Reclamation: Public Involvement - National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Process

Public Involvement - National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Process

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation are soliciting public input into the proposed modification of the Intake Diversion Dam as part of the development of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS for the Intake Diversion Dam modification was published in the Federal Register on September 12, 2008.

Informational meetings to explain the proposed modification to Intake and to solicit comments from the public will be held at the following times and locations:

October 21, 2008, Sidney, Montana, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Community Service Building – 1201 West Holly
October 22, 2008, Glendive, Montana, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Dawson Community College, Ullman Center Room 102 – 300 College Drive
October 23, 2008, Billings, Montana, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Montana State University Downtown Campus – 207 North Broadway

A site visit to the Intake Diversion Dam (located at Intake, Montana) will be held from 2:30 - 3:30 pm on October 22. Representatives from the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation will be available to answer questions and explain the proposed project on site. The site visit will take place at the Intake Fishing Access Site (below Intake Diversion Dam) and is located off State Highway 16, approximately 16 miles north of Glendive, Montana.

Comments will be accepted at all three public meetings listed above. Additionally, comments may be submitted throughout the public comment period by mail, fax, e-mail or electric comment form as listed below:

Bureau of Reclamation
Montana Area Office
Attention: Paula Holwegner
P.O. Box 30137
Billings, Montana 59101

Fax: 406-247-7338

Email: IBR6MTADLWRYELL@usbr.gov

Written comments may also be submitted by clicking on this link and filling out the comment form.

Consensus-Based Management

The Department of the Interior’s regulations for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) require Reclamation to incorporate consensus-based management in the NEPA process where practicable. Consensus-based management involves outreach to persons, organizations, or communities who may be interested in, or affected by, a proposed action with an assurance that their input will be given consideration in selecting a course of action.

Reclamation will consider consensus-based alternative(s) submitted by interested parties or those affected by the proposed action. While there is no guarantee that any particular consensus-based alternative will satisfy the project’s purpose and need or be identified as the proposed course of action, Reclamation will describe and evaluate any consensus-based alternative(s) during the NEPA compliance process.

Reclamation is providing informal community-based training for parties that have an interest in the process or feel they may be affected by the proposed action during the public scoping process. To be most effective, participating parties may want to discuss consensus-based management and alternatives with Reclamation staff early in the NEPA compliance process.

Supplemental Information Related to the Solicitation of Public Comment