BOISE, Idaho - The Bureau of Reclamation has awarded two WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program grants in the Pacific Northwest Region. The program provides funding to watershed groups to encourage diverse stakeholders to form local solutions to address their water management needs. The recipients, Friends of the Teton River and Boise River Enhancement Network, were supported by grants under Phase I of the Cooperative Water Management Program.
Friends of the Teton River will receive $99,987 for a total project cost of $222,447 to use a voluntary, incidental recharge program to stabilize the Teton Valley Aquifer and increase base flows in the Teton River. The project is supported by diverse groups, including the Teton Conservancy District, the City of Driggs, Teton County Farm Bureau, the City of Victor, and the Teton Regional Land Trust.
Boise River Enhancement Network (BREN) will receive $100,000 for a total project cost of $398,845 to restore 440 feet of Cottonwood Creek that currently flows through a flume under Julia Davis Park in downtown Boise. The City of Boise, Land Trust of the Treasure Valley, Intermountain Bird Observatory, Trout Unlimited, and Ada County Highway District are contributing to the non-federal cost share.
BREN spokesperson Liz Paul said, “After over 100 years below ground, it’ll be wonderful to have Cottonwood Creek back. The creek will provide wild habitat in the heart of our growing city. BREN is committed to cooperative, multi-benefit projects and proud that the Bureau has awarded us this grant."
WaterSMART is the U.S. Department of the Interior’s sustainable water initiative that uses the best available science to improve water conservation and help water resource managers identify strategies to narrow the gap between supply and demand. To learn more about WaterSMART, please visit https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
