Timeline of events »

Sessions News:

Registration: DoubleTree Ballroom Lobby

Vendor exhibits will be displayed along the walls of the Ballroom and also outside Ballroom in the lobby. Refreshments (complementary beverages) will be served throughout the day in ballroom near the exhibitors.

Poster Displays: Will be displayed inside the Fireplace Foyer throughout the conference.

Tags: exhibitors, registration

Welcome Address: Mayor of Boise, Dave Bieter

Invocation

Tags: Invocation, tribal drum

Jim Evanoff: Sustainability Manager/Environmental Protection Specialist for Yellowstone National Park

Jim Evanoff will explain the very unique challenges of “going green” in the world’s first national park. Yellowstone NP has successfully implemented a myriad of sustainability initiatives that have been a model for the surrounding region.

Jim will describe how the park effectively instituted sound environmental stewardship practices while hosting over three million visitors annually. The challenges are unique in that all the environmental programs are managed within the last intact ecosystem left in North America.

Tags: Evanoff, keynote

Why Smart Growth Makes Economic Sense
(1 hour panel; 10:30-11:30)

Tuesday Nov 18th, Northstar Room (1 hour panel, 10:30-11:30)

Understanding the Costs of Development
Matt Dalbey, US EPA, Washington DC Office

Reducing development costs by using smart growth principles,
Sherry McKibben, University of Idaho, Dept of Architecture.

Developers and production builders across the country are recognizing a business opportunity in the smart growth market. In this talk, hear about this overall opportunity, with particular emphasis on the efficiencies developers can achieve on infrastructure costs in smart growth developments when compared to conventional developments.
www.epa.gov/smartgrowth

Tags: EPA, Smart growth

Gary Grimm Presents GeoWeb Networking 1

Link: Geo Web 3.0 pdf Document

An exhibit booth demonstrating both GeoWeb and Networking Concepts and projects will be set up in the Ballroom at the beginning of the Summit and be continuously available for two days. Included will be examples of Geospatial Web (GeoWeb), Image Web, Semantic Web (DataWeb), OpenSource Web, Interest/Social Web and Mobile Web opportunities that are beginning to create a phase 3 transformation of the Internet and the World Wide Web. People that have laptop computers or smart phones will be able to interact with model examples of a GeoWeb Network before, during and after the summit. In addition, two special presentation sessions have been arranged for a group demonstration, discussions and questions and answers. The first session will be an introduction to the topics and how experiment with them during the two day Summit. The second session on day two will provide a forum for how to continue projects and discussions to further develop these GeoWeb Networking topics after the 2008 Summit concludes.

Tags: Geospatial Web

Air, Nonattainment & Air quality
Tuesday 10:30am Cinnabar Room

Melissa Gibbs,
and Martin Bauer, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
Matt Stoll, COMPASS

The panel will discuss the basics of nonattainment from the National Ambient Air Quality Standards to the financial impact companies and federal grant dollar recipients may face; the city-level regulatory approach and timeline for going from nonattainment status to maintenance of the national standard; and the community-level detail of the impacts of nonattainment status on the planning organization’s workload and budget from increased travel demand modeling, transportation budgeting, and conformity and impact analyses.

Tags: air-quality, Session

Solar for the Home or Business
As solar energy becomes increasingly affordable for homes and businesses, more consumers are giving this energy-saving technology a hard look. This session will explore what’s involved in selecting a solar system, how much it costs, what kinds of incentives exist to reduce the cost, and how your new solar system will fit into your utility and the grid. Attendees will come away with a better understanding of what’s doable from a technology and pocketbook perspective – and how the technology works.

