[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 8 (Thursday, January 12, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 2016]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-190]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Finding of No Significant Impact for Rehabilitation of Grade 
Stabilization Structures S-27, S-31 and S-32 Papillion Creek Watershed, 
Sarpy County, NE

Introduction

    The Rehabilitation of Grade Stabilization Structures S-27, S-31 and 
S-32 in Papillion Creek Watershed 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 to High Hazard Criteria of three 
grade stabilization structures, Papillion Creek Watershed structures S-
27, S-31 and S-32 that protect the drainage areas of 152 acres, 249 
acres and 223 acres respectively.

Effect of Recommended Action

    Rehabilitation of the structures will meet state dam safety 
requirements for High Hazard Class (c) and prolong the life of the 
structures and pools for 100 years. The existing principal spillways 
would be removed and replaced, the auxiliary spillways would be 
widened, the top of dam would be raised to provide a combination of 
storage capacity and auxiliary spillway conveyance to pass the design 
storm without overtopping the dams, and some of the accumulated 
sediment would be removed from GSS S-27.
    Sediment delivery to downstream areas 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 of 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. The construction process and temporary draining of the 
pool may cause minor inconveniences to local residents during 
construction.

Alternatives

    Three alternatives were analyzed in this plan.
    No Action alternative includes a sponsor's constructed breach. This 
alternative would remove a portion of the embankment necessary to 
establish stable overbank velocities. A series of drop spillway 
structures would be constructed to control the change in elevation at 
each structure.
    Federal Decommissioning alternative would remove a portion of the 
embankment necessary to establish stable overbank velocities. A series 
of drop spillway structures would be constructed to control the change 
in elevation at each structure.
    Rehabilitation to High Hazard Criteria alternative, the structures 
would be rehabilitated to current criteria and would be brought into 
compliance with state dam safety regulations for high hazard 
structures. The life of the structures would be extended for 100 years. 
Grade stabilization and sediment control would continue to be provided 
by the structure, pool and surrounding area.

Consultation-Public Participation

    The Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District submitted an 
application for assistance in May 9, 2003. The request was a result of 
local concern and interest in extending the service life of these aging 
watershed structures and addressing dam safety.
    Scoping meetings were held September 30, 2004. An afternoon meeting 
was held involving interdisciplinary efforts. Nebraska Game and Parks 
Commission, Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Nebraska 
Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 
Environmental Protection Agency, Douglas/Sarpy County Extension 
Service, and the City of Bellevue were in attendance. An evening 
meeting was held with twenty-six local residents in attendance and 12 
representatives from the NRCS, NRD and HDR Engineering, Inc. A second 
public meeting for residents was held March 3, 2005.
    The environmental assessment was transmitted to all participating 
and interested agencies, groups, and individuals for review and comment 
on May 20, 2005. The public meetings were held to keep all interested 
parties informed of the study progress and to obtain public input to 
the supplemental 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 
Rehabilitation of Grade Stabilization Structures S-27, S-31 and S-32 in 
Papillion Creek Watershed is not required.

Stephen K. Chick,
State Conservationist.
[FR Doc. E6-190 Filed 1-11-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P