The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is seeking public comment on a draft environmental assessment for the State of Montana's proposed "Brush Lake State Park Development in Sheridan County, Montana.? Public comments are welcome for a 15-day period, which ends February 8, 2006.
The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) is proposing to develop a motorboat access area on approximately four acres of the newly established Brush Lake State Park during the summer and fall of 2006. This development will occur on the northeast portion of the lake's shoreline and expected to provide the public with a safe, dependable, local site for motorboat and motorized watercraft users. This project will include rerouting and upgrading the entry road, a gravel parking area, boat ramp and boat dock, a vault toilet, designated swimming area, picnic tables and fire rings.
The FWP provided notices and copies of the draft environmental assessment to more than 100 individuals and organizations. FWP also has published this draft environmental assessment and supporting documentation on their website: http://fwp.mt.gov/publicnotices/notice_984.aspx.
The draft environmental assessment, prepared by the FWP and accepted by the Service, analyzes the environmental affects of development of this motorboat access proposal. The FWP concluded that the proposed project will not have impacts on floodplains or wetlands, will not affect historical and cultural resources, would not have any effect on threatened, endangered or candidate species and will not have any effect on the vegetation in the area.
Estimated cost of the proposed project is $263,000. The FWP proposes to provide 25 percent of the cost as a match for the 75 percent to be provided by a federal grant under the Sport Fish Restoration Act. The federal funds are administered by the Service and come from an excise tax on fishing equipment, import duties on tackle and boats, motorboat fuels, and small engine fuel.
Copies of the draft environmental assessment, which include details of the FWP's proposed action and alternatives to consider for addressing the development of Brush Lake State Park are available online at by clicking on the title of the document at http://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/federalassistance. Those without internet access may request copies by calling the Services Division of Federal Assistance at 303-236-8165. Comments should be sent to: Chief, Division of Federal Assistance, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 25486, Denver, CO 80225.
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