[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 132 (Tuesday, July 11, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 39054]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-10882]



[[Page 39054]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Lost River Watershed, Hardy County, WV

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

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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 
(NRCS), U. S. Department of Agriculture, is giving notice that an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) will be prepared regarding Site 
16, Lower Cove Run, in the Lost River Subwatershed of the Potomac River 
Watershed, Hardy County, West Virginia. (This Notice of Intent 
supersedes a previously published Federal Register in the Notices 
Section on April 10, 2006 (71 FR 18603), and includes an announcement 
of a public scoping meeting.)

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: In October 1974, the Lost River Subwatershed 
Work Plan--Final Environmental Impact Statement was prepared and was 
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 was completed in September 2005. Site 23, Culler Run, was determined 
to be not feasible due to engineering and geological concerns and will 
be eliminated as a component of the Lost River Watershed Project.
    Planning is now underway for Site 16, Lower Cove Run which will be 
the subject of the EIS. Site 16 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. 
Alternatives currently identified to be addressed in this EIS include 
the No Action Alternative and Alternative 1, Construction of Dam at 
Site 16.
    The NRCS has determined that this federally assisted action may 
have the potential for significant local, regional, or national impacts 
on the environment. As a result of these findings, and due to the age 
of the original EIS for the watershed, Ronald L. Hilliard, State 
Conservationist, has determined that the preparation and review of a 
new environmental impact statement is warranted. Since one of the 
current identified alternatives would impound water on a small portion 
of National Forest System Land, the U. S. Forest Service will be a 
cooperating agency.
    A draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) will be prepared and 
circulated for review by agencies and the public. The Natural Resources 
Conservation Service invites participation and consultation of agencies 
and individuals that have special expertise, legal jurisdiction, or 
interest in the preparation of the DEIS. A scoping meeting (workshop) 
will be held on Tuesday August 1, 2006, at the East Hardy High School 
in Baker, WV. The workshop will be held from 4 p.m. through 7 p.m. 
Those attending will have the opportunity to inquire about the project 
and to provide input to determine the scope of the evaluation of the 
proposed action. The goals of the workshop will be to identify public 
and agency concerns, environmental issues, and other possible 
alternatives to be discussed in the DEIS. Further information on the 
proposed action may be obtained from Ronald L. Hilliard, State 
Conservationist, at the above address or telephone (304) 284-7545.

    July 3, 2006.
Ronald L. Hilliard,
State Conservationist.
 [FR Doc. E6-10882 Filed 7-10-06; 8:45 am]
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