Public invited to provide input on Alkali Creek reservoir project
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HYATTVILLE, Wyo. – As part of its commitment to supporting sustainable, working public lands for the American people, the Bureau of Land Management Worland Field Office is requesting public input on a proposed reservoir in Big Horn County by Nov. 9, 2017. In addition, the BLM will host a public meeting to discuss the project from 6-8 p.m., with a presentation of the project beginning at 6:30 p.m., on Oct. 24 at the Hyattville Community Center.
In May 2016, the BLM received a proposal from the Wyoming Water Development Office to construct the Alkali Creek Reservoir near Hyattville. The proposed reservoir would support late-season irrigation and increase recreation opportunities for visitors.
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 information and identification of potential issues that may result from the reservoir project. In addition, BLM authorization of this proposed project may require an amendment to the 2015 Worland Field Office Resource Management Plan; therefore, this notice also serves to initiate the public scoping period for this possible plan amendment.
The proposed construction would create a 294-acre reservoir on Alkali Creek to impound approximately 7,994 acre-feet of water or 9,872 acre-feet during flood conditions. The proposed Alkali Creek Reservoir construction would disturb approximately 79 acres in the immediate vicinity of the project location, of which eight acres are BLM-managed land that include the embankment, spillways, Anita Ditch and Anita Supplemental Ditch improvements, access road and parking area.
The BLM published a notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement in the Federal Register on Oct. 11, 2017, which began a 30-day public scoping period. Project information is available at www.rebrand.ly/AlkaliCreekReservoirEIS.
Written comments may be submitted at the meeting, emailed to BLM_WY_AlkaliCreekReservoirEIS@blm.gov or submitted to the Worland Field Office, 101 South 23rd Street, Worland, WY 82401, by Nov. 9, 2017.
For more information, contact the Worland Field Office through Holly Elliott, planning and environmental coordinator, at 307-347-5100 or blm_wy_worland_wymail@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.