The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District, is inviting public comments regarding the scope of the Corps’ proposal to assist Garden City, Idaho in conducting an Integrated Feasibility Study and Environmental Assessment to evaluate alternatives and recommend a plan to reduce the City’s risk from floodwaters from the Boise River.
Garden City has repeatedly incurred damages as a result of flooding from the Boise River with nine significant floods within the last 30 years.
Should a 100-year flood event occur, approximately 74 percent of Garden City is expected to be inundated with floodwaters with damages estimated to exceed $315 million (2013 estimate).
The 2017 flood, was less than the 50-year flood event, and flows exceeded channel capacity, damaging or threatening industrial, commercial, residential and public infrastructure. Substantial flood fight efforts took place in order to prevent uncontrolled river diversion into residential and commercial districts.
The Corps is soliciting public opinion on relevant issues and environmental effects that should be considered in the study. Scoping comments will be used to help: 1) identify potential and key issues to address; 2) explore potential flood-risk-management alternatives, in addition to no action; and 3) identify potential environmental effects.
The deadline for sending written comments is Dec. 16, 2018.
A public scoping open house will be held at Garden City Hall, located at 6015 North Glenwood Street, Garden City, Idaho, on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.