Public Notice: Water Quality Certification for for the Lower Brule North Ecosystem Restoration Phase 2 Project

Waterways

Lake Sharpe within the Lower Brule Reservation 

The Final Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment focused on a 3.9 mile stretch of shoreline, broken into four reaches. A CWA section 404(b)(1) Guidelines evaluation was also conducted for these four reaches of shoreline. This certification is for Phase 2 of the project consisting of one of those reaches (Reach 3) as described below:

• Install approximately 6,100 feet of riprap revetment along the shore to prevent further erosion immediately upstream of the Phase 1 project component.
• Construct 30-foot to 250-foot-wide planting benches the length of the shoreline landward of the riprap, creating approximately 21.43 acres of riparian habitat composed of a mosaic of native forest and upland habitats. A gravel maintenance road/walking path would be constructed beside the riprap. All construction for this component would occur landward of the revetment.
• Construct a 920-foot off-shore L-head dike breakwater at the northern end of the reach, which would create 2.98 acres of riparian habitat along the existing peninsula. It is anticipated that approximately 3.58 acres of wetland would form between the breakwater and peninsula following construction. A garden of culturally significant plantings will be created in the riparian habitat, which will be maintained and used by LSBT. 

This project would permanently impact approximately 21.97 acres of lakebed below the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) and 2.18 acres of wetland. The restoration activities would result in the creation of approximately 21.43 acres of riparian habitat and 3.58 acres of wetland habitat.

The USACE prepared the design and seeding plans for the wetland and upland areas. LBST will contribute the trees for the project and coordinate their planting. Post-restoration monitoring will be completed for a minimum of 5 years after the project is completed.   

Public Comments

Submit comments as described in the “How to Comment” box at the righthand side of this webpage. EPA must receive comments by 11:59 pm on October 3, 2025.

All comments received prior to the end of the comment period will be considered in the preparation of the Clean Water Action Section 401 Water Quality Certification and will be part of the administrative record. Jeffrey Ullman (R8CWA401@epa.gov  ; 303-312-6329) to request additional information, public notice updates, submit comments or provide additional information relevant to this certification.

At this time there is no opportunity to review the submitted material and documents in person at an EPA office. These documents are only available electronically and can be provided upon request.

Notification and details of any public comment period extension will be posted at the public comment web page address only. Interested parties on our email list will also be notified by email.  

Public Hearings

Any person may request, in writing within the comment period specified in this notice, that a public hearing be held to consider this application. If the Administrator, in his or her discretion, determines that a public hearing is appropriate or necessary, EPA will schedule a public hearing. You may request a public hearing using the information in the “How to Comment” box on the righthand side of this webpage.