July 1, 2022
Contact: Jamie Brunner, Lake Management Plan Supervisor, Jamie.brunner@deq.idaho.gov
COEUR D’ALENE — The Coeur d’Alene Lake Advisory Committee announced Friday that the period for submitting nutrient-reduction proposals is now open thanks to an additional $20 million made available through Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative.
In 2021, Governor Little directed $2 million for “shovel-ready” projects that improve water quality in Coeur d’Alene Lake. This second round of funding aims to advance additional cleanup projects that reduce phosphorus pollution in Coeur d’Alene Lake.
“Coeur d’Alene Lake is the heart of our North Idaho community, playing a crucial role in its culture, economy and way of life. Preserving the lake is an absolute must,” Idaho Governor Brad Little said. “The projects selected by the Coeur d’Alene Lake Advisory Committee and made possible through our Leading Idaho plan are helping to protect the vitality of Coeur d’Alene Lake for our future generations. While we’ve made a lot of progress to protect the lake, we’re taking steps to address the work still needed.”
“This investment demonstrates the commitment that the State of Idaho has to the long-term health of the lake. I want to express my gratitude to Governor Little, committee members, and DEQ staff for their hard work and dedication to improve water quality in Coeur d’Alene Lake,” said DEQ Director Jess Byrne.
The committee will use the following criteria to prioritize proposals:
- On-the-ground projects that reduce phosphorus loads to Coeur d’Alene Lake.
- Projects located within Idaho and the watershed area draining to Coeur d’Alene Lake
- Projects that reduce levels of phosphorus entering Coeur d’Alene Lake and its tributaries
- Community support for the project
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. Federally owned or managed lands are ineligible. Monitoring, education, and outreach may be a component of a project but not the primary focus.
The application can be found on the committee’s Notice of Solicitation page. Applications will are due by September 15, 2022, at 11:59 pm PST.
The committee will meet again in October to review project proposals. A final decision is expected in November.
Submit applications by mail or email to:
Jamie Brunner
DEQ Coeur d’Alene Regional Office
2110 Ironwood Parkway
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83814
Jamie.brunner@deq.idaho.gov