Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge Floodplain Reconnection Project
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.
BPA is proposing to fund the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho (KTOI) to restore floodplain connectivity to the Kootenai River historic floodplains within the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge (KNWR) in Boundary County, Idaho near Bonners Ferry. The KNWR is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The USFWS and the KTOI are the project sponsors. The project’s reconnection activities would include breeching levees, raising KNWR and county roads, replacing water control structures, enhancing approximately 830 acres of wetland, and re-establishing approximately 5.9 miles of wetland channels. All of these actions would occur within an overall project area of about 2,330 acres.
BPA is requesting comments on issues to be considered during the environmental review of the project. For information about the project or the environmental review process, please visit the project website at: http://www.bpa.gov/nepa/kootenai-natl-wildlife-refuge
For More Information:
http://www.bpa.gov/nepa/kootenai-natl-wildlife-refuge
Close of comment: 5/18/2024
- Koo-418240001 -
BradfordMy name is ---. My am 26 years old and have hunted the refuge since I can remember. I grew up hearing stories of numbers of waterfowl on the refuge that you can only find in the basin these days. In many seasons of following the birds start of season to the end, it’s very apparent the birds are where the food is. And I’m not talking moist soil. Between the refuge ball creek and boundary creek the only time you can count on large numbers of birds being on any 3 of the areas is when they are feeding in a grain field. Back when the refuge was founded and most of the refuge was still being farmed for grain the numbers of birds were historic. Now that it has been deemed better to flood it and let it be taken over by canary grass and cattails it just gets worse and worse. Where there is grain on the refuge there are birds. I fail to see how you think making more flooded land with no farmland will do anything for the birds in the winter. In conclusion, we live in a world where you can no longer count on anything going back to before man. The Bonners ferry valley is nothing but farm ground. The waterfowl starts it’s migration from farmland in Canada to farmland in the basin. As long as there is grain production a natural wetland will not be a enticing enough staging ground when a mile away they can eat grain and hop into the river. If you remove the grain from the refuge you will effectively ruin it as a staging area in the winter and the only time you will see ducks there is if there is a grain field close by.
- Koo-418240002 -
AwbreyThe Kootenai NWR is a community gem which provides walking, running, cycling, xc skiing, birdwatching and auto tours in the proposed project area. The area currently supports consistent public recreation usage while still meeting its objectives for wildlife habitat. These recreational opportunities provide value to the community and contribute economically to the local tourism industry. All of these values could be damaged or destroyed by the proposed project, which may meet the desired objectives of the Kootenai Tribe but does not reflect the needs of the local community that loves and supports the Kootenai NWR. Any considered action or alternative should not in any way or at any time decrease recreation (motorized or nonmotorized) access to the Refuge.
The local and surrounding area currently loves the Kootenai NWR for its wildlife and recreation opportunities, and any chosen project or alternative that decreases these to satisfy special interest groups should be discarded.
Thank you.
- Koo-418240003 -
Isacoff/Idaho Bird Records CommitteeThis project would be of great benefit to the significant population of migrating waterfowl and shorebirds that pass through the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge annually. I have birded the refuge during migration for over a decade and the irregularity of water during peak migration has been a consistent problem. This project would rectify that problem and benefit native birds and other forms of wildlife.
- Koo-418240004 -
PlogThank you for your letter of April 18th, 2024, indicating that there is a proposal for the restoration of the "floodplain connectivity to the Kootenai River historic floodplains within the KNWR in Boundary County, Idaho.” We always appreciate it when notice is given of a comment period for project of this scope. I assume my wife and I received this letter because our property is very near the northern end of this proposed restoration.
Because of our proximity and because of some serious flooding issues that we experienced in the spring of 2022 due to a breach in the levy on Cottonwood Pond and because we are not going to be able to attend the informal open-house meeting on April 30th, we would greatly appreciate answers to a few questions.
