Notice2025-15345
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the St. Johns Watershed Project in Mississippi, New Madrid, and Scott Counties, Missouri
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Published
August 13, 2025
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentNatural Resources Conservation Service
Abstract
The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Missouri State Office announces its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the St. Johns Watershed plan, located within the Lower North Cut Ditch, Sikeston Ridge--St. Johns Ditch, Maple Slough Ditch, Ash Ditch--St. Johns Ditch, and St. Johns Ditch--St. Johns Bayou Watershed in Mississippi, New Madrid, and Scott Counties, Missouri. The project area involves 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 Mississippi River floodgates near New Madrid, Missouri. Closure of the Mississippi River floodgates prevents flood damage from the river at flood stage; however, when closed, it blocks the outlet of the watershed and causes flooding from impounded interior runoff. Residences, agricultural land, and developed land are impacted. NRCS is requesting that interested individuals, Federal and State agencies, and Tribes participate in the scoping process for the EIS by attending the initial public scoping meeting and by submitting comments as described below. The goal of scoping is for NRCS to obtain input on identifying significant issues, potential alternatives, information, and analyses relevant to the proposed action.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 154 (Wednesday, August 13, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 154 (Wednesday, August 13, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38944-38946]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-15345]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service
[Docket No. NRCS-2025-0105]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
the St. Johns Watershed Project in Mississippi, New Madrid, and Scott
Counties, Missouri
AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice of intent (NOI) to prepare an environmental impact
statement; notice of public meeting.
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SUMMARY: The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Missouri
State Office announces its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) for the St. Johns Watershed plan, located within the
Lower North Cut Ditch, Sikeston Ridge--St. Johns Ditch, Maple Slough
Ditch, Ash Ditch--St. Johns Ditch, and St. Johns Ditch--St. Johns Bayou
Watershed in Mississippi, New Madrid, and Scott Counties, Missouri. The
project area involves 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 Mississippi River floodgates near New Madrid,
Missouri. Closure of the Mississippi River floodgates prevents flood
damage from the river at flood stage; however, when closed, it blocks
the outlet of the watershed and causes flooding from impounded interior
runoff. Residences, agricultural land, and developed land are impacted.
NRCS is requesting that interested individuals, Federal and State
agencies, and Tribes participate in the scoping process for the EIS by
attending the initial public scoping meeting and by submitting comments
as described below. The goal of scoping is for NRCS to obtain input on
identifying significant issues, potential alternatives, information,
and analyses relevant to the proposed action.
DATES: Initial Public Scoping Meeting Date--August 14, 2025, 6:30 p.m.
Comments--We invite you to submit comments in response to this notice.
Please submit comments by September 12, 2025.
ADDRESSES: The initial public scoping meeting will be held at 127 E
Main Street, East Prairie, Missouri 63845.
We invite you to submit comments in response to this notice. You
may submit your comments through one of the methods below:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for Docket ID NRCS-2025-0105. Follow the
online instructions for submitting comments; or
<bullet> Agency Website: <a href="https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/watershed-programs/missouri/watershed-programs-mo">https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/watershed-programs/missouri/watershed-programs-mo</a>. Follow
the instructions for sending comments on the St. Johns EIS; or
<bullet> Mail: USDA-NRCS Assistant State Conservationist for Water
Resources and Easements, 601 Business Loop 70 West, Suite 250,
Columbia, Missouri 65203. Specify St. Johns EIS in your correspondence;
or
<bullet> Hand-Deliver or Courier: Natural Resources Specialist,
Butler County
[[Page 38945]]
USDA Service Center, 4327 Highway 67 North, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901.
Specify St Johns EIS in your correspondence.
All substantive comments received will be posted without change and
made publicly available on the agency website or on <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>
based on method received, including any personal information provided.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andy Rackers P.E. State Conservation
Engineer, telephone: (573) 876-9376; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cb8aa5afb9aebce5b9aaa8a0aeb9b88bbeb8afaae5aca4bd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="11507f756374663f6370727a74636251646275703f767e67">[email protected]</span></a>.
Specify the St. Johns EIS in your inquiry.
