Date: 4/16/24 5:46 am From: Louisa Evers via groups.io <elouisa603...> Subject: [IBLE] Proposed sand and gravel pits in Canyon County
Three sand and gravel pits have been proposed in Canyon County along side the Boise River. The one near Parma has an active bald eagle nest. The one near Notus has a heron rookery readily visible from Highway 20/26. The one in Caldwell would abut Curtis Park, one of the very few nature parks in Canyon County. There are already several active sand and gravel pits in Canyon County in proximity or adjacent to the Boise River. A public hearing for the proposed pit adjacent to Curtis Park is April 18. The public hearing for the proposed pit near Parma has been rescheduled but no date has been set yet. The city of Notus recently gave preliminary approval for the proposed pit near them and a local resident is considering what the legal options are.
Both Golden Eagle Audubon and the Southwestern Idaho Birders Association (SIBA) wrote letters opposing the pit near Parma but we found out about the other two pits too late for that. Cheryl Huizinga, current president of SIBA, is preparing testimony on the proposed pit abutting Curtis Park in conjunction with a local resident. Several letters were sent to the County Planning and Zoning Commission opposing the proposed pit near Parma and local news is interested.
Given the number of sand and gravel pits already operating in Canyon County it makes one wonder why we need 3 more. It also shows the the birding community needs to pay attention to those public hearing notices posted near important areas for birds and other wildlife.
Louisa Evers <elouisa603...> Take care of the birds and you take care of the world