1) In the summer of 2023 the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (Inland Northwest NWRC) conducted a joint repair of the levy that was breached in 2022 along with the rebuilding of a permanent outflow canyon for the pond to cause it to always drain into Myrtle Creek without human monitoring. This enabled the replacing of the primitive plywood gate valve that had been there for years. Despite all of this encouraging work, we noticed that the “Proposed Project Area” on the map you sent includes Cottonwood Pond as part of this project. What is the nature and scope of the additional work that the KNWR Floodplain Reconnection Project would conduct on the Cottonwood Pond? If there are anticipated changes, how will it alter the work that was done last year and why is it necessary?
2) Your letter indicates that the KNWR Floodplain Reconnection Project would include “breaching levees, raising roads, replacing water control structures, enhancing wetlands, and re-establishing wetland connections.” Could you please send us a list of which levees would be breached, which roads would be raised, which water control structures would be replaced, and which wetland connections would be re-established? Could we also get a map showing the exact locations of each of these?
3) While my wife and I are very fond of having a home so close to the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge because of the wildlife that it protects and the opportunities it affords us to see them up close, we are also very aware of the mosquito problem that develops in our area whenever we have a high water year. In the spring of 2022, when the Cottonwood Pond levy broke, we had a terrible mosquito year such that guests who came to stay with us that summer said they would not return to our home in the future if the circumstances were the same. We also had a worker whose hands swelled up severely from all the bites he received right through his gloves as he worked on our property that year. What steps would the KNWR Floodplain Reconnection Project take to prevent large mosquito infestations which can be brought on by breaching levees, enhancing wetlands, and re-establishing wetland connections due to stagnant water?
4) Your letter of April 18th, 2024 also indicates that there will be “Public scoping meetings” but it only lists one on April 30, 2024. Are there other meetings that will be held to further discuss this Floodplain Reconnection Project? If so, may we know when and where will they be held?
Thank you so much for your time and help with these important questions.
- Koo-418240006 -
ArboBeing a property owner north of the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, this project will significantly affect my commute into work each day and access to necessary services. I am, therefore, concerned about road closure during the course of this project. Also, emergency vehicle access is a concern as detours via Lions Den Road or Copeland Road would add 1/2 hour additional time to travel to my neighborhood from town. My neighbors all have the same concern.
- Koo-418240007 -
RoseI am excited about this Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge Floodplain Reconnection Project. I support the breaching of the dikes to allow the Kootenai River to again naturally flood parts of the KNWR and I also support the breaching of Deep Creek to allow some flooding of parts of KNWR on the Southern end. This would allow some connectivity of both Little and Big Blowout Ponds to the creek plus other flow into and out of KNWR. All of these breaches would allow more nutrient exchange which has been stymied by Libby Dam. Since this project only involves the KNWR and is within its borders there should be no adverse affect to any other landowners in the area. Even if there was I would still support this project as this is for the benefit of reestablishing floodplain for increased migratory waterfowl use, increased waterfowl production during the summer and increased habitat for shorebirds. Currently there is very limited shorebird habitat in Boundary County for them during migration. They need it!
The KTOI has been working very hard to improve fish habitat in the Kootenai River for White Sturgeon and Burbot plus increased health of the river -- other species will benefit as well. This project looks like it will enhance their work.
Yes, there will be long periods of construction that will disrupt some aspects of the Boundary Cty community but the long range benefits are the most important.
Currently the KNWR spends a huge amount of money pumping water from the Kootenai River into the refuge and moving it around to mimic floodplain and wetlands. When this project is completed and natural waterflow is established this should reduce the need for artificial pumping.
- Koo-418240008 -
Rose/myself I am in favor of the KNWR Floodplain Reconnection Project. Historically the Kootenai River flooded the valley during spring high water. This resulted in many sizeable ponds allowing fish to feed and hide outside the main river channel. Waterfowl would take advantage of the numerous ponds and puddles. After the river was diked from Moyie River- all the way to Canada allowing farming and safety to Bonners Ferry from floods, the fisheries and waterfowl populations have steadily suffered.