Individuals who require alternative means for communication should
contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Target Center at
(202) 720-2600 (voice and text telephone (TTY)) or dial 711 for
Telecommunications Relay service (both voice and text telephone users
can initiate this call from any telephone).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need
The primary purpose of the proposed action is to develop measures
that will prevent or reduce damage from flooding caused by degradation
of the St. Johns Bayou Ditch and closure of the Mississippi River
floodgates. The EIS is needed to address a range of issues caused by
flooding, including property damage, reduced agricultural productivity
and income, the socioeconomic impacts of traffic disruptions, delays in
emergency response, and loss of life. Sedimentation of drainage canals
is one contributing factor to the degradation that reduces the drainage
capacity of the canals and contributes to flooding. This degradation
leaves the surrounding area vulnerable to flooding that affects
agricultural production, results in community isolation, and damaged
transportation infrastructure. Excessive floodwater, created when the
watershed outlet is closed, also compounds additional degradation of
the regional drainage system, road infrastructure, and creates
community hardship. Drainage water management is essential to the
vitality of the region.
The EIS will develop and evaluate potential measures for addressing
the range of issues caused by flooding. The EIS will be prepared as
required by section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act
of 1969 (NEPA) and NRCS regulations in 7 CFR Subtitle A Part 1b (7 CFR
1b).
The sponsoring local organizations (SLOs) for this project are St.
Johns Levee and Drainage District (SJLDD) and St. Johns Bayou Basin
Drainage District (SJBBDD). The drainage districts are granted
authority under State of Missouri Title XV, Chapter 242 to organize,
appoint a board, and levy taxes for improvements to drainage district
infrastructure to benefit public health, convenience, and welfare of
the local population.
Preliminary Proposed Action and Alternatives, Including No Action
The EIS will identify and evaluate all reasonable alternatives that
include a range of measures to address the impacts of flooding caused
by degradation of the drainage canal system and backwater flooding that
occurs when the Mississippi River flood gates are closed. The EIS is
expected to evaluate four alternatives: three action alternatives and
one no-action alternative. The action alternatives, along with other
scenarios, were evaluated in a 2023 Preliminary Investigation
Feasibility Report conducted for NRCS for the NRCS Watershed Operations
Program. Additionally, Alternative 3 was studied by the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers (USACE) through the development of an EIS in 2013; this
alternative was determined to be feasible and to meet environmental
scrutiny at the time of evaluation. The action alternatives may not be
mutually exclusive and may not be limited to the preliminary
alternatives described here, depending on public and agency input. The
alternatives identified for preliminary consideration include the
following:
Alternative 1--No Action Alternative: This alternative represents
what would happen if no Federal assistance or funding were provided. In
the No-Action Alternative, the existing degradation of drainage canals
would not be addressed. Backwater flooding when the Mississippi River
floodgates are closed would continue to occur. Flooding of agricultural
land, roads, and communities would continue, and the local community
would continue to face the risk of property damage, negative
socioeconomic impacts, and public safety issues.
Alternative 2--Proposed Action--Cleanout of Dry Run Ditch: The
proposed action would include restoring degraded areas of Dry Run Ditch
to the flow capacity as originally designed and installing drop pipes
where head cuts from the adjacent agricultural fields are present.
Sedimentation from gully erosion would be reduced, and flow capacity of
the drainage canal would be improved. Potential locations and extents
of the canal cleanout will be evaluated during the EIS process.
Alternative 3--Proposed Action--Construct flood control measures at
the St. Johns Bayou Basin: The proposed action would include channel
modification and the installation of a 1,000-cubic feet per second
(cfs) pumping station east of the existing outlet at the lower extent
of St. Johns Bayou. Channel modification would include widening St.
Johns Bayou on both banks from the outlet near New Madrid to the north
approximately 4.5 miles, widening 8 miles of the Setback Levee Ditch on
one bank, and widening 3.5 miles of St. James Ditch on one bank.
Embankment dimensions would be designed to minimize erosion and allow
for efficient water conveyance. Channel modification would improve
drainage efficiency and installation of a pumping station at the
watershed outlet would allow for the draw-down of floodwaters within
the watershed when the Mississippi River floodgates are closed when the
river is at flood stage. Potential cleanout methods and locations will
be evaluated during the EIS process and would include the impacts of
any channel, wetland, or habitat modifications.
Alternative 4--Proposed Action--Growing flood-resistant crops and
planting native grasses and forbs along drainage canals: The proposed
action would include establishing native grass and forb buffers to
reduce erosion, improve streambank stability, trap sediments from
adjacent land, and improve wildlife habitat. Additionally, crops that
are more tolerant of flooding in areas that are particularly vulnerable
to flooding would be grown to reduce economic impacts on farmers.
Potential specific locations for native grass and forb buffers will be
evaluated during the EIS process.
