[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 68 (Monday, April 10, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 18063]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-5187]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Lost River Watershed, Hardy County, WV

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Lost River Subwatershed of the Potomac River 
Watershed Hardy County, West Virginia.

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

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 
(NRCS), U. S. Department of Agriculture, is giving notice that a 
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) is being prepared 
for the Lost River Subwatershed of the Potomac River Watershed, Hardy 
County, West Virginia. The SEIS will evaluate potential impacts to the 
natural, physical, and human environment as a result of the flood 
damage reduction and water supply storage measures proposed for the 
Lost River Subwatershed, Hardy County, West Virginia. The NRCS is 
soliciting public concerns/issues to be evaluated during the study 
process.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronald L. Hilliard, State 
Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 75 High 
Street, Room 301, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, telephone (304) 284-
7545.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Lost River Work Plan and Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was prepared in October 1974 and 
approved for operations on February 11, 1975 under authority of the 
Flood Control Act, Public Law 534. The approved work plan included 
provisions for land treatment measures covering 94,750 acres, four 
single-purpose floodwater retarding impoundments, and one multiple-
purpose floodwater retarding and recreation impoundment. Two of the 
single-purpose floodwater retarding impoundments (Site 4, Kimsey Run 
and Site 27, Upper Cove Run) have been installed. In March 2001, the 
watershed plan was amended to add 400 acre-feet of rural water supply 
storage as a purpose for Site 10 (Camp Branch). The impoundment at Site 
10 has also been installed. Planning is underway for the fourth 
impoundment (Site 16, Lower Cove Run) that was originally planned as a 
multiple purpose floodwater retarding and recreation structure. At the 
request of the local sponsoring organizations, the recreation component 
of Site 16 has been eliminated (other than incidental recreational 
uses) and the purpose of rural water supply has been added for this 
impoundment. The final impoundment (Site 23, Culler Run) has been 
determined not feasible due to engineering and geological concerns and 
will be eliminated as a component of the Lost River Watershed Project. 
Other alternatives originally considered to achieve the project 
purposes in the 1974 Plan-FEIS included land treatment, flood proofing, 
flood insurance, floodplain purchase, stream channel modification, 
diking, and various combinations thereof. Also considered was the ``no 
project'' alternative.
    Alternatives to be addressed in the Draft Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) include the 1974 baseline 
conditions, the No-further Action Alternative, and Alternative 1. 
Alternative 1 includes constructing Site 16 for floodwater retention 
and rural water supply, and deleting Site 23 (Cullers Run) from the 
Plan.
    The environmental assessment of this federally assisted action 
indicates that the project may cause significant local, regional, or 
national impacts on the environment. As a result of these findings, 
Ronald L. Hilliard, State Conservationist, has determined that the 
preparation and review of a SEIS is needed for this project. Since 
impounded water may inundate a small portion of National Forest System 
Land, the U. S. Forest Service is a cooperating agency.
    A DSEIS will be prepared and circulated for review by agencies and 
the public. The NRCS invites participation and consultation of agencies 
and individuals that have special expertise, legal jurisdiction, or 
interest in the preparation of the DSEIS. Meetings may be scheduled 
upon the request of agencies or individuals to discuss the proposed 
action. Further information on the proposed action may be obtained from 
Ronald L. Hilliard, State Conservationist, at the above address, or 
telephone (304-284-7545).

    Dated: March 30, 2006.
Ronald L. Hilliard,
State Conservationist.
 [FR Doc. E6-5187 Filed 4-7-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P