Public Notice: Water Quality Certification for Two Bridge Replacement Projects on the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Indian Reservation

Waterways

Little White River

The following projects are under consideration for separate CWA Section 401 water quality certifications, but they are presented together here because of the nature and location of the projects.  The bridges cross the Little White River on the Rosebud Indian Reservation. Lambert Bridge is located approximately 4 miles northwest of the town of Rosebud on BIA Route 7. Yellow Cloud Bridge is located approximately 9 miles north of Rosebud on BIA Route 9 (Old Ring Thunder Road). Both bridges are in poor condition and at risk of failure.

The Lambert Bridge replacement will require the removal of the existing pre-cast concrete spans and the concrete piers located on the riverbanks. The replacement structure will consist of a single span precast concrete bulb tee bridge supported by abutments set back from the river. Riprap will be installed along each side of the river to provide bank stabilization. Equipment access to the construction site has been designed to minimize vegetation disturbance and a revegetation plan will be implemented following completion of the bridge replacement. No heavy equipment is expected to enter the water during the replacement project. Riprap installation will permanently impact a total of 76 linear feet (27 cubic yards below the ordinary high water mark; 0.0118 acres) along both sides of the river. No wetlands will be impacted.  

The Yellow Cloud Bridge replacement will require the removal of the existing pre-cast concrete spans and the existing timber substructure (abutments and piers). The timber piers in the river will be cut level with the stream bed using a water barrier to dewater around the piers. The replacement structure will consist of a single span precast concrete bulb tee bridge supported by abutments set back from the river. Riprap will be installed along each side of the river to provide bank stabilization. Equipment access to the construction site has been designed to minimize vegetation disturbance and a revegetation plan will be implemented following completion of the bridge replacement. No heavy equipment is expected to enter the water during the replacement project. Riprap installation will permanently impact a total of 64 linear feet (16 cubic yards below the ordinary high water mark; 0.014 acres) along both sides of the river. No wetlands will be impacted.   

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 August 30, 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.