Author: cris
Coeur d’Alene Lake Advisory Committee finalizes list of lake cleanup projects
Contact: Dan McCracken, Coeur d’Alene Regional Administrator, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Dan.McCracken@deq.idaho.gov
COEUR D’ALENE—The Coeur d’Alene Lake Advisory Committee (CLAC) met today to prioritize $20 million for projects that improve and protect water quality in Coeur d’Alene Lake, as part of Governor Little’s Leading Idaho Initiative.
The committee voted to award $3.6 million for 10 projects that will target phosphorus reduction throughout the basin.
Projects include restoration work in tributaries intended to reduce phosphorus entering Coeur d’Alene Lake from Wolf Lodge Creek, Mica Creek, and Fernan Lake; stormwater management projects for Coeur d’Alene, Kellogg, and Eastside Highway District; and shoreline stabilization in Powderhorn Bay.
In a final item of business, committee members considered projects to address findings outlined in the National Academies of Science (NAS), Engineering, and Medicine’s Future of Water Quality in Coeur d’Alene Lake report. The report, published in November 2022, provided a third-party assessment of water quality data collected over the last three decades and outlined issues of concern. The committee plans to meet again on March 23 to finalize prioritization and authorize spending for the projects to address NAS recommendations.
The December meeting continues Governor Little’s multiyear effort to improve the health of Coeur d’Alene Lake. In 2021, Governor Little established the CLAC and directed $2 million for projects that reduce levels of phosphorus from entering the lake from wastewater, stormwater runoff, erosion, and other sources. The following year, Governor Little made an additional $20 million available for projects that support the state’s 2009 Lake Management Plan and reduce nutrient loading to the lake.
State of Idaho Receives $4 Million for EV Infrastructure
BOISE – On September 27th, 2022, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced that the Idaho Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan required under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program was approved for implementation. There is now $4,425,511 in funds available to Idaho to strategically deploy EV charging infrastructure and to establish an interconnected network to facilitate data collection, access, and reliability. For the Fiscal Years 2022-2026, Idaho is expected to receive just under $30 million through the NEVI Formula Program. A portion of the FY22 funding will be used to conduct a siting, access, and feasibility study to guide EV fast charger buildout.
Office of Energy and Mineral Resources Administrator, Richard Stover, announced “the approval of the Idaho’s NEVI plan is welcome news. This plan was the culmination of extensive outreach and community input and reflects a strong working partnership between the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD), Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources (OEMR), and other stakeholders and community members across Idaho. Its approval represents an important step in infrastructure, economic and workforce development in Idaho. Over the next year, we will be conducting a siting, feasibility, and access study to determine how and where to deploy this funding. This study will involve significant outreach to local communities, disadvantaged communities across Idaho, and possible funding partners. We are excited to get this plan moving”
The Idaho Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan may be viewed on OEMR’s NEVI webpage. https://oemr.idaho.gov/programs/national-electric-vehicle-infrastructure-program/
DEQ to host an interagency open house on cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins
July 7, 2022
Contact: Danielle Terhaar, Water Quality Analyst, Danielle.Terhaar@deq.idaho.gov
CASCADE — The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) invites the public to join for an open house event focused on cyanobacteria, cyanotoxins, and water quality monitoring at Cascade Lake.
The event is scheduled for July 13, 2022, from 12 to 6:45 p.m. at the American Legion Hall at 105 E Mill St in Cascade.
Representatives from DEQ, US Geological Survey, US Bureau of Reclamation, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Central District Health, Idaho Fish and Game, Idaho Parks and Recreation, Cascade Medical Center, Friends of Lake Cascade, Kelly’s Whitewater Park, and Natural Resources Conservation Service will be available to answer questions about cyanotoxin health effects, water quality sampling and monitoring, public safety, and other related topics.
Cyanobacteria blooms, also called harmful algal blooms, are not uncommon in the warm summer months. Cascade Lake experienced an early bloom in mid-June, sparking questions and concerns among the people. Please meet with us if you would like to learn more.
DEQ seeks comment on proposed expedited settlement action with Conger Management Group, Inc.
July 6, 2022
BOISE — The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) seeks public comment on a proposed settlement action with Conger Management Group, Inc. for violations of the 2022 construction general permit for discharges from construction activities.
