Public Notice: Opportunity to Comment on a Water Quality Certification for the Lower Brule North Ecosystem Restoration Element 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. In 2024, the EPA Region 8 issued a certification decision for Element 1 Phase 1 (Reach 1, 2 and the southern end of Reach 3) of this project. In 2025, the EPA Region 8 issued a certification decision for Element 1 Phase 2 (the remainder of Reach 3) of this project. This certification is for Element 2 of the project consisting of the final reach of this project (Reach 4) as described below:

• Install approximately 2 miles of riprap revetment along the shore to prevent further erosion immediately upstream of Reach 3.
• Construct a 100-foot-wide planting bench the length of the shoreline landward of the riprap, creating approximately 42 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 9 culverts to allow for drainage along the planting benches and adjacent areas landward of the project. Swale areas near the culverts will be expanded, creating about 1.16 acres or wetland habitat. 
• Construct a 200-foot wide 1,500-foot long off-shore island breakwater at the northern end of the reach, which would create about 6.25 acres of riparian habitat along the island edge. It is anticipated that approximately 3.69 acres of wetland would form between the breakwater and island following construction. A temporary access road will be established between the island and shoreline that will eventually be removed after the post-restoration monitoring period.
• 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 44.3 acres of lakebed below the ordinary high water mark (OHWM). The restoration activities would result in the creation of approximately 47.94 acres of riparian habitat and 4.85 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 MDT on October 2, 2026.

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. Contact Estella Moore (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.

Notice of any extension of the comment period will be published on this page and sent to those who have requested updates.

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, the 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.