[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 93 (Monday, May 15, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27988-27989]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-7306]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Yellow River Watershed Structure No. 3: Gwinnett County, GA

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability 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 Regulations 
[40 CFR part 1500]; and the Natural Resources Conservation Service 
Regulations [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 Yellow 
River Watershed Structure No. 3, Gwinnett County, Georgia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cran Upshaw, Economist, Federal 
Building, 355 East Hancock Avenue, Athens, Georgia 30601, Telephone 
[706] 546-2277, e-mail [email protected].

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, James E. Tillman, Sr., State 
Conservationist, has determined that the preparation and review of an 
environmental impact statement is not needed for this project.
    The project purpose is continued flood prevention. The planned 
works of improvement include upgrading an existing floodwater retarding 
structure.
    The Notice of a Finding of No Significant Impact [FONSI] has been 
forwarded to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and to various 
Federal, State, and local agencies and interest parties. A limited 
number 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 Cran Upshaw at the above 
number.
    No administrative action on implementation of the proposal will be 
taken until 30 days after the date of this publication in the Federal 
Register.

    Signed in Athens, Georgia, on May 4, 2006.
James E. Tillman, Sr.,
State Conservationist.

[This activity is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 
under 10.904, Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention, and is subject 
to the provisions of Executive Order 12372, which requires inter-
government consultation with State and local officials].

    Finding of No Significant Impact for Yellow River Watershed 
Structure No. 3 Gwinnett County, Georgia, April 27, 2006.

Introduction

    The Yellow River Watershed is a federally assisted action 
authorized for planning under Public Law 106-472, the Small 
Watershed Rehabilitation Act, which amends Public Law 83-566, the 
Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act. An environmental 
assessment was undertaken in conjunction with development of the 
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, 
355 East Hancock Avenue, Athens, Georgia 30601.

Recommended Action

    This document describes a plan for upgrading an existing 
floodwater retarding structure, Yellow River Watershed Structure No. 
3 [Y-3], to meet current dam safety criteria in Georgia. The plan 
calls for construction of a roller-compacted concrete labyrinth with 
orifice spillway over the top of an existing earthen embankment. 
Works of improvement will be accomplished by providing financial and 
technical assistance through an eligible local sponsor.
    The principal project measures are to:
    1. Construct a roller-compacted concrete labyrinth with orifice 
spillway over the top of an existing earthen embankment. This 
constructed emergency spillway is designed to bring the existing dam 
into compliance with current dam safety criteria in Georgia.
    2. The measures will be planned and installed by developing a 
contract with the current operator of the dam.

Effects of Recommended Action

    Installing the roller-compacted concrete labyrinth with orifice 
spillway will bring Yellow River Watershed Structure No. 3 into 
compliance with current dam safety criteria. This will essentially 
eliminate the risk to loss of life for individuals in 39 homes, 1 
commercial property, 2 miles of roadway and 5 bridges. Additional 
effects will include continued protection against flooding, 
continued water quality benefits, continued

[[Page 27989]]

fishing activities, continued recreational opportunities, protected 
land values, protected road and utility networks, and reduced 
maintenance costs for public infrastructure.
    Wildlife habitat will not be disturbed during installation 
activities. No wetlands, wildlife habitat, fisheries, prime 
farmland, or cultural resources will be destroyed or threatened by 
this project. Some 11.3 acres of wetland and wetland type wildlife 
habitat will be preserved. Fishery habitats will also be maintained.
    No endangered or threatened plant or animal species will be 
adversely affected by the project.
    There are no wilderness areas in the watershed.

Alternatives

    Seven alternative plans of action were considered in project 
planning. No significant adverse environmental impacts are 
anticipated from installation of the selected alternative. Also, the 
planned action is the most practical, complete, and acceptable means 
of protecting life and property of downstream residents.

Consultation--Public Participation

    Original sponsoring organizations include the Gwinnett County 
Government, Gwinnett County Soil and Water Conservation District, 
and the Upper Ocmulgee River Resource Conservation and Development 
Council. At the initiation of the planning process, meetings were 
held with representatives of the original sponsoring organizations 
to ascertain their interest and concerns regarding the Yellow River 
Watershed. Gwinnett County agreed to serve as ``lead sponsor'' being 
responsible for leading the planning process with assistance from 
NRCS. As lead sponsor they also agreed to provide non-federal cost-
share, property rights, operation and maintenance, and public 
participation during, and beyond, the planning process
    An Interdisciplinary Planning Team provided for the 
``technical'' administration of this project. Technical 
administration includes tasks pursuant to the NRCS nine-step 
planning process, and planning procedures outlined in the NRCS-
National Planning Procedures Handbook. Examples of tasks completed 
by the Planning Team include, but are not limited to, Preliminary 
Investigations, Hydrologic Analysis, Reservoir Sedimentation 
Surveys, Economic Analysis, Formulating and Evaluating Alternatives, 
and Writing the Watershed Plan--Environmental Assessment. Data 
collected from partner agencies, databases, landowners, and others 
throughout the entire planning process, were presented at the public 
meeting on April 14, 2005. Informal discussions amongst planning 
team members, partner agencies, and landowners were conducted 
throughout the entire planning period.
    A Technical Advisory Group was developed to aid the Planning 
Team with the planning process. The following agencies were involved 
in developing this plan and provided representation on the Technical 
Advisory Group:
     Gwinnett County Government
     Gwinnett County Soil and Water Conservation Districts
     Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental 
Protection Division [EPD], Safe Dams Program
     Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife 
Resources Division [WRD], Game and Fisheries Section
     United States Environmental Protection Agency [EPA], 
Region IV
     USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service [NRCS]
     USDI, Fish and Wildlife Service [F&WS]
     US Army Corps of Engineers [COE]

Public Participation

    A public meeting was held on April 14, 2005 to explain the Small 
Watershed Rehabilitation Program and to scope resource problems, 
issues, and concerns of local residents associated with the Y-3 
project area. Potential alternative solutions to bring Y-3 into 
compliance with current dam safety criteria were also presented. 
Through a voting process, eleven meeting participants heard 
summaries of planning accomplishments to date provided input on 
issues and concerns to be considered in the planning process, were 
made aware of results from the reservoir sedimentation survey, and 
identified which planning alternative [i.e. No Action, Decommission, 
Structural, Non-Structural] was most desirable.

Conclusion

    The Environmental Assessment summarized above indicates that 
this Federal action will not cause significant adverse local, 
regional, or national impacts on the environment. Therefore, based 
on the above findings, I have determined that an environmental 
impact statement for the recommended plan of action on Yellow River 
Watershed Structure No. 3 is not required.

    Dated: May 4, 2006.
James E. Tillman, Sr.,
State Conservationist.
[FR Doc. E6-7306 Filed 5-12-06; 8:45 am]
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