Conservation Groups Submit Comments to the U.S. Corps of Engineers re Blackwell Island Marina

Comments to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding the Blackwell Island Marina application (NWW No. 051200031) were submitted on June 15, 2009 by a group of conservation groups including Kootenai Environmental Alliance, Idaho Conservation League, The Lands Council, Spokane Riverkeeper, and Idaho Rivers United. 

With these comments, we express our serious concerns with the application to permit the renovation and expansion of the Blackwell Island Marina on Coeur d'Alene Lake. On balance, we are concerned that the risks to public health and the environment posed by the application outweigh the public benefits as described in the application and as stated by the applicant.

You will find our discussion based on the following concerns:

1. The Lake Coeur d'Alene sediments to be dredged are quite toxic.
2. The dredged material removal protocols are problematic.
3. The application provides no plan for monitoring the CDFs, and no plan for monitoring water quality.
4. Permanent storage on a floodplain is not a propoer disposal solution.
5. Liability for future releases must remain with the Applicant.
6. Other adverse environmental impacts.
7. The Project is inconsistent with the public interest.

Read the entire document here. 

Contact Terry Harris at KEA with your comments or questions. 667-9093 or terry@kealliance.org.