[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 149 (Thursday, August 4, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 44886]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15379]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Big Delta State Historical Park Streambank Protection Project, 
Big Delta, AK

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA.

ACTION: Finding of No Significant Impact according to the Environmental 
Assessment.

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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 of a Finding of 
No Significant Impact according to the Environmental Assessment of the 
Big Delta State Historical Park Streambank Protection Project.

DATES: July 9, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Jones, State Conservationist, 
Natural Resources Conservation Service, 800 West Evergreen, Suite 100, 
Palmer, Alaska, 99645-6539, telephone: 907-761-7760.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Environmental Assessment of this 
Federally assisted action indicates that there will be no significant 
environmental impacts. As a result of these findings, Robert Jones, 
State Conservationist, has determined that the project should be 
completed as outlined in the assessment document.
    The objective of the Big Delta State Historical Park Streambank 
Protection Project is to install streambank protection measures to 
control erosion and protect the historic district while minimizing 
disturbance to the fall chum spawning habitat. The selected alternative 
is a combination of Bio-engineering Methods including the construction 
of two rock vanes. Alternatives evaluated were No Action, Combination 
of Bio-Engineering Methods and Combination of Bio-Engineering Methods 
Including Construction of Two Vanes. The selected alternative is the 
combination of bio-engineering methods with the two rock vanes. This 
alternative was selected because it protects the river bank adjacent to 
the Big Delta State Historical Park, minimizes the constructed 
footprint in the fall chum spawning habitat, and maintains the 
aesthetic qualities of the site. The vanes result in no significant 
rise in the flood waters in Tanana River.
    A limited number of copies of the EA 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 
Robert Jones.
    Further information on the proposed action may be obtained from 
Robert Jones, State Conservationist, at the above address.

    Dated: July 9, 2005.
Robert Jones,
State Conservationist.

Finding of No Significant Impact

    The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) requires 
Federal agencies to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for 
major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human 
environment. I have preliminarily determined, based upon the evaluation 
of impacts in the Environmental Assessment (EA), attached hereto and 
made a part hereof, and the reasons provided below, that there will be 
no significant individual or cumulative impacts on the quality of the 
human environment as a result of implementing the Big Delta State 
Historical Park Streambank Protection Project in Big Delta, Alaska. In 
particular, there will be none of the significant adverse impacts which 
NEPA is intended to help decision makers avoid and mitigate against. 
Therefore, an EIS is not required.
    High water events in 1997 and 1998 led to accelerated rates of 
erosion along the bank of the Tanana River bordering Big Delta State 
Historical Park, particularly in front of Rika's Roadhouse. Big Delta 
Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic 
Places. It is the only historic complex of buildings remaining in an in 
situ context within the Delta Junction area. The reach of the Tanana 
River bordering the Big Delta State Historical Park is a critical 
spawning area for fall chum and is considered essential fish habitat 
under the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The project purpose is to address 1000 
feet of river bank erosion bordering the Big Delta State Historic Park 
while minimizing the impact to the fall chum salmon spawning habitat. 
Congress has authorized funding for this project in the Natural 
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) budget.
    Issues regarding impacts to the essential fish habitat in the 
Tanana River, cultural resources, vegetation, economic and other 
resource concerns were identified (EA, pages 10-14). Each of the 
alternatives considered in the EA is examined in regard to these 
concerns.
    Three alternatives along with a ``no action'' alternative were 
examined (EA, pages 7-10). The alternatives provide various levels of 
riverbank protection for the Big Delta State Historical Park and 
varying levels of impacts to fall chum salmon spawning habitat. The 
selected alternative was Alternative 3, Combination of Bio-engineering 
Methods Including Construction of Two Rock Vanes. This alternative was 
selected because it protects the river bank adjacent to the Big Delta 
State Historical Park, minimizes the constructed footprint in the fall 
chum spawning habitat, and maintains the aesthetic qualities of the 
site (EA, page 15).
    Based on the information presented in the attached Big Delta State 
Historical Park Streambank Protection Project EA, I find that the 
proposed action is not a major Federal action significantly affecting 
the quality of the human environment. Therefore, an EIS will not be 
prepared.
[FR Doc. 05-15379 Filed 8-3-05; 8:45 am]
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