[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 14, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 13073]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-3545]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Southern Washington County Watershed Protection Project; 
Washington County, ID

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 
Guidelines (7 CFR part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives notice that an 
environmental impact statement is not being prepared for the Southern 
Washington County Watershed Protection Project, Washington County, 
Idaho.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Sims, State Conservationist, 
Natural Resources Conservation Service, 9173 W. Barnes Dr., Suite C, 
Boise, Idaho 83709-1574, telephone (208) 378-5700.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Plan/Environmental Assessment of this 
federally assisted action indicates that the project will not cause 
significant local, regional, or national adverse impacts affecting the 
quality of the human environment. As a result of these findings, 
Richard Sims, State Conservationist, has determined that the 
preparation and review of an environmental impact statement are not 
needed for this project.
    The Southern Washington County Watershed Protection Project 
consists of a system of land treatment measures designed to address the 
problems associated with degradation of ground water quality and 
surface water quality in the Weiser and Snake Rivers. Benefits will be 
realized from reduced groundwater contamination by reducing deep 
leaching of nutrients and pesticides to the Western Snake River Plain 
Aquifer (Southern Washington County), protection of long-term soil 
productivity, reduced irrigation-induced erosion and reduced sediment, 
nutrient, pesticide and pathogen delivery to the Weiser and Snake 
Rivers and area tributaries. Planned treatment practices include: 
irrigation system-gated pipe (with surge), micro (drip) irrigation, 
tail water recovery systems, sprinkler re-nozzle, sprinkler systems, 
irrigation water management (moisture sensors and meters) and sediment 
basins. Management practices include: conservation crop rotation, 
irrigation water management, nutrient management, anionic 
polyacrylamide PAM erosion control, pest management, prescribed 
grazing, residue management (mulch till and seasonal), and straw mulch.
    The Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) has been 
forwarded to the Environmental Protection Agency. The basic data 
developed during the plan/environmental assessment is on file and may 
be reviewed by contacting Mr. Richard Sims. The FONSI has been sent to 
various Federal, State, and local agencies, and interested parties. A 
limited number of copies of the FONSI are available to fill single copy 
requests at the address stated above. No administrative action on the 
proposal will be initiated until 30 days after the date of this 
publication in the Federal Register.

    (This activity is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance under No. 10.904, Watershed Protection and Flood 
Prevention, and is subject to the provisions of Executive Order 
12372, which requires intergovernmental consultation with State and 
local officials.)

    Dated: March 7, 2006.
Mark Weatherstone,
Acting State Conservationist.
 [FR Doc. E6-3545 Filed 3-13-06; 8:45 am]
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