Blackfoot wins FEMA stormwater funding

The city of Blackfoot has been awarded a $1.6 million FEMA grant for a major storm water upgrade. The federal funding will cover about 63 percent of the total $2.6 million project. Congressman Mike Simpson and Senator Mike Crapo notified the city of the award Friday. The retrofit stormwater project will upsize approximately 2,200 feet of storm drain trunk line in Jensen Grove Drive to a 48-inch pipe. It will also upsize about 1,750 feet of storm drain trunk line in Parkway Drive to a 36-inch pipe. The project includes a small lift station to pump out, drain, and empty a section of storm sewer which usually remains full after storm events. The entire project should increase capacity and alleviate bottlenecks in the area.