Watershed Plan-EIS Scoping Meeting Thursday, January 24 th - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Willow Creek Watershed Plan-EIS

Scoping Meeting Thursday, January 24th

Agenda

Purpose & Objectives of Scoping Project Background Flooding Issues/Overview Environmental Planning Factors Potential Flood Reduction Alternatives Next Steps Open Discussion

Purpose and Objectives of Scoping

• Provide stakeholders with project overview
• NEPA process
• Determine extent and effects of flooding in Browning
• Correlation to preliminary flood mapping
• Discuss potential flood control alternatives to be examined
• Identify environmental concerns within the watershed
• Identify regulatory requirements and legislative issues
• Provide opportunity for public input and questions

“Scoping will ensure that all significant decision making factors are addressed and that unnecessary and extraneous studies are not undertaken”

Project Background

• Major events – 1964, 1958, 1948, and 1920
• Annual flooding typical
• Snowmelt, cloud burst, and ice jams contribute

Major Flooding in Browning

• 1969 Preliminary Investigation Report
• 1973 Watershed Work Plan
• 1975 Environmental Impact Statement

Past Efforts

• Re-evaluate flooding effects
• Alternative evaluation
• Environmental analysis of alternatives
• Preparation of a physically, environmentally, socially,

and economically sound project plan prior to implementation of selected alternative. Current Watershed Planning

Project Purpose The purpose of the project is to prevent

• r reduce damages caused by Willow

Creek floodwater in Browning.

Planning Schedule & Process

Preliminary Investigations Oct 2018 – July 2019

• Initial Environmental Evaluation
• Hydrology and Hydraulics through Browning
• Initial Alternative identification and conceptual layout
• Preliminary Screening

Prepare Draft EIS May 2019 – Jan 2020

• Environmental investigations and consultations
• 30% drawings
• Economic analysis
• Select preferred alternative

Prepare 80% Design Sept 2019 – Feb 2020

• Dam/Detention structure
• Flood conveyance improvements
• In-depth design factors considered

Jan 2020– March 2020

• Incorporate comments
• Record of Decision and Notice of Availability

Prepare Final EIS P u b l i c & I n t e r a g e n c y I n p u t

Watershed Location

Historic Flooding Accounts

Preliminary Flood Mapping

Environmental Planning Factors

Water Quality, Streams, & Wetlands Cultural & Historical Resources Fish & Wildlife Resources, Threatened & Endangered Species Economics/Socioeconomics Infrastructure Recreation uses Land Access Permissions & Land Ownership for Improvements Agriculture and Irrigation

Resource Concerns for Investigation

Water Resources

• Approved Water Resource Plans
• Riparian Areas
• Water Bodies
• Wetlands

Resource Concerns for Investigation

Biological Resources

• Invasive Species
• Culturally Significant Plants
• Ecological Critical Areas
• Fish and Wildlife
• Fish Community
• Threatened and Endangered Species
• Migratory Birds and Wildlife Community

Resource Concerns for Investigation

Soil Resources & Inventory

• Broad understanding from WSS
• Site specific investigations

Resource Concerns for In Investigation

Human Resources

• Cultural/Historical

Properties

• Historical Sites
• Environmental

Justice

• Recreational

Opportunities

• Land Use/Crop

Inventory

• Transportation
• Natural Areas
• Scenic Areas
• Tribal Land

Acquisition Costs

Potential Flo lood Reduction Alt lternatives

• Channel Improvements
• Diversions
• Storage
• Combination of Measures

Watershed Project Plan-EIS Next Steps

Preliminary Investigation

• Initial scoping meetings
• Initial alternative and environmental investigation
• Initial alternative screening

Draft Plan EIS

• Detailed environmental reviews
• 30% design and analysis of selected alternatives (three)
• 30% design public meeting
• Preferred alternative selection
• Agency consultations
• Draft EIS Public Meeting

80% Design of Selected Alternative Final Plan EIS

• Final plan completion
• Notice of Availability & Record of Decision

How to Provide Input or Obtain Additional Info

Tribal Sponsor: Terry Tatsey Blackfeet Tribal Business Council 640 All Chiefs Road Browning, MT 59101 (406) 338-7522 ttatsey@blackfeetnation.com Responsible Federal Official: Steve Becker, PE, COR NRCS State Conservation Engineer 10 E. Babcock Street, Ste. 443 Bozeman, MT 59715 (406) 587-6811 steve.becker@mt.usda.gov Consulting Engineer: Amy Darlinton, PE NECI Project Manager 200 N. 34th Street Billings, MT 59101 (406) 206-5248 amy.darlinton@neciusa.com

• Project updates and news will be posted to the Tribal website,

Facebook, and the Glacier Reporter

• Provide your comments in this meeting
• Complete a comment card
• Visit, call, email, or write the project contacts:

Dis iscussion

• Extent and effects of flooding in

Browning?

• Potential flood control alternatives to

prevent flooding in Browning?

• Environmental concerns?
• Regulatory requirements and

legislative issues?

• Questions and answers?