News Release Archive

Public Scoping Period Extended for the Proposed Lewiston Orchards Project Water Exchange and Title Transfer

Media Contact: Kelly Bridges, (208) 378-5101, kbridges@usbr.gov
Ryan Newman, rnewman@usbr.gov

For Release: September 24, 2015

Boise, Idaho - The Bureau of Reclamation has extended the public scoping period on alternatives related to the proposed Lewiston Orchards Project Water Exchange and Title Transfer. The formal scoping period will now close on October 12, 2015.

Reclamation, the Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District and the Nez Perce Tribe are investigating the use of an alternate water source to provide the Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District with a water supply alternative to replace the current surface water diversions on land adjacent to and within the Nez Perce Reservation. This would include a water exchange and a transfer of title to Reclamation assets and facilities to the Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. 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 public scoping comments will be used in a Draft Environmental Assessment that will evaluate impacts of the proposed alternatives on the human and natural environment. The Draft Environmental Assessment is expected to be completed by March 2016. Download public scoping information at: http://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/ea/idaho/lop/index.html .

Please submit written comments by October 12 to Ryan Newman, Bureau of Reclamation, Snake River Area Office, 230 Collins Road, Boise, Idaho 83702 or email sra-lop-comments@usbr.gov.

For more information about the Lewiston Orchards Water Exchange Concept contact: Ted Day, project manager for Reclamation at 208-383-2222; Barney Metz, Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District manager at 208-746-8235; David Redhorse, natural resource officer for the Bureau of Indian Affairs at 503-231-6791; or 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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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.

Relevant Link:

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