News Release Archive

Reclamation Sets Public Meetings On Teton River Canyon Resource Management Plan

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, 03/30/2005 20:50
Vicki Kellerman, vkellerman@pn.usbr.gov

For Release: March 30, 2005

The Bureau of Reclamation will host two public meetings on April 6-7 to introduce and identify issues for the Teton River Canyon Resource Management Plan that includes about 22 miles of public land along the Teton River.

The meetings are set for April 6, at the Best Western Cottontree Inn, 450 West 4th South, in Rexburg, Idaho, and April 7, at the Super 8 Teton West, 133 State Hwy 33, in Driggs, Idaho. Both meetings will run from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. The meeting facilities are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Please direct requests for sign language interpretation for the hearing impaired, or other auxiliary aids, to Vicki Kellerman (208) 378-5326, as soon as possible prior to the meeting.

The RMP will outline management plans for the next 15 years for some 5,804 acres of land upstream of the Teton Dam site. The area also includes portion of the canyon rim in Fremont, Teton, and Madison counties in eastern Idaho. The planning process will run from the spring of 2005 through fall of 2006.

Reclamation remains responsible for managing the natural and cultural resources in the study area consistent with the authorized project purposes which include irrigation, recreation, and conservation and development of fish and wildlife resources. Current management has included administering agricultural leases, permitting commercial guided fishing trips on the river in cooperation with Bureau of Land Management, participating in noxious weed control efforts, and supporting a number of scientific studies within the canyon. Reclamation does not anticipate making major changes to the management of the Teton River Canyon, however the RMP can provide direction to limit degradation of natural and cultural resource values while still allowing for unforeseen future opportunities, said Vicki Kellerman, Reclamation project leader. There are currently no plans to rebuild the dam, but the Teton Dam site remains listed as a protected reservoir site under the Idaho State Water Plan. The public is encouraged to participate in the public meetings or submit written issues by May 1, to Vicki Kellerman, Bureau of Reclamation, 1150 North Curtis Road, Boise ID 83706-1234. Or call (208) 378-5326 for more information. Information about the Teton River Canyon RMP can also be accessed by visiting Reclamation's website at http://www.usbr.gov/pn.

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