The purpose of the environmental impact statement is to identify alternatives to adequately treat Missouri River water using methods and measures that further reduce the risk of transferring invasive species into the Hudson Bay basin from the Northwest Area Water Supply Project. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) evaluates four alternatives; one no action alternative and three action alternatives. The DEIS can be downloaded from www.usbr.gov/gp/dkao and is available for a 60-day review and comment period. For comments to be considered, they must be received by February 26, 2008. You may submit written comments to Northwest Area Water Supply Project EIS, Bureau of Reclamation, P.O. Box 1017, Bismarck, North Dakota, 58502-1017; or by emailing them to awaters@gp.usbr.gov. Three public hearings will be held in 2008 regarding the DEIS. The public hearings will be held: " February 4, 2008  7:00 p.m. Bismarck, North Dakota Best Western Ramkota - 800 South 3rd St.

" February 5, 2008  7:00 p.m. Minot, North Dakota Sleep Inn & Suites - 2400 10th St. SW

" February 7, 2008  7:00 p.m. New Town, North Dakota Four Bears Casino - 202 Frontage Road

For additional information or to request a hard copy, please contact Alicia Waters, Bureau of Reclamation, at 701.221.1206 or awaters@gp.usbr.gov.

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