John Weber, Boise businessman and solar net-metered utility customer.
Dave Brueggemann, Solar Cascade
Scott Gates, Idaho Power

Tags: Session

Agrimet: Reclamation’s Northwest Evapotranspiration Network

Peter Palmer, US Bureau of Reclamation, shares advantages of using AgriMet

Competition for limited water resources in the western United States continues to increase. In most western states, irrigated agriculture is the largest single consumer of water. To help improve irrigation efficiency, the Bureau of Reclamation and Bonneville Power Administration partnered to create a network of automated agricultural weather stations – called “AgriMet” – in the Pacific Northwest. These stations collect and telemeter the meteorological parameters required to model crop evapotranspiration (ET). The information is used by irrigation districts, farmers, resource conservation agencies, and agricultural consultants for irrigation scheduling and related purposes. Since the initial installation of 3 stations in 1983, the network has grown to over 60 stations in Reclamation’s Pacific Northwest region, 21 stations in the Great Plains Region in western Montana, and seven stations in the Mid Pacific region. These automated weather stations transmit their data by the GOES satellite, and the information is used in the Kimberly-Penman 1982 evapotranspiration model to compute reference ET at each station. Crop coefficients are then applied to estimate water use for specific crops grown at each station for every day of the growing season. This information is available on the Internet, and is integrated into various on farm technical assistance programs by local agricultural consultants, the Cooperative Extension Service, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Use of AgriMet information in irrigation scheduling results in water and energy savings, reduced soil erosion, and protection of surface and ground water supplies. Various agricultural consultants have reported water and power savings ranging from 15 to 50 percent. Some irrigators have reported real savings of as much as $25 per acre in pumping costs after using AgriMet ET data to schedule their irrigations.

Tags: AgriMet, USBR

Facilitator
Ron Peters Fisheries Program Manager, Coeur d’Alene Tribe

Status of the Resource Report an interactive information tool.
Neil Ward – Resident Fish Coordinator, Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Authority.

In 2006, an Independent Scientific Review Panel (ISRP) identified the need for readily accessible data relative to the status of fish populations in the 62 subbasins that comprise the Columbia River Basin. The ISRP recommended that the data, collected through public funds, should be available through publicly accessible websites. Because of the broad authority required to coordinate and implement a basin-wide effort, the Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Authority (CBFWA), an organization comprised of state, tribal, and federal fish and wildlife entities, accepted the responsibility. Working collaboratively with data management projects and decision-makers, the CBFWA developed, coordinated, and implemented a comprehensive and uniform basin-wide data inventory and reporting project that mines and compiles fish-specific data for populations throughout the Columba River Basin. Information is disseminated through a publicly accessible website and annual reports that provide comparisons between observed values and existing biological objectives that have been set by fisheries managers throughout the basin.

Implementing a Forest Road and Fish Passage Assessment for Portions of Four Watersheds on the Coeur d’Alene Reservation
Stephanie A. Hallock Tribal Biologist Coeur d’Alene Tribe.

The Coeur d’Alene Tribe Fisheries Program has is currently completing an inventory and assessment of forest roads and stream crossings in portions of four watersheds on the Reservation, including Alder, Benewah, Evans and Lake Creeks. These roads are managed by Tribal, state, county, and private landowners. The objectives of this study are to: 1) Evaluate sediment contributions from road segments within the target watershed that are within proximity to critical areas for spawning and rearing habitat, 2) Identify any complete or partial barriers that may affect the ability of westslope cutthroat trout to access key spawning and rearing habitats, and 3) draft a planning document to identify priorities for restoration/enhancement treatments based on the study results. Field surveys were conducted along identified road segments between August-November 2008. A planning document describing study results will be completed by May 2009. The Tribe will use the study as the basis for developing cooperative projects with landowners interested in meeting the identified habitat needs.

Tags: Fisheries, Habitat

The luncheon will also include Keynote II presented by
Don Wharton, Attorney for the Native American Rights Fund (NARF)

Don is a senior attorney in the Boulder, Colorado office of the Native American Rights Fund. He works primarily in the areas of federal-Indian environmental and natural resource law. Don served as the Assistant Attorney General for Natural Resources and Special Projects during his tenure with the Navajo Nation’s Department of Justice (`83-88).

Tags: keynotes

Crop Residue Burning

Presenters: Mary Andersen and Melissa Gibbs, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality

Over the past year the State of Idaho has made huge strides in the area of smoke management. A new statewide crop residue burning program approved by the 2008 legislature began in Idaho on September 2, 2008. The new program, a culmination of more than a year’s work by growers, environmental groups, DEQ, the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is designed to be protective of public health. This program replaces the program previously administered by ISDA and is applicable statewide (except on Indian reservations). Prior to implementing this program, the State of Idaho had much less authority and control over crop residue burning practices. Even though these new requirements do not mean the end of all smoke in Idaho, they certainly will help reduce the impacts from crop residue burning and ensure that public health is protected.

