Kootenai River Habitat Restoration at Bonners Ferry
The following comments were submitted in response to the open comment period described below.
Comments are numbered consecutively as they are received. Breaks in the number sequence result when comments are deleted because they
were submitted in error or have inappropriate content (such as SPAM). If you do not see your comment two business days after
you submit it, please contact (800) 622-4519.
To better understand the potential environmental impacts of this proposal, BPA has prepared a draft environmental assessment (EA) as part of its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act. BPA will work with landowners, tribes, federal, state and local agencies, and interest groups. You are invited to comment on the draft EA and talk to project staff at a public meeting in Bonners Ferry, ID on Feb. 18.
The Bonneville Power Administration is proposing to fund the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho to restore portions of the Kootenai River near the town of Bonners Ferry, in Boundary County, Idaho. The proposed project involves installing structures on the river banks, excavating areas in the river to create deeper pools, developing and enhancing islands that would be planted with native vegetation. The project has been designed to improve habitat for Kootenai White Sturgeon that are listed as endangered with extinction under the federal Endangered Species Act and other native fish. These efforts would complement other restoration activities already occurring on the Kootenai River, and would help mitigate for the construction and operation of Libby Dam located upstream in Montana.
Public Meeting:
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
5 to 7 p.m.
Boundary County Extension Office
6447 Kootenai Street
Bonners Ferry, Idaho 83805
For More Information:
https://www.bpa.gov/goto/BonnersFerry
Close of comment: 3/5/2015
- KRHRBF14 0001 -
Have the impact and risk factors been identified and/or evaluated concerning the Cabinet Mountain Water System intakes just upriver from Bonners Ferry?What about potential long term impacts such as changing river channel/s, sediment issues, etc... What about increased debris from failing/compromised pool forming structures and substrate Enhancement Cluster material/s.
- KRHRBF14 0002 -
Lefebvre/N/AFirst off, I'd like to applaud that folks that have taken the initiative to implement these improvements to these areas on the Kootenai. Clearly it's a long, arduous process to get things done, so good on you all for your persistence. My first challenge to the group would be to include a lot more discussion about cost to the taxpayer of this project, specifically on a per acre basis. (Granted, I only did a five-minute scan of the text in the email I recieved, so maybe this was included and I missed the cost discussion.) All too often I've seen similar projects that seemingly have an unncessarily large price tag and impact too few acres; making me perceive them as 'feel good projects.' Secondly, how will you know if the project was effective? What measurement will you be looking at 5, 10, 20 years later to show that you directly impacted something (ex. # sturgeon). Have similar projects been institued in other places and what was the clear impact? I simply want to ensure that we are getting the most out of taxpayer dollars and running these projects like those of us that work in the private sector would. Thank you and good luck! Regards, Dave Lefebvre
- KRHRBF14 0004 -
Smith/Idaho Conservation LeaguePlease see attached for comment
View Attachment
- KRHRBF14 0005 -
Public Meeting comments February 18, 2015Please read attachment
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