Stimulus money goes to Libby Dam

Libby Dam is set to receive $220,000 of federal stimulus money as part of a nearly $17 million package to fund Montana rural water projects, Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester announced Thursday.  

An estimated $45,000 will go toward purchasing a riverboat and $175,000 will go toward creating much-needed office space, according to Libby Dam project manager Mick Shea.

Office space is already limited with part of the dam’s U.S. Army Corps of Engineer staff away supporting other Corps missions or serving in the military overseas.

“We’re squeezing people in in different places,” Shea said. “… We’re able to get by and manage but when they return, we will be needing the space.”

Existing buildings will be remodeled to create a new technical center, which will provide offices for the engineering staff, computer activated design technicians, computerized maintenance management technicians and the chief of operations and maintenance.

The new riverboat will replace the Corps’ outdated johnboat, and will be able to navigate the river below the dam at all discharge levels from 4,000 cubic feet per second to 25,000 cfs.

“The boat is there for any oil spill response, for endangered species work and public safety,” Shea said.

The nearly $17 million package includes $6.44 million toward upgrading water facilities in five communities throughout the state, $5.64 million for the Corps of Engineers’ high priority water infrastructure projects, $4.25 million for Ft. Peck Dam and Lake and $435,000 for a Yellowstone River Corrider study.

The rural water projects funding brings Montana’s share of federal stimulus dollars up to $982 million.