Conger Management Group, Inc. obtained coverage under Permit IDR1002S3 as an operator at the Edington Commons Subdivision in Meridian, Idaho. DEQ alleges Conger Management Group, Inc. failed to comply with an applicable condition of the permit.
DEQ prepared an expedited settlement agreement and consent order directing Conger Management Group, Inc. to resolve the violation and either pay a civil penalty or request a compliance conference. Conger Management Group, Inc. has made payment in full for the civil penalty of $450.00 and signed the consent order.
The consent order is available for review at DEQ’s State Office (1410 N. Hilton St.) and on DEQ’s Public Comment Opportunities page.
Submit comments electronically on DEQ’s website or by mail or email:
Nicole Deinarowicz
IPDES Compliance and Enforcement Officer
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
1410 N Hilton St.
Boise, ID 83706
Nicole.Deinarowicz@deq.idaho.gov
Related Documents
City of Kellogg Stormwater Management Upgrades (Phases 1, 2, and 3)
Project Sponsor
City of Kellogg
Purpose
This project improves stormwater management at the City of Kellogg’s stormwater outfalls and consists of three phases.
In Phase 1, the city improved stormwater management at three outfalls (the points of discharge into a stream, river, or other water body. These outfalls are located at Hill Street, Bunker Creek, and North Kellogg. By reducing the amount of stormwater that flows out of these outfalls, the city aims to reduce the volume of metals, phosphorus, and other pollutants that eventually enter Coeur d’Alene Lake via the Coeur d’Alene River. The outfall upgrade at Bunker Creek also adds greenspace to the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes.
In Phase 2, the city plans to address stormwater at Government Gulch by restoring and improving swales and ponds for better stormwater retention. The city will also focus on southeast Kellogg to upgrade existing stormwater channels, sediment basins, and dry wells.
In Phase 3, the city is identifying remaining needs and will be planning improvements to the stormwater management system with available funding. This Leading Idaho funding allowed the city to conduct a comprehensive assessment and document areas for installation upgrades. The City will select the most cost-effective technologies to mitigate stormwater runoff in as many of these areas as funding will address.
Funding
This project received the following from Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative:
- Phase 1: $570,000
- Phase 2: $1.1 million
- Phase 3: $670,000
Current Status
Phase 1 – Three project areas are complete: Bunker Creek Bioswale, South Hill Street continuous deflective separation (CDS) structure, and North Hill Street inlet modification and filters.
Phase 2
- Project Area 1—Government Gulch Channel Restoration. Design is at the 95% level. The goal is to finish design and obtain a bid in May 2025 for construction, scheduled for end of summer 2025 (low water season).
- Project Area 2—Southeast Kellogg. Design is at the 60% level. The goal is to finish the design in and obtain a bid for construction in coordination with the Government Gulch Channel Restoration project. Several common work items, such as earthwork, best management practices, and revegetation, can be conducted by the same company and provide a cost savings.
- Project Area 3—Supplemental Maintenance Equipment. The Vactor Truck was purchased and is currently used by city staff to perform much-needed stormwater maintenance activities. The city has cleaned over 25 storm catchments, 3 storm channels, and 2 miles of storm pipe.
Phase 3 – Outstanding Areas of Kellogg
- Task 1—System Investigations and Survey. Cleaning, video recording, and mapping of the investigation area’s stormwater system are complete. A survey of the inlets and surrounding areas is also complete.
- Task 2—Engineering Design. Project analysis and selection is underway. During April 2025, the selected phosphorus reduction projects will be presented to DEQ for comment. Bidding of projects is anticipated in summer 2025.
- Task 3—Construction and Final Reporting. Not started.
Outcome
This project is estimated to reduce phosphorus inputs to the Coeur d’Alene River by over 700 pounds annually.
Coeur d’Alene Stormwater Outfall Volume Reduction Project
Project Sponsor
City of Coeur d’Alene
Purpose
This project installed stormwater storage and filter systems at outfalls located at Independence Point, Sanders Beach, and along Mullan Avenue in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. These management strategies divert stormwater runoff from existing discharge points, also known as outfalls, in the urban drainage areas and provide water quality information to the community.
