Garrison Diversion Unit

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation

Garrison Diversion Unit

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior, in conjunction with Fish and

Wildlife, Interior, and the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

ACTION: Notice of availability and notice of public hearing on draft

environmental impact statement DEIS.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental

Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the Department of the Interior,

Reclamation, in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and

the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, has prepared a draft

environmental impact statement (DEIS) on the proposed Arrowwood

National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) mitigation project. The DEIS describes

and presents the environmental effects of seven alternatives, including

no action, for mitigating adverse impacts of Jamestown Reservoir

operations on Arrowwood NWR. This mitigation is required by the

Garrison Diversion Unit Reformulation Act of 1986 (Pub. L. 99-249) and

the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16

U.S.C. 688dd). A public hearing will be held to receive comments from

interested individuals and organizations on the environmental impacts

of the proposal.

DATES: A 60-day public review period commences with the publication of

this notice. The public hearing is scheduled as follows: Date: May 2,

1996, Time: 7:00 p.m., Loction: Law Enforcement Center, Jamestown, ND.

The hearing will be preceded by an open house beginning at 4:00

p.m. during which EIS team members will answer questions in an informal

setting.

Copies of the DEIS are available for inspection at, or may be

requested from, the following address: Area Manager, Bureau of

Reclamation, Attention: DK-611, P.O. Box 1017. Bismarck, ND 58502-1017;

telephone: (701) 250-4242.

Copies of the DEIS are available for inspection at the following

libraries:

Carrington City Library,

Chester Fritz Library,

University of North Dakota,

Denver Office Library, U.S.,

Bureau of Reclamation,

Grand Forks Public Library,

Jamestown Public Library,

North Dakota State University Library,

Oakes School and Public Libraries,

Raugust Library, Jamestown College.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Hiemenz, Arrowwood EIS

Coordinator, Dakotas Area Office; telephone: (701) 250-4721.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Arrowwood NWR is located on the James River

in Stutsman and Foster Counties of North Dakota. The refuge has four

impounded pools (Arrowwood Lake, Mud Lake, Jim Lake, and Depuy Marsh)

which cover about 3,500 acres. Arrowwood NWR lies within the flood pool

of Jamestown Reservoir, a component of the Garrison Diversion Unit, and

has, on numerous occasions, been adversely affected by reservoir

operations. Flood control operations of Jamestown Reservoir inundate

the refuge pools for extended periods. The normal summer operating

level of the reservoir causes backwater effects that limit water level

management capability at the refuge. In addition, Jamestown Reservoir

is a source of rough fish that invade the refuge, where they uproot

aquatic plants and increase turbidity. The goal of the proposed action

is to improve habitat management capability at the refuge during normal

and dry years to offset impacts that result from flood storage in high

runoff years. To date, the 2.8-mile Jim Lake drawdown channel (Final

Finding of No Significant Impact and Environmental Assessment No.

MS0150-91-09, August 1991) is the only mitigation measure that has been

constructed.

Seven alternatives, including no action, are considered in the

draft statement. The action alternatives comprise an incremental series

of physical features, including water control structures and bypass

channels, that could be constructed at Arrowwood NWR and Jamestown

Reservoir to improve water management capability at the refuge. Fish

barriers would be constructed below Arrowwood NWR to control movement

of rough fish into the refuge. In addition, five of the six action

[[Page 16112]]

alternatives would lower the normal operating levels of Jamestown

Reservoir and include measures to enhance the reservoir's sport

fishery. The reservoir's summer target (top of joint-use pool) would be

lowered from 1432.7 m.s.l. to 1431.0 m.s.l. The winter target (top of

conservation pool) would be lowered from 1429.8 m.s.l. to 1428.0 m.s.l.

Fishery enhancements would include planting of suitable vegetation in

the upper end of Jamestown Reservoir to create additional spawning and

nursery habitat. Three of the six action alternatives would require

off-site mitigation, including acquisition of private lands for

development as wildlife habitat, to fully mitigate impacts to the

refuge.

The preferred alternative is the Mud and Jim Lakes Bypass--Lower

Joint-use Pool Alternative. This is the least costly alternative that

mitigates for all impacts without requiring any acquisition of private

land. Principal new features of this alternative are:

* New water control structures at each of the four refuge pools.

* 7.0-mile channel along the east side of Mud Lake.

* 2.5-mile channel along the east side of Jim Lake.

* 3.1-mile channel improvement below Depuy Marsh.

* Three subimpoundments in Mud Lake and one subimpoundment in Jim

Lake.

* Fish barriers at Depuy Dike and approximately 2 miles downstream.

* Improved road crossings at Mud Lake Dike and 2 miles downstream

of Depuy Dike.

* Jamestown Reservoir joint-use pool lowered 1.8-feet.

* Fishery enhancements in Jamestown Reservoir.

The principal environmental consequences that would result from

implementation of the preferred alternative include:

* Hydrology. Water management capability would improve at Arrowwood

NWR. Jamestown Reservoir elevations would typically be about 2-feet

lower during low to moderate flow periods. Flood storage capability in

Jamestown Reservoir would increase slightly. There would be no

significant change in releases from Jamestown Dam, or river flows in

the city of Jamestown or downstream.

* Water Quality. Decreased depth of refuge pools could slightly

increase eutrophication.

* Habitat. Increased water management capability at the refuge

would improve habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife.

* Fish. Fishery enhancements would improve spawning and nursery

habitat for sport fish in Jamestown Reservoir. Lower reservoir levels

would slightly increase the probability of a fish kill occurring during

a prolonged drought.

* Threatened and Endangered Species. Construction activities would

not affect any species that are listed or are candidates for listing

under the Endangered Species Act.

* Recreation. Lower reservoir levels could affect boat access

during a drought. Reclamation would work with the North Dakota Game and

Fish Department to ensure that boat ramps remain operational.

* Cultural Resources. Arrowwood Refuge has not been inventoried in

its entirety. Construction would involve ground disturbance which could

affect historic properties. Consultation would take place as required

by the National Historic Preservation Act.

HEARING PROCESS INFORMATION: Organizations and individuals wishing to

present statements should contact the Bureau of Reclamation, Dakotas

Area Office, at the above address, to announce there intention to

participate. Requests for scheduled presentations will be accepted

through 4 p.m. on April 30, 1996.

Oral comments at the hearing will be limited to 10 minutes. The

hearing officer may allow any speaker to provide additional oral

comments after all persons wishing to comment have been heard. Whenever

possible, speakers will be scheduled according to the time preference

mentioned in their letter or telephone requests. Speakers not present

when called will lose their privilege in the scheduled order and will

be recalled at the end of the scheduled speakers.

Written Comments from those unable to attend or those wishing to

supplement their oral presentations at the hearing should be received

by Reclamation's Dakota's Area Office at the Address above by May 10,

1996, for inclusion in the hearing record.

Dated: March 25, 1996.

J.L. Wedeward,

Acting Regional Director.

[FR Doc. 96-9058 Filed 4-10-96; 8:45 am]

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