News Release Archive

Reclamation to Host Public Scoping Meetings for the Proposed Lewiston Orchards Project Water Exchange and Title Transfer

Media Contact: Venetia Gempler, (208) 378-5020, vmgempler@usbr.gov
Ryan Newman, rnewman@usbr.gov

For Release: August 07, 2015

LEWISTON, Idaho – The Bureau of Reclamation will host two public scoping meetings to seek comments on alternatives it will use in a Draft Environmental Assessment for the proposed Lewiston Orchards Project Water Exchange and Title Transfer.

The first public meeting will be held Sept. 2 from 5-8 p.m. at the Williams Conference Center, 500 8th Avenue, Lewiston, Idaho 83501. The second public meeting will be Sept. 3 from 5-8 p.m. at the Pi-Nee-Waus Gym, 102 Agency Road, Lapwai, Idaho 83540. People needing sign language interpretation or other accessible accommodations should contact Ryan Newman at 208-383-2260 by Aug. 19.

Reclamation, the Lewiston Orchard Irrigation District and the Nez Perce Tribe are investigating the use of multiple groundwater wells to provide the Lewiston Orchards Project with a water supply alternative to replace the current surface water diversions on land adjacent to and within the Nez Perce Reservation. This effort is intended to benefit Snake River steelhead, protect natural and cultural resources important to the Nez Perce Tribe, and provide a reliable water supply for irrigation district patrons.

The Draft Environmental Assessment is required under the National Environmental Policy Act. It will evaluate impacts of alternatives on the human and natural environment. A 30-day comment period follows the initial public scoping. Reclamation intends to complete the Draft Environmental Assessment by March 2016.

The deadline for written comments for this scoping period is Oct. 2, 2015. Please submit comments to Mr. Ryan Newman, natural resource specialist, Bureau of Reclamation, Snake River Area Office, 230 Collins Road, Boise, Idaho 83702 or by email at sra-lop-comments@usbr.gov. For more information about the Lewiston Orchards Water Exchange Concept, please contact: Mr. Ted Day, project manager for Reclamation at 208-383-2222; Mr. Barney Metz, Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District manager at 208-746-8235; Mr. David Redhorse, natural resource officer for the Bureau of Indian Affairs at 503-231-6791; or Mr. David Johnson, department manager for the Nez Perce Tribe at 208-843-7334.

The Lewiston Orchards Project is located near Lewiston, Idaho. Project facilities include Reservoir A (Mann Lake), Soldiers Meadow Reservoir, Lake Waha, four diversion structures, several feeder canals, and a system for distributing irrigation water.

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