The Bureau of Reclamation has received the Draft Appraisal Study (Draft Study) for the Lower Clearwater Exchange Project (LCEP). Reclamation will prepare a final report and recommendations based on the Draft Study and input received from the public. Comments may be sent to the Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District (LOID) until November 18, 2011.

The Draft Study was prepared by stakeholders including the Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District (LOID), Nez Perce Tribe, Lewiston Chamber of Commerce, City of Lewiston, and Nez Perce County, to create a reliable water supply for LOID. This work may help to eventually resolve the Endangered Species Act and Federal-Tribal trust issues surrounding Reclamation's Lewiston Orchards Project.

Alternatives presented in the Draft Study include discontinuing use of the Craig Mountain water supply and constructing infrastructure for new water supplies from the Clearwater River, Snake River, and/or groundwater wells.

In 2010, Reclamation's Rural Water Supply Program provided $228,784 to prepare the Draft Study. LCEP stakeholders intend to apply for continued assistance to complete a feasibility study and environmental documentation necessary to select a preferred alternative, and design and construct a water supply to replace the existing LOID system.

A review copy of the Draft Study is available in LOID's office and online at http://www.loid.net/uploads/PDFs/LCEP-Appraisal-Study.pdf . Comments will be accepted until November 18, 2011, and can be made on the website at http://www.loid.net/irrigation/lcep/ or mailed to Mr. Barney Metz, Manager, Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District, 1520 Powers Avenue, Lewiston, Idaho 83501.

The Lewiston Orchards Project is located near Lewiston, Idaho. Project facilities include Reservoir A (Mann Lake), Soldiers Meadow Reservoir, Lake Waha, four diversion structures, several feeder canals, and a system for distributing irrigation water.

Read more about Reclamation?s Rural Water Supply Program at http://www.usbr.gov/ruralwater/