Photo of Big Baja Road south of Boise, Idaho

Need

The 22-mile Big Baja Road connects the Swan Falls Dam Road south of Boise with the Grandview Highway, crossing a portion of the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA), a unit of the BLM National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS).   Only four miles at the north end of the road are graveled; the rest is a dirt track that easily erodes in dry months and is exceptionally muddy when wet.  Ecological degradation and soil erosion are concerns throughout the NCA, particularly adjacent to the road.

Recovery Act Funding

Funding will support gravelling of all 22 miles of the road and reconstruction and repair where needed. 

Benefits

Resurfacing the road will create a hardened area for vehicle travel and allow rehabilitation of disturbed areas along the road.  Rehabilitated areas will offer habitat benefits for the raptor and prey populations that enliven the NCA and attract visitors from all over the world.  Vehicular traffic traveling the shortest route between Swan Falls Dam and Grand View will find the drive easier and safer.

More Information 

Jim Johanson, Operations Manager
Boise District Office - (208) 384-3429

Heather Feeney, Public Affairs Specialist
BLM Idaho State Office - (208) 373-4014