Corps invites public comments on Dworshak Nutrient Supplementation Environmental Assessment

‘Next step’ in environmental compliance to resume Dworshak reservoir ecosystem restoration

AHSAHKA, Idaho – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Walla Walla District invites the public to comment no later than Thursday, Feb. 16, on an Environmental Assessment (EA) and draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the “Dworshak Reservoir Nutrient Supplementation Pilot Study.” This 30-day comment period is the next step in Corps’ National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance as it plans to resume this reservoir ecosystem stewardship pilot study in 2012.

Last year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to the Corps effective October 15, 2011 after its environmental review and consideration of public comments. The NPDES permit allows application of liquid fertilizer to Dworshak Reservoir as an ecosystem treatment.

The EA and draft FONSI are available for viewing at the Corps’ website at www.nww.usace.army.mil and the Orofino City Hall at 217 First Street, Orofino, Idaho. Comments on the Corps Environmental Assessment must be postmarked, faxed or e-mailed to the Corps by February 16, 2012, to be included as part of the public record.  E-mail comments should be sent to DworshakNutrientSupplProj@usace.army.mil. Faxed comments should be sent to 509-527-7832. U.S. Mail comments should be mailed to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District, Environmental Compliance Section, ATTN: John Leier, 201 North 3rd Avenue, Walla Walla, WA 99362-1876.

To learn more about the Corps of Engineers and its mission in the Walla Walla District, see the District website at http://www.nww.usace.army.mil/.