Public Scoping for Kootenai River Nutrient Addition 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.
The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is proposing to provide funding to the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) for the implementation of a pilot study to enhance nutrient levels in the Kootenai River downstream of the Libby Dam Reservoir, Lake Koocanusa, in Lincoln County near Libby, Montana. The Reservoir acts as a phosphorous sink, limiting the amount of natural phosphorous in the river below Libby Dam and causing a reduction in ecological productivity that affects the food web and the fish populations that the river supports. MFWP is the project sponsor and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) operates Libby Dam.
BPA, MFWP, and USACE are requesting comments on issues to be considered during a joint environmental review of the project. More specifically, comments are requested on the range of reasonable alternatives, mitigation, issues, and potential impacts to be considered in the environmental review.
For More Information:
https://www.bpa.gov/nepa/kr-nutrient-addition
Close of comment: 9/25/2024
- KRNA24240001 -
SUKENIKAS A RESIDENT WHO LIVES ON THE KOOTENAI RIVER AND USES WATER FROM IT AND ITS WATER TABLE, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT HUMAN LIFE FIRST.
HOW FAR DOWN STREAM DOES THE AGENCIES BELIEVE THIS WILL AFFECT?
WHAT LEVELS OF PHOSPHORUS WILL BE ADDED?
THERE ARE MANY STUDIES AND CONCERNS OUT THERE ALREADY. WHAT ASSURANCES ARE ALL OF THE ENTITIES PUTTING IN PLACE THAT THERE WILL BE NO HARM TO HUMAN LIFE?
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"Phosphorus pollution in lakes, rivers, and coasts accelerates the growth of algal blooms which produce toxins that are harmful to animals and humans who come into contact with or consume contaminated water." FROM:
phys.org › news › 2022-06-scientists-solutions-global-phosphorus-crisis
Scientists offer solutions to global phosphorus crisis that ...
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www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › pmc › articlesPhosphate
toxicity: new insights into an old problem - PMC
Impaired phosphorus balance can affect the functionality of almost every human system, including musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems, ultimately leading to an increase in morbidity and mortality of the affected patients.
Author: M. Shawkat Razzaque
DOI: 10.1042/CS20100377
Publish Year: 2011
Published: 2011/02
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www.sciencenews.org › article › humans-are
Humans are overloading the world’s freshwater bodies with ...
Feb 7, 2018 #183; The freshwater bodies on 38 percent of Earth’s land area (not including Antarctica) are overly enriched with phosphorus, leading to potentially toxic algal blooms and less available
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news.agu.org › press-release › phosphorus-pollution
Phosphorus pollution reaching dangerous levels worldwide, new ...
Jan 25, 2018 #183; The new results show human activity released 1.47 teragrams (1.62 million U.S. tons) of phosphorus into the world’s freshwater bodies each year. China contributed 30 percent of
- KRNA24240002 -
Wargo/NoneI would like to submit comments in support of the Kootenai River Nutrient Addition Project. After installation of the Libby Dam nutrient levels were good for many years resulting in phenomenal fishing opportunities, but there seems to have been a steady decline in the health and quality of fish populations in the system it seems in part to low nutrient levels. I think the addition of nutrients would be worth trying to improve fish health and size. Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
- KRNA24240003 -
Winstrom/Kootenai River OutfittersYES PLEASE! There are many of us here that have been advocating for this for decades. This is a win win for all involved. Water, fish, wildlife and people.
As a professional outfitter here for over 2 decades now I can unequivocally tell you that a healthy / healthier river will be of great benefit not only the river and its fishery but to all the businesses in this area that rely on the tourist income. Which are many. Every one from the guides to the restaurants, hotels, grocery and gas, workers of all sorts, ALL benefit greatly from the tourism that is THE NUMBER ONE source of income annually for much of this rural community.
We've seen the improvements in the fishery that have happened from the Idaho state line down from their nutrient enrichment program and we know that it can work. This is proven tech. A healthier river breeds high fish counts and higher average fish size. Which in turn leads to more people wanting to come here to fish. IE...more money into the community. Not to mention happier ospreys and more food for all species in the river.
Bottom line is a healthier river is good for the environment AND the regions economy, well being.
Thank you
Kootenai River Outfitters
- KRNA24240004 -
KnappI support nutrient enrichment of the Kootenai river below the dam.
