November 9, 1998


Mike Wardle, Project Manager
Harris Ranch Development
50 Broadway Avenue, Suite B
Boise, Idaho 83702


Dear Mike:


On behalf of the Ted Trueblood Chapter of Trout Unlimited, I want to thank you for the field tour of October 17, 1998 on the Harris Ranch and partners property where we were able to observe the current situation with the northern bypass channel. Based on that tour, our board reached a determination that we are very interested in establishing a partnership with Harris Ranch to pursue stream enhancement projects on the northern bypass and other possible locations which run through the Harris Ranch property.

The northern bypass and other channels represent one of the most significant remaining potential stream reaches where water quality and fisheries restoration actions can be accomplished on the Boise River. As you are aware, the Boise River is a Water Quality Limited stream under Section 303 of the Clean Water Act. Salmonid spawning is one of the beneficial uses that the Boise River currently fails to sully support. Studies have recommended that increased spawning and reading habitats for trout would best be accomplished in side channels to the Boise River because the main channel does not contain requisite habitat needs. To my knowledge, the Harris Ranch site has the largest potential for side channel habitat remaining in the Boise River near the city of Boise. Trout Unlimited believes that a major effort in stream restoration on the Harris Ranch site would contribute greatly to meeting the water quality and fisheries needs of the River.

My board members felt it important to stress that Trout Unlimited is most interested in a project that results in viable trout spawning and rearing habitat. Put another way, side channels restored or created need to function for. To this end, I believe the 1991 recommendations of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Riparian and Aquatic Development Standards Recommended for Urban Water Systems and Fish and Wildlife Benefits would be a useful template to follow.

I would like to follow up with you and Karl Gebhart soon to discuss details. Please contact me at your convenience.


Sincerely,

Andy Brunelle
President, Ted Trueblood Chapter Trout Unlimited

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