LOWER JOCKO J DIVERSION PROJECT PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD OPEN The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Indian Reservation, in cooperation with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), are proposing to replace the Lower Jocko J Diversion, construct other irrigation improvements at the Lower Jocko J Canal, and implement vicinity restoration and reclamation improvements. The current configuration results in fishery concerns, debris accumulation near the head of the canal forebay, sediment deposition upstream of the diversion and in the canal forebay, and other operational limitations in the canal. The project would include replacing the existing diversion with a new rock ramp; replacing the existing fish screen; placing a portion of the existing Lower Jocko J Canal in the vicinity of the diversion into a pipeline on a new alignment; and associated wetland mitigation, floodplain re-naturalization, and bank stabilization efforts. Construction is anticipated to start in 2023. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared for the project as part of the BIA National Environmental Policy Act requirements. The BIA is currently soliciting public comments on the project. Comment Written comments or concerns regarding the project may be sent to: Taryn Bushey The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes PO Box 278, Pablo, MT 59855 or taryn.bushey@cskt.org Please indicate your comments are for the Lower Jocko J Diversion Project. Comments are due by April 29, 2022. Learn More https://csktribes.org | http://csktnrd.org/water-management LOWER JOCKO J DIVERSION PROJECT PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD OPEN The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Indian Reservation, in cooperation with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), are proposing to replace the Lower Jocko J Diversion, construct other irrigation improvements at the Lower Jocko J Canal, and implement vicinity restoration and reclamation improvements. The current configuration results in fishery concerns, debris accumulation near the head of the canal forebay, sediment deposition upstream of the diversion and in the canal forebay, and other operational limitations in the canal. The project would include replacing the existing diversion with a new rock ramp; replacing the existing fish screen; placing a portion of the existing Lower Jocko J Canal in the vicinity of the diversion into a pipeline on a new alignment; and associated wetland mitigation, floodplain re-naturalization, and bank stabilization efforts. Construction is anticipated to start in 2023. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared for the project as part of the BIA National Environmental Policy Act requirements. The BIA is currently soliciting public comments on the project. Comment Written comments or concerns regarding the project may be sent to: Taryn Bushey The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes PO Box 278, Pablo, MT 59855 or taryn.bushey@cskt.org Please indicate your comments are for the Lower Jocko J Diversion Project. Comments are due by April 29, 2022. Learn More https://csktribes.org | http://csktnrd.org/water-management