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Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Final Environmental Assessment and Resource Management Plan
Belle Fourche Reservoir
1. Where is Belle Fourche Reservoir?
Belle Fourche Reservoir is located in Butte County in western South Dakota northeast of the Black Hills and about 25 miles east of the Wyoming-South Dakota state border.
2. Who manages the Reservoir lands?
The Bureau of Reclamation is the federal agency responsible for management of the reservoir lands and does this in partnership with several other agencies and organizations. The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks manages a recreation area on the west side of the reservoir, "Rocky Point", and a wildlife area below the dam. The Butte County Sheriff provides law enforcement. The Belle Fourche Irrigation District issues grazing leases with Reclamation approval.
3. What is the primary purpose of the reservoir?
The reservoir's primary authorized purpose is for irrigation for the Belle Fourche Project. It also provides fish, wildlife and recreation benefits.
4. What is a Resource Management Plan (RMP)?
An RMP is essentially a blueprint intended to guide the future use, management and site development of lands under Reclamation's jurisdiction. Reclamation has the responsibility to manage its lands to meet: (1) its legal and contractual obligations; (2) for the benefit of the public; and (3) to protect natural, cultural and recreational resources of those lands. An RMP identifies goals and objectives for resource management, specifies desired land and resource patterns, and explains the policies and actions that will be implemented during the life of the plan to achieve those goals and objectives. They outline for Reclamation, other managing agencies and the public the resource policies and actions that will be implemented over the 10 year life of the plan. Preparation of RMPs is specifically authorized in Title 28 of Public Law 102-575.
5. Why did the Bureau of Reclamation complete a Resource Management Plan for Belle Fourche Reservoir?
It is a Reclamation policy to develop RMPs for land, water and resources under Reclamation's jurisdiction. The Belle Fourche Reservoir lands are currently managed without the guidance of a Reclamation RMP. Therefore, we prepared an RMP for Reclamation lands in this area to provide for a comprehensive vision and to guide future uses, and land and resource management objectives over the 10-year life of the plan.
6. Why is it also an Environmental Assessment?
An environmental assessment was prepared in parallel with the RMP, and the two processes are combined in the Environmental Assessment/Resource Management Plan (EA/RMP). It evaluates the impacts of several alternatives as required under the National Environmental Policy Act. The EA/RMP is a decision-making document, and allowed Reclamation to determine that a Finding of No Significant Impact could be issued for the selected alternative, and an Environmental Impact Statement will not be needed for implementation of the plan.
7. What does the EA/RMP address?
It addresses the Reclamation land surrounding Belle Fourche Reservoir and the lands associated with the Belle Fourche Diversion Dam. It does not address reservoir water operations or lands within the Belle Fourche Irrigation District.
8. What was the public's involvement in developing the EA/RMP?
An initial scoping letter requesting input into the EA/RMP planning process was sent to a mailing list of approximately 500 individuals, organizations, agencies and governments. Four open houses were held in Newell, Belle Fourche, Rapid City and Spearfish, South Dakota in January 2000 to gain input on issues, concerns and opportunities from the public. The draft alternatives were displayed to the public at an open house in Belle Fourche in April 2001. Reclamation also distributed three newsletters and numerous press releases during the EA/RMP process.
A working group composed of managing partners and members of the public with an interest in recreation, fish and wildlife management at the reservoir met twice to identify broad goals for management at the reservoir. These goals are based on public input and issues identified within the planning area. The group also helped to identify some draft land use zones for the reservoir.
The draft EA/RMP was released for public review from December 9, 2002 to January 24, 2003. Comment letters received during this review period aided in the preparation of the final EA/RMP.
9. What specific actions will be implemented as part of the RMP?
The final plan designates land use categories including developed and primitive recreation, day use, administrative areas and wildlife management areas. The developed and primitive recreation areas provide 90 campsites (both single and group) with varying levels of conveniences on both sides of the reservoir. Camping will not be allowed in the remaining land use categories. The wildlife management area is the largest land use category and will emphasize hunting and a wide variety of day use activities. A road plan has been developed which includes improving the main access roads, improving fishing access sites and closing and eliminating other roads. Motorized vehicles will be restricted to established roads and trails. Fees will be charged for entering the developed recreation areas and for overnight camping. Law enforcement regulations will be developed and enforced. Grazing leases will not longer be issued on a yearly basis, but as needed to achieve the goals identified for grasslands.
10. What will the fees be?
Visitors will be charged an entrance fee on Rocky Point. This entrance fee may be charged for the entire area designated as "Developed Recreation" if a managing partner is found for this area. Camping fees will be charged for all campsites on the reservoir. These fees will be consistent with current state and federal rates in the area, and will be proportional to the services provided. Fees will not be charged for the remainder of the reservoir.
11. Where will camping be provided on the reservoir?
Camping will be provided on Rocky Point, the points north of Rocky Point and the southeast corner of the reservoir.
12. What other improvements will take place on Rocky Point?
Rocky Point will contain camping, a playground, drinking water, electricity, a recreational vehicle dump station, a "cold storage" building for administrative use, a fish cleaning station, accessible vault toilets, a comfort station and picnic shelter. The road from U.S. Highway 212 to the Rocky Point boat ramp and the camping loop on Rocky Point will be paved.
13. When will work begin on actions described in the RMP?
The plan will be implemented in phases, with the first phase being improvements to Rocky Point. Work will begin in 2004 with installation of electrical and water lines. It is anticipated that the improvements to Rocky Point will be completed by the end of 2005. Reclamation intends to begin drafting regulations for the reservoir and improving access roads in 2004. Fees, designated camping and vehicle restrictions will not begin until developed and primitive recreation sites are available, estimated to begin in 2006.
14. How can I get information in the future about the RMP?
Reclamation will keep the public informed through mailings, press releases and other informational materials. To add your name to the RMP mailing list, contact Faye Streier, Natural Resource Specialist at: 515 9th Street, Room 101, Rapid City, SD, 57701, phone 605-394-9757 extension 3005, fax 605-394-9346, e-mail fstreier@gp.usbr.gov.