The new program has air quality requirements that must be met before a burn can be approved. These air quality requirements are for both short-term smoke impacts (one to two hours) and longer-term smoke impacts (one to two days). DEQ also evaluates the weather to make sure that all smoke will disperse with minimal impact to public health and safety, with special consideration for institutions with sensitive populations (e.g., hospitals and schools).

Tags: crop burning

How Smart Can Your Growth Be?
(1 hour; 1:30-2:30 Nov 18)

1. Practicing Smart Growth in Idaho: Who is doing it; How is it working?
Elaine Clegg, Idaho Smart Growth (www.idahosmartgrowth.org).
2. Getting Smart Growth Assistance from EPA – The Victor/Driggs and McCall Projects –Matt Dalbey, US EPA, DC office
(see final report at: http://www.tetonvalleyadvocates.org/uploads/EPA_Report.PDF)

Idaho Smart Growth helps communities implement growth and development strategies that support improved economic, environmental, and public health goals. Staff member, Elaine Clegg, will provide results of her recent study of which communities are implementing various principles of smart growth: why they chose this route and how it is working for them.
EPA provides funds to communities implementing Smart Growth approaches. Find out from Matt Dalbey how to apply for these funds and how three communities in Idaho used their funds to direct growth to their town core. http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/sgia.htm

Tags: Smart growth

Municipal Storm Water Phase II
Presenters:

Misha Vakoc,
Storm Water Permit Coordinator, NPDES Permits Unit,
Office of Water and Watersheds, US EPA Region 10

John Seigler,
Public Works Department, City of Pocatello

NPDES Permits for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4)
The Stormwater Phase II Final Rule (December 8, 1999) requires operators of regulated small municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit and develop a stormwater management program designed to prevent harmful pollutants from being washed by stormwater runoff into the MS4 (or from being dumped directly into the MS4) and then discharged from the MS4 into local waterbodies. Regulated small MS4 operators have the option of choosing to be covered by an individual permit, a general permit, or a modification of an existing Phase I MS4′s individual permit. In the MS4 program, operators are required to implement a stormwater management program as a means to control polluted discharges from these MS4s.

Tags: MS4, Stormwater

Reconciling Homeowner Values and the Principles of Defensible Space

Panel Discussion with Firewise Homeowners, 1 hour

Facilitated by Ivy Dickinson, Nez Perce Tribe.

Ivy Dickinson will lead an informal panel of homeowners discussing why they chose to implement Firewise principles on their property and how they came to the decision.

Tags: firewise, homeowners

Reducing Idaho’s Carbon Footprint: Two Paradigms
Part one of three

Arjun Makhijani
Rhys Roth

Idaho has committed to reducing the state’s share of climate-changing greenhouse emissions, and there’s no shortage of ways to reduce our carbon emissions. In back-to-back sessions, we’ll explore two provocative and promising proposals to cut the carbon while still generating ample energy needed to sustain Idaho’s growth. Arjun Makhijani, president of the Maryland-based Institute for Energy and Environmental Research and author of the ground-breaking “Carbon-Free and Nuclear-Free: A Roadmap for U.S. Energy Policy,” will present the findings of his carbon-reduction report and what it means for Idaho. Joining him will be Rhys Roth, Director of Strategic Innovation at Climate Solutions (invited), who will present the findings of Climate Solutions’ new report, “Securing Idaho’s Energy Future.” The first session will be dedicated to presenting the findings of both studies; the second will be an open discussion of these reports as well as other climate initiatives.

