October 17, 2005

Contact:  Otto Jose, 303-236-8156

Service Determines “Finding of No Significant Impact”
on Proposal to Improve Motorboat Access on
Sherman Reservoir

 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has determined a “Finding of No Significant Impact” (FONSI) for the final Environmental Assessment of the State of Nebraska proposal “Sherman Reservoir Motorboat Access Improvement” as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).  The proposal is a Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration project to be funded jointly by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) and the Service.

The final Environmental Assessment prepared by the NGPC and the Service analyzed NGPC’s proposal to improve the boating access through the construction of breakwaters and the excavation of coves.  The proposal will involve excavating sediment from three coves to deepen the boating channels for enhanced boating access.  The excavation work will remove a total of 140,000 cubic yards of sediment from the reservoir basin.  In addition, ten breakwater structures that range in size from 200 to 1,050 feet long will be constructed at four sites.  The breakwaters will reduce siltation and sedimentation due to wind and wave action and help maintain safe boating access.

 During the public comment period on the draft Environmental Assessment, six letters were received expressing support from the surrounding communities.  No opposing comments on the proposal were received.

 The NEPA process requires any federal funded project be reviewed for potential impacts to the human environment.  The objective of NEPA is to consider every significant impact on natural and physical environment and to assure the public plays a role in the decision making process.

The FONSI and the final Environmental Assessment are available online at http://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/federalassistance/. Those without internet access may request copies by calling the Service’s Division of Federal Assistance, 303-236-8156.

 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses nearly 545 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.                                    

 For more information about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
visit our home page at www.fws.gov