Limestone-Graveyard Creeks Watershed Plan and Environmental Assessment

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G 5 45 INTRODUCTION The Plan was prepared under the authority of the Watershed Protection ' and Flood Prevention Act, Public Law 83 -566, as amended (126 USC 10011008 ), and in accordance with Section 102 (2) (c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, Public Law 91 -190, as amended (42 ' U.S. C. 4321, et seq). Responsibility for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act rests with the Natural Resources Conservation Service. ' This watershed plan describes the plan formulation process, discloses expected project impacts, and provides the basis for authorizing ' federal assistance for implementation under the Public Law 566 Program. There were no significant adverse environmental impacts identified during the scoping process. The sponsoring local organizations are Bent Soil Conservation District (BSCD), Prowers Soil Conservation ' District (PSCD), Fort Lyon Canal Company (FLOC), and the Colorado State Soil Conservation Board (CSSCB). ' The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) assisted the sponsors with the development of the plan. ' This plan was prepared to document the findings of planning studies to date as a PL -566 project. The report identifies problems, effects, and alternatives which are being considered. It further explains, in some detail, a Recommended Plan (RP), including its cost, benefits, and environmentally adverse and beneficial effects. No significant adverse environmental impact has been identified at this stage of the environmental evaluation process. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ' (F &WS), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Colorado State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), and the Colorado Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and EPA have been and will continue to be contacted. ' Purposes to be served by the project are agricultural water management and watershed protection. Specifically, this project has been formulated to improve both surface and groundwater quality, reduce irrigation induced erosion to acceptable levels, and more effectively use available water. Irrigation induced erosion will be reduced in the treatment area on 8,800 acres now eroding at an average of eight times the maximum rate necessary to maintain the productive capacity of the soil resource. Poor water quality from heavy metals and salts in wells and drains will be improved in the watershed as well as in the Arkansas ' River. Better irrigation water application will occur on 26,700 Acres. The Recommended Plan (RP) includes ditch lining, pipe lines, multipurpose ponds, water control structures, appurtenant structures, leveling, Irrigation Water Management (IWM), nutrient and pest ' management, wetland mitigation practices and conservation tillage. The estimated cost of the Recommended Plan alternative is $5,326,000 with $3,056,500 in PL -566 costs. VA