US Army Corps of Engineers
Walla Walla District

Report of the Secretary of the Army
on Civil Works Activities for Fiscal Year 1996
Department of the Army Corps of Engineers
Extract Report of the Walla Walla District

Surveys

The Water Resources Development Act of 1986 authorized the corps to operate and maintain a system of non-Federal levees along the Snake River in the vicinity of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. A draft reconnaissance study of the potential for improving the system with levee raises, extensions, or relocations was completed in Fiscal Year 1990. The final reconnaissance study was combined with the Jackson Hole Restoration Study. Jackson Hole River and Wetland Restoration and Flood Control Reconnaissance Study was initiated to restore fish and wildlife habitat in the 500-year floodplain of the leveed reach of the Snake and Gros Ventre Rivers at Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The study has evaluated losses resulting from levee construction over the past 30 years and determined restoration measures to compensate for these losses. The report was approved in Fiscal Year 1994. A restoration feasibility study is expected to start in Fiscal Year 1996.

The sponsor's concern about their financial capability resulted in reducing the scope of the feasibility study.

A reconnaissance study was initiated for the Lower Boise River and Tributaries, Idaho, on June 1, 1994. An interim reconnaissance report was completed in May 1995. Although the report included economically-feasible alternatives for flood control and environmental restoration, the sponsor withdrew. Until a more appropriate sponsor is identified, the study was reclassified to "inactive" status by CECW-PW on September 6, 1995.

The Energy and Water Development Act, PL 102-104, authorized a study in cooperation with the Port of Walla Walla, Washington, for disposition of the current Walla Walla District Headquarters. The disposition study was continued and coordinated with General Services Administration (GSA) during Fiscal Year 1995. The Walla Walla District personnel met with the Washington Department of Ecology (WDOE) during June 1995, to discuss the Corps' proposed plan to install additional test wells to determine vertical extent of petroleum contamination, impact on groundwater, and collect data requested by WDOE. The Walla Walla District agreed to drill four additional test wells and to continue monitoring and sampling of water from the five existing wells installed during initial site investigation. The Walla Walla District will prepare a drilling contract for the installation of four new wells, and will continue to coordinate with WDOE and GSA. The installation of wells is anticipated second quarter Fiscal Year 1996, January timeframe. Data collected from new wells will be used to prepare Independent Remedial Action Report, for review by WDOE.

Total cost of surveys was $539,129 for Fiscal Year 1995, including: Flood Damage Prevention Studies ($285,149); Coordination with other Federal agencies and non-Federal interests, including Cooperation Water Resource Agencies, Planning Assistance to States, and Lewiston, Idaho, regional Plan PH1 ($81,696); Special Investigations, Interagency Water Resource Development FERC licensing activities, North American Waterfowl Management Plan, and National Marine Fisheries Service ($127,911); and the District Disposition Study ($44,373).

Return to the Annual Report Table of Contents
Return to the Civil Works Activities Page
Last Updated: 2:50 PM April 16, 1997
http://www.nww.usace.army.mil/lib/html/pub/civilworks/cwafy95/survey.htm