OMAHA, Neb. – A draft environmental assessment for the Quale/Roggenbuck Sakakawea Water Access Project, Montrail County, N.D., is currently available for public review. The draft EA evaluates the environmental impact of granting a surplus water agreement to allow for withdrawal of 6,450 acre-feet of surplus water for industrial use and authorizing the conversion of an existing agricultural easement on private land adjacent to Lake Sakakawea into dual agricultural and industrial water use.
Specific proposals outlined in the draft EA include: (1) granting a five-year surplus water agreement (with an option to renew for an additional five years) with Sand Creek Resources, Inc. of New Town, N.D. to withdraw and use up to 6,450 acre-feet of surplus water per year for industrial purposes, in accordance with Section 6 of the Flood Control Act of 1944, (2) cancelling an existing irrigation easement and issuing a new easement to permit both irrigation and industrial use of the water intake infrastructure, (3) authorizing the use of existing agricultural infrastructure, located on private land, for the delivery of surplus water for industrial use, (4) authorizing construction and operation of two water-filling depots and 12 truck-filling bays, and (5) authorizing future development of 442.21 acres of irrigated crops.
This draft EA is consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as
amended; the Council on Environmental Quality's regulations for implementing NEPA (40 CFR 1500-1508); the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (hereafter referred to as the Corps) regulations for implementing NEPA (33 CFR 325 and Engineering Regulation 200-2-2); and other applicable environmental laws and regulations.
The draft environmental assessment is available for viewing at: http://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Planning/EnvironmentalPlanning/DraftDocuments.aspx and hardcopies are available at libraries in Williston and New Town, N.D. Written comments can be mailed to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District; CENWO-PM-AC; ATTN: QRS Project EA; 1616 Capitol Avenue; Omaha, Nebraska, 68012. Comments can also be emailed to: cenwo-planning@usace.army.mil. Comments must be postmarked or received no later than July 18, 2014.
Release no. 20140618-002