April 5, 2002
John Redding
(208) 378-5212
Carolyn Stone
(208) 378-5395

Public Input Sought on Resource Management Plan

The Bureau of Reclamation will be seeking public input on a Resource Management Plan for Black Canyon Reservoir and the Montour Wildlife Recreation Area, located in Gem County about 40 miles northwest of Boise, Idaho.

The meeting is set for April 24 at the American Legion Hall, 120 North Hayes, Emmett, Idaho, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. The RMP will be Reclamation’s blueprint for the future use, management, and development at the reservoir and wildlife recreation area.

Black Canyon Dam is located on the Payette River and was constructed in 1924. The dam is a source of water for irrigation and hydropower production. Reclamation lands include about 1,100 surface water acres and a narrow strip of land surrounding the reservoir.

Four day-use recreation sites managed and developed by Reclamation at the reservoir include: Black Canyon Park, Wild Rose Park, Cobblestone Park, and Triangle Park. Surrounding land uses are primarily agricultural and rural residential.

Those attending the meeting will learn that land ownership is a mixture of private and federal lands predominantly managed by Reclamation and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The Montour Wildlife Recreation Area includes approximately 1,100 acres of Reclamation land and is jointly managed by Reclamation and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game primarily for wildlife habitat and recreation use.

Potential issues to be addressed during development of the RMP include: agency coordination; adequacy of existing recreation facilities as recreation demand continues to grow; surface water management; road safety; boundary and encroachment related issues; concerns for cultural resources; and potential impacts to natural resources, such as wildlife habitat.

Stakeholders for Black Canyon include, but are not limited to: private landowners in the area, the community of Emmett; Gem County; federal and state natural resource agencies, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation; recreation groups; and people who use the area for recreation and other purposes.

For information about the Resource Management Plan contact Carolyn Burpee Stone, Bureau of Reclamation 1150 North Curtis Road, Suite 100, Boise ID 83706-1234, or by phone (208) 378-5395, by fax (208) 378-5305, or email cstone@pn.usbr.gov.