Public Notice: Santee South Bridge Project (Located within the Boundaries of the Santee Sioux Tribe of Nebraska)
Summary
Opportunity to Comment on CWA Section 401 Certification for NWO-2026-00131/Santee Sioux South Bridge Project
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) received a request from Santee South Bridge Project for a Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 401 water quality certification (WQC). Section 401(a)(1) of the Clean Water Act requires applicants for federal licenses or permits that may result in any discharge into waters of the United States to obtain certification or waiver from the certifying authority where the discharge would originate.
EPA acts as the certifying authority in areas of Indian Country on behalf of those Tribes that have not received treatment in a similar manner as a state (TAS) for Section 401, in this case Santee Sioux Nation. EPA will act on this certification request by 10/9/2026, by either: (1) granting certification; (2) granting certification with conditions; (3) denying certification; or (4) expressly waiving certification consistent with CWA Section 401 and EPA’s implementing regulations at 40 CFR 121.
The proposed Santee Sioux South Bridge Project authorizes removing an existing corrugated metal pipe and installing a new single span bridge on 894th Road over an unnamed tributary of Lost Creek.
Applicant’s Name: Michael A. Rowe
Agent’s Name: Santee Sioux Tribe of Nebraska
Project Location: Santee Sioux Tribe of Nebraska. Knox County, Nebraska. 894th Road over an unnamed tributary of Lost Creek: 42.7834, -97.8389.
Waterways: An unnamed tributary of Lost Creek.
Project Description: The project consists of removing an existing 96-inch diameter corrugated metal pipe that is 60 feet long and installing a new 28 feet 4 inches wide by 28 feet long single span bridge on 894th Road over an unnamed tributary of Lost Creek.
Public Comments: Submit comments as described in the “How to Comment” box at the righthand side of this webpage. EPA must receive comments by 3:00 p.m. on 9/4/2026 (30 days).
All comments received prior to the end of the comment period will be considered in the preparation of the CWA Section 401 WQC and will be part of the administrative record. Contact Joseph Zupan, Zupan.joseph@epa.gov or 913-551-7337, to request additional information, public notice updates, submit comments, or provide additional information relevant to this certification. When commenting via email, use the subject line “Santee Sioux South Bridge Project”. If you cannot adequately address comments via email, please reach out to Joseph Zupan 913-551-7337 to discuss alternative arrangements.
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, 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.