The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District (USACE) in partnership with Boise State University is conducting an Ecosystem Restoration, Continuing Authorities Program (CAP) Feasibility Study with the purpose of restoring aquatic and riparian habitats within the Barber Pool Conservation Area, Ada County Idaho.
The Barber Pool Conservation Area (BPCA), Ecosystem Restoration Study will evaluate the current conditions of the Boise River and adjacent lands in terms of water quality, aquatic habitat, and stream channel condition. Based on this assessment, the study will determine potential restoration actions to improve in-stream, wetland, riparian and, floodplain conditions.
Study Background:
This study will build upon previous partnerships, and collaborative efforts by the USACE, our project sponsor Boise State University, and local partners to improve and expand upon the functions and benefits the BPCA provides to the regions.
Further details, previous studies and the Master Plan for the BPCA which will inform this effort can be found at our partner websites located in the partner links module.
Initial objectives for the study include:
- Improve riparian and wetland habitat extent and diversity within the Boise River Floodplain through reestablishing or expanding existing hydrologic influence.
- Improve in-channel aquatic habitat diversity within the Boise River Channel through in stream features and/or expansion of side channels.
- Reduce impacts from human use within the BPCA through passive (ecological barrier) or direct (pathway establishment) actions.
Public Scoping Comments:
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District, is soliciting public and agency comments regarding the scope of the Barber Pool Conservation Area Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study. USACE, in partnership with the non-federal sponsor, Boise State University, is developing a plan to restore aquatic and riparian habitats on the Boise River and prepare a Feasibility Report/Environmental Assessment under the Continuing Authorities Program, Section 1135.
Scoping comments will be accepted from Nov. 8, until Dec. 6. USACE is particularly interested in input regarding alternatives and environmental effects that should be considered. Scoping comments will be used to 1) identify issues and opportunities to address, 2) develop alternatives, and 3) identify potential environmental effects (detrimental and beneficial) of possible changes to the watershed.
Public Meeting Details:
A public meeting will be held Nov. 20 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Barber Park Education and Events Center, at 4049 S. Eckert Road in Boise, Idaho. All who wish to comment on the project are invited to attend.
Additionally, an online public scoping meeting will be held Nov. 25 from 4 to 5 p.m. MST. Instructions for how to join the meeting are on the right-hand side of this webpage.
How can I comment?
There are several ways that you can provide input on this study.
You can submit a comment through the NEPA Online Comment Form, https://www.nww.usace.army.mil/EnvironmentalComplianceComment/ or by emailing NEPANWW@usace.army.mil, inserting “Barber Pool Feasibility Study” in the subject line.
You may submit written comments via U.S. Mail to:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Walla Walla District
ATTN: Barber Pool, Feasibility Study
201 North 3rd Avenue
Walla Walla, WA 99362-1876
Comments need to be submitted or postmarked no later than December 6, 2024 for consideration. All comments submitted will be considered and become part of the public record.
For more information on the public meetings or about the this study, please contact the Project Manager Marve Griffith, at Christen.m.griffith@usace.army.mil or at (208) 433-4470.