The state of Idaho is directing $20 million of its federal Covid rescue plan money to projects related to Coeur d’Alene Lake.
The allocation is to go to projects designed to prevent phosphorus from making its way into Coeur d’Alene Lake. Phosphorus leads to the growth of toxic algae blooms, which degrade the lake’s water quality.
The money is the second batch of phosphorus-related cash for the lake. Last year Governor Brad Little allocated two million as part of his Leading Idaho initiative. That was for projects that are ready to implement right away.
The Coeur d’Alene Lake Advisory Committee picked seven projects. Work on those is scheduled to begin this year in Coeur d’Alene, Kellogg and Plummer and along the St. Joe and Coeur d’Alene Rivers.
The committee has more time to pick projects paid for by the new round of money. That doesn’t have to be allocated until the end of 2024, with work to be finished by the end of 2026.
Panel members could select projects that remain on the initial list of 40 proposals. It could also solicit new ones. The committee is scheduled to meet again soon to decide its next steps.
