Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little announced today he is establishing a new Coeur d’Alene Lake Advisory Committee to improve and protect the health of North Idaho’s iconic water body.

The formation of the committee is part of Governor Little’s Building Idaho’s Future initiative, which directs $2 million to be spent on projects that reduce nutrients in the lake from sources throughout the Coeur d’Alene Basin.

“We all share a collective desire to improve water quality within Coeur d’Alene Lake, but funding for meaningful projects has been difficult to secure. I am prioritizing the funding needed to complete these important projects so we can get to work right away,” Governor Little said.

In 2020, Governor Little asked the National Academy of Sciences to analyze water quality data in Coeur d’Alene Lake. The Coeur d’Alene Lake Advisory Committee will support the effort by evaluating proposals that result in near-term phosphorous reductions and prioritizing projects that are eligible for funding under the Governor’s initiative.

The committee is made up of nine members representing a cross-section of local interests, including local and state government, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, lakeshore property owners, tourism officials, local businesses, conservation groups, and the public.

The committee will have an open solicitation for nutrient reduction project proposals later this year. Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) staff will perform a preliminary technical evaluation and priority will be given to proposals that are ready to implement quickly and that provide the largest reductions in phosphorus loading to Coeur d’Alene Lake.

Committee membership includes:

• Chris Fillios (Chair) – Kootenai County Commissioner
• Jack Riggs (Vice Chair) – Public at Large
• Gene H. James – Secretary/Treasurer of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe
• Paul Amador – Member of Idaho House of Representatives
• Steve Widmyer – Mayor of Coeur d’Alene
• Shelley Austin – Executive Director of Kootenai Environmental Alliance
• Bruce Cyr – Lakeshore Property Owner
• Craig Brosenne – Hagadone Marine Group
• Jordan Hall – Business Owner and Harrison City Councilor

Governor Little will kick off the committee’s first meeting, which will be held Aug. 26 at 9 a.m. at the DEQ Coeur d’Alene Regional Office, located at 2110 Ironwood Parkway, Suite 100. The public may listen via Zoom. More information on the upcoming meeting, Coeur d’Alene Lake nutrient reduction efforts and the Coeur d’Alene Lake Advisory Committee is available at https://www.deq.idaho.gov/coeur-dalene-lake-advisory-committee/.

Governor Little’s proclamation establishing the committee is available at Proclamation CDA lake Advisory Committee.

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