See Also : Links: Idaho
Department of Idaho
Department of Lake Pend
Oreille Idaho Club Idaho
Legislature Albeni
Falls Dam
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The Pend Oreille Basin Commission, charged with studying, investigating, and selecting ways and means of controlling the water quality and water quantity as they relate to waters of Lake Pend Oreille, Pend Oreille River, Priest Lake and Priest River for the communities' interests and the interests of the State of Idaho and for the survival of the native species fish contiguous to the Pend Oreille/Priest River Basin,:" ”has a multitude of issues to keep a watchful eye upon. Lake level management: The Commission was formed in part to help manage the lake level on Lake Pend Orielle. The Albeni Falls Dam, located in Oldtown, Idaho, controls the top 11 feet of Lake Pend Oreille. Every fall, the Lakes Commission, along with IDFG, and other organizations, submit an "SOR" (System Operating Request) to the US Army Corps of Engineers requesting a specific lake level, and/or date of drawdown. It was suggested that the Commission field local comments, questions, and concerns regarding lake level management, and supported by the board members. SO...now you can POST YOUR COMMENTS, QUESTIONS and/or CONCERNS right here on our website! Of course, it doesn't have to be in regard to the lake level, but that is an important issue, and one that plenty of folks in the area have questions about! Please submit any comments and feel free to call/email me, Kate Wilson, with any questions. Rock Creek Mine: The Commission reviewed the plans for the proposed Rock Creek Mine in 2005 and after community meetings and visits from the developer, took a position in opposition of the Mine. Read more. Predation and other fishery Issues: The Commission is very involved with the "Lake Pend Oreille Fishery Recovery Task Force" and the associated Angler Incentive Program. The Commission supports the bounty program in regard to its potential to reduce the predator trout, thus relieving the burden and threats to kokanee and bull trout. Eurasian milfoil: The Commission participates on the Bonner County Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force, and is very active in the community on aquatic invasive species issues and outreach. Currently, the Task Force is developing a "Strategic Plan" for curbing the invasion and spread of aquatic invasives to Bonner County waterways. discharge concerns: Wastewater treatment plants and sewer districts often discharge to surface waters. The Commission generally discourages this practice, as Lake Pend Oreille is already documented as being impaired due to an excessive amount of nutrients. Source pollution, such as municipal dischargers, are part of the issue, but so is "non-point source pollution," that is spread out over a large portion of land and not limited to a single source. This non-point source pollution is of utmost concern, and remedies include working with cities, municipalities, and shoreline homeowners to employ Best Management Practices, use proper stormwater and erosion measures, etc. in order to curb nutrient loading. Priest Lake breakwater: The Commission has been following this issue closely. Currently, Bonner County supplied funds for the Priest Lake Breakwater Committee to hire a consultant to conduct a study on the heavy sedimentation present in the thorofare, as well as potential solutions to the problem. Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer: The Aquifer supplies drinking water to over one-half a million people in the region; it is of utmost concern that we protect this precious resource. threatened and endangered species: The Commission works closely with IDFG and USFWS to monitor and enhance bull trout in the Pend Oreille Basin. The Westslope Cutthroat Trout is also a species of concern in Idaho. Sand Creek Byway: Though the Commission has not taken a stance on the byway, information on the process is present here due to potential impacts to water resources. Other watershed issues and/or news
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