SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

NRCS, in cooperation with the Central Platte Natural Resources District, is issuing this notice to advise the public that USDA-NRCS will not be preparing an EIS for the Lower Wood River Watershed Floodwater Reduction Project in Buffalo, Custer, Dawson, Hall, and Merrick Counties, Nebraska. NRCS issued the NOI to prepare an EIS in the Federal Register on February 9th, 2023, at 88 FR 8400.

The primary purpose for this watershed planning effort was to provide flood prevention or flood risk reduction measures to the communities and agricultural lands in the Wood River Watershed located in south-central Nebraska. Watershed planning is authorized by the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act of 1954, (Pub. L. 83-566), as amended, and the Flood Control Act of 1944 (Pub. L. 78-534).

The watershed planning process evaluated several alternatives including levees, diversion channels, detention cells, and dams. One feasible alternative was identified and carried forward for final analysis. The proposed action included construction of a diversion channel to divert floodwater from the Wood River and convey it south to the Platte River.

Planning activities for the Lower Wood River Watershed have been terminated because the project area does not conform to the statutory limits of the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act of 1954, (Pub. L. 83-566), as amended. The preferred alternative works of improvement included a diversion channel that captured a drainage area of approximately 323,400 acres, which exceeds the maximum watershed acreage of 250,000 acres allowable for Flood Prevention (Flood Damage Reduction) projects as defined in Public Law 83-566. Planning did not identify any other feasible alternatives that meet the statutory limitations of Public Law 83-566.

Questions concerning this notice of rescission should be directed to USDA NRCS through the contact provided above.

91 FR 14521