News Release Archive

Reclamation to Prepare Environmental Impact Statement on NAWS Project: Public Meetings Scheduled

Media Contact: Patience Hurley, (701) 250-4242 ext. 3107, phurley@gp.usbr.gov
Alicia Waters, awaters@gp.usbr.gov

For Release: March 20, 2006

The Bureau of Reclamation has issued a Federal Register Notice announcing the intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Northwest Area Water Supply (NAWS) Project. Reclamation will hold public scoping meetings in April and May to solicit public comment.

The purpose of the NAWS project is to provide a reliable source of high quality treated water from Lake Sakakawea to northwestern North Dakota for municipal, rural and industrial uses. This treated water from the Missouri River would be delivered to communities using techniques that minimize the risk of non-native biota transfer.

Reclamation proposes to evaluate alternative water treatment methods to minimize the risk of transfer of non-native biota from the Missouri River Basin to the Hudson Bay Basin in order to complete construction of the NAWS project.

There will be six public scoping meetings starting at 6:30 p.m. each evening:

  • Tuesday, April 25, Bismarck, North Dakota
    Best Western Doublewood Inn, Executive Suite 114, 1400 Interchange Ave
  • Thursday, April 27, Fort Yates, North Dakota
    Prairie Knights Casino and Resort, 7932 Highway 24
  • Monday, May 1, Minot, North Dakota
    Sleep Inn - Inn and Suites, 2400 10th St NW
  • Tuesday, May 2, New Town, North Dakota
    4 Bears Casino & Lodge, Mandan Hidatsa Room, 202 Frontage Road
  • Wednesday, May 3, Bottineau, North Dakota
    MSU- Bottineau, Nelson Science Center Room 125, 105 Simrall Blvd
  • Thursday, May 4, Mohall
    City Hall, 203 Main St East

Oral and written comments will be accepted at the meetings. Those who are unable to attend a meeting but wish to submit comments may do so by mail, fax, or e-mail to:

Northwest Area Water Supply Project EIS Bureau of Reclamation, Dakotas Area Office P.O. Box 1017 Bismarck, North Dakota 58502-1017

FAX: 701.250.4326

Email: awaters@gp.usbr.gov

Comments should be received by Friday, May 5, 2006.

The Federal Register Notice regarding this proposed action is available for download at www.usbr.gov/gp/dkao/.

# # #

The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

Great Plains Region Home Page

Dakotas Area Office Home Page