SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The ROD identifies NRCS's selected alternative for the Gould Wash Flood Protection Project, as described in the March 2026 Final Plan-EIS for Washington County, Utah. NRCS reached its decision after reviewing the Final Plan-EIS, which is available on the NRCS project website listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice and was announced on March 20, 2026, through a notice of availability (91 FR 13603). NRCS has selected the proposed action alternative, titled “New Detention Dam and 3,000 cfs Channel Modifications.” This alternative includes constructing a dry detention dam upstream of Hurricane City along Gould Wash to reduce and manage flood flows, modifications to the Gould Wash channel through Hurricane City to safely convey floodwaters, and acquisition of easements necessary for channel modifications and areas subject to flooding.

The ROD documents the basis for NRCS's decision on the selected alternative, including the mitigation measures that will be implemented and the environmental, social, and economic factors considered under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NRCS concludes that the selected alternative provides the most balanced approach to meeting project objectives while minimizing adverse effects.

NRCS reviewed and considered all substantive comments received on the Final Plan-EIS following publication of the notice of availability on March 20, 2026 (91 FR 13603). While the comments did not require changes to the Final Plan-EIS, a summary of the comments and NRCS's responses, along with supporting materials, is available on the NRCS project website listed in the ADDRESSES section above. 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 58838