DECISION MEMO ROW Special Use Permit Renewal– Fort Massac Water District Part of NESWNW and SESENW Sec. 17 T15S, R6E of the 3rd PM, Massac County, Illinois; and part of NWSE Sec. 31 and NENENE Sec. 19, 14S, 6E of the 3rd PM, Pope County, Illinois.. USDA Forest Service Hidden Springs Ranger District, Shawnee National Forest Background On September 6, 1973, the United States issued a special use permit to the Fort Massac Water District (permittee) for a right-of-way (ROW) across National Forest land located in the NESWNW and SESENW Sec. 17 T15S, R6E of the 3rd PM, Massac County, Illinois; and NWSE Sec. 31 and NENENE Sec. 19, 14S, 6E of the 3rd PM, Pope County, Illinois. The permit was issued for the purpose of installing and maintaining a buried water transmission line across National Forest lands. Decision and Rational for the Decision My decision is to renew this ROW permit for a period of twenty years, as requested, to the current permit holder, the permitted areas are located in part of the NESWNW and SESENW Sec. 17 T15S, R6E of the 3rd PM, Massac County, Illinois; and part of NWSE Sec. 31 and NENENE Sec. 19, 14S, 6E of the 3rd PM, Pope County, Illinois. The permit has been renewed once since its issuance, and has consistently been in satisfactory condition upon inspection. This special use permit is consistent with the Shawnee National Forest Land Management Plan (2006) goals, standards, and guidelines. Reasons for Categorically Excluding The Proposed Action This project is not expected to cause significant impacts to the human environment. A Categorical Exclusion (CE) is the appropriate NEPA decision document for this proposal, as outlined in 36 CFR 220.6(e)(3) Approval, modification, or continuation of minor special uses of NFS lands that require less than five contiguous acres of land. This project can be categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement; however a case file and decision memo are required. Analysis of this proposal indicates there are no extraordinary circumstances that might cause the action to have significant effects upon the quality of the human environment, either cumulatively or individually. This special use permit reissuance would have no direct or indirect adverse effects on federal T&E species or on any Regional Forester Sensitive Species. Any tree removal will require prior approval by the Forest Service and therefore, opportunity to impose any necessary conditions or limitations on the plans or work to be performed in order to avoid adverse impacts to listed or sensitive animal or plant species. This project would have no effects on floodplains, wetlands, or municipal watersheds. This project would have no effects on Wilderness study areas or National Recreation Areas. This project would have no effects on Research Natural Areas. This project would have no effects on American Indian religious or cultural sites. This project would have no effect on archaeological sites or historic properties/areas. Public Involvement This project was scoped by listing in the July, 2012 Shawnee Quarterly, posting on the Projects page of the Shawnee National Forest internet site, and publication in the July 8, 2012 edition of the Southern Illinoisan newspaper. Findings Requirement by other Laws Forest Plan Consistency (National Forest Management Act) -The existing ROW is located within the (EH) Even-Aged Hardwood Forest management prescription of the Shawnee National Forest Land and Resources Management Plan and is consistent with the goals, standards, and guidelines for this management area as required by the National Forest Management Act. Federal Land Policy and Management Act - This Act allows the granting of special use authorizations across National Forest System lands. The regulations at 36 CFR 251 guide the issuance of permits, leases, and easements under this Act. Permits, leases, and easements are granted across National Forest System lands when the need for such is consistent with planned uses and Forest Service policy and regulations. This decision is consistent with this Act. Administrative Review or Appeal Opportunities The 30 day public comment period on this project is closed. No comments were received. Therefore, this decision is not subject to appeal pursuant to 36CFR§ 215.12. Implementation Date Implementation of this decision may occur on, but not before, 5 business days from the publication of this decision in the Southern Illinoisan (36CFR§ 215.15). Contact Person For additional information concerning this decision, contact Ron Scott, Shawnee National Forest, 50 Hwy. 145 South, Harrisburg, IL 62946; 618-253-1038 or [email protected]. _/s/ Hurston A. Nicholas_______ Date: _August 31, 2012__ HURSTON A. NICHOLAS Forest Supervisor Shawnee National Forest .