COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — Idaho Gov. Brad Little visited Coeur d’Alene on Thursday to highlight investments from the state to improve the water quality of Lake Coeur d’Alene.
The Governor’s plan includes $80 million to improve water quality in Idaho, including Lake Coeur d’Alene. The money will be used to fund nutrient reduction projects. Grants will also be available for farmers, ranchers, and dairies to help implement practices that improve Idaho’s primary watersheds.
Gov. Little is also putting money toward making improvements to local drinking and wastewater systems. The funding includes $450 million from federal funds and another $44 million from the general fund.
In 2021, the state allocated $2 million for water quality projects that will benefit Lake Coeur d’Alene, with another $20 million over the next few years.
The funding will support the work of the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and the Coeur d’Alene Lake Advisory Committee.
“Water is the source of life, and North Idaho truly revolves around Coeur d’Alene Lake. We depend on this lake for the health of the surrounding environment. All aspects of the economy go back to the lake, from tourism to recreation to local business,” Governor Little said. “Many of us refer to Coeur d’Alene Lake as the gem of North Idaho, and we all want to keep it that way.”
On their website, the Coeur d’Alene Lake Advisory Committee lists several proposed projects, including:
- Stormwater projects at Sanders Beach, Independence Point, Mullan Ave, and Marmot Trail
- Coeur d'Alene River Stabilization
- Mica Creek Watershed Agricultural Sediment Reduction and Improvement Project Phase 2
- The city of Plummer and Stimson Lumber Company Municipal Wastewater Reuse Project
- St. Joe River Reduction of Phosphate
- City of Kellogg Bunker Creek Outfall
- City of Kellogg North Kellogg Outfall
- City of Kellogg Hill Street Outfall