Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

ACTION: Notice of a Finding of No Significant Impact

SUMMARY: The project is located in Cass County, North Dakota and the Local Sponsor is the Cass County Joint Water Resource District. The project purpose is to reduce the flood risk for the City of Amenia by removing surface water inundation from the Rush River. The proposed action includes construction of a 11,820 foot levee around the city of Amenia, North Dakota to provide flood protection to residents during a 100-year, 24-hour event. Construction of interior stormwater management facilities and removable features to act as temporary levees over road and railroad crossings are incorporated in the project as well. 

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 and pursuant to Section 102[2][c] of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations [40 CFR Part 650], Mary Podoll, NRCS North Dakota State Conservationist, has determined that the preparation and review of an environmental impact statement is not needed for this project. 

Final engineering design and construction phases of this project may be funded through the NRCS Watershed and Flood Prevention Program, as authorized by Public Law 83-566.

The Notice of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) has been forwarded to the various Federal, State, and local agencies and interested parties. The FONSI and Watershed Plan/Environmental Assessment is available for download at: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/north-dakota/rush-river-watershed

No administrative action on implementation of the proposal will be taken until 30 days from the publication date of this Notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Christi Fisher
State Conservation Engineer/Watershed Program Manager
Natural Resources Conservation Service
220 East Rosser Avenue
PO Box 1458
Bismarck, North Dakota 58502-1458
Telephone (701)-530-2030
email christi.fisher@usda.gov

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