BOISE, Idaho - Planning for future water needs in the Boise River basin is essential to ensure a secure water supply for future generations. The Bureau of Reclamation and the Idaho Water Resource Board have been studying options for increasing water storage capacity within the Boise River system via an ongoing feasibility study.
“Reclamation has placed a high priority on enhancing our infrastructure, and we’re delighted to partner with the state to meet critical water supply needs," said Reclamation’s Snake River Area Manager Roland Springer.
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, Reclamation is preparing an environmental impact statement on the Boise River Basin Feasibility Study. Reclamation will be gathering information from other agencies, interested parties and the public on a range of possible alternatives. Three public scoping open houses are planned for August to solicit input on potential increases to water storage in the Boise River basin.
The public scoping open houses on the EIS are as follows:
* Aug. 27, 1:00-3:00 p.m. - Boise River Senior Center, Pine, Idaho
* Aug. 28, 6:00-8:00 p.m. - Wyndham Garden Inn, Boise, Idaho
* Aug. 29, 6:00-8:00 p.m. - American Legion, Mountain Home, Idaho
Additional water storage capacity could help offset changes in precipitation patterns and help enable storage of more runoff in high water years, enhancing long-term water supply for critical irrigation, domestic, industrial and municipal needs while continuing to meet endangered species and power generation needs.
IWRB has committed to fund half the study costs as the non-federal partner. IWRB was created by the Idaho legislature and is responsible for the formulation and implementation of a state water plan, finance of water projects, and the operation of programs that support sustainable management of Idaho’s water resources.
Comments must be submitted by 5 p.m. on September 9, 2019, through the Boise River Basin Feasibility Study official website at https://www.usbr.gov/pn/studies/boisefeasibility/index.html, or by email to BOR-SRA-BoiFeasibility@usbr.gov. Accessibility requests should be made by Aug. 16, 2019, to BOR-SRA-BoiFeasibility@usbr.gov.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
