Byway Lakes Dredging Project

[Brian Brademeyer]

The Forest Service is asking for public comments on the Byway Lakes Enhancement Project, that would dredge the sediments from Horsethief Lake and Lakota Lake in the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve (and Bismarck Lake near Custer State Park).

 

The dredging would deepen these lakes, lowering their water temperatures, which are too hot for many native fish species.  This would be done during the winter by draining the lakes, dredging them, and then letting them refill with spring runoff.  This part of the project we can support.

 

However, the Forest Service is, rather cavalierly, intending to dispose of the dredged material (estimated at some 65,000 cubic meters, or about 6,000 dump truck loads) near the lakes, either on the dam backsides or spread on nearby meadows.  This is very problematic, and needs to be thought through more carefully to avoid major environmental impacts from this disposal (see FotN Comment Letter).  

 

Please send your comments to the Forest Service on the need to develop better disposal options for this project.

 

Send your comments to:

 

[e-mail]

 

with "Byway Lakes" in the subject line.  

 

Comment deadline is August 8, 2011.