NRCS to Prepare Environmental Impact Statement for Clarke County Water Supply Project

April 17, 2006

The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Clarke County Water Supply Project to be published in the Federal Register with a target date of February 1, 2007.

Findings from an environmental evaluation indicate the project may cause significant local, regional, or national impacts on the environment. As a result, Richard Van Klaveren, NRCS State Conservationist, has determined an EIS for this project is necessary. Issues to be considered include, but are not limited to: soil erosion, flooding, water quantity and supply, water quality, cultural resources, fish and wildlife habitat, natural areas, and threatened and endangered species.

“A meeting will be held in the Osceola area near the date of the draft EIS publication to inform the public about the draft watershed plan-EIS and to formally request public comments,” said Dave Beck, Planning Leader for NRCS in Iowa. “At that time, a 45-day period for public comment on the EIS will begin." 

The project involves the development of a plan to develop a multipurpose watershed near Osceola in southern Iowa. The Clarke County Water Supply Project is 32,946 acres northwest of Osceola, including the upper portions of both Squaw Creek Watershed and South Squaw Creek Watershed. The main purposes of the project are to develop a lake that will serve as a regional water supply and provide water-based recreation. Other objectives include fish and wildlife habitat development and agricultural pollution control.

The Clarke County Reservoir Commission is the project sponsor. The Commission includes members from: the cities of Murray, Osceola, and Woodburn; Osceola Water Board, Clarke County Board of Supervisors, Clarke County Conservation Board, Clarke County Soil and Water Conservation District, Clarke County Development Corporation, and Southern Iowa Rural Water Association.

The NRCS planning assistance is being provided under the authority of the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, Public Law 83-566. The NRCS has initiated studies to determine the extent of the natural resources problems and needs in accordance with the sponsors’ objectives.

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