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Draft Environmental Assessment Fresno Dam-Safety of Dams Modification Milk River Project, Montana Montana Area Office - Missouri Basin Region

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Draft Environmental Assessment Fresno Dam-Safety of Dams Modification Milk River Project, Montana Montana Area Office - Missouri Basin Region Draft Environmental Assessment Fresno Dam-Safety of Dams Modification Milk River Project, Montana Montana Area Office - Missouri Basin Region U.S. Department of the Interior August 2021 Mission Statements The Department of the Interior (DOI) conserves and manages the Nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage for the benefit and enjoyment of the American people, provides scientific and other information about natural resources and natural hazards to address societal challenges and create opportunities for the American people, and honors the Nation’s trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated island communities to help them prosper. The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public. Fresno Dam- Safety of Dams Modification Draft Environmental Assessment Milk River Project, Hill County Montana The 30-day comment period will start on August 4, 2021 and end September 2, 2021 Electronic comments may be submitted to [email protected] or mail to: Bureau of Reclamation Montana Area Office PO Box 30137 Billings, MT 59107-0137 Questions concerning the EA should be directed to Jack Conner of Reclamation's Montana Area Office at (406) 247-7300. 2 Contents PAGE Acronyms and Abbreviations .............................................................................. i Introduction ....................................................................................................... 1 The Milk River Project ....................................................................................... 1 Fresno Dam and Operations ......................................................................................... 3 Standard Operating Procedures ....................................................................... 5 Reclamation Safety of Dams .............................................................................. 5 Proposed Federal Action .................................................................................... 6 Purpose and Need .............................................................................................. 6 Alternatives ......................................................................................................... 6 No Action Alternative .................................................................................................... 7 Proposed Action Alternative ......................................................................................... 8 Site Preparation and Restoration ..................................................................... 9 Excavation .......................................................................................................... 9 Reservoir Restrictions ....................................................................................... 9 Dewatering .......................................................................................................... 9 Biopolymer Filter Trench ............................................................................... 10 Spillway Bridge ................................................................................................. 10 Staging Areas .................................................................................................... 10 Minimization Measures ................................................................................... 10 Alternatives Considered, but Eliminated from Detailed Study .............................. 12 Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences .............................. 13 Economic and Social Factors ...................................................................................... 13 Population of the Four County Area ............................................................ 14 Environmental Justice ..................................................................................... 15 Repayment Contract ........................................................................................ 15 Dam Benefits .................................................................................................... 15 Irrigation Water Supply ................................................................................... 15 M&I Water Supply ........................................................................................... 16 Recreation/Tourism ........................................................................................ 17 Flood Control ................................................................................................... 18 No Action Alternative ........................................................................................... 18 Population at Risk of Dam Failure ................................................................ 18 Downstream Property Damages ................................................................... 20 Dam Benefit Losses ........................................................................................ 21 Proposed Action Alternative ................................................................................ 22 Geology and Soils .......................................................................................................... 23 Seismic Action .................................................................................................. 25 No Action Alternative ........................................................................................... 25 Proposed Action ..................................................................................................... 25 Hydrology ....................................................................................................................... 27 Water Quality .......................................................................................................... 28 iii Water Quantity ........................................................................................................ 29 Wetlands ............................................................................................................ 30 Floodplains/Flood Management ................................................................... 30 Hydrologic Loading ......................................................................................... 31 No Action Alternative ........................................................................................... 31 Proposed Action Alternative ................................................................................ 32 Minimization Measures ................................................................................... 32 Climate ............................................................................................................................ 33 Climate Change ....................................................................................................... 34 No Action ................................................................................................................ 34 Proposed Action ..................................................................................................... 34 Minimization Measures ................................................................................... 35 Lands and Vegetation ................................................................................................... 35 Noxious Weeds ................................................................................................ 36 No Action ................................................................................................................ 36 Proposed Action ..................................................................................................... 37 Minimization Measures ................................................................................... 37 Air Quality and Noise ................................................................................................... 37 Air....................................................................................................................... 37 Noise .................................................................................................................. 38 No Action Alternative ........................................................................................... 38 Proposed Action Alternative ................................................................................ 38 Minimization Measures ................................................................................... 38 Recreation ....................................................................................................................... 38 Public Access .................................................................................................... 39 No Action ................................................................................................................ 39 Proposed Action ..................................................................................................... 39 Fish, Wildlife, Aquatic Invasive, and Avian Species ................................................. 40 Fish ..................................................................................................................... 40 Aquatic Invasive Species ................................................................................. 40 Terrestrial Wildlife
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