[Federal Register: April 3, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 64)]
[Notices]
[Page 16258-16260]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03ap03-36]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Lingle-Ft. Laramie Water Quality Project, Goshen County, WY
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
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 Lingle-Ft.
Laramie Water Quality Project, Goshen County, Wyoming.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lincoln E. Burton, State
Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Room 3124,
Federal Building, 100 East B Street, Casper, Wyoming 82601, telephone
(307) 261-6453.
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 human
environment. As a result of these findings, Lincoln E. Burton, State
Conservationist, has determined that the preparation and review of an
environmental impact statement are not needed for this project.
The project purposes have been changed to include Wildlife Habitat
Improvement. Project purposes are: (1) Agricultural Water Management--
the on-site treatment of agricultural related pollutants for off-site
benefits. The planned works of improvement include accelerated
technical assistance for land treatment, accelerated financial
assistance to treat 8,300 acres to reduce the amount of nitrogen
available to be leached to the groundwater, 25 animal waste management
facilities, and 35 abandoned wells will be decommissioned. (2) Wildlife
Habitat Improvement--on-site treatment will increase wildlife habitat
units by about 1,100 units.
The Notice of a Finding Of No Significant Impact (FONSI) has been
forwarded to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and to various
federal, state, and local agencies, and interested parties. A limited
number of copies of the FONSI is available to fill
[[Page 16259]]
single copy requests at the above address. Basic data developed during
the environmental assessment are on file and may be reviewed by
contacting Lincoln E. Burton.
No administrative action on implementation of the proposal will be
taken until 30 days after the date of this publication in the Federal
Register. The Environmental Assessment will then be signed and funding
authorization requested. All plans will be written within five years,
and implementation will continue for up to ten years.
Dated: March 21, 2003.
Lincoln E. Burton,
State Conservationist.
(This activity is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance under NO. 10.904, Watershed Protection and Flood
Prevention, and is subject to the provisions of Executive Order
12372, which requires intergovernmental consultation with state and
local officials.)
Finding of No Significant Impact for Lingle-Ft. Laramie Water Quality
Project; Goshen County, Wyoming
Introduction
The Lingle-Ft. Laramie Water Quality Project is a federally
assisted action authorized for planning under Pub. L. 83-566, the
Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act. An environmental
assessment was undertaken in conjunction with the development of the
watershed plan. This assessment was conducted in consultation with
local, state, and federal agencies, including section 7(a)(2) of the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (50 CFR 402.13)
consultation, as well as with interested organization and individuals.
Data developed during the assessment is available for public review at
the following location: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural
Resources Conservation Service, Room 3124 Federal Building, 100 East B
Street, Casper, Wyoming 82601-1969.
Recommended Action--Alternative 2: Accelerated Land Treatment
Proposed is the development of about 48 conservation plans that
will provide for land treatment and wildlife habitat improvement
measures to be applied on farms for the reduction of the agricultural
contribution to nitrate contamination of the groundwater and habitat
improvement. The proposed plan will treat 8,300 acres with increased
irrigation efficiency to reduce the amount of nitrogen available to be
leached to the groundwater. Twenty-five animal waste management
facilities and application practices will be installed in the
watershed. Thirty-five abandoned wells will be decommissioned. Wildlife
habitat units will be increased by 1,100 units.
Costs were updated from 2000 Draft EA to 2003 costs, due to a
change in discount rates. Federal cost share will be at 65 percent for
a total financial assistance of $3,534,020. Average annual benefits
equals $1,017,170, with average annual costs equal to $801,333, for a
benefit: cost ratio of 1.27:1. FT 2003 Water Resources discount rate at
5.785 percent.
Effect of Recommended Action
The recommended action will improve groundwater quality, improve
human health and safety, improve irrigation efficiency, reduce
irrigation labor, and increase wildlife habitat. Nitrates available for
leaching will be reduced through installation of fertilizer injection
systems, nutrient management, and irrigation water management.
The proposed action will reduce the amount of nitrogen available to
be leached. It is estimated at full implementation, there will be a 33
percent reduction of nitrate leached below the root zone, which equals
about 81 pounds of nitrate per acre each year over the entire project
area at a 60 percent participation rate. Nitrogen reduction is
considered not to be a controversial issue.
The proposed action will install 25 animal waste management systems
to collect and store run-off from feed lots until it can be safely
applied to the agricultural fields.
The proposed action will improve on farm irrigation efficiency,
which will increase the water available to meet crop consumptive use.
The proposed action will increase the number of wildlife habitat
units by about 1,100 units as treatments are installed.
A literature review and search of the State Historic Preservation
Office (SHPO) records were conducted for the project area. The effect
of project installation will be determined for each individual project
contract according to Natural Resource Conservation Service, Northern
Plains Region procedures.