Tags: Carbon Reduction

Reducing Idaho’s Carbon Footprint: Two Paradigms
Part Two
Arjun Makhijani
Rhys Roth

Idaho has committed to reducing the state’s share of climate-changing greenhouse emissions, and there’s no shortage of ways to reduce our carbon emissions. In back-to-back sessions, we’ll explore two provocative and promising proposals to cut the carbon while still generating ample energy needed to sustain Idaho’s growth. Arjun Makhijani, president of the Maryland-based Institute for Energy and Environmental Research and author of the ground-breaking “Carbon-Free and Nuclear-Free: A Roadmap for U.S. Energy Policy,” will present the findings of his carbon-reduction report and what it means for Idaho. Joining him will be Rhys Roth, Director of Strategic Innovation at Climate Solutions (invited), who will present the findings of Climate Solutions’ new report, “Securing Idaho’s Energy Future.” This session will be an open discussion of these reports as well as other climate initiatives.

Tags: Carbon

Air Quality and Vegetation

Speakers:
Leonard Herr, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and
Brian Jorgenson, Boise City Forestry Unit

As parts of Idaho struggle with increasing levels of ground-level ozone, the relationship between air quality, and ozone in particular, and Idaho’s vegetation is receiving increased scrutiny. The relationship is two fold: vegetation impacts air quality and air quality impacts vegetation. Vegetation can impact ozone in a number of ways. For example, ground-level ozone is formed through a chemical reaction between volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides in the presence of heat and strong sunlight. Certain types of vegetation give off VOCs (called “biogenic VOCs”), which lead to the formation of ozone. Unfortunately for Idaho, aromatic vegetation, such as sagebrush and pines, gives off the most VOCs. Conversely, many plants (particularly shade trees) also help improve air quality by removing air pollutants through respiration and deposition, and reducing energy usage and evaporative emissions by shading. Air quality can also negatively impact vegetation. High levels of ground-level ozone can impact a plant’s ability to conduct photosynthesis, and therefore to grow. This can impact Idaho’s agricultural yield. This presentation will look at both parts of the ozone/vegetation relationship and discuss ways in which people can have a positive impact on our air quality.

Tags: air-quality, VOC's

NPDES Multi-Sector General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activities (2008 MSGP)
Presenters:

Misha Vakoc,
Storm Water Permit Coordinator, NPDES Permits Unit,
Office of Water and Watersheds, US EPA Region 10

Julie Congdon,
Storm Water compliance assistant, NPDES Permits Unit,
Office of Water and Watersheds, US EPA Region 10

The 2008 MSGP regulates discharges of stormwater from industrial activities. The MSGP includes requirements affecting 29 different industrial sectors. The 2008 MSGP specifies steps that facility operators must take prior to becoming eligible for permit coverage, including submitting a Notice of Intent (NOI), installing stormwater control measures to minimize pollutants in stormwater runoff, and developing a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP). The MSGP also includes effluent limits, monitoring, inspection, and reporting requirements, and corrective action requirements.

More information:
EPA has recently posted the final permit text on the EPA website. (Note: US EPA Region 10 has not yet issued the final permit in Idaho, until it completes the certification process under CWA Sec. 401 with IDEQ. But the main permit provisions are there for anyone who wants to start gearing up for their site. The EPA anticipates finalizing the permit for Idaho by the end of the calendar year). Here is EPA’s updated website for the permit: http://www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/msgp

Tags: industrial, MSGP, Stormwater

Why be Firewise? A discussion of individual responsibility and community planning –

Cris Bent, Secesh Meadows Fire Chief
and
Angela Grant-Kettleband, Blaine County Firewise Coordinator

Danny Mann Wildland Fire Education Coordinator, Three Rivers RC&D in Bingham, Bannock, and Power Counties.

Sarah Heide BLM Fuels Specialist, Boise District

Brad GilbertUS Forest Service team leader for Idaho Roadless Rule EIS.

Tags: community, firewise

Preserving Open Space and Natural Resources in Perpetuity

(1.25 hour panel; 2:45-4:00)

1. A Strategy that Works, Mike Whitfield, Heart of the Rockies
2. Partnering with Municipalities and Creative Funding for Land Acquisition, Kathryn Goldman, Wood River Land Trust
3. Setting up Open Space to Work for You, Frank Martin, Martin Community Development and Hidden Springs
4. Exploring the tool box for conservation strategies: Encouraging, requiring and buying your way to vibrant communities and healthy lands, Tim Breuer, Land Trust of Treasure Valley

Ms. Goldman will explain how partnerships with municipalities to protect their open spaces can be mutually beneficial, leading to easy-care maintenance and even unforeseen restoration opportunties. And, she’ll provide how-to steps to successful passage of a levy to fund land acquisition.

