February 6, 2026 —

PUBLIC NOTICE

 

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Nebraska has prepared a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) titled “Box Butte Creek Watershed Plan, Box Butte, Dawes, and Sheridan Counties, Nebraska” in partnership with the Upper Niobrara-White Natural Resources District. The environmental assessment of this federally assisted action indicates that the project will not cause significant local, regional, or national impacts on the environment.  As a result of these findings, the NRCS State Conservationist has determined that the preparation and review of an environmental impact statement is not needed for this project.

 

The Proposed Action involves constructing three in-stream diversion dam structures that direct water to off-channel storage basins (or catchments) to promote ponding, water infiltration, and passive groundwater recharge. The Proposed Action also includes improving three roads by raising the roadbeds 2-feet and installing larger culverts. The primary goal of the Proposed Action is to reduce damages to agricultural land related to groundwater declines, and the secondary goal is to reduce flood damage to public infrastructure.

 

No administrative action on implementation of the proposal will be taken until after March 20, 2026. You may view a copy of the FONSI and associated Environmental Assessment at the following website: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/state-offices/nebraska/projects-ready-for-public-comment-and-review

 

For more information, please contact Melissa Baier, ASTC-Water Resources and Easements, by phone at 402-437-4065 or by email at melissa.baier@usda.gov.