It is likely that more sites will be discovered during the planning
and installation of the accelerated land treatment practices. Since
project practices will be installed on a ``voluntary participation''
basis, location of ground disturbances is presently unknown. Most
surface disturbances below the plow zone will occur as a result of
installing ag waste facilities, pipelines, land leveling, grading, and
shaping. NRCS cultural resources procedures, as described in the NRCS
Northern Plains Region procedures, will be followed when ground
disturbances are planned.
Compliance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) protection
rules for each farm will follow the procedures in the NRCS General
Manual, Section 190 and 420, respectively.
The proposed action will have little or no effect on wetlands. With
on farm improved irrigation efficiencies some reduction in tail water
run-off will occur, but with the sandy soils in the watershed most of
the run-off has gone to groundwater and not surface water. Wetland
restoration, creation and enhancement will increase a total of about 24
acres as operator's contracts are developed. A 2 acre-foot depletion
will be offset by a debit from the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation account.
No wilderness areas are in the watershed.
There is potential habitat for the threatened Ute ladies' tresses
(Spiranthes diluvialis) and Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus
hudsonius preblei), but none have been identified within the watershed,
the determination of ``may affect, but not likely to adversely affect''
for both species, was arrived at with section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (50 CFR 402.13) consultation. The
habitat will not be adversely impacted. There are no known resident
threatened or endangered animals within the watershed area.
The proposed action will increase vegetative cover suitable for
wildlife as a result of the application of conservation practices that
include vegetative components. Wildlife habitat units will increase by
about 1,100 units. Fish habitat will not be effected.
The proposed action will not disproportionately affect any
protected groups.
No significant adverse environmental impacts will result from
installation of the proposed action.
Alternatives
Based on the above summary of effects (as discussed in the EA), I
have determined the alternative that I have selected, will not have
significant affect on the human environment. For that reason, no
environmental impact statement needs to be prepared.
The planned action is the most practical means of reducing the
agricultural contribution of nitrate to the groundwater. Because no
significant adverse environmental impacts will
[[Page 16260]]
result from the installation of the on farm conservation measures, no
other alternatives, other than the no action alternative, were
considered.
Consultation--Public Participation
On June 17, 1996, the North Platte Valley Conservation District,
and the Lingle-Fort Laramie Conservation District Boards of
Supervisors, filed an application for Pub. L. 83-566 assistance in
developing a plan for the Goshen County, Lingle-Ft. Laramie Water
Quality Project. The State of Wyoming Governor's Office referred the
application to the Wyoming Board of Agriculture for ranking and
approval. On September 18, 2000, the board gave the project a ranking
of high and approved the request to be submitted to the NRCS.
Acceptance was acknowledged by the State Conservationist, and
appropriate agencies and Sponsors were notified. The town of Torrington
and the Goshen County Commissioners were later added to the list of
Sponsors.
The Sponsors held two interagency and two public meetings to
determine the extent of the problem. The Sponsors requested that NRCS
analyze alternative solutions and prepare a preliminary investigation
report. In September 2000, a preliminary investigation report was
completed for the Lingle-Ft. Laramie Water Quality Project.
Numerous newspaper articles, newsletters, and radio public service
announcements have been aired in order to provide public information.
Public meetings, with the news media in attendance, were held to gain
public input and inform the public.
On October 24, 1996, an interagency meeting was held to determine
concerns of the other agencies.
June 14, 2000, a public scoping meeting was held to determine
public concerns and opinions. A public response analysis was completed
on the responses.
On October 18, 2000, another public meeting was held to review the
alternatives developed and obtain further public input.
On June 11, 2001, the Sponsors met to review the Draft Plan-EA.
On July 25, 2002, the Sponsors held a public meeting to begin the
Public/Interagency review of the Draft Plan-EA. Written comments were
requested from agencies, organizations, and groups identified in the
planning process as interested. The comments were reviewed and
responses prepared on each comment. The comments and responses are
contained in the Final Plan Environmental Assessment.
Written comments were requested from 70 agencies, organizations,
and groups identified in the planning process.
Agency consultation and public participation to date have shown no
unresolved conflicts with the implementation of the selected plan.
Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (50
CFR 402.13) consultation has been completed and incorporated.
Conclusion
The Environmental Assessment summarized above indicates that this
federal action will not cause significant local, regional, or national
impacts on the environment. Therefore, based on the above findings, I
have determined that an environmental impact statement for the Lingle-
Ft. Laramie Water Quality Project Plan is not required.
Additional Information or questions can be directed to: George W.
Cleek IV, Assistant State Conservationist, USDA-NRCS, 100 East B
Street, Room 3124, Casper, WY 82601-1969, Phone: 307-261-6457, e-mail:
george.cleek@wy.usda.gov <mailto:
george.cleek@wy.usda.gov>.
Dated: March 21, 2003.
Lincoln E. Burton,
State Conservationist.
[FR Doc. 03-8030 Filed 4-2-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P
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