80 FR 23253 - Notice of Availability of Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 80 (April 27, 2015)

Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has prepared a draft programmatic environmental assessment (EA) for the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP). The purpose of the draft programmatic EA is to briefly review the effects of activities that are likely to occur when NRCS awards future VPA-HIP grant funds so NRCS can decide whether VPA-HIP is likely to result in significant adverse impacts requiring preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). NRCS is soliciting comments on the draft programmatic EA from interested parties for 30 days from the date of this notice. Comments may be sent by mail or email to the contact listed below.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 80 (Monday, April 27, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23253-23254]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-09639]


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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 80 / Monday, April 27, 2015 / 
Notices

[[Page 23253]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service

[Docket No. NRCS-2015-0004]


Notice of Availability of Draft Programmatic Environmental 
Assessment for the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive 
Program

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service.

ACTION: Notice of availability of draft environmental assessment for 
the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the 
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has prepared a draft 
programmatic environmental assessment (EA) for the Voluntary Public 
Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP). The purpose of the 
draft programmatic EA is to briefly review the effects of activities 
that are likely to occur when NRCS awards future VPA-HIP grant funds so 
NRCS can decide whether VPA-HIP is likely to result in significant 
adverse impacts requiring preparation of an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS). NRCS is soliciting comments on the draft programmatic 
EA from interested parties for 30 days from the date of this notice. 
Comments may be sent by mail or email to the contact listed below.

DATES: Submit comments on or before May 27, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Send public comments to Andr[eacute]e DuVarney, National 
Environmental Coordinator, NRCS, Post Office Box 2890, Washington, DC 
20013-2890; email: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A copy of the draft programmatic EA 
can be accessed on the Internet by clicking the appropriate link at 
www.nrcs.usda.gov/ea. Single copies of the draft programmatic EA or 
additional information may be obtained by contacting Andr[eacute]e 
DuVarney, National Environmental Coordinator, NRCS, Post Office Box 
2890, Washington, DC 20013-2890; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VPA-HIP is a competitive grants program 
available to State and Tribal governments. The program is authorized 
under the Food Security Act of 1985, and governed by regulations at 7 
CFR part 1455. The primary objective of VPA-HIP is to support State and 
Tribal government programs that encourage owners and operators of 
privately held farm, ranch, and forest land to voluntarily make that 
land accessible to the public for hunting, fishing, and other wildlife-
dependent recreation. Grant recipients may also use VPA-HIP funds to 
improve habitat on enrolled public-access-program lands.
    NRCS expects most habitat improvement actions carried out with VPA-
HIP funds to follow NRCS conservation practice standards and fall 
within existing categorical exclusions. Although VPA-HIP applicants 
that agree to follow NRCS conservation practice standards will receive 
preference for acceptance and funding, there is no requirement to do 
so. Therefore, NRCS has decided to prepare a programmatic EA to review 
the effects of activities that are likely to occur with VPA-HIP grants.
    Proposed Action: The proposed action is to award grants in 
accordance with 7 CFR part 1455. Under this alternative, NRCS will 
provide an opportunity for State and Tribal governments to apply for 
grants to encourage owners and operators of privately held farm, ranch, 
and forest land to voluntarily make that land accessible to the public 
for hunting, fishing, and other wildlife-dependent recreation, and to 
improve and manage fish and wildlife habitat on their land under 
programs administered by State or Tribal governments. Grants will be 
awarded through a competitive process.
    Alternatives: The draft programmatic EA evaluates the environmental 
impacts of the proposed action and the no-action alternative. The 
proposed action is the agency's preferred alternative because it meets 
the purpose of and need for the project with only minor, short-term 
adverse impacts to the environment anticipated. The no-action 
alternative does not meet the purpose and need for the action, and 
results in more adverse impacts to the environment than the preferred 
alternative.
    Scoping: In developing the draft programmatic EA, NRCS conducted 
internal scoping with various agency discipline experts, and used 
experience gained from previous VPA-HIP grants and associated EAs. 
Potential adverse impacts identified through the scoping process may 
include localized, temporary, and minor increases in soil erosion, 
sediment transport, and particulate matter from ground disturbing 
activities and the use of agricultural equipment during the 
installation of conservation practices. In the longer term, there will 
be habitat improvements, and increased recreational and economic 
benefits.
    No public scoping meetings are planned. Comments received from 
Federal, State or local agencies, Native American Tribes, 
nongovernmental organizations, and interested citizens within 60 days 
of the date of this notice will be used to assist in the development of 
the final EA, and help NRCS determine whether to prepare a Finding of 
No Significant Impact or an EIS. Comments may be submitted to Ms. 
Andr[eacute]e DuVarney, National Environmental Coordinator, NRCS, Post 
Office Box 2890, Washington, DC 20013-2890; email: 
[email protected].
    Public Involvement: NRCS invites full public participation to 
promote open communication and better decision-making. All persons and 
organizations with an interest in the environmental effects of VPA-HIP 
grants are urged to comment on the draft programmatic EA. Copies of the 
comments received will be included in the administrative record without 
change, and may include any personal information provided unless the 
commenter indicates that the comment includes information claimed to be 
confidential business information.
    Other Environmental Review and Coordination Requirements: VPA-HIP 
grant recipients will conduct site-specific evaluations of lands where 
habitat improvement projects are planned to address project compliance 
with applicable laws and regulations, including NEPA, the Clean Water 
Act,

[[Page 23254]]

the Endangered Species Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act. 
NRCS will conduct or oversee any required consultation with VPA-HIP 
grant recipients in accordance with applicable regulations.

    Signed this 14th day of April 2015, in Washington, DC.
Jason A. Weller,
Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-09639 Filed 4-24-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-16-P