Non-Profit Workshop

Hauser Lake Rinse Station

Web-based Technology - Public Information Programs

Community Forestry Assistance

Noxious Weed Control Efforts

Fuels for Schools and Beyond

Seedling/Seed Bank Program

Natural Resource Consultants' Directory
 

Non-Profit Workshop
"Starting a Non-Profit Organization" was the title of a workshop sponsored by University of Idaho Extension in cooperation with Panhandle Lakes RC&D and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe.  The workshop was designed to help individuals who are contemplating setting up a "non-profit" but had questions about developing Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, the 501 (c) 3 application process, establishing and sustaining a board of directors, IRS reporting requirements, etc.

Presenting the training was the Idaho Nonprofit Development Center, with real-life experience provided by Panhandle Area Council and Community Action Partnership.  The workshop was held at the Coeur d'Alene Tribe's Wellness Center in Plummer.  Over 20 people participated, representing programs and communities from several north and central Idaho Counties.

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Hauser Lake Rinse Station

Hauser Lake is a 625 acre lake that is an average 21 feet deep.  Hauser is a TMDL listed impaired lake due to nutrient loading of phosphorous.

At present, Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM), an aquatic weed problem in several Idaho water bodies, has not been found in Hauser Lake.  However, its close proximity to other regional lakes already infested with the weed, makes it a prime candidate for infestation.  Taking a pro-active, precautionary approach, the Hauser Lake Watershed Coalition applied for and received a grant from the Idaho State Department of Agriculture that made construction of the first watercraft rinsed station in Idaho possible.  The facility looks and operates much like a manual car wash.  The boat and trailer are pulled onto a concrete pad prior to entering the water.  Any weedy material is rinsed off and collected.

The project was a true community effort, made successful by the hard work, support and contributions of many.  The Panhandle Lakes RC&D Council's role in the project was administration of the grant.

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With the fast pace of introducing and implementing programs, communication to the public must be quickly accessible, interactive and up-to-date.  It is necessary for information outreach to use a variety of methods to keep the public informed and to enhance participation in programs.

Increasingly, projects that the Panhandle Lakes RC&D program is involved with are expanding their information programs beyond the traditional methods of newsletters, news articles, public meetings and mass mailings and involve some component of information outreach that includes web-based technology.  To that end, the Council is often asked to help design and sometimes host web pages.  Web-based technology is used as a tool that makes the dissemination of information comprehensive and fast.

• Cocolalla Lake Association.  RC&D assistance has included Council administration of grant funds for control of Eurasian Water Milfoil and development of their Lake Association website (http:www.cocolallalakeidaho.com/).

• Stormwater, Erosion and Education Program (SEEP).  The RC&D program has been involved in several ways with creating this new program, including web page development (http://www.plrcd.org/SEEP/).

Working in partnership, the Panhandle Lakes and Clearwater RC&D Councils and Idaho Department of Lands are now offering assistance to north Idaho communities via a newly created community forestry position.

A partnership between Idaho Department of Lands and USDA Forest Service, Regions 1 & 4, to use small diameter trees improved in fire hazard reduction projects to heat local public schools.

The Panhandle Lakes RC&D Council's role is to administer grant funds, then enter into a contractual agreement with a consultant that will introduce the program in Idaho.

Phase I of the project was to identify interested Idaho schools and then to evaluate the feasibility of developing a demonstration site.

Phase 2 has resulted in an operating biomass boiler system in Council, Idaho and a second clean site under construction in Kellogg, Idaho.

Funding Source: USDA Forest Service

Benefits:

1. To reduce fire danger near communities in the wildland urban interface.

2. Use material to fuel efficient, clean biomass heating systems in schools.

Each year, approximately 160,000 seedlings are planted in north Idaho through this program.  Seed that has been collected from specific sites according to elevation and transfer zone is stored in a seed bank until grown into seedlings.  The seedlings are made available to private landowners through conservation districts and consulting foresters.

Choosing a natural resource consultant is similar to choosing other professionals.  To assist landowners with this process, the Panhandle Lakes RC&D partnered with the University of Idaho, Cooperative Extension to develop a directory of resource consultants.  Currently being updated, the directory can be found on the web at the following address http://www.cnr.uidaho.edu/extforest/NRConsultants.htm.