The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is seeking public comment on a draft environmental assessment (EA) for the State of South Dakota’s proposed construction of the Rapid City Outdoor Campus West and Regional Headquarters Facility in Pennington County, South Dakota. The proposed facilities include a regional shop, research lab, cold storage building, hunter education center, casting pier, and a boat wash station. Public comments are welcome for a 30-day period, which ends April 12, 2010.
The proposed construction will be funded in-part through a grant from the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act which constitutes a federal action subject to the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended. The Service is therefore required to prepare a draft EA to analyze the effects on the human environment and determine if the proposed action is likely to result in significant impacts. If it is determined that there are no significant adverse impacts, the Service will issue a final EA and a Finding of No Significant Impact. If it is determined, conversely, that significant impacts might occur, the Service would be required to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.
The draft EA was prepared by the Service and South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) and contains two alternatives; a Preferred Action alternative and No Action alternative. The GFP has previously provided notices for public involvement including the creation of an Advisory Group, 11 public presentations, and 7 meetings, appearances and interviews. GFP has provided information regarding this proposed action on their OCW website: http://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/federalassistance . Those without internet access may request copies by calling the Service’s Division of Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program at 303-236-8165. Comments should be sent to: Chief, Division of Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 25486, Denver, CO 80225.
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