The Bureau of Reclamation has issued the Final Environmental Assessment for the Fort Hall National Historic Landmark Riverbank Stabilization Project with a Finding of No Significant Impact. A range of riverbank stabilization alternatives were evaluated in the Final EA aimed at reducing erosion to provide protection of the landmark, located upstream from American Falls Reservoir.
The proposed action was developed by Reclamation in coordination with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and the Bureau of Indian Affairs to protect the cultural and historic resources of the threatened landmark. The stabilization project includes the placement of riprap along approximately 3,800 feet of the left bank of the Snake River.
The 5-foot tall concrete landmark is located within the boundaries of the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, which is the permanent homeland of the Tribes. The BIA serves as trustee of the Reservation lands held in trust by the United States for the Tribes. The landmark also encumbers land acquired by Reclamation that is located inside Reservation boundaries.
Reclamation issued a Draft EA for the proposed bank stabilization contract in March 2007 for public review. The Draft EA and the FONSI were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act.
For additional information, or to request a printed or CD-ROM copy of the Final EA and FONSI, please contact Mr. Robert Hap Boyer, Resource Manager with the Bureau of Reclamation at 1359 Hansen Avenue, Burley, ID 83318 or at (208) 678-0461 ext. 15. The documents are also available at www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/ea/idaho/landmark/index.html
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