The Heart of the Rockies Initiative to preserve large landscapes will be explained by Mike Whitfield.
He will share his experience in funding and preserving lands important to all of us.

Mr. Breuer will discuss tools for conservation of lands regardless of economic circumstances. He will touch on regulatory, incentive-based and funding mechanisms that help communities conserve natural areas and quality of life.

These presenters will be available to brainstorm other approaches to ensure growth in Idaho is compatible with one of Idaho’s most treasured assets: wildlife.

Tags: community development, Land Trust

Resource Protection through Planning & Zoning
(1.25 hour panel; 4:15-5:30)

A New PUD Ordinance for Teton County.
Jeff Klausmann, Intermountain Aquatics, Driggs, Idaho

Implementing Comp Plan 2025: Using Mountain Overlay Districts, Transfer Development Rights, and other Tools.
Jeff Adams, Blaine County

Daylighting Indian Creek: Reversing Bad Past Decisions.
Dennis Cannon, City of Caldwell.

Jeff Klausmann volunteered to assist the county with drafting a Planned Unit Development ordinance because of his interest in wildlife corridor preservation. He will share the experience, including gaining an appreciation for a collaborative process of governance.

Jeff Adams, a regional planner, is busy implementing goals of the Blaine 2025 plan. He will explain the benefits of making TDRs an option in your community and how the new TDR process will work in Blaine County.

Mr. Cannon will take us on a virtual tour of the “before and after” Indian Creek.

Before: waste discharges into Indian Creek in the early 1900’s badly polluted the creek, leading to the entombment of the stream for ½ mile through the center of downtown Caldwell.

After: water quality improvements in the creek, resulting from the Clean Water Act implementation, inspired the community to daylight, reroute, and restore the stream to create six acres of new greenbelt in the heart of the downtown, to serve as the nucleus of the city center revitalization.

Tags: Planning, Zoning

Film: Are We Safe From Fire? Protecting Idaho Communities

presented by:
Ivy Dickinson, Nez Perce Tribe Fire Prevention and Mitigation Specialist and
Susan Bliss Jenkins, Nez Perce National Forest Fire Prevention Specialist

Tags: Fire, video

Beyond the Curly Lights:
Simple (and Not-So-Simple) Ways to Cut Those Kilowatt Hours

Energy efficient lighting in the form of compact fluorescent bulbs remains one of the easiest and cheapest ways to slice your electric bills at home and work, but many more energy-saving options exist to cut into your energy consumption. In some cases, utilities and the government offer incentives to get you on your way both in finding out how to save energy and also how to pay for energy-saving measures. Utility, government, and business experts will provide an overview on large and small improvements that can make a big difference on your energy use, and on the incentives available to Idaho consumers to help implement them.

Moderator: Ken Miller, Snake River Alliance. Ken is the Clean Energy Program Director for the Alliance, and oversees the Boise-based nonprofit organization’s work to promote clean energy solutions in Idaho.

Ken Eklund, Office of Energy Resources. Ken currently is head of Legal Policy at the Idaho Office of Energy Resources, where he has worked since 1989. He has participated in research, training and technical assistance in the areas of residential housing and building science, as well as industrial projects and buildings. He has worked with the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, the Pacific Northwest National Lab, the Idaho National Lab and other entities and is among Idaho’s leading experts on energy efficiency.

Jeff Burns, Renewable Energy Resources. Jeff is a principle at Renewable Energy Resources. He has extensive experience in renewable energy development and energy efficiency measures and serves on the Board of Directors for Idaho GreenWorks.

Patti Best, Idaho Power. Patti works with Idaho Power’s energy efficiency program and is the company’s specialist on energy efficient lighting. Before joining Idaho Power, Patti worked at the Department of Environmental Quality.

