[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 176 (Tuesday, September 13, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-22537]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: September 13, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Soil Conservation Service
Burgess Community Flood Prevention; RC&D Measure, South Carolina
AGENCY: Soil 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 Guidelines (40
CFR Parts 1500-1508); and the Soil Conservation Service Guidelines (7
CFR Part 650); the Soil Conservation Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, gives notice that an environmental impact statement (EIS)
is not being prepared for the Burgess Community Flood Prevention RC&D
Measure, Horry County, South Carolina.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jose J. Acevedo, Acting State
Conservationist, Soil Conservation Service, 1835 Assembly Street, Room
950, Columbia, South Carolina, 29201, telephone (803) 765-5681.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The environmental evaluation of this
federally-assisted action indicates that the proposed measure will not
cause significant adverse local, regional, or national impacts on the
environment. As a result of these findings, Mr. Jose J. Acevedo, Deputy
State Conservationist, has determined that the preparation and review
of an EIS is not needed.
The proposed action is to reduce flooding and improve flow
conditions on 4.0 miles of new and/or renovated channels to facilitate
the removal of stormwater.
The Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) has been forwarded to
the Environmental Protection Agency. The basic data developed during
the environmental evaluation and the environmental assessment are on
file and may be reviewed by interested parties at the Soil Conservation
Service, 1202 1st Avenue, Conway, South Carolina 29526, (803) 248-9118.
The FONSI has been sent to interested federal, state, and local
agencies and other interested parties. A limited number of copies of
the FONSI are available to fill single copy requests.
No administrative action on implementation of the proposal will be
taken until 30 days after the date of this publication.
This activity is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance under No. 10.904--Watersheld Protection and Flood
Prevention--and is subject to the provisions of Executive Order
12372 which requires intergovernmental consultation with State and
Local Officials.
Dated: September 1, 1994.
Jose J. Acevedo,
Acting State Conservationist.
Finding of No Significant Impact for Burgess Community Flood Prevention
Measure RC&D Measure Horry County, South Carolina
Introduction
The Burgess Community Flood Prevention RC&D Measure is a federally
assisted action authorized for planning under Public Law 97-98,
Agriculture and Food Act of 1981. An environmental assessment was
undertaken in conjunction with the development of the plan. This
assessment was conducted in consultation with local, State, and Federal
agencies as well as with interested organizations and individuals. Data
developed during the assessment are available for public review at the
following location:
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 1202 1st
Avenue, Conway, South Carolina 29526
Recommended Action
Proposed is the construction of the Burgess Community Flood
Prevention Measure consisting of four miles of new and/or renovated
channels in order to properly remove the stormwater from the
residential areas of the watershed. The proposed measure plan will
reduce flooding around 113 homes and reduce flooding of roads.
Effect of Recommended Action
The proposed action will protect the private and public
improvements within the watershed by improving the removal of excess
stormwater. The channels which will be constructed or modified will be
designed to remove the 10 year frequency storm event. Streamflow will
be stabilized to the extent that peak flood flow rates will be slightly
reduced and flow will be attenuated.
The project will impact 0.76 acres of wetlands. The channels depths
will be designed from 0.0 feet to a maximum depth of 5.0 feet. This
design will permit out of bank flow while minimizing any hydrological
change to the surrounding wetlands. All spoil and debris will be
removed from the wetlands.
There will be a land use change of approximately 15 acres. These
changes are a result of land clearing to accommodate easements and
channel location. The change is from forested to open vegetated
maintenance road adjacent to the channel. A vegetated plan will be
developed by the SCS biologist in consultation with the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service and the South Carolina Department of Natural
Resources.
The proposed project will improve quality of life and improve the
health of the community. The removal of ponded stormwater will allow
the septic systems to work more effectively, improving the surface and
groundwater quality.
An initial management survey of cultural resources concluded that
no significant adverse impacts will occur to cultural resources in the
project area. SCS archaeologist will conduct a complete survey of the
project area prior to the commencement of any project component.
Threatened and endangered plant species have been identified in the
project area in recent history but will not be impacted by the proposed
project. SCS in consultation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
concluded that the proposed project as planned will not adversely
affect federally listed or proposed endangered and threatened species
in Phase I. Field investigations have not revealed any endangered
species in Phase II or III due to other habitat changes.
Fish and wildlife habitats will be temporarily disturbed during the
installation of the project. The project will provide long-term
benefits by providing diversity in landuse by creating open space,
wildlife plantings, and improved water quality.
No significant adverse environmental impacts will result from
installations, with the exception of minor inconveniences to local
residents during construction.
Alternatives
The measure plan consisted of three alternatives, the no action
plan, construction of 4 miles of channels, and the removal of all
residents from the flood area. Alternative 2, the construction and
modification of the channels, was chosen as the best economical and
cost effective solution. Alternative No. 2 has been modified three
times to avoid possible endangered species habitat and wetlands at the
request of those agencies involved in the comment processes.
Consultation--Public Participation
Formal agency consultation began with the initiation of the
notification of the State Single Point of Contact for Federal
Assistance in April 1992. Agencies were again notified when planning
was authorized in August 1992.
Scoping meetings were conducted with SCS staff and included
representatives from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department,
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, and
South Carolina Coastal Council. Meetings were held during April 1992,
September 1992, June 1993, and September 1993. Planning involved all
agencies identified and included county government and landowners
within the project area.
Specific consultation was conducted with the state Historic
Preservation officer and residents within the watershed as to cultural
and historical resources.
The measure plan was transmitted to all participating and
interested agencies, groups, and individuals for review and comments in
January 1994. Public meeting with landowners and sponsors were held
throughout the planning process to keep all interested parties informed
of the study progress and to obtain public input to the measure plan
and environmental evaluation.
Agency consultation and public participation to date has shown no
unresolved conflicts with the implementation of the selected plan.
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 Burgess
Community Flood Prevention Measure is not required.
Dated: September 1, 1994.
Jose J. Acevedo,
Deputy State Conservationist.
[FR Doc. 94-22537 Filed 9-12-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-M
