PURPOSE
The Mud Creek Watershed Improvement Project is located along the Upper Mud Creek from Merna to Litchfield, with a focus on reducing flooding impacts to agricultural areas and local communities. The project will lead to the development of the Mud Creek Watershed Plan and Environmental Assessment (Plan-EA) through an assessment of flood mitigation alternatives supported by public engagement and sponsor participation that also meets the requirements of the following:
- National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process
- NRCS Title 390 National Watershed Program Manual and Handbook
- The most recent Principles, Requirements, and Guidelines (PR&G) for Water and Land Related Resource Implementation Studies
The project is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) program. The Lower Loup Natural Resources District (LLNRD) is the local sponsoring organization and has retained JEO Consulting Group to assist in developing the plan.
View the story map here.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has prepared a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) titled “Watershed Plan-Environmental Assessment, Upper Mud Creek Watershed Improvement Project, Custer and Sherman Counties, NE” in partnership with the Lower Loup 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. The proposed action includes the following improvements: two single-purpose floodwater retarding dry dams (classified as high hazard dams) and one diversion channel in the Mud Creek Watershed.
You may view a copy of the FONSI and associated Environmental Assessment at this website.