Tags: Energy reduction

Master Plan for an Environmental Education Center
for Logan City and Cache County, Utah, or
“Wake Up, Sleeping Beauty!”

by
Professor John C. Ellsworth, FASLA
Issa A. Hamud, P.E.
Kristofor L. Kvarfordt, ASLA
Yi Luo, MLA

presentation to
Idaho Environmental Summit
November 18-19, 2008
Boise, Idaho

The current Logan City/Cache County Landfill closure plan calls for simply re-contouring the landfill to stabilize the slopes, then re-vegetating the surface to prevent erosion. The location of this facility has serious implications for environmental impact yet offers positive opportunities for consideration of alternative end-uses. It is anticipated that Logan City will continue to grow and develop for the next several years. As this growth pressure increases, the citizens of Logan and Cache County will have an increased need for alternative land uses such as have been successfully provided on former landfills.

The vision of this project is to provide a public-use Environmental Education Center that, first, will facilitate an understanding of the relationship of people to the Cache Valley environment and society’s responsibility to manage the waste products of human activities, and second, will inform and educate people about the long-term environmental and waste management methods and techniques available now.

The study area includes over 2000 acres within Logan City and Cache County. Several existing facilities are in operation, including the Logan City/Cache County landfill, the sewage lagoons, the proposed mitigation wetlands area west of the landfill, and the tertiary water treatment facility to the northwest (also known as the effluent polishing wetlands). Several parcels and corridors (roadways, railroad ROWs, rivers and streams including the Logan River as it enters Cutler Reservoir) are associated with the proposed EEC.

The creation of the EEC will provide environmental education along with outdoor recreation and exploration experiences. Local residents as well as visitors from around the region, nation, and the world may be expected to take advantage of the opportunities the EEC offers:

• Creation of much needed parkland on the west side of Logan city;
• Creation of critical east-west and north-south pedestrian corridors;
• Conservation and preservation of wildlife habitat and corridors;
• Potential for volunteer activities;
• Education about natural and human-made systems, and the connection of the two;
• Creation of a good ‘fit’ with the Logan City and Cache County park and recreation master plans;
• Creation of a beautiful western gateway entrance to the city of Logan for eastbound travelers on state highway 30;
• Development of a major north-south thoroughfare along 1900 West that will incorporate a grade-separated crossing of state highway 30 allowing uninterrupted north-south vehicular traffic flow;
• Development of a parkway road along 1400 West that will serve as an entryway to the EEC and as a major north-south corridor with minimal traffic controls;
• Serve as a unique recreation resource for Cache Valley residents;
• Provide adaptive reuse of severely impacted landscapes ( landfill, sewage lagoons, and constructed wetlands).

A series of goals and objectives were developed during the early stages of this master planning process. The key factor to the success of the environmental education center concept is to visually and physically link the various facilities that will comprise the EEC through the use of designated trail and vehicular systems, interpretive stations and exhibits, wildlife viewing stations, maps and other informational materials. Each of these elements must be integrated with the site to support one or more of the following six functions:

• Education about, and interpretation of natural systems and related human management activities in the study area;
• Active and passive recreation;
• Wildlife habitat establishment, conservation, and observation;
• Temporary art installations;
• Methane gas monitoring (required);
• Other facility operational needs.

The final Master Plan communicates the conceptual planning and design of the Environmental Education Center derived through consultation and input from various individuals, groups, and stakeholders. The creation of form and space to meet the goals and objectives, opportunities and functions described above is resolved and expressed in plan graphics and in writing. Additional graphics are included to further illustrate and give life to the most appropriate, functional, innovative, and exciting concepts.

Suggestions and guidance are offered for securing funding. Both near- and long-term action plans are presented.

Tags: Education Center

Toni Hardesty discusses Air, Greenhouse Gas Inventory

Tags: Greenhouse gas

Hors D’oeuvres and a Special Showing of the Documentary, Red Gold
http://www.redgoldfilm.com/
Film will be followed by a talk from Ms. Lydia Olympic, featured in the documentary.

Sponsored by Regional Tribal Council

Tags: Session

Advancing Environmental Justice Through Literacy Training
First of three sessions in the Emerald Room.
Running-Grass
EPA

Environmental Justice is the “fair treatment for all people of all races, cultures, and incomes, regarding the development of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.”
Executive Order 12898, February 11, 1994

Over the last decade, attention to the impact of environmental pollution on particular segments of our society has been steadily growing. Concern that minority populations and/or low- income populations bear a disproportionate amount of adverse health and environmental effects, led to the issuance of Executive Order 12898 and focusing Federal agency attention on these issues.

