Notice of Availability of Draft Watershed Plan - Environmental Assessment for the Bone and Long Pine Creeks Watershed
The United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Nebraska announces the availability of a Draft Watershed Plan-Environmental Assessment (Draft Plan-EA) for the Bone and Long Pine Creeks Watershed. The sponsoring local organization (SLO) is the Middle Niobrara Natural Resources District (MNNRD). The proposed action is made up of projects which are divided into Tier 1 and Tier 2 project phases based on implementation timing. Tier 1 includes thirty-six (36) structures/practices along eleven (11) stream reaches on Bone Creek, Sand Draw Creek, and Willow Creek. This includes grade stabilization structures, channel bed stabilization, restoration structures, a stream crossing, streambank and shoreline protection, critical area planting, obstruction removal, a pond, and a water and sediment control basin. Tier 2 includes eleven (11) project locations and eleven (11) stream reaches along Bone Creek, Sand Draw Creek, Willow Creek, and Long Pine Creek as well as 8 additional projects/structures located in the uplands. Grade stabilization and stream crossing structures were chosen with special consideration to aquatic organism passage and improved aquatic habitat. The proposed improvements may be partially funded by NRCS through the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act of 1954 (PL 83-566).
The proposed project is in Brown, Cherry, and Rock Counties, Nebraska. The National Environmental Policy Act and the Council on Environmental Quality’s regulations at Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 1500-1508 require evaluations of the potential effects of federally funded projects on human and natural resources. These evaluations include input from the public. NRCS has reviewed the potential impacts of the project and released a Draft Plan-EA for public and agency review.
Comments on the Draft Plan-EA may be submitted during a public comment period starting March 8, 2023, and ending on April 8, 2023. You can view the complete Draft Plan-EA online at https://www.mnnrd.org/water-resources/long-pine-creek-watershed
Comments may be emailed to Melissa Baier at melissa.baier@usda.gov, submitted via phone to 402-437-4065, or mailed to:
Melissa Baier, Acting Nebraska Watershed Planning Coordinator
Natural Resources Conservation Service
100 Centennial Mall North
Lincoln, Nebraska 68508
Individuals who require alternative means for communication should contact Melissa Baier at 402-437-4065 or at melissa.baier@usda.gov at least 7 days prior to the end of the comment period.