Kootenai River Lower Meander Project (DOE/EA-2051)

Boundary County, Idaho

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is proposing to fund the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho to restore portions of the Kootenai River upstream of Bonners Ferry, Idaho. The Kootenai River Lower Meander project is designed to enhance islands and side channels and to restore streambanks. The work would include pool excavation, island construction, bank grading, revegetation, and large woody debris (LWD) installation along banks and in newly created channels. The project would improve Kootenai River habitat to benefit listed Kootenai White Sturgeon and other native fish, would complement other restoration on the Kootenai River, and would help mitigate for effects caused by Libby Dam located upstream in Montana.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

To understand the potential environmental impacts of this proposal, BPA, in cooperation with the BLM and Corps, prepared an environmental assessment (EA) to help determine the potential impacts the project would have on the natural and human environment. BPA released the draft EA for public review and comment in March 2017 and received one comment letter. BPA prepared a final EA that includes minor revisions to the Draft EA.

The environmental review was as follows:

Scoping comment period         October 12, 2016 - November 14, 2016
Draft EA available for public comment March 23, 2017 - April 24, 2017
Final EA May 2017
Finding of No Significant Impact (if warranted) June 2017

CURRENT STATUS

Based on the EA analysis and mitigation measures to help lessen impacts, BPA has found that the project will not cause any significant impacts, and has issued a finding of no significant impact (FONSI).

CONTACT

For environmental information, contact:
Ted Gresh Toll-free: 800-622-4519
Environmental Protection Specialist Direct line: 503-230-3769
Bonneville Power Administration - ECF-4  Email: esgresh@bpa.gov 
P.O. Box 3621
Portland, Oregon 97208-3621

For project information, contact:
Lee Watts Toll-free: 800-622-4519
Project Manager Direct Line: 503-230-4625
Bonneville Power Administration - EWM-4  Email: vlwatts@bpa.gov 
P.O. Box 3621
Portland, OR 97208-3621

DOCUMENTS

FINAL EA & FONSI
Public Letter  (06/16/2017)
Final EA  (May 2017)
FONSI  (05/31/2017)

DRAFT
Draft comments received 
Public Letter  (03/23/2017)
Draft EA  (03/23/2017)
Comment Form  (03/23/2017)

SCOPING
Scoping comments received
Public Letter  (10/12/2016)
Project Map  (08/09/2016)
Comment Form  (10/12/2016)