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- Media Advisory: Public Open House for Comments on Interim Winter Operation Alternatives at Ririe Dam and Reservoir
News Release Archive
Media Advisory: Public Open House for Comments on Interim Winter Operation Alternatives at Ririe Dam and Reservoir
Media Contact:
John Redding, (208) 383-2207, 12/09/2013 07:49
Allyn Meuleman, gmeuleman@usbr.gov
For Release: December 09, 2013
Who: The Bureau of Reclamation
What: A public open house is planned to seek comment on alternatives Reclamation will use in a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for proposed Interim Operations of Ririe Reservoir and Dam.
When: December 17, 2013, between 6 - 8 p.m.
Where: Hotel on the Falls, 475 River Parkway in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Why: Reclamation is proposing to reduce the Ririe Reservoir winter drawdown for a 10-year interim period to improve refill reliability and increase water availability for irrigation without increasing downstream flood risk. The EA is required under the National Environmental Policy Act.
How: Deadline for written comments is Jan. 17, 2014. They can be sent to Mr. Rich Jackson, Natural Resource Specialist, Bureau of Reclamation, Upper Snake Field Office, 470 22nd Street, Heyburn ID 83336 or by email at ririeea@usbr.gov.
Background: The EA will evaluate impacts of alternatives on the human population and the natural environment. Initial public scoping was completed in 2011. New information was also gathered from test flows in February 2013. Reclamation will issue the Draft EA in the spring of 2014.
Ririe Dam is operated as one of seven federal storage facilities on the Snake and Henrys Fork rivers. This is a multi-purpose project that provides irrigation, flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. It was built in 1977, and is about 15 miles northeast of Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Link of Interest: http://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/ea/idaho/ririe/index.html
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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.
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