January 14, 2002
John Redding
(208) 378-5212
Laura Bell
(208) 678-0461

Reclamation and Fremon-Madison Irrigation District Host Public Meeting

The Bureau of Reclamation and Fremont Madison Irrigation District will host a public meeting to receive comments on a proposal to transfer title of certain facilities and associated Idaho water rights permit to Fremont-Madison Irrigation District.

The meeting will be held January 31, in Rexburg, Idaho at Brigham Young University’s Manwaring Center in room 318, starting at 7:00 p.m.

Facilities in the title transfer include: Cross Cut Diversion Dam, known as Chester Diversion Dam, Cross Cut Canal, five Teton exchange wells and their associated Idaho water right permit currently held by Reclamation. Fremont Madison Irrigation District has operated and maintained these structures since their construction.

Some concerns about the impacts of this title transfer include: the value of the transferred assets, and the potential impacts of future development of the remaining 40 wells under the Idaho permit.

Scoping meetings with state and federal resource agencies, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and environmental organizations have resulted in the following three alternatives:

(A) Title Transfer. This alternative would describe options for transferring the physical facilities: the Cross Cut Diversion Dam, Cross Cut Canal, and the five developed wells and the associated water right permit.

(B) Contract Renewal. Title to all facilities would remain with the United States. Contract for the Teton Exchange Wells would be renewed.

(C) No Action. Title transfer of the facilities would not occur and Fremont Madison Irrigation District would continue operating the Cross Cut Diversion and Cross Cut Canal. The Teton Exchange Well Contract would not be renewed.

A scoping document identifying the alternatives was sent to interested parties to solicit information concerning the proposed title transfer prior to the January 31 meeting. Additional comments will be accepted until February 6th.

The transfer of title requires compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and Congressional legislation.

The public meeting will take place in facilities meeting accessibility requirements outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act. Citizens with disabilities which may require special accommodations to participate in or to understand the meeting, should contact Laura Bell (208) 678-0461, Ext. 28 at least one week in advance so arrangements can be made.

For additional information or a copy of the scoping document, contact Chris Ketchum, Natural Resource Manager, Bureau of Reclamation, at (208) 678-0461, Extension 34.