Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge Floodplain Reconnection Project-Environmental Assessment
The following comments were submitted in response to the open comment period described below.
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Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is requesting comments on the draft Environmental Assessment for the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge Floodplain Reconnection Project. BPA proposes to provide funding to the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho (KTOI) to restore floodplain connectivity to the Kootenai River historical floodplains within the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge (KNWR) in Boundary County, Idaho near Bonners Ferry, Idaho. The KNWR is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The USFWS and the KTOI are the project sponsors.
For More Information:
http://www.bpa.gov/nepa/kootenai-natl-wildlife-refuge
Close of comment: 10/17/2024
- KNWR24240001 -
SjoquistState endowment lands managed by the Idaho Department of Lands are adjacent to the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge. Stream restoration along segments of Deep Creek occurred on this endowment land in 2022. The Idaho Department of Lands has no objection to the proposed project on the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge.
- KNWR24240002 -
AwbreyGood morning!
I am writing today to urge you to choose the "no action alternative" for the proposed refuge project and not fund the proposal. Kootenai NWR in its current form is extremely valued and valuable for the local community, for recreation, tourism, hunting, exercise and education. This proposal fits a local Tribal agenda that is out of step with the needs of the larger community which supports the Refuge. Tearing down the levees to flood the refuge would decimate the valued recreation, hunting and fitness access for large portions of the year. Furthermore, it would endanger a major county road which is the primary means of access for numerous homes north of the wildlife refuge as well as the access route for a large portion of the Kaniksu NF. If BPA funds this project, it will be participating in destroying a local gem in the Kootenai NWR and stripping away most of the value that the refuge currently provides to the people and communities of north Idaho.
- KNWR24240003 -
Ernst/IDPR, Recreation Bureau
- KNWR24240005 -
SierackiPlease accept our comments for th Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge Floodplain Reconnection Project-Environmental Assessment, attached.
Proof of receipt is requested by email.
Thank you.
View Attachment
- KNWR24240006 -
RoseThe following are my comments on the proposed Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge (KNWR) Floodplain Reconnection Project.
First of all I want to emphasize that I fully support this project. The need to allow the Kootenai River to reconnect with historic floodplains is nonexistent from Bonners Ferry downstream to the Canadian border. This must be over 50 river miles.
Before the Kootenai River was damned near Libby and diked from Bonners Ferry to Canada there was floodplains throughout that entire distance. Can you imagine the number of waterfowl, shorebirds and othrt migratory and resident bird species. It must of been a major flyway before the dam and dikes. The nutrients spreading out from the main channel would have provided a healthy environment for so many fish species.
This would be an extremely important step in returning healthy habitat. For anybody who has ever visited this majestic valley can testify, this river valley has a huge potential for wildlife species. It is something the BPA is very responsible for limiting . I hope they will do whatever is necessary to improve the habitat.
The Libby Dam and dike system has had tremendous benefits for flood control, agriculture and electric power. Much of the populace of Boundary County is worried about breaching the dikes will be harmful to the security which dikes provide.
This proposal should be a great example of how it would not affect any portion of the River system except within the Kootenai Natl Wildlife Refuge. From what I have heard there have been very few worries from the general public.
I expect very positive results and hope BPA will recognize this as a project they would be willing to financially support.
I do have one concern. From what I have gathered the raising of the roadbed across the refuge is planning on using fill left over from lowering of the Westside road before it reaches the refuge. Although I commend the effort to coordinate with the federal highways project. I worry that if that if that project gets delayed would there be a Plan B for a different source of fill for the Refuge section. I would hate to see the refuge project being denied . I hope the budget could pay for such circumstances.
Thank You for all of the excellent work you have done to design and come up with such an exciting proposal.
- KNWR24240007 -
Horsmon/Idaho Department of Fish and Game
- KNWR24240008 -
RoseI am in full support of this project. I have attended both Public meetings, read much information about it, and heard presentations and discussions with questions and answers. i believe it to be sound and beneficial to the Kootenai River, some fish species, to the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge in particular for Migratory and Residential Waterfowl and Passerines. The visiting public will also benefit.
- KNWR24240010 -
Monroy/Environmental Protection AgencySee attachment.
View Attachment
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