News Release Archive

Reclamation Seeks Public Comment for the Proposed Lewiston Orchards Project Water Exchange and Title Transfer

Media Contact: Dave Walsh, (208) 378-5026, dwalsh@usbr.gov
Jim Taylor, jbtaylor@usbr.gov

For Release: August 12, 2016

LEWISTON, Idaho – The Bureau of Reclamation is seeking public comment on the Draft Environmental Assessment for the proposed Lewiston Orchards Project Water Exchange and Title Transfer.

Reclamation has prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment analyzing a proposed action and an alternative for a water exchange and title transfer. 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 the Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District patrons. Reclamation’s proposed action is to construct multiple groundwater wells to provide the Lewiston Orchards Project with an alternative water supply that will replace the current surface water diversions from land adjacent to and within the Nez Perce Reservation.

The proposed action includes transfer of title of Lewiston Orchards Project facilities and assets once the existing surface water supply is exchanged with the groundwater source. Some facilities and assets would be transferred from Reclamation to the Bureau of Indian Affairs to be held in trust for the Nez Perce Tribe and the remainder would be transferred to the Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District.

The alternative to the proposed action is to construct a pumping plant on the Clearwater River to provide a replacement surface water supply to the Lewiston Orchards Project. The title transfer component for this alternative would be the same as the proposed action.

The Draft Environmental Assessment evaluates impacts of alternatives on the human and natural environment. You may download the Draft Environmental Assessment at http://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/ea/idaho/lop/.

Please send written comments no later than Sept.12 to Jim Taylor, supervisory environmental protection 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 Selena Moore, planning and project management manager at 208-383-2207.

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/