News

For Immediate Release

July 20, 2022

Contact: Mick Hanan, Acting Station Manager, 605-481-2347, mick_hanan@fws.gov

Huron Wetland Management District Releases Draft Compatibility Determination for Public and Private Buried Utility Lines Occurring on FWS Easement Properties or Fee-Owned WPAs

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Seeks Public Comment Through August 3

Proposed site of the future Huron Wetland Management District multi-purpose building.  Photo by USFWS. 

HURON, S.D. — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has released a draft Compatibility Determination (CD) for Public and Private Buried Utility Lines Occurring on FWS Easement Properties or Fee-Owned WPAs for Huron Wetland Management District (District) in South Dakota.

The District quite often receives requests for public or private buried utility lines to cross or occur on Service easement properties or fee-owned WPAs. In order to issue a permit to allow such activities a Finding of Appropriate Use form and CD must be completed. This CD reviews and replaces the March 2005 CD for Public and Private Buried Utility Lines Occurring on FWS Easement Properties or Fee-Owned WPAs on Huron Wetland Management District.

When found appropriate through the Finding of Appropriate Use process, we propose to allow the right to use and possibly alter the landscape through construction, maintenance, and operation of water or fuel pipeline, power line, telecommunications line, or other utility; or one-time authorization, by a special use permit, to install or repair a utility (e.g., power line, water line, or buried cable) on lands under control by the Service.

The District has prepared a draft CD that it is proposing to adopt for 10 years following the signature of the final document. The comment period for the draft CD will run for 14 days from July 20 – August 3, 2022. Comments can be submitted by email to mick_hanan@fws.gov or by mail to PO Box 1377 Huron, SD, 57350. A copy of the draft CD can be found in the library of Huron Wetland Management District’s website at: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/huron-wetland-management-district and directly at: https://www.fws.gov/media/draft-compatibility-determination-huron-wmd-office-waterline-suppdf

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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov, or connect with us through any of these social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube
– FWS – 
For Immediate Release 

June 29, 2022 

Contact: Jessica Sutt, Public Affairs Specialist, 239-238-3621, jessica_sutt@fws.gov  

Huron Wetland Management District Releases Draft Environmental Assessment for Proposed Multi-Purpose Building  

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Seeks Public Comment Through July 29 2022 

Proposed site of the future Huron Wetland Management District multi-purpose building.  Photo by USFWS. 

HURON, S.D. — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has released a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the location and design of a new multi-purpose building and visitor contact station for Huron Wetland Management District (District) in South Dakota.  

The proposed new building would serve as a visitor contact station to welcome all audiences with easily located amenities for orientation, education, interpretation and wildlife viewing. The multi-purpose building would also serve administrative needs with offices for Service staff and a conference room. The District is eager to bring this building to fruition as an opportunity to best serve residents and visitors alike. 

The District has prepared a draft EA to evaluate effects and alternatives associated with the proposed multi-purpose building and seeks public comment. The comment period for the draft EA will run for 30 days from June 29 – July 29, 2022. Comments can be submitted by email to mick_hanan@fws.gov or by mail to PO Box 1377 Huron, SD, 57350. 

A copy of the draft EA can be found in the library of Huron Wetland Management District’s website at: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/huron-wetland-management-district.  An accessible PDF of the draft EA is also available directly at: https://www.fws.gov/media/huron-wmd-draft-ea-multi-purpose-building

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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov, or connect with us through any of these social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube
– FWS –