The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District, in partnership with the non-federal sponsor, Nez Perce Tribe, has finalized and approved the Feasibility Report with Integrated Environmental Assessment under the Tribal Partnership Program, Section 203. Public review for the draft report was conducted January 18 through March 15, 2023, with the Finding of No Significant Impact signed on May 29, 2024. Coordination with the sponsor is ongoing to execute a Project Partnership Agreement for the design and implementation phase, anticipated to begin Fiscal Year 2025.

National Environmental Policy Act Compliance

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), is a law requiring federal agencies to objectively evaluate a range of alternatives for any potential federal action. Alternatives must include a “No Action Alternative,” which addresses the consequences of completing no federal action at the location. The NEPA process requires the agency to consider the environmental and social impacts of alternatives so that informed decisions are made with knowledge of potential environmental consequences.

Authority

This project was initiated under the Tribal Partnership Program, Section 203 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2000 (Public Law [PL] 106-541), as amended and codified at 33 United States Code (USC) Section 2269. This program allows the Corps  to work collaboratively with federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal governments to assist with water resources projects that address economic, environmental and cultural resource needs through studies that may include flood damage reduction, environmental restoration, and protection and preservation of natural and cultural resources.