The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) invited the public input to identify issues, opportunities, or constraints for consideration in the development of the draft American Falls RMP. Reclamation also welcomed input on best available data, relevant information and references, or other data sources that will allow for the preparation of a robust draft RMP. The RMP project area comprises the American Falls Dam and Reservoir, which includes Reclamation-administered lands near the town of American Falls in southeast Idaho. 

Reclamation’s goals for developing the RMP are to manage, protect, and enhance fish and wildlife habitat, natural, cultural, and recreational resources; to preserve the aesthetic quality and natural environment; to promote the safe and healthful use of the reservoir lands and waters; and to strengthen the local economy through expanding the services and season of use. The RMP will be developed with full consideration of public input and will incorporate into one document long-term management objectives for lands and resources.

Public meetings have been held throughout various points of the project and aimed to ensure transparency and understanding of this process. Meetings were an open house format with a project presentation and opportunities to engage Reclamation specialists and provide comments. Reclamation held the in-person public meeting on September 30, 2024, to gather public input on issues, opportunities, and constraints to be addressed in the RMP. The second in-person meeting scheduled for February 13, 2025, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (MDT) at the Marshall Library in Pocatello, was canceled due to adverse weather conditions and severe storm warnings.

Reclamation is the lead federal agency for this effort and will initiate National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) once the draft RMP has been fully developed. Reclamation anticipates preparing an environmental assessment (EA) for the RMP. Interested parties will be able to submit scoping comments and comments on the draft EA when those NEPA comment periods occur in 2025/2026.

Next Station: Project Background

For more information on the American Falls RMP or to be added or removed from the mailing list, please contact Jami Andersen, Project Manager via email at bor-sha-afrmp@usbr.gov or by phone at 208-678-0461.

Individuals who are deaf, blind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay services to contact the above Reclamation Project Manager during normal business hours or to leave a message or question after hours.