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Seeking Public Comment: Draft Environmental Assessment for Highway 75 Drawdown

Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge and the US Army Corps of Engineers are seeking public comment on a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for a planned drawdown at the Highway 75 Dam. The aims of this project are to: 1) promote shorebird habitat, 2) promote the growth of desirable wetland vegetation, 3) reduce invasive carp abundance, and 4) improve habitat conditions for an abundance of wetland dependent species. Any operating changes would need to be consistent with current flood risk management and other authorized purposes of the Highway 75 Project.

This draft environmental assessment is being made available for a 30-day public review and comment period (ending on 3/22/2025). The document can also be viewed at: https://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/Home/Public-Notices/.


Questions on the project or comments on the Environmental Assessment can be directed to LeeAnn Glomski at 651-290-5595 or at LeeAnn.M.Glomski@usace.army.mil. Please address all formal written correspondence on this project to District Engineer, St. Paul District, Corps of Engineers, ATTN: Regional Planning and Environment Division North, 332 Minnesota St., Suite E1500, St. Paul, MN 55101.

Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge was originally purchased by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and was transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on May 21, 1975. The refuge currently includes 11,586 acres in Big Stone and Lac qui Parle Counties, in Minnesota.

Visit Us

The Auto Tour Route is open the first Monday in April to the first Monday in December unless otherwise noted in the alerts on our Home Page.  

Connect with your natural heritage as you experience wildlife, diverse habitats and magnificent granite outcrops at Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge.

Location and Contact Information

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    A refuge volunteer helps repair a boardwalk
    Seeking Volunteers!

    We are seeking volunteers to help with seasonal activities on the Refuge. These include regular maintenance tasks, mowing, trail improvements, invasive species invasive species
    An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

    Learn more about invasive species
    treatment, and more. Come join us out on the prairie!

    What We Do

    Services
    Cows examine the camera while standing in a grassland

    Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge will be allowing cattle grazing on two units of the Refuge beginning in 2024. Grazing unit descriptions, requirements, and maps can be found in the bid packet. Cooperators are responsible for following all terms and conditions identified in the requirements and...

    An old, red, closed-cab tractor pulls a green round-baler on a waterfowl production area.

    Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and Wetland Management District (WMD) are offering 14 haying opportunities. Haying is used to manage grassland habitat by providing more diverse vegetation structure for nesting birds and other species. Hay units range in size from approximately 9 to 124...

    Our Organization

    A bright blue sky obstructed by fluffy white clouds reflected off of a stream shot from inside a kayak
    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages an unparalleled network of public lands and waters called the National Wildlife Refuge System. With more than 570 refuges spanning the country, this system protects iconic species and provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on Earth.