The City of Billings (City) is proposing to dredge the water treatment plant (WTP) primary raw water intake, identified as Intake #1. The purpose of the proposed project is to maintain the main water intake for the City of Billings in the event of future flood events, like the 2022 Yellowstone River flood, and severe ice jams that can create significant deposition near Intake #1. Dredging is required if raw water flow is restricted due to upstream ice jams, extended period of extreme low temperatures, ice and gravel buildup at the intake, as Intake #1 is the main water supply for the City. The City expects the excavation of depositional gravels will be limited to 4ft x 30ft x 200ft (or approximately 900 CY) extending into the main channel of the Yellowstone. The City will use a track hoe working from a gravel bar in the river bottom to remove the excess deposition near the intake and temporarily stockpile at the toe of the riverbank downstream of Intake #1. The City will then remove the stockpiled material from the toe of the riverbank and floodplain.
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.