10/15/08 Possible road closure at Bureau of Rec dam

The US Bureau of Reclamation is moving ahead with plans to close off a road that runs atop the lower dam at Lake Lowell in Canyon County. They have ordered the temporary gates that could be used and they're looking at four permanent closure options during an environmental assessment. Many residents and farmers in the area can't understand the reason behind such actions. TIEDEMAN "To protect the facility in case there is a threat or heightened security level issued by Homeland Security." John Tiedeman of the Bureau of Rec says his agency did a security assessment of dams and facilities under its control and decided to take action first at Lake Lowell. While this work goes on Tiedeman says they're planning security upgrades at Anderson Ranch and Palisades reservoirs. TIEDEMAN "Those are the first ones that we're trying to take care off. There are probably others that we will take care off and there are other dams within the western United States that we're also taking care of." Hundreds of Canyon County residents have signed petitions against the road closure and they believe the possibility of a terrorist threat is exaggerated. Instead of blocking roads some have suggested that the Bureau of Rec build up the dam to make it less vulnerable to attack, accident or failure. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott