Environmental Impact Statement Completed For Fort Peck Dam

Fort Peck, MT - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District has publicly made available the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for test releases from Fort Peck Dam, MT.

The purpose of the EIS is to assess the capacity of test flows from the Fort Peck Dam to promote the growth and survival of the pallid sturgeon, a fish species listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

The EIS describes the formulation of alternative plans, presents analyses of predicted benefits and environmental impacts; identifies a preferred alternative, discusses uncertainties, and considerations for implementation.

The draft EIS was released in March 2021 and included a 60-day public comment period that ended on May 25, 2021. During that time, USACE received approximately 360 comments through virtual public meetings and written correspondence. Comments were received from members of the public, businesses, non-governmental organizations, federal, state, and local governments, as well as from tribal governments. All comments were considered in preparation of the final EIS.

The final EIS has been filed with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), who will have posted the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register on Sept. 24. The review period will end on Oct. 25.

The final EIS report and appendices can be viewed online at: https://go.usa.gov/xMRu9.

The release of the final EIS does not constitute a decision. Thirty days following the EPA’s Federal Register notice of the EIS filing, USACE may issue a Record of Decision to select an alternative for implementation and other commitments.

For more information contact Omaha District Public Affairs, 402-995-2417.

The Richland County Commissioners have also released a public comment letter.