Public Notice: Water Quality Certification of Nimz Ranch Connector Channels Project in Idaho

Water Quality Certification of Nimz Ranch Connector Channels Project in Idaho
How to Comment
Comments Due

Please submit your comments by email to R10-401-Certs@epa.gov on or before April 17 at 5pm (Pacific time).

If you are unable to submit comments by email, or if you need other assistance, please contact Caroline Pierce (pierce.caroline@epa.gov), 206-553-5780.

Do not submit any information you consider to be confidential business information. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and should include discussion of all points you wish to make.

Publish Date

Summary

On March 9, 2026, EPA received a request from the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho for a water quality certification for the Nimz Ranch Connector Channels Project [U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Walla Walla District project number NWW-2026-00124].

Section 401(a)(1) of the Clean Water Act requires applicants for federal permits and licenses that may result in discharges into waters of the United States to obtain certification that the discharge will comply with applicable provisions of the Clean Water Act. Where no state agency or Tribe has authority to give such certification, EPA is the certifying authority.

In this case, the proposed project is within Tribal trust lands of the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho; therefore, EPA is the certifying authority for this proposed project.

According to the application, the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho proposes to impact wetlands and waters in order to restore the ecological functions on the property by re-establishing floodplain connection to the network of existing wetlands with the Kootenai River. The project is located in wetlands adjacent to the Kootenai River in Boundary County, Idaho (latitude 48.8299, longitude -116.3737).

EPA is requesting comments on its Clean Water Act Section 401 water quality certification for this proposed project.

Project description

The Kootenai Tribe of Idaho proposes to impact approximately 13.3 acres of wetlands by excavating approximately 86,000 cubic yards and discharging approximately 86,000 cubic yards of fill material.

The project would:

  • Improve the ecological productivity of the floodplain.
  • Improve the hydrologic connection between river and floodplain by increasing the frequency and duration of surface water connection.
  • Increase the area of seasonally inundated off-channel aquatic habitat.
  • Increase plant community diversity.
  • Decrease the area of monotypic reed canarygrass communities. 

A copy of the application is available upon request by contacting Caroline Pierce (pierce.caroline@epa.gov), 206-553-5780.

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Last updated on March 18, 2026