
Natural Resources Conservation Service, Wallace F. Bennett Federal 
Building, 125 South State Street, Room 4402, Salt Lake City, UT 84138-
1100; telephone (802) 524-4555.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The environmental assessment of this

[[Page 10354]]

federally assisted action documents that the project will not cause 
significant local, regional, state, or national impacts on the human 
environment. The findings of Sylvia Gillen, State Conservationist, 
indicate that the preparation and review of an environmental impact 
statement is not needed for this project.
    The project purpose is to reduce salt loading to the Muddy Creek 
which is a tributary to the Colorado River. Excessive loading is a 
result of seepage from the canal and delivery ditch systems and 
inefficient irrigation application methods and procedures. The planned 
works of improvement include replacement of delivery ditches with an 
on-farm and off-farm underground pipeline system; the installation of 
irrigation sprinkler systems; structures for water control; and 
wildlife habitat development. These enduring practices are accompanied 
by facilitating management practices such as; Irrigation Water 
Management, Wildlife Habitat Management Wetland, and Wildlife Habitat 
Management Upland.
    This Notice of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) has been 
forwarded to the Environmental Protection Agency and to various 
Federal, State and local agencies and interested parties. Copies of the 
FONSI and Plan/Environmental Assessment are available by request from 
Sylvia Gillen, Utah State Conservationist. Basic data developed during 
the environmental evaluation are on file and may be reviewed by 
contacting Sylvia Gillen, Utah State Conservationist. Copies of the 
Plan/Environmental Assessment and FONSI may be obtained from Mr. Wayne 
Greenhaulgh, District Conservationist, USDA-NRCS, 540 Price River 
Drive, Price, UT 84501; telephone: (435) 637-0041; extension 19.
    No administrative action on implementation of this project will be 
taken until 30 days after the date of this notice is published.

(This activity is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance under No. 10.902, Soil and Water Conservation and 
Environmental Quality Incentive Program 10.912.)

    Signed in Salt Lake City, Utah, on February 18, 2005.
Sylvia A. Gillen,
State Conservationist.
[FR Doc. 05-4125 Filed 3-2-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-M