News Release Archive

Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) Released for Long-Term Water Service Contract Renewal or Conversion with the Ainsworth Irrigation District

Media Contact: Judy O'Sullivan, (308) 389-5307, josullivan@gp.usbr.gov
Mark Andersen, mandersen@gp.usbr.gov

For Release: May 13, 2006

A Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) for renewal or conversion of the long-term water supply contract with the Ainsworth Irrigation District (AID) in north central Nebraska has been completed. The Ainsworth Irrigation District has a contractual first right to renew for a stated volume of the available water supply as provided for in the Reclamation Act of 1956.

The DEA was prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Reclamation procedures. The DEA analyzes the effects of renewing the long-term water service contract or converting the contract to a repayment contract for the Ainsworth Irrigation District. Three alternatives, including No Action, were evaluated in the DEA. The DEA is available for a 30-day public review and comment period that closes on June 10, 2006. At that time, if Reclamation has not received any new substantive information not previously considered in the DEA, the document will be finalized and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) prepared. Upon execution of the FONSI the NEPA compliance will be completed for the contract renewal process.

A copy of the DEA is available on Reclamation's web site at www.usbr.gov/gp/nkao/. The document is also available for public review at the following locations:

Offices

  • Bureau of Reclamation, Nebraska-Kansas Area Office, 203 West Second Street, Grand Island, NE 308-389-5307
  • Bureau of Reclamation, McCook Field Office, 1706 W. Third, McCook, NE 308-345-1027
  • Bureau of Reclamation, Great Plains Regional Office, 316 North 26th Street, Billings, MT 406-247-7638
  • Ainsworth Irrigation District, one mile east of Ainsworth and 1/4 mile north, Ainsworth, NE 402-387-2440

Libraries

  • Valentine Public Library, 324 N Main, Valentine, NE 402-376-3160
  • Ainsworth Public Library, 445 N Main St, Ainsworth, NE 402-387-2032

City Offices

  • Valentine City Clerk, 323 N Main Street, Valentine, NE 402-376-2323
  • Ainsworth City Clerk, 606 E 4th Street, Ainsworth, NE 402-387-2494

Requests for a personal copy of the DEA, comments on the document, or the need for additional information should be directed to Judy O'Sullivan, Public Involvement Specialist at Reclamation's Grand Island Area Office, P.O. Box 1607, Grand Island, NE 68802, josullivan@gp.usbr.gov, telephone 308-389-5307.

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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

Nebraska-Kansas Area Office Home Page