Cody Field Office hosts public meeting for Leavitt Reservoir expansion project
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BLM Office:
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SHELL, Wyo. – The Bureau of Land Management Cody Field Office will hold a public meeting from 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 26 at the Shell Community Hall to discuss the proposed expansion of Leavitt Reservoir near Shell. The Leavitt Reservoir expansion project is in line with the BLM’s commitment to supporting sustainable, working public lands for the American people.
In July 2015, the BLM received a proposal from the Wyoming Water Development Commission to expand Leavitt Reservoir. The proposed expansion is intended to reduce drought vulnerability and irrigation shortages, and to increase recreation opportunities.
As stewards, the BLM manages public lands for the benefit of current and future generations, and ranching and recreation are traditional uses that continue to serve local communities throughout the West.
In order to begin the environmental analysis, the BLM is seeking input from the public to provide information or help identify potential issues or impacts that may result from expanding the reservoir.
Leavitt Reservoir currently has a surface area of approximately 36 acres and a capacity of 643 acre-feet of water. The proposed project would expand the reservoir to 194 acres with a capacity of 6,604 acre-feet.
The BLM published a notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement in the Federal Register on Sept. 29, 2017, which began a 45-day public scoping period.
Project information is available at: http://bit.ly/Leavitt_Reservoir_EIS_2bcgpgW.
Written comments may be submitted at the meeting, emailed to blm_wy_cody_comments@blm.gov (please use “Leavitt Reservoir EIS” in the subject line) or submitted to the Cody Field Office, 1002 Blackburn Street, Cody, WY 82414, by Nov. 13, 2017.
The Shell Community Hall is located at 201 Smith Avenue in Shell. For more information, contact Chad Krause at 307-578-5900 or blm_wy_cody_comments@blm.gov.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.