This proposal by KTOI and KNWR should receive tremendous support. It would give fish the opportunity to enter ponds and channels throughout the KNWR from Deep Creek and the Kootenai River. The nutrient levels brought in from Deep Creek would greatly benefit the habitat within the refuge. The flow of water throughout the refuge would keep the water fresh and cooler than the current system. To supply water throughout the refuge naturally would provide much more water without the expense of pumping (very expensive and labor intensive).
Because these breaches of the dikes are all within the refuge's water district these would NOT jeopardize any other lands within the Kootenai River valley.
To coordinate this project with the blessings of the KNWR, KTOI, BPA, FLAP (roads) and Boundary County roads will benefit all and save substantial money.
I support the proposal which brings in water from Deep Creek and then it will naturally flow North thru the refuge and back to the Kootenai River via the dike breach at the North end of the refuge and also flow into Myrtle Creek.
In my experience it is remarkable to have this many agencies working together to implement this project. If all of this proposal comes to fruition then it should serve as a model example on the National Level. Sincerely,
- Koo-418240009 -
GriffinPlease, whatever the outcome, make certain there is still an abundance of good habitat for elk and deer!
- Koo-418240010 -
SierackiSee attachment.
View Attachment
- Koo-418240011 -
Ekstrom/Idaho Conservation League5/16/2024
Bonneville Power Administration
Public Affairs – DKE-7
P.O. Box 14428
Portland, OR 97291-4428
RE: Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge Floodplain Reconnection Project
To whom it may concern:
I am writing on behalf of the Idaho Conservation League (ICL) to register our support for the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge (KNWR) Floodplain Reconnection Project.
Founded in 1973, the mission of ICL is to create a conservation community and pragmatic, enduring solutions that protect and restore the air you breathe, the water you drink, and the land and wildlife you love. ICL’s seven strategic initiatives include confronting climate change, recovering Idaho’s wild salmon and steelhead, cleaning up the Snake River, protecting public land, restoring abundance and diversity of Idaho’s wildlife, safeguarding north Idaho lakes and waters, and reducing pollution. ICL achieves these goals through public outreach and professional advocacy. With offices in Boise, McCall, Ketchum, and Sandpoint, the organization is a consistent, statewide voice for conservation in Idaho and represents more than 26,000 members and supporters. ICL’s members and supporters care deeply about protecting and restoring the environment.
Proposed project benefits of the KNWR Floodplain Reconnection Project include increased use of the restored floodplain habitat by waterfowl and native fisheries. The project would enhance the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho’s efforts to restore Kootenai River white sturgeon, which are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, as well as native burbot fisheries, to abundant and healthy populations. The importance of these fisheries to the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho cannot be overstated. The restoration and reconnection of vital wetlands at the KNWR would ultimately serve to uphold the sovereign rights of the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho. We offer our full and unwavering support to their efforts.
KTOI’s broader Kootenai River Habitat Restoration Program is a multi-year, ecosystem-based habitat restoration effort to support endangered Kootenai River white sturgeon, burbot and other native fish at all of their life stages. Under this program, fourteen habitat restoration projects have already been constructed.
The KNWR Floodplain Reconnection Project is a critical component of the larger plan, and is designed to work with existing land uses. It would also remove invasive reed canary grass and establish woody vegetation in the floodplain to improve habitat diversity.
We applaud the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s efforts to undertake the KNWR Floodplain Reconnection Project. We appreciate Bonneville Power Administration’s consideration of funding this important project.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Ekstrom
North Idaho Director
Idaho Conservation League
View Attachment
- Koo-418240012 -
Monroy/Environmental Protection AgencySee attachment
View Attachment
- Koo-418240013 -
Horsmon/Idaho Department of Fish and Game
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