- KRNA24240005 -
SabadI support implementation of the Kootenai River Nutrient Addition Project. The successes seen at other implementation sites would be beneficial to the river, wildlife and communities.
- KRNA24240006 -
BonniwellPlease consider the negative impact the Dam has had on the environment and impact to fish populations downstream. A plan of action needs to be considered to re-establish healthy fish populations for all to enjoy.
- KRNA24240007 -
Knapp/GuideThis is a safe and effective way of mitigating the nutrient loss caused by the Libby Dam. When the safety of programs like this have been tested for years, and it is already in place lower on the Kootenai, it's honestly taken way to long to put this into place. The Dam is a good thing, and we have a chance to make it better. With so much of our local economy based on recreation, improvements to our water quality, in this case, less rock snot and healthier fish is the obvious choice.
- KRNA24240008 -
MooreI support the introduction of nutrients into the Kootenai River.
- KRNA24240009 -
MoeI support the Kootenai Nutrient Addition.
I have heard great things about the fish population, the extra growth, and the overall health from the section below Montana/Idaho border where Idaho established the other one on the Decker property on the Kootenai River. Let's go and grow! It works and I love better fishing!
Bill
- KRNA24240010 -
PerkinsI think this is a great idea. Increasing
The health and nutrients to the river is
A win win for the river, fishermen and the
The whole area.
- KRNA24240011 -
wilburnused to catch a lot of big fish in the river untill all the salmon quit coming threw the turbins now no food for them please do something
- KRNA24240012 -
BolingBy reading about ading this to the river, it looks like it could be OK. However is appears it might retain and build up over time leading to a growth of algae that in return can produce adverse reactions in the river ecosystem area. How is this going to be monitored? I would hate to see extra growth in the fish all of a sudden and to much algae build up leading to less oxygen in the water. And if too much is built up and in the fish and plant life what are the ramifications of otters, ducks, muskrat, beavers,deer,moose...ect eating plant or fish or drinking the water? From what I can see to high of levels are harmful but nothing really says what is harmful. Know if this has already been addressed and a idea has been made then carry on. I just want to make sure everything has been thought about and it has nothing to do with just making fish bigger. Also it would be comforting if biologist where on board with this, if the local biologist supports it then I support it, if the local biologist does not support this then neither do I.
- KRNA24240013 -
KujawaBefore proceeding with plan to add phosphorus to the Kootenai River below the dam, I feel it would be more prudent to investigate means to re-establish more of a balance between the reservoir and the river downstream. For example, are there methods to reduce the phosphorus sink in the river and allow more to continue downstream.
Has there been any study of how further allowing the phosphorus sink to continue in the reservoir will impact the reservoir. Will levels continue to rise with many potential deleterious impact?
Addition of phosphorus downstream to the river is not without risks in my opinion. Elevated phosphorus can lead to explosive growth of aquatic plants and algae blooms with possible toxicity. This can then lead to low dissolved oxygen concentrations that can cause fish kills and harm other aquatic life. Excessive plant growth and algae blooms can also block sunlight impacting fish and other aquatic life.
I would strongly consider alternative approaches and input on options with clearer presentation of potential risks, benefits and limitations
- KRNA24240014 -
Jones/Big Bug OutfittersIdaho has been doing this for years with no downsides. The proposal is for a similar introduction of nutrients but at a smaller scale. This seems like a no brainer. Good for the river, fish, and local economy.
- KRNA24240015 -
ButiMore bugs = more and bigger fish. No brainer.
- KRNA24240016 -
WelchMy wife and I have been visiting (fishing) the Kootenai River near Libby Montana for over 10 years.
We've also fished the River in the Idaho stretch. The Idaho stretch of the river has noticeably larger (healthier) fish, in part due to Idaho's nutrient-enrichment program. As proposed, a similar system downstream of Libby Dam would provide benefits to the ecosystem and as such would be a welcome addition. Thanks.
- KRNA24240017 -
PetersonPlease have your studies look at the effects of P on river-side vegetation, especially reed canary grass.
I need more information about what conditions would trigger preparation of an Environmental Assessment.
Other comments: How will success be measured? What is the probability of P effecting algal diatom
- KRNA24240018 -
CuffeHOW MANY TIMES AND HOW MANY MEETINGS HAVE I POINTED THIS OUT.
THANK YOU,
- KRNA24240019 -
Rooney/MTTU and Kootenai Valley Trout ClubSee attached.
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