BILLINGS, Mont. ─ A 30-day public comment period for the Fresno Dam - Safety of Dams Modification Draft Environmental Assessment (EA), Milk River Project, in northern Montana will begin Aug. 4 and end Sept. 2. The draft EA analyzes the environmental effects of the Proposed Federal Action and is required for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.
The Bureau of Reclamation’s Dam Safety Program identified dam failure risks above Reclamation’s Public Protection Guidelines at Fresno Dam. Reclamation initiated final design of the proposed modification, which is a state-of-the-practice embankment overlay with a vertical sand filter and new drainage system, in December of 2019. The purpose of the Proposed Federal Action is to maintain the authorized Milk River Project purposes while reducing the dam safety risks at the dam.
The Environmental Assessment can be found at https://www.usbr.gov/gp/mtao/fresno. Comments can be submitted electronically to BOR-sha-MTA-FEACOMMENTS@usbr.gov or by mail to the following address:
Bureau of Reclamation Montana Area Office
PO Box 30137
Billings, MT 59107-0137
The Milk River Project was conditionally approved in 1903, and construction of Fresno Dam was completed in 1939. Fresno Dam impounds the Milk River forming Fresno Reservoir and is operated and maintained by Reclamation. The dam is located on the Milk River about fifteen miles west of Havre, Montana.
The dam supplies water to irrigation districts, individual irrigators, Fort Belknap Indian Community, and municipalities pursuant to contracts with Reclamation, subject to the availability of water. The lands extend about 165 miles along the river from near Havre to a point six miles below Nashua, Montana. Diverted water irrigates approximately 120,000 acres of land. The water is used for irrigation water, drinking water, recreation, wildlife habitat, and is considered the “Lifeline of the Hi-line."
Questions concerning the EA should be directed to Jack Conner of Reclamation's Montana Area Office at (406) 247-7300.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
