[Federal Register: January 14, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 9)]
[Notices]
[Page 2110-2111]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14ja04-28]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service
North Forest Acres Levee/Road Project, City of Seward, Alaska
AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of 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 Guidelines (40
CFR part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, gives notice of a Finding of No Significant
Impact according to the Environmental Assessment of the North Forest
Acres Road/Levee Project.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shirley Gammon, State Conservationist,
Natural Resources Conservation Service, 800 West Evergreen, Suite 100,
Palmer, Alaska 99645-6539; telephone: (907) 761-7760.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The environmental assessment of this
Federally assisted action indictes that there will be no significiant
environmental impacts. As a result of these findings, Shirley Gammon,
State Conservationist, has determined that the project should be
completed as outlined in the assessment document. The objective of the
North Forest Acres Road/Levee Project is to complete one part of a
suite of action undertaken to minimize flooding damages to the city of
Seward. The selected alternative is approximately 4,100 feet of levee
topped by an asphalt paved road. Alternatives evaluated were No Action,
four west alignments of the levee, and three east alignments. The
selected alternatives are the West 2b (3,530 LF)
[[Page 2111]]
and the East 3 (550 LF). These alternatives were selected because they
have no stream crossings of Japanese Creek, and no culverts or flood
gates to operate and maintain. These selected alignments mimimize
impact to wetlands. Encroachment on the floodplain is mimimal and
results in no significant rise of flood waters in Resurrection River.
A limited number of copies of the EA are available to fill single
copy requests at the above address. Basic data developed during the
environmental assessment are on file and may be reviewed by contacting
Shirley Gammon.
Further information on the proposed action may be obtained from
Shirley Gammon, State Conservationist, at the above address.
Dated: January 8, 2004.
Shirley Gammon,
State Conservationist.
Finding of No Significant Impact
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) requires
Federal agencies to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for
major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human
environment. I have preliminarily determined, based upon the evaluation
of impacts in the Environmental Assessment (EA), attached hereto and
made a part hereof, and the reasons provided below, that there will be
no significant individual or cumulative impacts on the quality of the
human environment as a result of implementing the North Forest Acres
Levee/Road Project in Seward, Alaska. In particular, there will be none
of the significant adverse impacts which NEPA is intended to help
decision makers avoid and mitigate against. Therefore, an EIS is not
required.
The city of Seward, Alaska has experienced flooding damages from
the Resurrection River and Japanese Creek several times in the past.
Damages from the 1995 flood alone amounted to 9.8 million dollars. A
multi-agency task force recommended five complimentary actions to
minimize the risk of future damages. Three of these actions (a levee on
Japanese Creek, dredging at the mouth of the Resurrection River and
widening of the highway bridges) have been completed. The Resurrection
River Levee/Road Project, along with widening the railroad bridges are
the final components of the flood control strategy. Congress has
authorized funding for this project in the Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) budget.
Several meetings were held (EA, page 6) to assess public opinion
and concerns regarding the project. At these meetings issues regarding
impacts to the creek, concerns about commercial traffic, impacts to
private property, hydrologic effects to the floodplain and road impacts
to residents were identified (EA, page 4). Each of the alternatives
considered in the EA is examined in regard to these concerns.
Four west alignments and three east alignments of the levee/road
were examined along with a ``no action'' alternative. Each of the
alternatives would extend from the completed Japanese Creek levee at
the upstream end and connect with the Seward Highway at the downstream
end. The selected alternatives are the West 2b (3,530 LF) and the East
3 (550 LF). These alternatives were selected because they have no
stream crossings of Japanese Creek, and no culverts or flood gates to
operate and maintain. These alignments minimize impact to wetlands.
Encroachment on the floodplain is minimal and results in no significant
rise of flood waters in Resurrection River.
Based on the information presented in the North Forest Levee/Road
Project EA, I find that the proposed action is not a major Federal
action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.
Therefore, an EIS will not be prepared.
Dated: January 8, 2004.
Shirley Gammon,
Alaska State Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service,
USDA.
[FR Doc. 04-727 Filed 1-13-04; 8:45 am]
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