Shortfoot Creek Watershed Plan

DRAFT WATERSHED PLAN - ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) SHORTFOOT CREEK WATERSHED, SITE 7

The purposes of the proposed action are flood damage reduction and watershed protection.

The Shortfoot Creek watershed annually contributes 6056 pounds of phosphorus and 27,210 pounds of nitrogen to the Red River, for which U.S. agreed to nutrient objectives at the international border have not been achieved. Dissolved inorganic phosphorus is of particular concern, given that annual loads and concentrations have been on an upward trend since the early 1980s. Average annual cropland inundation by flooding in the watershed is xx acres which results in high transport of nutrients to the Shortfoot Creek, in addition to detrimental impacts to agricultural production and infrastructure. Historic loss of wetland and upland habitat throughout the Red River Basin, including the Shortfoot Creek watershed, threaten multiple species. 

The proposed action includes the construction of a multi-purpose dry dam with incorporated features to reduce nutrient delivery from the upstream watershed; reduce the extents, frequency, and duration of downstream cropland flooding to further reduce nutrient transport to the river; and to restore, enhance and create wetland and upland wildlife habitat. Shortfoot Creek Site 7 will entail construction of a xx-mile earthen embankment dam, associated spillways, farmstead levees, and road raises. Within the interior of the dry dam, the project will develop xx acres of shallow water biomass harvest areas managed to optimize nutrient removal, as well as xx acres of wetlands and xx acres of uplands managed for wildlife habitat. 

Current Status

The plan has recently been determined to require an EIS instead of an EA. Therefore, NRCS is in the process of developing and submitting a Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS to the Federal Register. An EIS scoping meeting will be scheduled in 2024.