[Federal Register: March 11, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 48)]
[Notices]
[Page 12946-12947]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11mr08-29]
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Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
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[[Page 12946]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Pine Barren Creek Watershed, Escambia County, AL
AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama, U.S.
Department of Agriculture.
ACTION: Notice of a Finding of No Significant Impact.
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SUMMARY: The Pine Barren Creek Watershed is a federally assisted action
authorized for planning under Public Law 83-566, the Watershed
Protection and Flood Prevention Act. An environmental assessment was
undertaken in conjunction with the development of a watershed plan that
outlines alternatives for flood reduction within the City of Atmore,
Alabama.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannon Weaver, Assistant State
Conservationist for Natural Resources. (334) 887-4533 or e-mail:
shannon.weaver@al.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Supplemental Watershed Plan describes a
plan for reduction of flooding at Atmore, Alabama. The plan will be
implemented by providing financial and technical assistance through a
local sponsor. The project measures described within the plan will
reduce the potential for flooding within the watershed and will also
reduce the potential risk to human health and safety. The Environmental
Assessment indicates that this Federal action will not cause
significant adverse local, regional, or national impacts on the
environment.
Dated: February 19, 2008.
Gary Kobylski,
State Conservationist.
Finding of No Significant Impact for Pine Barren Creek Watershed,
Escambia County, Alabama, January 2008
Introduction
The Pine Barren Creek Watershed is a federally assisted action
authorized for planning under Public Law 83-566, the Watershed
Protection and Flood Prevention Act. An environmental assessment was
undertaken in conjunction with the development of the supplemental
watershed plan. This assessment was conducted in consultation with
local, State, and Federal agencies as well as with interested
organizations and individuals. The Supplemental Watershed Plan and
Environmental Assessment are available for public review at the
following locations:
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U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Altmore Public Library, 700
Resources Conservation Service, 175 Ag E. Church Street, Atmore,
Science Drive, Suite A, Brewton, Alabama. Alabama
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural City Hall, City of Atmore,
Resources Conservation Service, 3381 201 East Louisville Ave.,
Skyway Drive, Auburn, Alabama. Atmore, Alabama.
Brewton Public Library, 206 West Jackson
Street, Brewton, Alabama.
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Recommended Action
The Supplemental Watershed Plan describes a plan for reduction of
flooding in Atmore, Alabama. The plan will be implemented by providing
financial and technical assistance through a local sponsor.
The principal project measures are to:
1. Deepen an existing channel located in the headwaters of Pine
Barren Creek.
2. Install a grade stabilization structure.
3. Modify an existing weir structure.
4. Install reinforced concrete pipe laterals within the residential
area of Atmore.
Effects of Recommended Action
The project measures will reduce the potential for flooding within
the watershed and will also reduce the potential risk to human health
and safety. The modified weir structure will be designed to release no
more water than that which was released prior to project
implementation. Thus, the creation of additional flow downstream during
storm events will be avoided.
Wildlife habitat will not be disturbed during installation of the
structural work of this project. No wetlands, wildlife habitat,
fisheries, prime farmland, or cultural resources will be destroyed or
threatened by this project. The value of woodland habitat will not
decline. 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
Five alternative plans 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 and cost effective means of reducing flooding in the
watershed.
Consultation--Public Participation
Flooding and water quality concerns in the Pine Barren Creek
Watershed were expressed by local citizens, City of Atmore officials,
Escambia County Soil and Water Conservation District, and other
regional residents. NRCS personnel in partnership with the City of
Atmore, explored alternatives to relieve flooding problems, while
maintaining water quality in Pine Barren Creek. Two interagency
meetings were held to gather input from local, state, and federal
government agencies. In addition, two public meetings were held in
Atmore to gather public input and concerns.
At the initiation of the planning process, meetings were held
between NRCS and the City of Atmore to discuss problem identification
and PL-566 requirements. A public meeting was held in June 26, 2003 to
scope the problems and concerns and to explain impacts of the PL-566
programinitiatives relative to a watershed project and discuss possible
solutions.
In order to further publicize this planning effort, a public
announcement
[[Page 12947]]
was made to State and Federal agencies by letter and to local
landowners through local newspapers to announce the change in project
purpose.
Evaluations and alternative solutions were developed with the
Sponsor and other officials. The Recommended Plan was agreed upon.
Another public meeting was on May 31, 2007. The results of surveys,
studies, field investigations and the Alternatives Plans were presented
to the public. The Selected Plan was shared with those in attendance.
Based on Field Inspections to determine the quality and quantity of
resources that would be impacted by selected practices and to consider
possible mitigation measures, it has been determined that an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not needed for this project.
Based on the type of practices and systems that are planned,
installation on previously disturbed land, an Environmental Assessment
(EA) was prepared.
Upon review of the Pine Barren Creek Watershed Plan-EA, this
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was prepared. These documents
are being distributed to all concerned agencies, groups, and interested
individuals. A Notice of Availability of the FONSI is being published
in the Federal Register. Agency consolations and public participation
to date has shown no conflicts with the implementation of the selected
plan.
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 Pine Barren Creek Supplemental Watershed Plan is not
required.
Dated: February 19, 2008.
Gary Kobylski,
State Conservationist.
[FR Doc. 08-993 Filed 3-10-08; 8:45 am]
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