NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

Nebraska: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has prepared a Final Watershed Plan-Environmental Impact Statement (Plan-EIS) and Record of Decision (ROD) titled "Elm and Turkey Creeks Watershed Plan, Environmental Impact Statement, and Record of Decision" in partnership with the Central Platte Natural Resources District. The Plan-EIS and ROD analyze the potential environmental impacts of alternative approaches to NRCS involvement through the Public Law 83-566 Small Watershed Program's authorized purpose of Flood Prevention. The Final Plan-EIS-ROD is available for review and comment prior to issuing a decision.

The proposed solution is to construct two diversion channels that will convey floodwater to the south and help prevent flood damage to the Kearney region. NRCS is requesting that agencies review and comment on the Final Plan-EIS-ROD by the end of the day on June 15, 2026.

The Environmental Protection Agency published the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register on May 15, 2026 (91 FR 27939). Interested parties may view the Final Plan-EIS-ROD by going to: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/state-offices/nebraska/projects-ready-for-public-comment-and-review or https://cdxapps.epa.gov/cdx-enepa-II/public/action/eis/details?eisId=559021.

Written comments may be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to:

Melissa Baier
Assistant State Conservationist-Water Resources and Easements
USDA/NRCS
1121 Lincoln Mall, Room 360
Lincoln, NE 68508

To receive full consideration prior to the decision, comments on the Final Plan-EIS-ROD must be provided to [email protected] or received in writing at the address indicated by the end of the day on June 15, 2026.

For more information, please contact Melissa Baier, Assistant State Conservationist-Water Resources and Easements, at 402.437.4065 or by email at [email protected].

All comments received, including the names and addresses of those people who comment, will be part of the public record and will be released for public review as required and allowed by law. Comments, information, and analyses provided should be as specific as possible and an explanation of why the information is important to the analysis should be included.