News Release Archive

Public Meeting Set on Reclamation's Resource Management Plan for Minidoka Project Lands

Media Contact: Carolyn Burpee-Stone , (208) 378-5395

For Release: March 03, 2003

The Bureau of Reclamation is holding its second public meeting and workshop to share information on progress with its Resource Management Plan for the Minidoka North Side lands and to solicit comments on preliminary management alternatives.

The meeting will be held March 20, from 7 p.m.- 9 p.m. at the Burley Inn, 800 North Overland Avenue, Burley, Idaho.

In 2001, Reclamation began the process of preparing its Resource Management Plan for the Minidoka North Side lands. This area includes Minidoka Dam and about 120 scattered land parcels, covering approximately 16,000 acres. The Minidoka Project was constructed primarily to provide irrigation to the new communities of Heyburn, Paul, Acequia, and Rupert, Idaho.

The RMP will be Reclamation's blueprint for the future use, management, and development on these scattered parcels for the next 15 years.

At the first public meeting held in March 2002, Reclamation introduced the planning process by which the Resource Management Plan would be prepared and obtained public input regarding issues to be addressed. Since then, the Ad Hoc Work Group has been defining the issues and opportunities identified and developing a problem statement and goals and objectives to address within the plan

The purpose of the March 20 public meeting and workshop is to present the RMP draft goals and objectives, describe the draft alternatives, and take public comments.

Reclamation will also summarize what has been accomplished to date and the remaining steps toward completion of the final RMP. In addition to public meetings, Reclamation will continue to seek input through a website posted specifically for this planning process, www.pn.usbr.gov; follow links to Minidoka.

This location was selected in part because of the facilitys accessibility to people with disabilities. Interested persons needing special assistance in this regard should contact Pam Brown, Recreation Specialist at (208) 678-0461 ext. 32 at least one week before the scheduled meeting so that arrangements can be made. TTY/TDD # 1-800-833-6388.

For More Information

Reclamation recently prepared and distributed its fourth project Newsbrief, which presents more information on the status of the RMP process, summarizes the draft goals & objectives, and introduces the draft alternatives.

A copy of the Newsbrief can be obtained at the next public meeting, on the website, or by contacting: Carolyn Burpee-Stone, Regional RMP Coordinator, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, PN Regional Office (PN 3902), 1150 North Curtis Road, Suite 100, Boise, Idaho 83706-1234. Or phone (208) 378-5395, fax (208) 378-5305.

Questions about the RMP are welcome, and press briefings can be arranged as requested.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.