06Apr 2023 by Nicole Rinaldi

State of Idaho passes legislation to protect and preserve Bear Lake

Idaho News
By Rod Boam; Cache Valley Daily BEAR LAKE – Bear Lake Watch is taking a victory lap after getting a bill passed through the Idaho Legislature that recognizes Bear Lake benefits, and provides for its protection and preservation. A file photo of Travis Hobbs who caught a monster 31-inch Cutthroat trout while fishing on Bear Lake on January 17, 2021. “Idaho Senate bill, S1112, passed unanimously through both House and Senate,” said Claudia Cottle a Bear Lake Watch member pushing the bill with her husband David. “It was signed by Idaho Governor Brad Little at a signing ceremony Wednesday March 29.” This action will put Bear Lake into the same category as other prize and protected lakes in the Gem State like Big Payette Lake, Pend D’Oreille and Coeur D’Alene…
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05Oct 2022 by Nicole Rinaldi

Soil and Water Conservation Commission eyes making grant program permanent

Idaho News
By Brad Carlson; Capital Press Concrete re-lining work on the upper New York Canal in central Boise. Boise Project Board of Control BOISE — The Idaho Soil and Water Conservation Commission plans to ask the Legislature during next year's session to make a temporary grant program permanent. The 2022 Legislature restarted the commission’s Water Quality Program for Agriculture by approving $5 million. The commission this year issued grants for 47 projects worth about $18.5 million when matching funds are included, said Delwyne Trefz, the administrator. The commission received 93 grant applications seeking $12 million. The projects were valued at more than $30 million when matching funds are included, he said. “The state was going to get a good bang for its buck,” Trefz said. “We’re going to go back and…
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