SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The NRCS Missouri State Office, in coordination with the St. Johns Levee and Drainage District of Southeast Missouri and consistent with the requirements of 7 CFR 1b.7, is issuing this notice to advise Federal, State, and local government agencies and the public that NRCS will continue the planning process to determine whether an EIS is needed for the St. Johns Watershed Project. This notice rescinds the NOI to prepare an EIS (90 FR 38944), published on August 13, 2025. The project area includes the St. Johns Bayou and St. James Ditches and adjacent lands on the west landward side of the setback levee to the watershed outlet at the Mississippi River floodgates near New Madrid, Missouri. Closure of the floodgates prevents Mississippi River flood damage; however, when closed, the floodgates block the watershed outlet and cause flooding from impounded interior runoff.

During the watershed planning process, NRCS determined that the NOI (90 FR 38944) was issued prematurely, before identifying all reasonable alternatives and assessing whether an EIS was needed. If the planning process indicates that an EIS is appropriate, NRCS will publish a new NOI. The watershed planning process is continuing and will comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Any public comment received from the original NOI and scoping period will be considered during Watershed Plan development. 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).

91 FR 55512