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Project Sponsor
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
Purpose
This project determines if key contaminants, currently present in sediments and recreational waters in Coeur d’Alene Lake and the Spokane River, can cause harm to public health. This project is based on a recommendation from the 2022 National Academies of Sciences report and includes a public outreach and sampling component.
Engagement
IDEQ is leading this project and began planning activities and stakeholder engagement in 2023 with Alta Science and Engineering, Inc. Efforts include gaining input from the public, state and federal officials, and tribal leaders through a questionnaire, press release, and comment opportunities.
Sampling
Environmental sampling occurred in summer 2024. Based on 2023 public engagement activities, monitoring focused on high-use areas at Coeur d’Alene Lake and along the Spokane River. Samples collected included beach sediment, sediments in shallow water areas, lake water near recreational areas, and some upland soil. Results are being analyzed to determine if recreation on and around these water bodies may pose human health risks. These results will also be compared to a similar 1998 field study. Findings will be shared late summer 2025, with a final report released in 2026.
Funding
This project received $855,000 from Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative.
Current Status
Sampling results from data collected in summer 2024 are currently being analyzed.
The sampling data will be used to develop a human health risk assessment that DEQ and other project stakeholders will rely on to make future management decisions.
A final report is expected in 2026.
