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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 212 (Friday, November 1, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65607-65608]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-26015]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Research Service

Availability of the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and 
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) of the Kika de la Garza 
Subtropical Research Center (KSARC)

AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
(USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has made a FONSI for 
transferring the land and real estate at the KSARC in Weslaco, Texas to 
the Texas A&M University System (TAMUS). The FONSI document is based on 
impact analysis documented in the draft EA that was issued for a 30-day 
public comment period beginning on August 2, 2013 and that was 
finalized on September 4, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Phil Smith, Acting Property Team Lead, 
USDA-ARS-WBSC, 1001 Holleman Drive East, College Station, Texas 77840; 
Telephone: 979-260-9449; email: phil.smith@ars.usda.gov. You may 
contact Mr. Smith for a copy of the FONSI document. Copies of the Final 
EA and FONSI are available for public inspection during normal business 
hours at the following locations:
     Weslaco Public Library, 525 South Kansas Avenue, Weslaco, 
Texas 78596.
     Larry Ringer Library, 1818 Harvey Mitchell Parkway South, 
College Station, Texas 77845.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Federal 
Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, USDA ARS 
has prepared a Final EA for the proposed transfer of approximately 70-
acres of land and associated buildings at the KSARC in Weslaco, Texas 
from the USDA ARS to TAMUS. The KSARC is divided into two separate 
properties, with the main research station located at

[[Page 65608]]

2413 East Highway 83, Weslaco, Texas 77840 and a research farm located 
at 2301 South International Boulevard, Weslaco, Texas 77840. As a 
condition of the transfer, TAMUS would commit to using the property for 
agricultural and natural resources research for a period of 25 years, 
supporting the strategic goals of USDA and establishing a Beginning 
Farmers and Ranchers Program at the Property. TAMUS would assume 
responsibility and maintenance of the constructed facilities and land 
to be conveyed from USDA. The KSARC has been in operation as a USDA ARS 
research facility since 1960, with the mission ``to increase food and 
fiber productivity by developing new technology for safe and efficient 
agricultural production methods and by conserving natural resources and 
protecting the environment.'' The facility was closed under Public Law 
(Pub. L.)112-55, Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations 
Act, 2012 and is currently being utilized in a very limited capacity by 
researchers from other ARS locations. Under the terms of the PL, the 
Secretary of Agriculture has the authority to transfer the Property 
from USDA to TAMUS. If the Property is tranferred, it will be done with 
no monetary cost to TAMUS and a Deed Without Warranty will be prepared 
by the USDA to convey the title/property rights to TAMUS. The Deed 
Without Warranty would incorporate any use restrictions identified by 
the NEPA process, as well as the 25-year use restriction for 
agricultural and natural resources research as required by Section 732 
of the PL.
    Two alternatives are analyzed in the Final EA, the No Action 
Alternative and the Proposed Action. The Final EA addresses potential 
impacts of these alternatives on the natural and human environment.
     Alternative 1--No Action. The USDA would retain possession 
of the approximate 70 acres of land and facilities at the KSARC. The 
USDA would no longer operate and/or maintain approximately 85-90% of 
the property and it would likely fall into a state of disrepair. The 
USDA will continue ongoing research funded by other Locations on the 
remaining 10-15% of the property.
     Alternative 2--Proposed Action. The USDA would formally 
transfer approximately 70 acres of land at the KSARC to TAMUS. As a 
condition of the transfer, TAMUS would commit to using the Property for 
agricultural and natural resources research for a period of 25 years, 
supporting the strategic goals of USDA and establishing a Beginning 
Farmers and Ranchers Program at the Property. TAMUS would assume 
responsibility and maintenance of the constructed facilities and land 
to be conveyed from USDA.
    In addition, one alternative was considered in the Draft EA but 
eliminated from detailed study. In this alternative, USDA would retain 
possession of the land and it would be transferred to the General 
Services Administration for disposal. Since it cannot reasonably be 
determined who would ultimately take possession of the property and how 
it would be utilized, it was not analyzed in detail in the EA.
    The USDA used and coordinated the NEPA commenting process to 
satisfy the public involvement process for Section 106 of the National 
Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470(f) as provided for in 36 CFR 
800.2(d)(3)). No comments were received during the public comment 
period. Based on its analysis of the Final EA for the poperty transfer, 
ARS has found that transferring the land and buildings to TAMUS would 
have no significant impact on the quality of the human environment. 
Therefore, ARS will not prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
this proposed action.

    Dated: October 22, 2013.
Caid E. Rexroad, Jr.,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Research Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-26015 Filed 10-31-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-P
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