Summary of Expected Impacts
The natural resources and aspects of the human environment to be
identified and addressed for potential impacts in the EIS include
soils, farmland, erosion, surface and groundwater quality and quantity,
wetlands, waterways, floodplains, air quality, endangered and
threatened species, fish and wildlife habitats, migratory birds,
riparian areas, invasive species, cultural and historic resources,
socioeconomics, public health and safety, and transportation, among
others.
The natural resources and aspects of the human environment that
have more potential than others to be impacted--whether positively or
negatively--include the socioeconomics of agricultural production and
for landowners, wooded areas of drainage canals that may provide
habitat for
[[Page 38946]]
endangered bats, and the ecosystem services provided by floodplains,
wetlands, and riparian areas. The full list of concerns to be addressed
for impacts will be developed through public scoping, agency
consultations, and other components of the EIS process.
Anticipated Permits and Authorizations
The following permits and authorizations, among others, will be
evaluated for relevance to this project:
<bullet> Federal Emergency Management Agency, Floodplain
Development Permit. Implementation of the proposed action will require
coordination with the local floodplain administrator and may require a
Floodplain Development Permit to ensure all development and engineering
requirements for construction within the Special Flood Hazard Areas are
implemented.
<bullet> Clean Water Act (CWA) and National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES). The project will require water quality
certification under section 401 of the CWA, NPDES permitting under
section 402 of the CWA, and section 404 of the CWA for potential
impacts to wetlands.
<bullet> Missouri State 401 Water Quality Certification. The
Missouri State 401 Water Quality certification will be required from
the Missouri Department of Natural Resources if a US Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE) individual permit is required. If the work is
accomplished under USACE Nationwide Permits, then a programmatic Clean
Water Section 401 certification may be granted, which specifies pre-
established conditions.
<bullet> National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106.
Consultation with Tribal Nations and interested parties will be
conducted as required by the NHPA.
<bullet> Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7. Consultation with
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be conducted if needed based on
ESA requirements.
Schedule of Decision-Making Process
Following the initial public scoping meeting and comment period
described above, NRCS will prepare a Draft EIS (DEIS) and circulate it
for review and comment by agencies, Tribes, consulting parties, and the
public for 45 days.
Changes resulting from the DEIS public comments will be
incorporated into the Final EIS, to be published within 24 months after
publication of this NOI. A Record of Decision will be completed and
will be publicly available. The Responsible Federal Official and
decision-maker for NRCS is the Missouri State Conservationist.
Public Scoping Process
In addition to the initial public scoping meeting and comment
period described above, NRCS and the SLOs are planning to hold a second
public meeting during preparation of the DEIS to provide an opportunity
to review and comment on the alternatives that are developed. This
second meeting will also be an opportunity to express concern or
support and to gain further information regarding the proposed action.
NRCS will coordinate the scoping process to correspond with Section
106 of the NHPA (54 U.S.C. 306108) as allowed in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3) and
800.8.
Comments received, including the names and addresses of those who
commented, will become part of the public record. Scoping meeting
presentation materials will be available for review and comment for 30
days following the meeting.
Identification of Potential Alternatives, Information, and Analyses
NRCS invites agencies, Tribes, consulting parties, and individuals
that have special expertise, legal jurisdiction, or interest in the St.
Johns Watershed project to provide written comments concerning the
scope of the analysis and identification of potential alternatives,
information, and analyses relevant to the proposed project.
The information about historic and cultural resources within the
area potentially affected by the proposed project will assist NRCS in
identifying and evaluating impacts to such resources in the context of
both NEPA and NHPA.
NRCS will consult with Native American Tribes on a government-to-
government basis in accordance with the regulations in 36 CFR 800.2 and
800.3, Executive Order 13175, and other policies. Tribal concerns,
including impacts on Indian trust assets and potential impacts to
cultural resources and historic properties, will be given due
consideration.
Authorities
Watershed planning is authorized under 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).
Federal Assistance Programs
The title and number of the Federal Assistance Program as found in
the Assistance Listing,\1\ to which this document applies is 10.904,
Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention.
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\1\ See <a href="https://sam.gov/content/assistance-listings">https://sam.gov/content/assistance-listings</a>.
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Executive Order 12372
E.O. 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,''
requires consultation with State and local officials that would be
directly affected by proposed Federal financial assistance. The
objectives of the Executive Order are to foster an intergovernmental
partnership and a strengthened federalism, by relying on State and
local processes for State and local government coordination and review
of proposed Federal financial assistance and direct Federal
development. This program is subject to the provisions of Executive
Order 12372, which requires intergovernmental consultation with State
and local officials.
Nathan Goodrich,
Acting Missouri State Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation
Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-15345 Filed 8-12-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P
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