[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 110 (Thursday, June 9, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33731-33732]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-11432]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Haynes Creek--Brushy Fork Creek Watershed Structure No. 3: 
Gwinnett County, GA

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service.

ACTION: Notice of a finding of no significant impact.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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, Haynes 
Creek--Brushy Fork Creek Watershed Structure No. 3: 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 
Federally assisted action indicates that the project will not cause 
significant local, regional, or national impacts on the environment. As 
a result of these findings, James E. Tillman Sr., 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.

James E. Tillman, Sr.,
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 Haynes Creek--Brushy Fork Creek 
Watershed Structure No. 3, Gwinnett County, Georgia, June 2005.

Introduction

    The Haynes Creek--Brushy Fork Creek 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, Haynes Creek--Brushy Fork Creek Watershed 
Structure No. 3, 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 220-foot wide roller compacted concrete (RCC) chute 
spillway to protect underlying soil materials from erosion during 
overtopping. The RCC will be constructed with an ogee at elevation 
951.7 ft. MSL. 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 Haynes 
Creek--Brushy Fork Creek Watershed Structure No. 3 into compliance with 
current dam safety criteria. This will essentially eliminate the risk 
to loss of life for individuals in 17 homes and 8 roads 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.

[[Page 33732]]

    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

    Six 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.

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 Haynes Creek--Brushy Fork 
Creek 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).
     US Army Corps of Engineers (COE).
    A meeting and field tour with the Technical Advisory Group was held 
on May 10, 2004 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 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 March 18, 2004, 
to explain the Watershed Rehabilitation Program and to scope resource 
problems, issues, and concerns of local residents associated with the 
Haynes Creek--Brushy Fork Creek No. 3 project area. Potential 
alternative solutions to bring No. 3 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 May 6, 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 Haynes Creek--Brushy Fork Creek 
Watershed Structure No. 3 is not required.

    Dated: June 1, 2005.
James E. Tillman, Sr.,
State Conservationist.
[FR Doc. 05-11432 Filed 6-8-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P