(a) Watershed projects are to be planned and carried out in a way that will (1) minimize all adverse impacts, and (2) mitigate unavoidable losses to the maximum practicable degree. Projects must comply with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190, 83 Stat. 852) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).

(b) Fish and Wildlife enhancement measures proposed by Federal or State fish and wildlife agencies will be included if they are technically and economically feasible and are acceptable to the sponsors and the NRCS. If additional sponsors are needed to carry out the recommended fish and wildlife measures, NRCS will assist fish and wildlife agencies in attempting to obtain such sponsors.

(c) All planning efforts by NRCS and the sponsors must include well publicized public meetings to obtain public input and views on the project.

(d) Sponsors who receive financial assistance awarded after October 1, 2010, must comply with applicable registration and reporting requirements of the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 109-282, as amended), and 2 CFR parts 25 and 170.

[49 FR 6078, Feb. 17, 1984, as amended at 76 FR 19684, Apr. 8, 2011]

(a) Upon receipt of an application, the NRCS will make any necessary field studies and develop a report to justify the need for planning effort. Once planning is authorized by the Chief of NRCS, a watershed plan-environmental impact statement (plan-EIS) or a watershed plan-environmental assessment (plan-EA) will be prepared by NRCS to request funding. This effort must be coordinated with other State and Federal agencies.

(b) The Chief of NRCS may waive the watershed plan for works of improvement if the Chief determines that—

(1) The watershed plan is unnecessary or duplicative; and

(2) The works of improvement are otherwise consistent with applicable requirements under this part.

[49 FR 6078, Feb. 17, 1984, as amended at 84 FR 19702, May 6, 2019]

(a) The watershed plan-environmental impact statement (or assessment) will be subject to internal technical reviews, sponsor and other local party review, interagency review by other Federal, state, and concerned groups, and a final review as stated in NRCS's National Watersheds Manual.

(b) After thorough review by NRCS and other agencies, the NRCS and the sponsors shall accept the plan-EIS or plan-EA by signing the watershed agreement. The watershed plan must be approved by the Committees of Congress or the Chief of NRCS. Funding for installation can then be granted by the Chief of NRCS.