Wednesday, April 18, 2007

County reviews streambank stabilization policy

Riprapping receiving critical look after last year?s intense flooding


By JASON KAUFFMAN
Express Staff Writer

Intense flooding that occurred in the Wood River Valley last spring following the winter's above-average snowpack was an eye opener in more ways than one.

During the record-setting event, numerous landowners along the Big Wood River attempted to shore up their riverside properties using rocky debris, otherwise known as riprap.

Now, many months later, those erosion control actions are receiving a more critical look by the county.

The Blaine County Commission hosted a policy level discussion Tuesday, April 17, aimed at considering whether the county's regulations meant to protect the Big Wood River are working and whether any changes are warranted.

Invited to take part in the preliminary discussions were Robert Brochu, who works out of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Idaho Falls office, and Terry Blau, stream protection specialist for the Idaho Department of Water Resources.

Among other things, Brochu explained the Corps of Engineers' method for reviewing requests to add material to waterways like the Big Wood River to protect private property and reclaim property lost to flooding.

In general, the agency prefers to let county governments take the lead on dictating policy whenever possible, he said.

In Blaine County's case, the Corps of Engineers would prefer to let the county do that because of the stricter regulations it has in place compared to many other Idaho counties, Brochu said.

Also speaking during the discussion was Hailey resident Cygnia Rapp, a consultant with the Wood River Land Trust. Rapp recently completed an assessment of the health of the Big Wood River.

Based on a brief explanation of her findings—which are included in a lengthy report she delivered to the County Commission—Commissioner Tom Bowman asked Rapp to come back to give a more detailed presentation at a future meeting.




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