[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 8 (Thursday, January 12, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 2017]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-189]



[[Page 2017]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Finding of No Significant Impact for Upper Salt Creek 19-B 
Rehabilitation; Lancaster County, NE

Introduction

    The Upper Salt Creek 19-B Rehabilitation is a federally assisted 
action authorized for planning under Public Law 83-566, the Watershed 
Protection and Flood Prevention Act as amended by Section 313 of Public 
Law 106-472, The Small Watershed Rehabilitation Amendments of 2000. An 
environmental assessment was undertaken in conjunction with the 
development of the supplemental 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, Federal Building, Room 152, 100 Centennial Mall 
North, Lincoln, Nebraska 68508-3866.

Recommended Action

    Proposed is the rehabilitation of one floodwater retarding 
structure, Upper Salt Creek 19-B on Wagon Train Creek above Wagon Train 
Lake Recreation Area. The Upper Salt Creek 19-B structure controls the 
drainage of 585 acres.

Effect of Recommended Action

    Rehabilitation of the structure will meet State dam safety 
requirements and prolong the life of the structure and pool for 100 
years. The permanent pool will decrease in size from 8.5 acres to 6.0 
acres and the temporary flood pool will increase from 26.6 acres to 
27.0 acres.
    Sediment delivery to downstream areas including Wagon Train Lake 
will continue to be held back.
    If there is a significant cultural resource discovery during 
construction, appropriate notice will be made by NRCS to the State 
Historic Preservation Officer and the National Park Service. 
Consultation and coordination have been and will continue to be used to 
ensure the provisions of Section 106 Public Law 89-665 have been met 
and to include provisions of Public Law 89-523, as amended by Public 
Law 93-291. NRCS will take action as prescribed in NRCS GM 420, Part 
401, to protect or recover any significant cultural resources 
discovered during construction.
    No endangered or threatened species in the watershed will be 
adversely affected by the project.
    No significant adverse environmental impacts will result from 
installations except for temporary draining of the pool and minor 
inconveniences to local residents during construction.

Alternatives

    Three alternatives were analyzed in this plan.
    No Action alternative: the structure is breached by the sponsor in 
approximately four years. The structure will continue to be out of 
compliance with State dam safety regulations until it is breached. 
Flood protection and sediment control provided by the structure would 
end and increased flooding and associated problems would increase.
    Decommissioning alternative: the structure would be removed and 
would therefore not be out of compliance with the State dam safety 
regulations. Flood protection and sediment control provided by the 
structure would end and increased flooding and associated problems 
would increase.
    Rehabilitation to High Hazard Criteria alternative: the structure 
would be rehabilitated to current criteria and would be brought into 
compliance with State dam safety regulations for high hazard 
structures. Flood protection and sediment control would continue to be 
provided by the structure, pool and surrounding area.

Consultation--Public Participation

    The Lower Platte South Natural Resources District submitted an 
application for assistance in January 2001. The request was a result of 
local concern and interest in addressing dam safety, flood protection, 
and sediment control.
    A scoping meeting was held June 6, 2002 involving interdisciplinary 
efforts. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Lancaster County Roads, 
Lower Platte South Natural Resources District, Nebraska Department of 
Natural Resources, Resource Conservation and Development, University of 
Nebraska Extension Service, and local residents were in attendance.
    The environmental assessment was transmitted to all participating 
and interested agencies, groups, and individuals for review and comment 
in July 2003. Public meetings were held throughout the planning process 
to keep all interested parties informed of the study progress and to 
obtain public input to the plan and environmental evaluation.
    Agency consultation and public participation to date have shown no 
unresolved conflicts with the implementation of the selected plan.

Conclusion

    The Environmental Assessment summarized above indicates that this 
Federal action will not cause significant local, regional or national 
impacts on the environment. Therefore, based on the above findings, I 
have determined that an environmental impact statement for the Upper 
Salt Creek 19-B Rehabilitation is not required.

Stephen K. Chick,
State Conservationist.
[FR Doc. E6-189 Filed 1-11-06; 8:45 am]
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