Culbertson council approves floodplain permit and later fills planned fish pond; invoices top $155,000

The Culbertson Town Council approved a floodplain permit and moved forward with a multi-year fish-pond project that town engineers and volunteers have advanced through 2020.

WWC Engineering and local volunteer Ken Forbregd updated the council that a floodplain application and modeling were completed and submitted to the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation; the council voted to approve the floodplain permit after DNRC review and a 15-day public-comment period produced no objections. The pond’s well was drilled and engineers reported the supply would produce more water than the town expected to need.

Council minutes show the town solicited contractor support (including an inquiry to the National Guard) and later accepted in-kind donations to fill the pond. In November the minutes state Dry Prairie Rural Water and the Assiniboine Sioux Regional Water System donated slightly more than four million gallons to bring the pond to its initial fill level; a solar-powered well has been turned on to sustain water levels.

By December the project had accumulated substantial billed costs. Council minutes note invoices from Hurley’s totaling “approximately $155,000” for the pond and walking trail; the minutes say the town plans to enclose panels and the well and that FWP will stock trout twice a year and possibly perch in the future. Council members discussed volunteer labor and grant applications (BNSF grants and other local fundraising) to help offset construction costs.

Council members who regularly moved or seconded motions on the project included Abe Rumsey and Mark Nelson. The council recorded no public objections during the formal permit comment period and approved construction-related motions during scheduled meetings.

Next procedural step: council is tracking remaining work and any outstanding contractor fixes and will consider budget or grant options to cover remaining costs.