E8-10698. Rehabilitation of Floodwater Retarding Structure No. 5 of the Plum Creek Watershed, Hays County, Texas

AGENCY:

Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice of a Finding of No Significant Impact.

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 rehabilitation of Floodwater Retarding Structure No. 5 of the Plum Creek Watershed, Hays County, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Donald W. Gohmert, State Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 101 South Main, Temple, Texas 76501-7682, Telephone [phone].

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 environment. As a result of these findings, Donald W. Gohmert, State Conservationist, has determined that the preparation and review of an environmental impact statement is not needed for this project. The project will rehabilitate Floodwater Retarding Structure No. 5 to maintain the present level of flood control benefits and comply with the current performance and safety standards.

Rehabilitation of the site will require the dam to be modified to meet current performance and safety standards for a high hazard dam. The modification will consist of raising the top of dam 3.5 feet, extending the back toe of the embankment to maintain a 3:1 slope, installation of an additional principal spillway (24″ hooded inlet type), installation of a foundation drain system along the back toe of the embankment, lowering the crest elevation of the auxiliary spillway 0.4 feet, installing a splitter dike in the auxiliary spillway and realigning the entrance section of the auxiliary spillway. An impact basin that will serve both principal spillway outlets will be added to replace the existing plunge pool. All disturbed areas will be planted to adapted native and/or introduced species. The proposed work will not have a significant affect on any prime farmland, endangered or threatened species, wetlands, or cultural resources.

Federal assistance will be provided under authority of the Small Watershed Rehabilitation Amendments of 2000 (Section 313, Pub. L. 106-472). Total project cost is estimated to be $2,383,400, of which $1,693,800 will be paid from the Small Watershed Rehabilitation funds and $689,600 from local funds.

The notice of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) has been forwarded to the Environmental Protection Agency and to 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 are on file and may be reviewed by contacting Donald W. Gohmert, State Conservationist.

No administrative action on implementation of the proposal will be taken until 30 days after the date of this publication in the Federal Register.

Dated: April 28, 2008.

Donald W. Gohmert,

State Conservationist.