COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — Idaho Gov. Brad Little announced the assembly of the new Coeur d’Alene Lake Advisory Committee on Friday.
The committee will work to improve and protect the health of the lake, according to a press release from the governor.
The formation of the committee is a part of Gov. Little’s Building Idaho’s Future initiative. It directs $2 million to be spent on projects that reduce nutrients in the lake from sources throughout the Coeur d’Alene Basin.
In the press release, Gov. Little said he prioritized the funding to get started on the projects right away.
“We all share a collective desire to improve water quality within Coeur d’Alene Lake, but funding for meaningful projects has been difficult to secure," Little said.
The committee will have an open solicitation for nutrient reduction project proposals later this year.
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) staff will perform a preliminary technical evaluation and priority will be given to proposals that are ready to implement quickly and that provide the largest reductions in phosphorus loading to Coeur d’Alene Lake.
Members of the committee include:
- Chris Fillios (Chair) – Kootenai County Commissioner
- Jack Riggs (Vice Chair) – Public at Large
- Gene H. James – Secretary/Treasurer of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe
- Paul Amador – Member of Idaho House of Representatives
- Steve Widmyer – Mayor of Coeur d’Alene
- Shelley Austin – Executive Director of Kootenai Environmental Alliance
- Bruce Cyr – Lakeshore Property Owner
- Craig Brosenne – Hagadone Marine Group
- Jordan Hall – Business Owner and Harrison City Councilor
The committee's first meeting will be held on Aug. 25 at 9 a.m. at DEQ Coeur d’Alene Regional Office.
