The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Montana Department of Environmental Quality have issued a joint notice advising plans currently being considered by the District Engineer at Omaha, Nebraska. According to the notice NOW-2008-02556-MTB the applicant is intending to “conduct periodic placement of rock” on the existing diversion dam and to enable full flows to the applicant even in the event of severe water shortages in the Yellowstone.
The project reach at Intake Dam east of Glendive, Montana is occupied habitat for Pallid Sturgeon, an endangered species presently under federal and state protections. According to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: “It’s present range in Montana includes the Lower Yellowstone River where damming, channelizing and diking has destroyed much of its habitat.” More http://fwp.mt.gov/fishAndWildlife/species/endangered/pallidSturgeon/
Photo below of the dam on the Yellowstone River at Intake proposed for yet more rock.
Read a copy of a recent Public Notice: NWO-2008-02556-MTB or via http://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/Portals/23/docs/regulatory/publicnotices/MT/NWO-2008-02556-MTB.pdf
Public Comment should be directed to the US Army Corps of Engineers, PO Box 2256, Billings MT 59103 or by calling direct to Cathy Juhas at USACE (406) 657-5910.
