Kootenai River Habitat Restoration at Bonners Ferry (DOE/EA-1973)

Boundary County, Idaho

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is funding the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho to restore portions of the Kootenai River in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. The Kootenai River Restoration at Bonners Ferry project is installing structures on the river banks and excavating areas in the river to create deeper pools of water, as well as developing and enhancing islands to be planted with native riparian vegetation. The project improves Kootenai River habitat to benefit listed Kootenai White Sturgeon and other native fish, complements other restoration on the Kootenai River, and helps mitigate for effects caused by Libby Dam located upstream in Montana.

The schedule for the environmental review was as follows:

Scoping comment period February 7, 2014 through March 10, 2014
Public meeting February 26, 2014 in Bonners Ferry, Idaho
Draft EA February 5, 2015
Public meeting February 18, 2015 in Bonners Ferry, Idaho
Final EA May 14, 2015
FONSI and Mitigation Action Plan May 14, 2015
Construction to start Summer/Fall of 2015/2016

CURRENT STATUS

The environmental assessment (EA) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) were signed on May 14, 2015. The first phase of project construction was completed in October 2015. The second phase of construction is scheduled for August to October 2016.

CONTACT

For environmental information, contact:
Ted Gresh Toll-free: 800-622-4519
Environmental Protection Specialist Direct line: 503-230-5756
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: 502-230-4625
Bonneville Power Administration - EWM-4 Email: vlwatts@bpa.gov 
P.O. Box 3621
Portland, Oregon 97208-3621

DOCUMENTS

FINAL EA / FONSI
Public Letter (05/27/2015)
Final EA (05/14/2015)
FONSI and Mitigation Action Plan (05/14/2015)

DRAFT EA
Draft comments received 
Public Letter (02/03/2015)
Draft EA (February 2015)
Comment Form (02/03/2015)

SCOPING
Scoping comments received
Public Letter (02/07/2014)
Project Map (01/08/2014)
Comment Form (02/07/2014)