Stormwater runoff pollutants from yards, sidewalks, and streets eventually flow into storm drains that discharge directly to Coeur d’Alene Lake in these neighborhoods. Two Sanders Beach outfalls collect runoff from 76 acres, and the East Mullan outfall drains 13 acres of area. The Independence Point outfall conveys runoff from 131 acres to the lake. Before these stormwater management installations, pet and wildlife waste, vehicle fluid, any fertilizer not taken up by lawns and gardens, and anything spilled onto sidewalks, gutters, alleys, and streets in these areas flowed untreated into Coeur d’Alene Lake. This project redirects runoff through a variety of filtration systems and, barring high precipitation or snowmelt events, prevents this surface runoff from reaching the lake.
Even with these management measures in place, residents and visitors must be mindful about daily habits such as fertilizer use and waste disposal. Less pollution to capture and filter means less maintenance time and cost. Filtration systems can be overwhelmed, increasing the possibility that phosphorus and other pollutants in stormwater can reach Coeur d’Alene Lake.
Funding
This project received $1.4 million from Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative.
Current Status
The work for all of these outfalls is complete.
Outcome
This project is expected to reduce phosphorus loads to Coeur d’Alene Lake by approximately 280 pounds annually. The estimated phosphorus load reductions for each drainage area are as follows:
- Sanders Beach: 140 pounds of phosphorus/year
- Mullan Avenue: 20 pounds of phosphorus/year
- Independence Point: 120 pounds of phosphorus/year
Northside Stormwater Drainage Improvements (Marmot Trail Road)
Click an image to enlarge
Project Sponsor
East Side Highway District
Purpose
The purpose of this project is to improve drainage systems along Marmot Trail Road, which includes approximately 3,600 feet of asphalt along a steep gradient. Managing erosion will reduce discharge into the north end of Coeur d’Alene Lake.
Funding
This project was awarded $14,100 from Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative.
Status
This project is complete.
Outcome
This project is expected to decrease phosphorus loading and sediment discharge from soil erosion that flows from stormwater into Coeur d’Alene Lake near the Silver Beach Marina.
Mica Creek Watershed Agricultural Sediment Reduction and Improvement Project (Phase 2)
Project Sponsor
Kootenai Shoshone Soil and Water Conservation District
Purpose
This project stabilized 1,600 feet of streambank on Mica Creek, a tributary to Coeur d’Alene Lake, by removing collapsed vegetation, armoring the banks, and replanting willows to prevent further erosion. These upgrades will reduce sediment and phosphorus loads to Coeur d’Alene Lake.
Funding
This project received $49,000 from Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative.
Current Status
The project was completed in summer 2024.
Outcome
This project is estimated to reduce phosphorus loads to Coeur d’Alene Lake by 50 pounds annually.
DEQ prepares IPDES preliminary draft permit for the city of Dreary
August 12, 2021
BOISE — The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is releasing an Idaho Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Program (IPDES) preliminary draft permit to the City of Deary for preliminary review.
The facility has 10 days to review the preliminary draft permit and fact sheet for any errors and omissions that should be addressed before the public participation period.
After the preliminary draft period has concluded, DEQ will revise the preliminary draft permit as needed, and it will become a draft permit for public review and comment. DEQ will formally notify all necessary parties that the draft permit, fact sheet, and associated application have been posted on DEQ’s website for public review and comment, per the “Rules Regulating the Idaho Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Program” (IDAPA 58.01.25.109). To be notified of the forthcoming posting, go to the DEQ’s Public Comment Opportunities page and click the “Subscribe to this page” link.
Staff Contact
Jonathan Drygas
IPDES Permit Writer
Jonathan.Drygas@deq.idaho.gov
DEQ awards $98,515 to Cassandra Hills Owners Association, Inc. in Benewah County
July 29, 2021
BOISE — The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) today announced the award of $98,515 in drinking water construction assistance to Cassandra Hills Owners Association, Inc. in Benewah County, Idaho.
The funding will be used for drilling a new well, installing the pump and piping, and related engineering water quantity and quality testing.
The assistance from DEQ’s State Revolving Fund, which is capitalized annually by grants from the US Environmental Protection Agency, provides this funding with no repayment obligation. The favorable loan terms represent a $132,023 savings to the community when compared to average costs for municipal general obligation issuances.
