[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 215 (Tuesday, November 8, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 67659]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-22358]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Environmental Statements; 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 Draft Environmental Impact Statement consistent with the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, to disclose potential 
effects to the human environment.
    The section of Coal Creek that traverses Cedar City, Utah, has 
channel stability and capacity deficiencies that pose a threat to 
existing infrastructure and development due to flooding. The NRCS 
proposes to modify the Coal Creek channel to safely convey floodwaters 
from a 100-year flood event. In conjunction with the proposed channel 
improvements, two irrigation diversion/drop structures on Coal Creek 
(the Main Street Diversion and the Woodbury Diversion) will have to be 
reconstructed to eliminate significant channel and capacity 
restrictions. In conjunction with the reconstruction of the diversion 
structures, sedimentation facilities would be constructed to remove 
gravel from water diverted from the Main Street Diversion. Also as part 
of this project, Cedar City proposes to improve and expand an existing 
parkway along Coal Creek to enhance aesthetic values and provide 
recreational opportunities for community residents and visitors.
    The Draft EIS presents detailed analyses for three alternatives. 
Alternative A--No Action, would continue the frequency and level of 
dredging and other management actions as they are currently planned. 
Existing channel and structural deficiencies would not be corrected.
    Alternative B--Relocate Main Street Diversion, would remove the 
Main Street diversion/drop structure currently in use and relocate it 
to near 200 East. Implementation of this alternative would require 
approximately 3,250 feet of pipeline to be installed, flood and slope/
grading-related channel modifications from Center Street to I-15, and 
the continuation of periodic dredging as necessary. A sedimentation 
basin would be constructed to remove gravels from diverted irrigation 
water. The Woodbury diversion/drop structure would be reconstructed. 
Under this alternative, the parkway would be extended to Airport Road 
and landscaped. Parkway Option B1 proposes a crosswalk at the Main 
Street Bridge. Parkway Option B2 proposes to access existing sidewalks 
from the pedestrian bridge at 400 North to cross Main Street and avoid 
additional property acquisition.
    Alternative C--Replace Main Street Diversion, would modify the Main 
Street diversion/drop structure by removing approximately half the 
drop. Implementation of this alternative would require approximately 
3,000 feet of pipeline to be installed, flood and slope/grading-related 
channel modifications from Center Street to west of I-15, and the 
continuation of periodic dredging as necessary. Two sedimentation 
basins would be constructed to remove gravels from diverted irrigation 
water. The Woodbury diversion/drop structure would be reconstructed. 
Under this alternative, the parkway would be extended to Airport Road 
and landscaped. In addition, a historic pedestrian truss bridge would 
be removed to prevent channel constriction and potential flooding. 
Parkway Option C1 would construct an elevated pedestrian pathway under 
the Main Street Bridge. Parkway Option C2 would construct a large box 
culvert for pedestrian use just north of the bridge and under Main 
Street.
    As required by the NRCS for water projects, the National Economic 
Development (NED) benefit-cost process was used to determine benefit-
cost ratios for each alternative. The alternative with the highest 
benefit-cost ratio (3.47:1) and thus designated as the NED Alternative 
was Alternative C, Parkway Option C1. Accordingly, the NRCS selected 
Alternative C, Parkway Option C1, as the Preferred Alternative.
    Written comments regarding this 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 must be received no 
later than 45 days after this notice is published (December 26, 2005). 
Comments may also be submitted by sending a facsimile to (801) 524-
4593, or by e-mail to [email protected] (please include the 
words ``Coal Creek Comment'' in the subject line of the E-mail).

EFFECTIVE DATE: November 11, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Copies of the Draft EIS are available by 
request from Marnie Wilson at the address listed above. Basic data 
developed during the environmental evaluation are on file and may be 
reviewed by contacting Sylvia Gillen, Utah State Conservationist.

    Signed in Salt Lake City, Utah on October 28, 2005.
Sylvia A. Gillen,
State Conservationist.
[FR Doc. 05-22358 Filed 11-7-05; 8:45 am]
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