Institutional Controls Program, Lead Health, and What it Means to You

Institutional Controls Program, Lead Health, and What it Means to You

This story was written by Guest author: Mary Rehnborg on behalf of the Our Gem Collaborative team for the CDA Press on Sunday, January 1, 2023. Read the original article. The history of the Bunker Hill Superfund Site (BHSS) is a long and complicated one. Cleanup of legacy mine waste throughout the site began in the late 1980s and continues today. But cleanup isn’t so easy at the BHSS. Several factors limited the types of remedial options available here. Factors such…

bull trout

A Brief Coeur d’Alene Lake Fishtory

This story was written by Guest author: Erin Plue, Trout Unlimited on behalf of the Our Gem Collaborative team for the CDA Press on Sunday, December 18, 2022. Read the original article. Did you know that some of the first train car occupants traveling from the eastern United States were baby fish? Early train cars were fitted with fish tanks, allowing people to bring their favorite familiar fish species with them to the waters of the West. This is just one…

Protecting Our Greatest Resource

Protecting Our Greatest Resource

This story was written by Guest author: Jason Peppin on behalf of the Our Gem Collaborative team for the CDA Press on Sunday, December 4, 2022. Read the original article. One of the greatest treasures North Idaho has to offer is the abundance of surface water and groundwater. As our area continues to develop, effectively managing impacts of wastewater disposal to this precious resource is becoming increasingly important. Although our area boasts some of the most advanced municipal wastewater treatment facilities…

Managing Stormwater

Guest author: Chris Bosley, City Engineer for the city Coeur d’Alene For the sake of the lake’s health, the City of Coeur d’Alene has been working to reduce the amount of untreated stormwater runoff that enters Coeur d’Alene Lake and the Spokane River. Stormwater runoff in the southeastern area of the city is collected and conveyed through pipes to thirteen outfalls along Coeur d’Alene Lake and the Spokane River. Stormwater discharge into the water is permitted under the Idaho Pollutant…

An osprey lands back at its nest on a wooden post in Cougar Bay during an Osprey Cruise in 2016. (LOREN BENOIT/Press File)

Promoting and Protecting Our Area’s Natural Resources

This story was written by the Our Gem Collaborative team for the CDA Press on Sunday, November 20, 2022. Read the original article. It takes a village to manage our local natural resources. Luckily, we have some outstanding community members who work tirelessly to do just that. With all the good work being done in the area, there is a need to ensure their work is shared and coordinated with others. The Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber has a committee for professionals,…

Harmful Algae Blooms (H.A.B.s)

Harmful Algae Blooms (H.A.B.s)

Written by guest author Gabby Pfeiffer Harmful algae blooms (HABs) are a serious threat to the lake’s health and water-based recreation. That murky green film can have serious health impacts. Some cyanobacterial blooms (harmful algae blooms) can cause harm to your skin, liver and nervous system. Adequate exposure to the harmful bloom can cause a variety of symptoms in both humans and animals. In fact, every year nationwide there are accounts of serious illness and death of dogs. If your…

Meet the Bay Watchers, Members of the U of I Citizen Scientist Program

Meet the Bay Watchers, Members of the U of I Citizen Scientist Program

Recently, the Community Water Resource Center (CWRC) at the U of I in Coeur d’Alene wrapped up its third year of citizen scientist data collection on Coeur d’Alene Lake with the Bay Watchers. The Bay Watchers is a dynamic group of volunteers that meet with CWRC outreach employees once a month to monitor water quality parameters in their local area or bay on the Lake. The program now samples 12 sites on the Lake for different water quality parameters. The Bay Watchers…

Exploring The Basin: The Trail of the Coeur d’Alene’s

Exploring The Basin: The Trail of the Coeur d’Alene’s

The Coeur d’Alene Basin, land of the Schitsu’umsh people or the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, has always been considered a beautiful place and a not-so hidden gem. One of the attractions of our area is the beautiful Trail of the Coeur d’Alene’s. This asphalted trail covers 73 miles and is a longtime favorite of bikers everywhere. In addition to its recreational reputation and popularity, this trail has a unique history. It’s common knowledge that this area has a lot of history…

Saskatoon Serviceberry, a shrub native to North Idaho

Water Conservation Through Native Landscaping

Guest author: Kathy Hutton, Plants of the Wild The term “Native Landscaping” has been in the conversation for decades. I have been in the industry for 35 years and have seen a slow evolution into making the practice of using natives in your landscape a successful reality. When I say slow, I mean SLOW!! I have worked with different nurseries, landscapers, extension offices, etc. for the last 25 years promoting the use of native plants in landscaping and teaching homeowners…

ARPA Funding, Advisory Groups and Why They Matter

On June 30, 2022, a press release was sent out outlining a historic initiative concerning water in the State of Idaho. Governor Brad Little, through his Leading Idaho initiative, is providing funding for agriculture, education and transportation at the state level. An exciting part of this initiative locally involves Coeur d’Alene Lake. Governor Little allocated $2 million for Coeur d’Alene Lake nutrient reduction projects in 2021. In 2022, an additional $20 million has been allocated to further the effort to…