News Release Archive

Draft EA Issued for Fort Hall River Bank Stabilization Project

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, jredding@pn.usbr.gov
Robert "Hap" Boyer, rboyer@pn.usbr.gov

For Release: April 04, 2007

The Bureau of Reclamation has issued a Draft Environmental Assessment for public comment that evaluates a range of alternatives for river bank stabilization to protect the Fort Hall National Historic Landmark from erosion by the Snake River in eastern Idaho.

The proposed action is being developed by Reclamation in coordination with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, to protect the cultural and historic resources of the threatened landmark, which includes a 5-foot tall concrete monument located upstream from American Falls Reservoir. The public comment period ends on May 4.

The landmark is within the boundaries of the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, which is the permanent homeland of the Tribes. The BIA serves as trustee of the Reservation lands held in trust by the United States for the Tribes. The landmark also encumbers land acquired by Reclamation that is located inside Reservation boundaries.

For several years the Tribes and federal agencies have worked together to seek long term solutions to stabilize the eroded river bank. The proposed project would use engineering techniques, such as stone barriers or stone spurs, to eliminate additional stream bank damage in the river channel.

The National Environmental Policy Act requires Reclamation and BIA to evaluate the impacts of this proposed action on the human and natural environment. Reclamation has written the draft EA and both BIA and the Tribes have been cooperators during the process.

Five alternatives were evaluated, including the no action alternative, which is required under the NEPA process. Under the no action alternative, river bank erosion would continue threatening cultural and historical resources. The preferred and other alternatives would take the action necessary to stabilize the river bank and protect those resources.

Copies of the Draft EA can be found at the following public libraries: South Bannock District Library, 8 North Main, Downey, Idaho; Shoshone-Bannock Library, HRDC Building, Bannock and Pima Streets, Fort Hall, Idaho; and North Bingham County District Library, 197 West Locust Street, Shelley, Idaho. It can also be viewed and downloaded at Reclamation's Pacific Northwest Region Website at www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/ea/idaho/landmark/index.html.

Written comments on the Draft Environmental Assessment can be sent to: Robert (Hap) Boyer, Bureau of Reclamation, 1359 Hansen Avenue, Burley ID 83318 by May 4.

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Relevant Link:

http://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/ea/idaho/landmark/index.html