[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 212 (Friday, November 1, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65606-65607]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-26023]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Research Service


Availability of the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and a 
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) of the J. Phil Campbell, Sr., 
National Resource Conservaton Center (JPC-NRCC)

AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
(USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has made a FONSI for 
transferring the land and real estate at the JPC-NRCC in Watkinsville, 
Georgia, to the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia 
for the benefit of the University of Georgia (UGA). The FONSI document 
is based on impact analysis documented in the EA that was issued for 
30-day public comment beginning July 5, 2013 and finalized on August 
29, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cal Mather, Environmental Protection 
Specialist, USDA-ARS-SHEMB, NCAUR, 1815 N. University Street, Room 
2060, Peoria, Illnois 61604, Telephone: 309-681-6608, or email: 
[email protected]. You may contact Mr. Mather for a hard copy of 
the FONSI. Copies of the Final EA and FONSI for the JPC-NRCC Land 
Transfer are also available for public inspection during normal 
business hours at the following locations:
     J. Phil Campbell, Sr., Research and Education Center 
Headquarters, 1420 Experiment Station Road, Watkinsville, Georgia 
30677.
     Oconee County Public Library, 1080 Experiment Station 
Road, Watkinsville, Georgia 30677.

[[Page 65607]]

     Athens-Clarke County Public Library, 2025 Baxter Street, 
Athens, Georgia 30606.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Federal 
Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, the USDA 
has prepared an EA for the proposed transfer of approximately 1,055 
acres of land at the JPC-NRCC from the USDA ARS in Watkinsville, 
Georgia to the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia for 
the benefit of UGA. The USDA ARS signed a FONSI on August 30, 2013 
based on the Final EA.
    The Final EA evaluated USDA's proposal to transfer approximately 
1,055 acres of land and facilities at the JPC-NRCC from USDA ARS in 
Watkinsville, GA to the Board of Regents of the University System of 
Georgia for the benefit of UGA. As a condition of the transfer, UGA 
would commit to using the property for agricultural and natural 
resources research for a period of 25 years, supporting the strategic 
goals of USDA and establishing a Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Program 
at the Property. UGA would assume responsibility for management and 
maintenance of the constructed facilities and land to be conveyed from 
USDA.
    The JPC-NRCC has been in operation as a USDA ARS research station 
since 1937, with the mission, ``to develop and transfer environmentally 
sustainable and profitable agricultural systems to landowners and 
managers in order to protect the natural resource base, build accord 
with non-agricultural sectors, and support healthy rural economies.'' 
The facility was closed under Public Law (Pub. L.) 112-55, Consolidated 
and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012. In August 2012, a 5-
year revocable permit was issued between USDA and the Board of Regents 
of the University System of Georgia that allows the College of 
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) to utilize the Property 
as a Research and Education Center (REC) and conduct a wide range of 
research, teaching, extension and demonstration activities. Since 
August 2012, it has been operated by the CAES as the JPC-REC under this 
permit. A Memorandum of Understanding was executed on March 25, 2013 
that would allow the formal transfer of the Property from USDA to the 
Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.
    The property transfer will be done with no monetary cost to UGA and 
a Quit Claim Deed will be prepared by the USDA to convey the title/
property rights to the Board of Regents of the University System of 
Georgia. The Quit Claim Deed will incorporate any use restrictions 
identified by the NEPA process as well as the 25-year use restriction 
for agricultural and natural resources research as required by Section 
732 of the Public Law.
    Two alternatives are analyzed in the Final EA, the No Action 
Alternative and the Proposed Action. The Final EA addresses potential 
impacts of these alternatives on the natural and human environment.
     Alternative 1--No Action. The USDA would retain possession 
of the approximately 1,055 acres of land and facilities at the JPC-
NRCC. USDA would no longer operate and/or maintain the property and 
current research at the property would cease.
     Alternative 2--Proposed Action. The USDA would formally 
transfer approximately 1,055 acres of land at the JPC-NRCC to the Board 
of Regents of the University System of Georgia. As a condition of the 
transfer, UGA would commit to using the Property for agricultural and 
natural resources research for a period of 25 years, supporting the 
strategic goals of USDA and establishing a Beginning Farmers and 
Ranchers Program at the Property. UGA would assume responsibility for 
management and maintenance of the constructed facilities and land to be 
conveyed from USDA. This land transfer alternative meets the purpose 
and need of the action.
    In addition, one alternative was considered in the Final EA but 
eliminated from detailed study. In this alternative, USDA would retain 
possession of the land and it would be transferred to the General 
Services Administration for disposal. Since it cannot reasonably be 
determined who would ultimately take possession of the property and how 
it would be utilized, it was not analyzed in detail in the EA.
    A Notice of Availability of the Draft EA was issued in the Federal 
Register on July 5, 2013. This notice announced the opening of a 30-day 
public comment period. The USDA used and coordinated the NEPA 
commenting process to satisfy the public involvement process for 
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470(f) 
as provided for in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3)). No comments were received 
during the public comment period. Based on its analysis of the Final EA 
for the property transfer, ARS has found that transferring the land and 
buildings to the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia 
for the benefit of UGA would have no significant impact on the quality 
of the human environment. Therefore, ARS will not prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement for this proposed action.

    Dated: October 21, 2013.
Caird E. Rexroad, Jr.,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Research Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-26023 Filed 10-31-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-P