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<br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />057G <br /> <br />CONSULTATION AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION <br /> <br />Consideration as a PL566 watershed project was requested in March 1989. <br />A field review was made on March 23, 1989. The review team found that <br />significant irrigation water management, water quality, and watershed <br />protection treatment was needed. The Soil Conservation District and <br />Natural Resource Conservation Service Field Office decided that <br />detailed info~ation collection would be the first priority. Data on <br />water quantity, quality, and practice needs were gathered. 90% of the <br />landowners expressed interest. Significant resource problems were <br />found and the sponsors made an application for PL-566 planning <br />assistance June 16, 1989. <br /> <br />The State Soil Conservation Board formally accepted the application on <br />September 6, 1989. The Soil Conservation Services' West National <br />Technical Center (WNTC) made a field reconnaissance October 25, 1989. <br />They met with the irrigation company personnel, field offices, and <br />conservation district officials. It was decided further data was <br />needed to quantify the off-site effects from project action. In <br />January 1993, the Natural Resource Conservation Service Field Office, <br />area staff and state staff developed a schedule to complete a <br />preauthorization plan and plan of work. <br /> <br />On June 24, 1993, a public scoping meeting was held to discuss the <br />problems, needs, and possible effects from a project. Federal, State, <br />local agencies, and interested public were invited. This group helped <br />give direction to the NRCS planners. A public response analysis was <br />completed on the responses. A summary of those responses is shown on <br />Table C. <br /> <br />An environmental evaluation meeting was also held on June 24, 1993, to <br />identify environmental concerns and issues and discuss how best to <br />address those concerns. <br /> <br />Numerous newspaper articles, newsletters, and radio public service <br />announcements have been aired to provide public information. Public <br />meetings with the news media in attendance were held to gain input and <br />inform the public. <br /> <br />A public meeting in the morning and a sponsors meeting in the afternoon <br />were held December 2, 1993, to determine the desirability of pursuing a <br />planning authorization and review the preliminary plan. The sponsors <br />felt that cost shared management practices were essential to get <br />adequate water quality improvement. Potential alternatives and the <br />responsibilities of each sponsor and NRCS were stressed in discussions. <br />The SCDs have the right of eminent domain under authority established <br />by state law. They are willing to fulfill their agreements to see that <br />a plan is formulated and implemented. <br /> <br />The public and sponsors encouraged NRCS to go forth with the request <br />for planning. Potential practices and alternatives were reviewed to <br />inform what may be needed. A revised application was developed and <br />approved by the sponsors to slightly change the watershed size and <br />sponsors in January 1994. <br /> <br />38 <br />