U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service makes a Finding of No Significant Impact for the proposed Federal Land Disposal and Replacement of Hydro #2 Game Production Area, in Lawrence County, South Dakota

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Office of Conservation Investment has determined that the proposed project entitled, Federal Land Disposal and Replacement of Hydro #2 Game Production Area, in Lawrence County, South Dakota, will not have a significant impact on the human environment and will not require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended. 

The Service previously released a Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) entitled Federal Land Disposal and Replacement of Hydro #2 Game Production Area, Lawrence County, South Dakota, to satisfy NEPA requirements and allow public comment on the proposal. The DEA detailed the project and analyzed potential impacts and effects on affected resources. It was released for a 30-day public comment period which ended on April 19, 2024. No comments were received regarding the proposed project.

The Hydro #2 GPA was acquired under a federal award using Pittman-Robertson funds, administered by the Service. The project will dispose of the existing Federal encumbrance on the 32.251-acre Hydro #2 Game Production Area (GPA). To replace it, a new Federal encumbrance will be placed on the 320-acre Hepler GPA, a property solely owned by South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks (SDGFP) and acquired it in April 1944 for use as a GPA to provide wildlife habitat and public hunting opportunities. Disposal will allow the SDGFP to build infrastructure that is needed for the purpose of enhancing public safety and accommodating the increased public use of the area. This will also minimize habitat erosion and protect wildlife from disturbance. The property is expected to continue to be owned and maintained by SDGFP to provide wildlife production, wildlife habitat protection, and expanded public hunting and wildlife related recreation opportunities. 

A copy of the “Finding of No Significant Impact” (FONSI) and the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) are available online. Those without internet access may request copies by calling the Services’ Office of Conservation Investment (CI) at 303-236-8165 or through the U.S. Postal Service to the following mailing address: USFWS/CI – MS 60152, Attn: Adrianna Araya, P.O. Box 25486, Denver, CO, 80225.