Map of the 71 Ranch - Avalanche Unit Irrigation Project Location at Canyon Ferry Reservoir.
HELENA, Mont. – The Bureau of Reclamation and the 71 Ranch, LP, plan to enter into a 40-year water service contract to provide a water supply from Canyon Ferry Reservoir for up to 2,400 acre-feet annually for irrigation. In conjunction with the water service contract, Reclamation also plans to issue a special use permit to the 71 Ranch, LP, for the possession or occupancy of, or for extraction of disturbance of natural resources from land, facilities, or waterbodies under the jurisdiction of Reclamation. The 71 Ranch, LP, project area will be 960 acres located along the eastern shore of Canyon Ferry Reservoir in Section 01, 07, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 18 of Township 09 N, Range 01 E, Broadwater County, Montana. The Canyon Ferry Unit of the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program was constructed from 1949-1954, pursuant to the Flood Control Act of Dec. 22, 1944. The Act authorized the use of water of the Missouri River from storage in Canyon Ferry Reservoir for irrigation, municipal and industrial uses, flood control, power generation, and fish and wildlife purposes.
The area affected by the proposed special use permit is located in Section 11 of Township 09 N, Range 01 E, and identified on the image attached. This area will be temporarily closed to public use when the project is under construction (February 1, 2025 – July 1, 2025). Once the project is completed, public use of the area can continue as previously allowed, except for access to the pumphouse building. All irrigation pipelines and electric lines located on Reclamation land will be buried and pose no threat to the general public. A map of the project area and detailed drawings can be found at: https://www.usbr.gov/gp/mtao/canyonferry/
For further questions regarding the proposed special use permit; or to request additional information about the project, please contact Ryan Colloton, Montana Area Office, 2900 4th Avenue N., Ste. 501, Billings, MT 59101.
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