SPA 124 Permit Decision Notice: Miller McGirl Ditch Company Bank Stabilization Emergency Watershed Protection Project
Oct 11, 2024 10:00 AM
Yellowstone County is sponsoring the Miller McGirl Ditch Company’s (MMDC) project through the Emergency Watershed Protection program to replace 275 linear feet of rock rip rap along the Yellowstone River. In 2022, high magnitude flows on the Yellowstone River eroded a significant portion of the rip rapped riverbank along the MMDC’s canal embankment just downstream of the Johnson Bridge in the northeast corner of Billings. The river side of the canal embankment has been armored with rock riprap since it was constructed. If left exposed, future high flows may facilitate further erosion and damage to the irrigation canal and possibly the intake. Thus, the MMDC proposes to place 500 cubic yards of class III rip rap on the exposed portion of the riverbank to prevent further damage to infrastructure. The project entails placing 244 cubic yards of rip rap below the ordinary high-water mark, impacting 0.08 acres of channel. The MMDC anticipates using heavy machinery (e.g., dump truck, excavator) to install the rip rap but work will take place from the existing road on the upper bank terrace and not enter the water. This project was initially approved by the Yellowstone County Conservation District (permit #: YE-17-23). Project construction was completed in May 2024.
Based on the environmental review provided in the Draft EA, and, to the greatest extent possible, in accordance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and policies, FWP determined the proposed action (Alternative 2), will not have significant adverse impacts on the human environment associated with the proposed action and constitutes a reasonable and appropriate strategy to achieve identified objectives. Therefore, preparation of an environmental impact statement or EIS is unnecessary.
FWP hereby adopts the Draft EA as final and approves Alternative 2, the Proposed Action.