[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 71 (Thursday, April 11, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16111-16112]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-9058]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation


Garrison Diversion Unit

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior, in conjunction with Fish and 
Wildlife, Interior, and the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

ACTION: Notice of availability and notice of public hearing on draft 
environmental impact statement DEIS.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the Department of the Interior, 
Reclamation, in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and 
the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, has prepared a draft 
environmental impact statement (DEIS) on the proposed Arrowwood 
National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) mitigation project. The DEIS describes 
and presents the environmental effects of seven alternatives, including 
no action, for mitigating adverse impacts of Jamestown Reservoir 
operations on Arrowwood NWR. This mitigation is required by the 
Garrison Diversion Unit Reformulation Act of 1986 (Pub. L. 99-249) and 
the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 
U.S.C. 688dd). A public hearing will be held to receive comments from 
interested individuals and organizations on the environmental impacts 
of the proposal.

DATES: A 60-day public review period commences with the publication of 
this notice. The public hearing is scheduled as follows: Date: May 2, 
1996, Time: 7:00 p.m., Loction: Law Enforcement Center, Jamestown, ND.
    The hearing will be preceded by an open house beginning at 4:00 
p.m. during which EIS team members will answer questions in an informal 
setting.
    Copies of the DEIS are available for inspection at, or may be 
requested from, the following address: Area Manager, Bureau of 
Reclamation, Attention: DK-611, P.O. Box 1017. Bismarck, ND 58502-1017; 
telephone: (701) 250-4242.
    Copies of the DEIS are available for inspection at the following 
libraries:

Carrington City Library,
Chester Fritz Library,
University of North Dakota,
Denver Office Library, U.S.,
Bureau of Reclamation,
Grand Forks Public Library,
Jamestown Public Library,
North Dakota State University Library,
Oakes School and Public Libraries,
Raugust Library, Jamestown College.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Hiemenz, Arrowwood EIS 
Coordinator, Dakotas Area Office; telephone: (701) 250-4721.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Arrowwood NWR is located on the James River 
in Stutsman and Foster Counties of North Dakota. The refuge has four 
impounded pools (Arrowwood Lake, Mud Lake, Jim Lake, and Depuy Marsh) 
which cover about 3,500 acres. Arrowwood NWR lies within the flood pool 
of Jamestown Reservoir, a component of the Garrison Diversion Unit, and 
has, on numerous occasions, been adversely affected by reservoir 
operations. Flood control operations of Jamestown Reservoir inundate 
the refuge pools for extended periods. The normal summer operating 
level of the reservoir causes backwater effects that limit water level 
management capability at the refuge. In addition, Jamestown Reservoir 
is a source of rough fish that invade the refuge, where they uproot 
aquatic plants and increase turbidity. The goal of the proposed action 
is to improve habitat management capability at the refuge during normal 
and dry years to offset impacts that result from flood storage in high 
runoff years. To date, the 2.8-mile Jim Lake drawdown channel (Final 
Finding of No Significant Impact and Environmental Assessment No. 
MS0150-91-09, August 1991) is the only mitigation measure that has been 
constructed.
    Seven alternatives, including no action, are considered in the 
draft statement. The action alternatives comprise an incremental series 
of physical features, including water control structures and bypass 
channels, that could be constructed at Arrowwood NWR and Jamestown 
Reservoir to improve water management capability at the refuge. Fish 
barriers would be constructed below Arrowwood NWR to control movement 
of rough fish into the refuge. In addition, five of the six action

[[Page 16112]]
alternatives would lower the normal operating levels of Jamestown 
Reservoir and include measures to enhance the reservoir's sport 
fishery. The reservoir's summer target (top of joint-use pool) would be 
lowered from 1432.7 m.s.l. to 1431.0 m.s.l. The winter target (top of 
conservation pool) would be lowered from 1429.8 m.s.l. to 1428.0 m.s.l. 
Fishery enhancements would include planting of suitable vegetation in 
the upper end of Jamestown Reservoir to create additional spawning and 
nursery habitat. Three of the six action alternatives would require 
off-site mitigation, including acquisition of private lands for 
development as wildlife habitat, to fully mitigate impacts to the 
refuge.
    The preferred alternative is the Mud and Jim Lakes Bypass--Lower 
Joint-use Pool Alternative. This is the least costly alternative that 
mitigates for all impacts without requiring any acquisition of private 
land. Principal new features of this alternative are:
    * New water control structures at each of the four refuge pools.
    * 7.0-mile channel along the east side of Mud Lake.
    * 2.5-mile channel along the east side of Jim Lake.
    * 3.1-mile channel improvement below Depuy Marsh.
    * Three subimpoundments in Mud Lake and one subimpoundment in Jim 
Lake.
    * Fish barriers at Depuy Dike and approximately 2 miles downstream.
    * Improved road crossings at Mud Lake Dike and 2 miles downstream 
of Depuy Dike.
    * Jamestown Reservoir joint-use pool lowered 1.8-feet.
    * Fishery enhancements in Jamestown Reservoir.
    The principal environmental consequences that would result from 
implementation of the preferred alternative include:
    * Hydrology. Water management capability would improve at Arrowwood 
NWR. Jamestown Reservoir elevations would typically be about 2-feet 
lower during low to moderate flow periods. Flood storage capability in 
Jamestown Reservoir would increase slightly. There would be no 
significant change in releases from Jamestown Dam, or river flows in 
the city of Jamestown or downstream.
    * Water Quality. Decreased depth of refuge pools could slightly 
increase eutrophication.
    * Habitat. Increased water management capability at the refuge 
would improve habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife.
    * Fish. Fishery enhancements would improve spawning and nursery 
habitat for sport fish in Jamestown Reservoir. Lower reservoir levels 
would slightly increase the probability of a fish kill occurring during 
a prolonged drought.
    * Threatened and Endangered Species. Construction activities would 
not affect any species that are listed or are candidates for listing 
under the Endangered Species Act.
    * Recreation. Lower reservoir levels could affect boat access 
during a drought. Reclamation would work with the North Dakota Game and 
Fish Department to ensure that boat ramps remain operational.
    * Cultural Resources. Arrowwood Refuge has not been inventoried in 
its entirety. Construction would involve ground disturbance which could 
affect historic properties. Consultation would take place as required 
by the National Historic Preservation Act.

HEARING PROCESS INFORMATION: Organizations and individuals wishing to 
present statements should contact the Bureau of Reclamation, Dakotas 
Area Office, at the above address, to announce there intention to 
participate. Requests for scheduled presentations will be accepted 
through 4 p.m. on April 30, 1996.
    Oral comments at the hearing will be limited to 10 minutes. The 
hearing officer may allow any speaker to provide additional oral 
comments after all persons wishing to comment have been heard. Whenever 
possible, speakers will be scheduled according to the time preference 
mentioned in their letter or telephone requests. Speakers not present 
when called will lose their privilege in the scheduled order and will 
be recalled at the end of the scheduled speakers.
    Written Comments from those unable to attend or those wishing to 
supplement their oral presentations at the hearing should be received 
by Reclamation's Dakota's Area Office at the Address above by May 10, 
1996, for inclusion in the hearing record.

    Dated: March 25, 1996.
J.L. Wedeward,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 96-9058 Filed 4-10-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-09-P