Marina Yacht Club, LLC (Hagadone Corp) Application to renovate and expand on Blackwell Island **NEW-KEA Submits Comments

On Thursday, June 4th, The Idaho Department of Lands and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers held a hearing on the Marina Yacht Club, LLC (Hagadone Corporation) proposal to renovate and expand the marina on Blackwell Island.  The proposal seeks to deepen the channel, expand the marina, and add a fueling station and boat lift facilities.  Kootenai Environmental Alliance submitted joint comments with Idaho Rivers United, Idaho Conservation League, and the Spokane Riverkeeper (a project of Spokane’s Center for Justice).  View our detailed comments here. 

To deepen the marina, the proposal calls for de-watering portions of the site, excavation of the sediments on the bottom, and disposal of the sediments – many of which are quite toxic – on the island itself, which lies almost entirely in the Spokane River flood plain.  We are very concerned with the long-term safety and reliability of the disposal scheme, particularly with a lack of independent monitoring at the site – both during the project period and afterward.  We are also concerned with the project’s further encroachment onto the public Lake, and problems posed for public access through the marina from the BLM property nearby.

Members interested in the project, and interested in being involved are encouraged to contact us -- terry@kealliance.org or 667-9093.

VIEW KEA'S FACT SHEET ON THIS PROPOSAL HERE

 VIEW COMMENTS SUBMITTED ON JUNE 4, 2009 BY KEA, Idaho Conservation League, The Lands Council, Spokane Riverkeeper, and Idaho Rivers United here.

Click here to view a larger map.