St. Mary/Milk River project meeting recap

The St. Mary Rehabilitation Working Group met on January 12, 2016 in Havre. The main focus of the meeting was to discuss the Working Group meeting with their water firm, Water Strategies and update maintenance work being performed by the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR). The Work Group discussed the water situation with snow pack at 72% of normal and soil moisture at 98% of normal. There is time to see what El Nino has instore for the watershed.

Water Strategies the management firm hired by the Working Group will be presenting at the Montana Water Resource Association meeting in February in Hot Springs. Some of the Working Group members will meet with Water Strategies and discuss strategies for legislative actions for 2016. Specifically, the Work Group need to transfer the St. Mary/Milk River project out of WRRDA (Water Resource Reform and Development Act) legislation passed in 2007 from the Army Corp back to the BOR. The other challenge is to adjust the reimbursement rate. Currently, when construction is completed by the BOR the contract holders are responsible for 76% of the cost, due the same year the construction was completed. It will take significant legislative assistance by our congressional delegation to change this cost allocation.

Steve Davies, Montana Area Manager of the Bureau of Reclamation, also discussed progress on the diversion structure. BOR is in final design and have identified that the diversion and fish screen for endangered bull trout will be sized to 850 cubic feet per second. Davies again cautioned that the BOR is concerned that in replacing the diversion structure they will have to consult with US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) regarding bull trout. This consultation may expose the project to litigation by environmental groups (as has happened at Intake, near Glendive) and it creates a time line for action. The BOR wants to make sure that the repayment structure is in place before consultation with USFWS so that contract holders are not subject to a significant portion of the diversion cost. As it sits right now contract holders would be responsible for r$30 million of the $40 million estimated cost for the diversion structure.

Additionally the BOR will be working to eliminate leakage on the Nelson Dykes. This cost to contract holders will be modes at an estimated $150,000. The total cost of the repair is $7 million but falls under the Safety of Dams Act. BOR is also looking to replace drop 2. There are five drops that lower the water level in to the Middle Fork of the Milk River form the St. Mary Canal. The irrigation districts have made major repairs to several of these drop structures but this replacement is more complex that the irrigation districts can handle. The cost is about $1 million. BOR is not sure when to let this project go to bid.

In other business, the Blackfeet reported their water compact will be going to Mark Up in congress in January. The bill is number S1125 and there is $3.5 million in the legislation for BOR to perform a Feasibility Study for the St. Mary/Milk River Project. This is necessary before major repairs can be accomplished.

In addition to meeting with Water Strategies in February, the Working Group will meet again March 12 in Havre.