ax03228i.aw

File Code:

1350-2/6540

Date:

May 9, 2003
   
   

Dear Southwest Idaho RAC Member:

Enclosed is the agenda for the May meeting of the RAC. The meeting will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2003, starting at 10:30 a.m. at the Emmett City Hall, 501 East Main Street (corner of John and Main across from the City Park) in Emmett. A working lunch is planned, with lunch and soft drinks provided to RAC members. You can bring a brown bag lunch if you prefer.

You can be reimbursed for travel expenses associated with the meeting, including mileage. In order to be reimbursed you will need to provide the following documentation (this can be turned in at the meeting):

  • Start/end times of travel,
  • Mileage to/from the meeting, and
  • Lodging receipt

If you have any questions, please contact me at (208) 634-0400, or via e-mail at "rswick@fs.fed.us". Thanks again for your participation on the RAC.

Sincerely,

 

/s/ Randy Swick

    

RANDALL G. SWICK

Designated Federal Officer

Southwest Idaho Resource Advisory Committee

enclosures

Cc:

Dick Smith, Boise NF

Suzanne Rainville, Boise NF

Mark Madrid, Payette NF

Andy Brunelle, Capitol City Coord - Idaho

Dave Olson, Boise NF

Linda Steinhaus, Boise NF

Boyd Hartwig, Payette NF

Leadership Team, Boise NF

Leadership Team, Payette NF

 

 

 

Idaho Congressional Delegations

County Commissioners and Clerks

Maggie Mahoney, IAC

Southwest Idaho Resource Advisory Committee Meeting

AGENDA (revised 5-20-03)

May 22, 2003

Meeting location: Emmett City Hall

501 East Main Street

Emmett, Idaho

10:30 AM Welcome, Meeting Objectives, and Agenda Review

(Phil Davis, RAC Chairperson)

10:45 AM Review and Approval of 4-16-03 Meeting Minutes (D), Review of

Committee Mission Statement, Purpose, and Operating Guidelines,

Review and Approval of RAC Expenses (D), RAC Funding Balance Update, and Project Log Update.

(Randy Swick, DFO)

11:00 AM Review of Project Proposals – Proposal Form Part 2 (D)

(Phil Davis, RAC Chairperson; Randy Swick, DFO)
    1. Pine Bridge Engineering Study (#03014) – Steven Jones, Mountain Home Highway District
    2. Fall Creek Road Engineering Study (#03015) – Steven Jones, Mountain Home Highway District

      3. 12:00 PM Working Lunch (Lunch will be provided for RAC members). Lunch Discussion – Miscellaneous topics including web page, RAC membership changes, and future meeting dates.

      (Phil Davis, RAC Chairperson)

      1:00 PM Public Forum

      - Comments and questions from the public to the committee

      1:15 PM Review of Project Proposals – Proposal Form Part 1 and/or Part 2 (D)

      (Phil Davis, RAC Chairperson; Randy Swick, DFO)

    3. Lowman Emergency Services Building (#03021) – Paul Rekow, Lowman Volunteer Fire Department
    4. Indian Mountain Cattle Allotment Rider (#03022) – Weldon Branch
    5. Bear Community Ditch Diversion and Fish Screen (#03023) – Russ Manwaring, West Central Highlands RC&D Council, Inc.

3:00 PM Decisions to Recommend Projects (DR)

(Phil Davis, RAC Chairperson)

3:30 PM Meeting Adjourned

(D) = Decision requiring quorum and simple majority for approval.

(DR) = Decision requiring quorum and majority of each Sub Group for approval.

Proposed Project Synopsis May 22, 2003 SW Idaho RAC Meeting

 

Pine Bridge Engineering Study (#03014) – Steven Jones, Mountain Home Highway District

Fall Creek Road Engineering Study (#03015) – Steven Jones, Mountain Home Highway District

Total Project Cost: $50,000-$60,000 per study

Title II Request: $25,000-$30,000 per study

10. Statement of Project Purpose and Expected Outcomes [Sec. 203(b)(1), and (b)(5)]:

The purpose of these projects is to complete engineering assessments and determine a preferred course of action for addressing the following problems:

Neal Bridge: traffic constriction.

Pine Bridge: eroding base of bridge supports.

Fall Creek Road: ongoing land slip below road.

11. Project Description:

Undertake engineering studies and site surveys as needed through a qualified engineering firm, and obtain a report recommending a course of action.

 

Lowman Emergency Services Building (#03021) – Paul Rekow, Lowman Volunteer Fire Department

Total Project Cost: $292,811

Title II Request: $20,000

10. Statement of Project Purpose and Expected Outcomes [Sec. 203(b)(1), and (b)(5)]:

Construct a facility to house Lowman Emergency Services including both the Lowman Volunteer Fire District, Inc.(LVFD) (a non-profit corporation) and Lowman Ambulance Unit of Boise County. The project is to be constructed on Federal Land administered by the Lowman Ranger District, Boise National Forest. The out come of this project is to provide an enhanced, secure, central facility for emergency service vehicles and a training center. This facility is expected to improve the readiness and response of emergency medical and fire volunteers to the surrounding community, forest, and recreational areas.