Staff Contact
MaryAnna Peavey
Grants & Loans Bureau Chief
MaryAnna.Peavey@deq.idaho.gov
DEQ awards wastewater planning grant to the Santa Fernwood Water and Sewer District
Tuesday, October 06, 2020
BOISE — The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) today announced the award of a wastewater planning grant for $30,000 to the Santa Fernwood Water and Sewer District in Benewah County.
The funds will be used to prepare a wastewater planning study and environmental review. The purpose of the project is to evaluate the current wastewater system and develop alternatives for any needed improvements.
The total eligible cost of the project is $60,000. The remaining $30,000 will be funded by the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development.
Staff Contact
MaryAnna Peavey
Grants and Loans Bureau Chief
MaryAnna.Peavey@deq.idaho.gov
DEQ awards wastewater planning grant to the city of Craigmont
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
BOISE — The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) today announced the award of a wastewater planning grant for $37,500 to the city of Craigmont in Lewis County.
The funds will be used to prepare a wastewater planning study. The purpose of the project is to evaluate the current wastewater system and develop alternatives for any needed improvements.
The total eligible cost of the project is $75,000. The remaining $37,500 will be funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development.
Staff Contact
MaryAnna Peavey
Grants and Loans Bureau Chief
MaryAnna.Peavey@deq.idaho.gov
DEQ awards drinking water planning grant to the Camp Fire Inc., Kootenai County
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
BOISE — The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) today announced the award of a wastewater planning grant for $20,000 to Garden Valley School District in Boise County.
The funds will be used to prepare a wastewater planning study and environmental review. The purpose of the project is to evaluate the current wastewater system and develop alternatives for any needed improvements.
The total eligible cost of the project is $40,000. The remaining $20,000 will be funded by Garden Valley School District.
Staff Contact
MaryAnna Peavey
Grants and Loans Bureau Chief
MaryAnna.Peavey@deq.idaho.gov
DEQ awards wastewater planning grant to the city of Cottonwood, Idaho County
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
BOISE — The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) today announced the award of a wastewater planning grant for $51,960 to the city of Cottonwood in Idaho County.
The funds will be used to prepare a planning study and environmental review. The purpose of the project is to evaluate the current wastewater system and develop alternatives for any needed improvements.
The total eligible cost of the project is $103,920. The remaining $51,960 will be funded by the city of Cottonwood.
Staff Contact
MaryAnna Peavey
Grants and Loans Bureau Chief
MaryAnna.Peavey@deq.idaho.gov
DEQ awards drinking water planning grant to the Golf Club Estates Water Association, Inc., Bonner County
Wednesday, September 02, 2020
BOISE — The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) today announced the award of a drinking water planning grant for $15,000 to the Golf Club Estates Water Association, Inc. in Bonner County.
The funds will be used to prepare a drinking water planning study and environmental review. The purpose of the project is to evaluate the water system’s deficiencies and identify necessary improvements.
The total eligible cost of the project is $30,000. The remaining $15,000 will be funded by the Golf Club Estates Water Association Inc.
Staff Contact
MaryAnna Peavey
Grants and Loans Bureau Chief
MaryAnna.Peavey@deq.idaho.gov
DEQ awards wastewater planning grant to the city of Homedale, Owyhee County
Monday, August 10, 2020
BOISE — The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) today announced the award of a wastewater planning grant for $40,000 to the city of Homedale, in Owyhee County.
The funds will be used to prepare a wastewater planning study and environmental review. The purpose of the project is to evaluate the current wastewater system and develop alternatives for any needed improvements.
The total eligible cost of the project is $80,000. The remaining $40,000 will be funded by the city of Homedale.
Staff Contact
MaryAnna Peavey
Grants and Loans Bureau Chief
MaryAnna.Peavey@deq.idaho.gov
DEQ awards drinking water planning grant to the city of Grand View, Owyhee County
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
BOISE — The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) today announced the award of a drinking water planning grant for $27,500 to the city of Grand View in Owyhee County.
The funds will be used to prepare a drinking water facility plan and environmental review. The purpose of the project is to evaluate the water system’s deficiencies and identify necessary improvements.
The total eligible cost of the project is $70,606. The remaining $43,106 will be funded by the city of Grand View.
Staff Contact
MaryAnna Peavey
Grants and Loans Bureau Chief
MaryAnna.Peavey@deq.idaho.gov