Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is there a proposed federal action?

2. What will be included in the development of the RMP?

3. Why is the proposed federal action necessary?

4. Does the Federal Advisory Committee Act apply to the working group?

5. How will Reclamation engage the public during the RMP process?

6. How will you consider comments from the public?

7. How will Reclamation engage Native American tribes?

8. How will Reclamation comply with NEPA?

1. Is there a proposed federal action?

Reclamation is proposing to develop an RMP, which is considered a federal action. However, at this phase Reclamation has not developed a proposed action or alternatives. This early coordination and public input are intended to assist Reclamation in developing a proposed action (draft RMP), which would become the proposed federal action and initiate the NEPA process.

2. What will be included in the development of the RMP?

The draft RMP will identify issues, opportunities, and constraints in the project area, detail the existing conditions, and provide preliminary goals, objectives, and management direction for the project area.

3. Why is the RMP necessary?

The 1995 American Falls RMP is nearly three decades old and needs to be revised to address changing conditions and management needs.

4. Does the Federal Advisory Committee Act apply to the working group?

FACA does not apply to the working group because the purpose is to obtain information or viewpoints from individual attendees as opposed to advice, opinions or recommendations from the group acting in a collective mode.

5. How will Reclamation engage the public during the RMP process?

Reclamation is committed to an open and inclusive RMP process. All substantive comments will be carefully considered in our review and decision(s) on meeting the agency’s public involvement responsibilities in this process.

The public participates in the RMP process by helping to identify issues, opportunities, and constraints. All public substantive input is considered.

Reclamation initiated an input period on August 28, 2024, with the publication of a press release and other public notices. Reclamation issued a news release and a newspaper advertisement, and distributed flyers via email and in person to announce the public input opportunities. The initial public input period ended on October 12, 2024. Reclamation held the first 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 public meeting for the RMP scheduled from 4:30-6:30pm (MT) on February 13th, 2025, at the Marshall Library in Pocatello, Idaho, has been canceled due to adverse weather conditions and storm warnings for that afternoon. The public can provide initial input and participate through this virtual public meeting website. Reclamation will be accepting public comments as they relate to the information presented during the public meeting and the development of the RMP. The public can submit input through a variety of methods at any time during this input period. Comments must be submitted/postmarked by February 26, 2025. To submit comments, please send an email to bor-sha-afrmp@usbr.gov, visit the virtual public meeting website at www.virtualpublicmeeting.com/american-falls-rmp, or submit by postal mail to Jami Andersen, Bureau of Reclamation, Upper Snake Field Office, 470 Roger Ave., Heyburn, ID 83336.

6. How will you consider comments from the public?

Reclamation will collect input from Tribes, the public, and other interested parties. The Reclamation team will review and consider input submitted. You can provide your input here.

7. How will Reclamation engage Native American Tribes?

Reclamation has a responsibility to consult with Native American Tribes on the proposed project. Reclamation will engage the Tribes to identify sacred sites, Indian Trust Assets, and other concerns. The Tribes have a long history and deep cultural ties to the American Falls area. Consultation under Section 106 of the National Historical Protection Act, government-to-government consultation, and close coordination under NEPA will be the primary means of engagement.

8. How will Reclamation comply with the National Environmental Policy Act?

Reclamation is the lead federal agency under NEPA and will publish a notice for a scoping period once the draft RMP has been fully developed and published for public review. Reclamation anticipates preparing an environmental assessment for the RMP. Interested parties will be able to submit scoping comments and comments on the draft environmental assessment when those comment periods are noticed to the public in 2025/2026.

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

To be added or removed from the mailing list, please contact Jared Baxter (jared.baxter@aecom.com).

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.