11. Project Description:

Construct a co-occupied facility to house emergency services including LVFD and Lowman Ambulance. The Emergency Services Building is due to start construction in May of 2003. LVFD and Boise County have worked for the past two years to secure a Community Block Development Grant from the Idaho Department of Commerce and a low interest loan form USDA Rural Development. We have completed all necessary environmental and cultural reviews, secured a Special Use Permit for 3 acres of public land, completed design, engineering and bid advertisements. The project is set to move ahead for completion this summer, however we find that there is a short fall of $20,000 for project completion.

The completion of this facility ensures that the volunteers of the fire and ambulance units are fully ready to respond to emergencies occurring not only in the community and on the highway but also to those occurring in the surrounding Boise National Forest and recreational sites. Lowman is comprised of small parcels of private land dispersed along a 22-mile corridor of the South Fork Payette River. We are literally surrounded by the forest which not only heightens awareness and action in the Urban interface where wildfire is concerned but attracts 1000’s seeking recreational opportunities. Both the threat of fire and the need to provide emergency medical services has been the impetus for LVFD and Boise County to undertake this project. In past years the Lowman Ranger District has not been able to fully fund a USFS fire engine to provide immediate response to wildfires in and around Lowman. The immediate initial response of LVFD to reports of fires whether on public domain or private land could avert a catastrophic wildfire destroying natural resources and watersheds.

The Lowman Community is providing the expertise and labor on volunteer basis to complete the heating, plumbing, interior carpentry, interior and exterior painting, exterior concert work and parking area surfacing. Funds from an ICBD Grant and a Rural Development loan will pay for all exterior construction and the materials to completed the work of volunteers. The remaining contract for the electrical work is in an indeterminate state of determination due to the lack of funds.

 

 

Indian Mountain Cattle Allotment Rider (#03022) – Weldon Branch

Total Project Cost: $36,000

Title II Request: $24,000

10. Statement of Project Purpose and Expected Outcomes [Sec. 203(b)(1), and (b)(5)]:

The purpose of this project is to restore bull trout spawning habitat while maintaining livestock grazing in the watershed. By maintaining these exclosures annually (from August 15 through October 15 or when livestock are removed from the forest), cattle access will be reduced to a negligible level during the bull trout spawning season, streambank disturbance will be decreased, and erosion will decrease. These exclosures meet the intent of consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service to mitigate livestock impacts to bull trout spawning habitat on Anderson Creek, Sheep Creek, and Little Weiser River.

11. Project Description: Hire a horseback rider to maintain the eight temporary electric bull trout spawning habitat exclosures from August 15 until October 15 or when the livestock are removed from the forest.

 

Bear Community Ditch Diversion and Fish Screen (#03023) – Russ Manwaring, West Central Highlands RC&D Council, Inc.

Total Project Cost: $58,839

Title II Request: $11,550

 

10. Statement of Project Purpose and Expected Outcomes [Sec. 203(b)(1), and (b)(5)]:

Columbia River Bull Trout are a Federally Listed T&E species. The project purpose is to comply with ESA policy to restore and enhance species recovery. The expected outcomes are to eliminate fish loss into the irrigation system, to provide for upstream migration and to prevent total dewatering of the stream segment below the irrigation diversion point. Other native trout species are also benefited.

These outcomes support the Act by implementing stewardship that restores and improves aquatic habitat and water quality. The project will also improve cooperative relationships among the people that use and care for Federal lands through the partnership that is established to implement this project.

11. Project Description:

This irrigation ditch was established in 1896 to irrigate lands used by early miners to maintain livestock and gardens for the mining activities in this region. It currently serves 22 water users on about 750 acres. An existing ‘rocked up’ diversion will be replaced with a wood check structure and two waterman gate type headgates. A fish ladder will be installed in the wooden check structure at the time it is checked up each year. This will eliminate annual streambed disturbance and improve water quality and aquatic life.

Diverted irrigation water will flow through twin 24 inch pipelines and over a fountain screen where fish will separate and be allowed to return to the stream, while the water flows on into the ditch.

The project can be constructed in the early fall of 2003 as consultation, permits and engineering designs are completed and funding is committed through the Idaho Fish and Game and the local irrigation district for 80% of the project costs. Pre-project monitoring found more game fish than anticipated in the irrigation system. The project is on private lands surrounded by Nation Forest lands within .25 miles. Fishery improvements have a direct impact on forestland resources. This area is at the low elevation limit for bull trout wintering habitat.