SEEP class participants work together to install an erosion control blanket. (Photo: M. Schmidt)

Keeping Dirt Where It Belongs

Founded in 2005, the Panhandle Stormwater and Erosion Education Program (SEEP) was designed at the request of contractors and design professionals. They felt tools existed to prevent the physical destruction of local water resources and avoid costly enforcement fines and they wanted to share those tools with the public. A steering committee was formed consisting of agency and university representatives, consultants and construction professionals to create an educational program with certification. Since the inception of the program, over 950 people have been SEEP certified in erosion control practices.

What Happens Beneath the Ice?

What Happens Beneath the Ice?

This story was written by Frank Wilhelm, University of Idaho College of Natural Resources professor, in partnership with the Our Gem Collaborative. It appeared in the CDA Press on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022. Read the original article. Did you know that water is less dense as a solid than as a liquid? Because ice is less dense, it floats (think of ice cubes in a glass of water), and consequently, lakes freeze from the top down. This is crucial for the…