![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Mill Creek Watershed, Richland County, WI
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
[Federal Register: December 26, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 248)]
[Notices]
[Page 78769-78771]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26de02-36]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Mill Creek Watershed, Richland County, WI
AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service.
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 Mill Creek
Watershed, Richland County, Wisconsin.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Krapf, Water Resources Staff
Leader, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 6515 Watts Road, Suite
200, Madison, Wisconsin, 53719. Telephone (608) 276-8732.
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, Don Baloun, Acting State Conservationist,
has determined that the preparation and review of an environmental
impact statement are not needed for this project.
The project purpose is flood prevention. The planned works of
improvement include the floodproofing of two dwellings which are in the
hydraulic shadow of Structure Number 10, and the enactment of a county
floodplain zoning ordinance which restricts future development within
the hydraulic shadow of Structure Number 10. Sediment will be removed
from the pond behind the dam. The dam plunge pool will be brought up to
current NRCS Standards.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
Thomas Krapf.
No administrative action on implementation of the proposal will be
taken until 30 days after the date of this publication in the Federal
Register.
[[Page 78770]]
Dated: December 9, 2002.
Don Baloun,
Acting State Conservationist.
Finding of No Significant Impact for Mill Creek Watershed-Supplement
Richland County, Wisconsin
Introduction
The Mill Creek Watershed 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-supplement. 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, Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS), 6515 Watts Road, Suite 200, Madison, WI
53719.
Recommended Action
Two dwellings in the hydraulic shadow of Mill Creek 10 will be
floodproofed. This action also includes rebuilding the dam plunge pool,
removing accumulated sediment to restore the capacity back to 50 years,
and repairing the low stage inlet pipes back to their original
condition. A floodplain zoning ordinance will be enacted to prevent any
future development in the floodplain.
Effect of Recommended Action
The recommended plan would extend the life of Mill Creek Watershed
Structure 10 by 50 years. It would allow the dam to return to its
original class ``a'' low hazard rating. The floodplain zoning ordinance
prohibiting future development in the hydraulic shadow (breach
inundation area) of the dam.
The proposed action will have no effect on wetlands.
An initial management summary of cultural resources as they relate
to the planned components has been developed. The survey concludes that
no significant adverse impacts will occur to cultural resources in the
watershed should the plan be implemented. The NRCS has consulted with
the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) on the effects that
planned measures will have on significant cultural resources.
Significant cultural resources identified during implementation
will be avoided or otherwise preserved in place to the fullest
practical extent. If significant cultural resources cannot be avoided
or preserved, pertinent information will be recovered before
construction. If there is a significant cultural resource discovery
during construction, appropriate notice will be made by NRCS to the
State Historic Preservation Officer and the National Park Service
(NPS). Consultation and coordination have been and will continue to be
used to ensure the provisions of section 106 of Pub. L. 89-665 have
been met and to include provisions of Pub. L. 89-523, as amended by
Pub. L. 93-291. NRCS will take action as prescribed in NRCS GM 420,
part 401, to protect or recover any significant cultural resources
discovered during construction.
No threatened or endangered species in the watershed will be
affected by the project.
No wilderness areas are within the watershed.
Little impact will be made on scenic values. Project Sponsors will
be required to enact a floodplain zoning ordinance which restricts
development in the hydraulic shadow of Structure Number 10 prior to any
federal reimbursement for relocation expenses.
No significant adverse environmental impacts will result from
installations.
Alternatives
The planned action is the most practical means of protecting the
watershed, eliminating the threat to loss of life, and complying with
the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources requirements. The
Sponsors considered the following alternatives:
(1) No Action
This alternative is not a viable option since the dam will not be
in compliance with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Dam
Safety Administrative Code (NR 333). This is because the recent breach
analysis has determined there are dwellings in the breach area. This
alternative does not meet the project purpose of reducing risk of loss
of life, maintaining flood control and maintaining watershed
protection.
(2) Dam removal (decommissioning)
With this alternative, Mill Creek Structure 10 would be removed or
modified in a safe and acceptable manner such that it would no longer
function as originally intended. This alternative would greatly
increase the risk to human life, property, roads and bridges due to
flooding. This alternative does not meet the project purpose because it
does not reduce the risk of loss of life and it does not maintain flood
control or watershed protection. This alternative was opposed as
documented in the scoping meeting, and therefore it was not considered
further.
(3) Structural Upgrade
This alternative consists of raising the height of the dam,
widening the auxiliary spillway, increasing the size of the principal
spillway, adding a riser to provide sediment storage and treatment of
the abutments to reduce water flow and risk of failure if geologic
exploration of the site shows it is needed. This alternative would
allow Mill Creek Structure 10 to meet current NRCS class ``c'' (high
hazard) criteria for providing public health and safety and comply with
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Dam Safety Administrative
Code (NR 333). A floodplain zoning ordinance will be enacted to
eliminate any future development in the floodplain.
(4) Structural and Non-structural Rehabilitation
This is the recommended action.
Consultation and Public Participation
Copies of the Plan Supplement have been sent out to the single
point of contact for the State of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and
Consumer Protection, Wisconsin Department of Emergency Government, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Wisconsin State
Clearinghouse, and the West Central Regional Planning Commission. The
document was distributed to American Indian Tribes that have expressed
interest in consulting with federal agencies in projects in Richland
County.
A scoping meeting was advertised and held on December 10, 2001 and
interdisciplinary efforts were used. In addition to the general public,
One federal agency (NRCS), two state agencies (DNR, SHPO), and three
county agencies (Land Conservation Department, County Zoning Office,
County Administration Department), and local conservation organizations
were invited to participate in the scoping and planning process.
Specific consultation was conducted with the State Historic
Preservation Officer and the county historical society concerning
cultural resources in the watershed.
The environmental assessment was transmitted to all participating
and interested agencies, groups, and
[[Page 78771]]
individuals for review and comment in September 15, 2002. Public
meetings were held as needed to keep all interested parties informed of
the study progress and to obtain public input to the plan and
environmental evaluation.
Agency consultation and public participation to date have 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 Mill
Creek Watershed Plan Supplement is not required.
Dated: December 9, 2002.
Don Baloun,
Acting State Conservationist.
[FR Doc. 02-32466 Filed 12-24-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P