[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 7, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 33063]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-11281]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


South Kona Watershed, Hawaii County, Hawaii

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

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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 
Guidelines (7 CFR part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives notice that an 
environmental impact statement is being prepared for the South Kona 
Watershed, Hawaii County, Hawaii.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lawrence T. Yamamoto, State 
Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 300 Ala Moana 
Blvd., Rm. 4-118, PO Box 50004, Honolulu, Hawaii 96850-0050, Telephone: 
(808) 541-2600 ext. 105.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The preliminary feasibility study of this 
federally assisted action indicates that the project may cause 
significant local, regional and national impacts on the environment. As 
a result of these findings, Lawrence T. Yamamoto, State 
Conservationist, has determined that the preparation and review of an 
environmental impact statement is needed for this project.
    The project concerns alleviating agriculture water shortages and 
providing a stable, adequate, and affordable supply of agricultural 
water to farmers and other agricultural producers in the South Kona 
District of the Island of Hawai`i. Alternatives under consideration to 
reach these objectives include a full build-out alternative involving 
the installation of twelve wells on private and public lands that would 
provide the agricultural area of South Kona with 12 million gallons of 
supplemental irrigation water per day; a three-well alternative that 
would supply 3 million gallons a day to address near-term irrigation 
needs in the project area; a two well alternative that would supply 2 
million gallons of supplemental irrigation water a day for near-term 
irrigation needs; and the no action alternative, which will consider no 
change to the current irrigation water sources for the watershed.
    A draft environmental impact statement will be prepared and 
circulated for review by agencies and the public. The Natural Resources 
Conservation Service invites participation and consultation of agencies 
and individuals that have special expertise, legal jurisdiction, or 
interest in the preparation of the draft environmental impact 
statement. Meetings will be held at Yano Hall, County of Hawaii 
Department of Parks and Recreation, 82-6156 Mamalahoa Highway, Captain 
Cook, County of Hawaii on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 from 1-3 p.m. and at 
MacFarms of Hawaii, Picker Shed 89-406 Mamalohoa Hwy. at the 84 mile 
mark, from 6-8 p.m. to determine the scope of the evaluation of the 
proposed action. Further information on the proposed action or the 
scoping meeting may be obtained from Lawrence T. Yamamoto, State 
Conservationist, at the above address or telephone number.

(This activity is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance under No. 10.904--Watershed Protection and Flood 
Prevention--and is subject to the provisions of Executive Order 
12372 which requires intergovernmental consultation with State and 
local officials.)

    Dated: May 23, 2005.
Lawrence T. Yamamoto,
State Conservationist for Hawaii & Director for the Pacific Basin Area.
[FR Doc. 05-11281 Filed 6-6-05; 8:45 am]
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