Perspective: Following up, it's what we need to do
Sauter
The Lake Pend Oreille and Albeni Falls Dam problems we experienced earlier this year continue to be a serious concern for all of us. Our federal representatives and most recently by our governor, have called on the Army Corps to fast-track their efforts. These calls for expediency appear to be unanswered. It is hard to understand wy it will take longer to fix the gates than build the dam.
It is frustrating to watch this unfold. Our community has responded to similar situations by acting. Like the Sagle/ Highway 95 reroute issue several months ago, we can stand down or stand up. In the case of the highway issue, many of our residents reached out to the Idaho Transportation Dept (ITD) and voiced their concerns. Last week I attended a roll-out of a new highway concept. The event was well attended. The reroute plan from last summer is no more.
The Army Corps has asked for feedback from our residents regarding the AFD/LPO lake level issues. I encourage everyone to participate. afdpublicinput@usace.army.mil
As your representative, I have been involved in an effort to evaluate the LPO and AFD problems from a State perspective since spring, for the benefit of the State and our residents. We are looking at everything from the foundational elements of the original agreements to dam construction, ownership of the dam, the fiscal impacts of LPO operations on our local economy, and best practices for operating the dam.
Resolving this issue will take a collaborative effort by all our state officials and many other local entities.
Our Lakes Commission was formed many years ago to address the vital part the waters of LPO play with flood safety, our local economy, recreation and the scenic beauty LPO provides for our residents. Our local tribes also have a voice in our lake matters. Private business owners and contractors are involved as well. Downstream neighbors have concerns too.
While waiting for results, we have distilled the LPO/AFD problems for our community and the state into three separate issues:
First the AFD 70-year-old spillway gates, must ALL be replaced ASAP including new spare gates. The gates in place today and their associated engineering have stood the test of 70 seasons of flood risks. The spare gate being used now was built 70 years ago too. We do not believe it should take a year to re-design something that has already worked well for 70 years. Let’s get the gate building work started now.
Second, with the history of Army Corps decisions regarding lake levels and AFD management, we question if this isn’t a water-based case of federal over-reach. We have greater confidence in a system that acknowledges our local needs, manages risks in an appropriate manner and takes care of issues and problems in a timely way. Our State has a water right to the LPO waters. We believe this right is of critical importance to our local area and to the State. The State of Idaho should have a voice in the operational decisions of AFD and the lake levels of LPO.
State-level meetings and efforts will continue through the Winter to find resolution to these problems.
Last, we are in a gap period now. With the Army Corps plans to operate the AFD in a limited capacity for several years and the next high flow flood water period only 6-7 months away, what are we doing to mitigate the limited access we have to LPO for emergency responders and the boating community in spring? Local improvements should be made ASAP for boat launch facilities and mooring facilities. We have already begun to make these demands of our State and Federal authorities.
At the Oct. 7 public meeting, the Army Corps offered an option for our residents to provide feedback to them and to explain the impacts of the current LPO problems on residents. We believe all our residents should exercise this option. Residents and business owners can send their comments to afdpublicinput@usace.army.mil
We will continue to follow up on this issue until it is resolved. Feel free to ‘CC’ me with your comments to the Army Corps. Questions and comments? Contact me at msauter@house.idaho.gov.