[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]
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