The USDA Forest Service, is seeking comments regarding the removal of West End Woodstock Little Stoney Creek Dam in Shenandoah County, VA. This dam is located off Millertown Road in Edinburg, VA.
Purpose and Need for the Project
The purpose of this project is to remove a dam on the Forest and restore ecological function of Little Stoney Creek. This dam currently on site was constructed by the Town of Woodstock for water supply between 1955 to 1957. Its approximately 340-ft. long with 180 -ft wide spillway constructed out of concrete and was classified as a high hazard dam according to the Virginia Impounding Structure Regulations (Dam Safety) 2010. The dam has not been in use by the town for many years and reports of dam issues date back until 1978 from the Army Corps of Engineers. The physical dam is owned by the Town of Woodstock and due to its use no longer being needed by the Town, the costs of upgrading the dam to current safety standards, and the ecological impacts of the dam, removal of the dam is proposed.
The West End Woodstock Little Stoney Creek Dam is located from Millertown Road in Edinburg, VA approximately 10 miles from the Town of Edinburg via Highway 675 and 749.
Proposed Action
The Forest Service is proposing to allow a Special Use Authorization for the removal of the Woodstock West End Dam. The following proposal includes the removal of said dam from Forest Service lands and the authorization of a secondary temporary special use permit to authorize the facilitation of dam removal by the Town of Woodstock. The proposed action includes returning this stream back to a natural flow regime by either total removal or decommission in place of the current infrastructure including the dam and the associated infrastructure. The details of work to be completed on Forest Service lands include:
The Forest Service proposes to issue a Special Use Authorization for a temporary construction permit to authorize the removal of said dam as authorized under the Federal Lands Policy and Management Act, of October 21, 1976, as amended.
Partners for this project include the Town of Woodstock, Trout Unlimited, American Rivers Association, and the Virginia Department of Natural Resources.
Decision to be Made
We anticipate this proposal to be categorically excluded from documentation in an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under 36 CFR 220.6(e):
Category 17: Restoring wetlands, streams, riparian areas or other water bodies by removing, replacing, or modifying water control structures, such as, but not limited to, dams, levees, dikes, ditches, culverts, pipes, drainage tiles, valves, gates, and fencing, to allow waters to flow into natural channels and floodplains and restore natural flow regimes to the extent practicable where valid existing rights or special use permits are not unilaterally altered or cancelled.
-AND-
Category 3: Approval, modification, or continuation of minor special uses on NFS lands that require less than five contiguous acres of land.
The responsible official for the decision will be the Forest Supervisor of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. The decision to be made is whether the proposed use should occur on the site.
Public Involvement
As a result of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014 (Public Law No. 113-76) and the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Farm Bill, Public Law No. 102-381), the Forest Service will no longer offer appeal opportunities for categorically excluded projects. However, we will continue to offer public involvement opportunities for these projects and will take public comments into consideration before final decisions are made. Therefore, we welcome your involvement and encourage your comments on this proposal. Comments received, including names and contact information of those who comment, will be considered part of the public record on this proposed action and will be available for public inspection. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered; however, anonymous comments will not provide the agency with the ability to provide the respondent with subsequent environmental documents.
Written comments concerning this proposal will be accepted until June 5, 2023. Comments may be submitted through the Project website via the web form:
https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//CommentInput?Project=63993
This web form can also be accessed from the project website:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63993
On the right side, you can select "Comment/Object on Project." Electronic comments must be submitted in a format such as an email message, plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), or Word (.doc, .docx).
Written comments can also be submitted hardcopy to:
USDA Forest Service
ATTN: Gregg Slezak
401 Oakwood Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Please share any specific concerns that you feel need to be considered within the context of this proposed action. Make your comments as concise as you can and address the proposed action specifically. State “Woodstock Dam Removal Project” in the subject line when providing electronic comments, or on the envelope when replying by mail.
If you have questions about this proposal please contact Gregg Slezak at Gregg.Slezak@usda.gov. Thank you for your interest in the management of your National Forests.
