[Federal Register: September 10, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 175)]
[Notices]
[Page 57372-57373]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10se02-29]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Chippewa Creek Watershed, Structure VIII-D, Medina County, OH
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 Regulations
(40 CFR Part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service
Rules (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 rehabilitation of
Floodwater Retarding Structure VIII-D in the Chippewa Creek Watershed.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Brown; State Conservationist;
Natural Resources Conservation Service; 200 North High Street, Room
522, Columbus, Ohio 43215; telephone 614-255-2500.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The environmental assessment of this
federally assisted action indicates that the project will not cause
significant local, regional, or national effects on the human
environment. As a result of these findings, Kevin Brown, State
Conservationist, has determined that the preparation and review of an
environmental impact statement are not needed for this project.
The project purpose is flood prevention. The action includes the
rehabilitation of one floodwater-retarding dam. The Notice of a Finding
of No Significant Impact (FONSI) has been forwarded to the
Environmental Protection Agency; 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 above address.
Basic data developed during the environmental assessment is on file and
may be reviewed by contacting Kevin Brown.
No administrative action on implementation of the preferred
alternative will be taken until 30 days after the date of this
publication in the Federal Register.
Kevin Brown,
State Conservationist.
Finding of No Significant Impact for the Chippewa Creek Watershed;
Medina County, OH
Introduction
This undertaking is being planned and will be implemented under
the authority of the emergency Watershed Protection Program (7 CFR
624). This program was enacted by Section 216 of Public Law 81-516,
Section 403 of Public Law 95-334 (Title IV of the Agricultural
Credit Act of 1978), and Section 382 of Public Law 104-127 (Title
III of the 1996 Farm Bill). This action is being planned in
accordance with Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969, Public Law 91-190, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321
et. Seq.). The policy and procedures of the Watershed Protection and
flood Prevention Act, Public Law 83-566, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1000-
1008) are also being utilized for the planning and implementation of
this undertaking.
The rehabilitation of the Chippewa Creek Watershed Structure
VIII-D is a federally assisted action. An environmental assessment
was completed for the action and was conducted in consultation with
local, state, and federal agencies, as well as other interested
organizations and individuals. Data developed during the assessment
is available for public review at the following location: USDA
Natural Resources Conservation Service, 200 North High St., Rm. 522,
Columbus, Ohio 43215-2478.
Preferred Alternative
The sponsors preferred alternative for the rehabilitation of
Structure VIII-D would be to rehabilitate the dam and also meet
state dam safety criteria for a medium hazard dam (NRCS Class B and
ODNR Class II). Rehabilitation would include removing accumulated
sediment and debris to restore sediment storage capacity and
clearing dead trees from the sediment pool area. There would be no
change to the dam itself. Improvements are also planned for the
riser to improve the long term functioning of the principal
spillway. Total cost of this alternative is estimated to be
$175,000.00.
Effect of the Preferred Alternative
This alternative would fully meet the needs and desires of the
sponsors and the public, and would addresses the orders by ODNR to
complete repairs to the structure to protect health and public
safety while also meeting applicable safety and performance
standards. This dry dam impounds no water and currently satisfies
the state dam safety criteria for a medium hazard dam. This
alternative would require control on the development in the
downstream breach inundation area of the structure.
Sediment storage capacity would be restored. Restoring sediment
storage capacity also would restore the temporary flood storage
volume available behind the dam. Additionally, removal of debris and
dead trees would allow the principal spillway to function freely, as
designed. Controls on development of the inundation area would
assure that no future development occurs within the downstream
breach inundation area that results in an increase in the hazard
classification for the life of the structure. Rehabilitating the
structure will extending its life for at least 50 more years.
The stream segment through the sediment pool area would be
temporarily affected by construction activities. Total suspended
solids could increase during construction. The water quality in the
stream below the structure would stabilize and reach a new
equilibrium condition after construction.
No significant changes in land use would occur with the
rehabilitation project. About 10 acres would be temporarily
disturbed due to construction activities to remove sediment from the
pool area. All disturbed areas above the elevation of the sediment
pool would be seeded to an erosion controlling grass.
There would be temporary impacts to the aquatic, wetland, or
wildlife habitat within the work area. The trees planned for removal
do not provide appropriate nursery or roosting habitat for Indiana
bats. Therefore, there would be no impact to this species. In the
long term, use of the area by wildlife and aquatic species should
return to pre-construction levels. The water quality use
designations would also remain the same.
An environmental assessment was completed as part of the
planning process. An inventory for cultural resources was completed
as part of the environmental assessment. The Ohio Historic
Preservation Office has submitted written notification, in
[[Page 57373]]
accordance with the provisions of Section 106 of the National
Historic Preservation Act, as amended, and the Act's implementing
regulations, 36 CFR 800, that there is little likelihood the project
will encounter significant archaeological sites or buildings. It is
of their opinion that the proposed work will not affect historic
properties. Concerns have been addressed from contacted tribes. If
there is a significant cultural resource discovery during
construction, appropriate notice will be made by NRCS to the state
Historic Preservation Officer. NRCS will take action as prescribed
in NRCS General Manual 420, Part 401, to protect or recover any
significant cultural resource during construction.
Alternatives
The preferred alternative is the most practical alternative to
meet the purpose and needs of this action. Three alternatives were
considered: (1) No Action, (2) Decommission the Structure, and (3)
Structure Rehabilitation.
Consultation--Public Participation
Meetings were held with the project sponsors from March, August,
October of 2001, and February, April, May, June, and July in 2002.
On June 3, 2002 the sponsors held a public scoping meeting. In
addition, letter requests for concerns and issues were sent to
federal and state agencies, and organizations. Site reviews and
tours for public officials and agency representatives were also
conducted. All concerns and issues were addressed in the
environmental assessment.
Conclusion
The environmental assessment summarized above indicates that
this Federal action will not cause significant local, regional, or
national impacts on the human environment. Therefore, based on the
above findings, I have determined that an environmental impact
statement is not required for the rehabilitation of Chippewa Creek
Watershed, Structure VIII-D.
Dated: August 20, 2002.
Kevin Brown,
State Conservationist.
[FR Doc. 02-22860 Filed 9-9-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P
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