Natural resources, including flora and fauna have shaped the culture of the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho (Tribe) for thousands and thousands of years. The aboriginal territories of the Kootenai Tribal peoples (Ktunaxa) were far reaching with traditional hunting, fishing, and gathering activities extending into British Columbia, Western Montana, and all of North Idaho.

Many of the areas and resources traditionally used by the Tribe have been lost. Anadromous salmonids no longer journey up the Upper Columbia River and its tributaries, and wapato no longer blooms on the drained wetlands. Even today, the Kootenai white sturgeon and burbot struggle to maintain historic spawning grounds.

It is the goal of the Tribe to promote full mitigation of the impacts suffered by the people of the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho and the fish, water, wildlife, and plant resources upon which they depended, as a direct and indirect result of the development and operation of the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS).

The Kootenai River floodplain reconnection feasibility study (Project) is one component of a larger, on-going effort to indentify and implement opportunities to restore natural floodplain functions along the Kootenai River. The overall Project goal is to enhance biological, terrestrial and aquatic habitats by improving hydrologic connectivity between the Kootenai River and its floodplain ecosystem.

Coordination and cooperation between all agencies and the Upper Columbia United Tribes (UCUT), including the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, will ensure fish and wildlife mitigation activities are consistent with the Northwest Power and Conservation Council (NWPCC) Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Program (Program). The Project is tied strongly to the 2000 NWPCC Fish and Wildlife Program scientific principles. Implementation of Project objectives is critical to restoring ecosystem function. Moreover, the Project framework is designed to characterize, assess, and reduce or eliminate the primary and secondary limiting factors listed in the Kootenai Subbasin Plan. The Project also addresses Urgent and High Priority objectives found in the Kootenai Subbasin Management Plan (Table 10.5).

The Project initiates the restoration of natural ecosystem processes in the Kootenai River Basin by creating physical habitat for native aquatic and terrestrial wildlife species as well as botanical communities. Further, as an ecosystem restoration project, it also addresses nutrient cycles, assimilation, and the trophic cascade which has been interrupted.

To date, the Tribe has studied the feasibility of reconnecting floodplain habitats with the mainstem Kootenai River. The Tribe has determined that indeed it is not only feasible but it is also beneficial for the health of the ecosystem. Additionally, as part of this project, the Tribe has collected baseline productivity data in existing floodplain water bodies. As we continue our work toward ecosystem restoration, it is important to summarize the current conditions, forecasted conditions, and the rationale for restoration.

In 2011 – 2012:
- Restoration M&E design and related work based on trophic structure assessments, water sampling and assess historic habitat types associated with 2002-011-00 project.
- Initiate project coordination and database linkages for ecosystem research and enhancement activities with 2002-011-00, 1994-049-00, 2002-002-00, and where necessary apply mitigation and restoration actions of 1992-061-00 and related riparian, wetland and floodplain habitats in the Basin.
- Assess floodplain/wetland system productivity and biological response data (lentic/lotic) and conduct preliminary data and information gap analysis and assemble all of the data collected to date to identify physical limitations of wetland ecological habitats, and geomorphic/hydrologic parameters as well as opportunities to work with the community on reconnection opportunities.
- Assemble designs and models for review by ISRP and NPCC and seek design approvals.
- Examine and possibly refine the design of water control structures for Ball Creek diversion related to landowners and water availability issues.
- Examine hydrogeologic data and existing models to maximize potential hyporheic interactions.
- Work with USGS and others to apply groundwater monitoring data and modeling to better understand hyporheic and backwater effects of the Kootenai River and modeled floodplain wetlands.
- Assess change needs based on ISRP recommendations, potential future NEPA needs.
- Follow additional environmental compliance needs (i.e., 401, 404 permits, etc.), future construction planning and associated objectives.