Feds recommend against building southeast Idaho dam

Federal authorities are against the building of a proposed dam in southeast Idaho on the Bear River.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Wednesday released a draft Environmental Impact Statement on the Bear River Narrows Project with a staff recommendation against licensing the project.

The Twin Lakes Canal Company wants to build a 109-foot-high dam with a 10-megawatt powerhouse. The 362-acre reservoir would provide irrigation water.

The federal agency in the 504-page document says the public benefits of not building the dam outweigh the public benefits of building it.

The agency cited loss of 4.5 miles of river, loss of 425 acres of wildlife habitat, and loss of the scenic Oneida Narrows among the reasons to reject the project.

The agency is taking comments on the document through November 30.