OUR GEM: Be Smart Around Lead, Play Clean

OUR GEM: Be Smart Around Lead, Play Clean

Guest Author: Mary Rehnborg, Institutional Controls Program Manager for Panhandle Health District Summertime recreation is one of the best parts of living in our area. Swimming, boating, camping, and other outdoor activities are great ways to make lifelong memories with your friends and family. While our region looks like a pristine, beautiful place to recreate, some areas are impacted by the historical mining activities that occurred in the Coeur d’ Alene basin. North Idaho is home to one of the…

Citizen Coordinating Council

OUR GEM: Citizen Coordinating Council

What does citizen engagement mean? According to Robert Langley, a retired urban planning professional, it means participation in “activities intended to improve the quality of life in one’s community by addressing issues of public concern…and developing the knowledge and skills needed to address those issues (Longley, Robert. “What Is Civic Engagement? Definition and Examples.” ThoughtCo, Oct. 4, 2022, thoughtco.com/what-is-civic-engagement-definition-and-examples-5072704).” Citizen engagement can provide meaningful input for decision-making and project implementation.  Decision makers realize public involvement and awareness is important –…

OUR GEM: What is the Basin Environmental Improvement Project Commission?

OUR GEM: What is the Basin Environmental Improvement Project Commission?

In 1983, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) listed the Bunker Hill Mining and Metallurgical Complex in Northern Idaho as a Superfund site due to the high level of heavy metals that had been released into the environment by mining operations.  The initial Bunker Hill remediation (clean-up) area was restricted to a 21 square mile area around Kellogg called “The Box.” In 2002, EPA released an Interim Record of Decision, officially expanding the scope of the clean-up to the…

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…