[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 21, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 8837]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-1573]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Harding Lake, Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Project

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of a Finding of No Significant Impact.

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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 
(formerly the Soil Conservation Service) Guidelines (7 CFR part 650); 
the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Robert Jones, State Conservationist, finds that neither 
the proposed action nor any of the alternatives is a major federal 
action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment, 
and determine that an environmental impact statement is not needed for 
the Harding Lake, Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Project.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Jones, State 
Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Alaska State 
Office, 800 West Evergreen Avenue, Suite 100, Palmer, AK 99645-6539; 
Phone: 907-761-7760; Fax: 907-761-7790.

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, the preparation and review of an 
environmental impact statement are not needed for this project.
    The project purpose is to redirect and control partial stream flows 
to restore shallow-water spawning and rearing habitat for Northern Pike 
(Exos lucius) and the Least Ciscoe (Coregonus sardinella) at Harding 
Lake, Salcha, AK. The planned works of improvement include installation 
of a double-weir, sheet-pile stream flow control system in Rogge Creek. 
This will re-establish more consistent water flow to the Harding Lake 
Channel of Rogge Creek terminating in Harding Lake. Subsequently, the 
rise in water levels (design ASL 717) will provide more stable water 
conditions in Harding Lake to serve in reestablishing littoral wetland 
areas for northern pike production and rearing. Operation and 
maintenance of the structure will address flood control to the capacity 
of the Rogge Creek channels ability to contain flood waters (100 cfs), 
when out of bank flows will respond to the natural topography and 
conditions, irrespective of the structure presence. A natural outlet of 
the Harding Lake controls upper surface levels of the lake.
    The Notice of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) has been 
forwarded to the Environmental Protection Agency and other interested 
parties. A limited number of copies 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 Robert Jones.
    No administrative action on implementation of the proposal will be 
taken until 30 days after the date of this publication in the Federal 
Register.

    Dated: February 9, 2006.
Robert Jones,
State Conservationist.
[FR Doc. 06-1573 Filed 2-17-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-M