Running Grass defines environmental justice for you and explains how it applies to your work.

Tags: Environmental Justice, Literacy

BioRegional Planning

Gregg Servheen, Idaho Department of Fish and Game facilitates a discussion about BioRegional Planning.

Tags: Bioregional

Kate Kelly

A Post Election Environmental Outlook for Idaho:

State Senator Kate Kelly will speak about environmental and energy issues in the Idaho legislature in the past few years and what we might expect in the upcoming legislative session in light of the in-state and national election results and economic trends.

Tags: Kate Kelly

Endangered Species Recovery – Wolves and Bighorn Sheep

(8:15 – 9:15 1 hour Cinnabar Room)

Keith Lawrence of the Nez Perce Tribe

Keith will speak about endangered species recovery and research efforts, in particular wolves and bighorn sheep in Idaho.

Tags: Bighorn, Endangered, Wolf

Advancing Environmental Justice Through Literacy Training
Two of Three
( 9:30 – 10:30 1 hour session, Emerald Room)

Running-Grass EPA
Environmental Justice is the “fair treatment for all people of all races, cultures, and incomes, regarding the development of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.”
Executive Order 12898, February 11, 1994

Over the last decade, attention to the impact of environmental pollution on particular segments of our society has been steadily growing. Concern that minority populations and/or low- income populations bear a disproportionate amount of adverse health and environmental effects, led to the issuance of Executive Order 12898 and focusing Federal agency attention on these issues.

Running Grass defines environmental justice for you and explains how it applies to your work.

Tags: emerald

Facilitator
Ron Peters Fisheries Program Manager, Coeur d’Alene Tribe

1st Presenter – Angelo Vitale Fisheries Biologist, Coeur d’Alene Tribe

2nd Presenter – Jon Firehammer Research Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist Coeur d’Alene Tribe

1st Presentation Angelo Vitale
Title:
Physical Responses to Restoration of an Incised Stream on the Coeur d’Alene Reservation.

Abstract:
Efforts have been undertaken by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe to restore stream and wetland habitats by reestablishing the hydraulic connections between an incised stream reach and the historic floodplain in the Benewah Creek watershed. Legacy effects of logging and riparian management have resulted in channel entrenchment that exceeds the 5-year return interval peak flow in some mainstem reaches. Local changes in channel slope, velocity and shear stress have increased substrate mobility and bank erosion rates and resulted in elevated summer water temperatures as over bank flows have become increasingly infrequent and the connectivity to local groundwater tables has been reduced.

Since 2005, 2,640 m of channel construction has been completed as part of a larger project to restore 5.1 km of incised stream. Channel treatments take the approach of filling the stream channel to historical elevations and utilizing historical alignments where possible. The designed platform creates channel grade and profiles within the range of what is believed to be historical conditions, based on topographic and field analysis. Within the restored reach, sinuosity has increased by 57%, belt width has increased by 70%, and flood prone width has increased by 126%. Mean residual pool depth and pool volume has increased by 81% and 165%, respectively, while estimated sediment yield from streambank erosion has decreased by 73%.

The scope of the project has afforded the Tribe an opportunity to address interrelated resource objectives at multiple scales and to use the project as a template for improving the understanding of expected responses to restoration. Aggrading the stream and restoring stable channel planform and geometry has the potential to increase critical wetland habitats by up to 30% in treatment areas. Native wetland species are being planted in areas disturbed by construction as part of the overall approach to increase the diversity and complexity of these habitats. Monitoring results indicate that the growth of herbaceous species is significant and most areas have met the regulatory conditions for ground cover within 20 months post-restoration. The data collected to date, however, are insufficient to establish a relationship between vegetation response and shallow groundwater recovery. The project also has implications for improving dynamic and long-term groundwater storage and recharge resulting in increased exchange of cold water to the stream channel. Continuous and discrete measures of water temperature have been made to evaluate thermal heterogeneity in relation to the requirements of native trout. Preliminary results indicate that restoration has increased thermal refuge in deeper pools, but ambient summer water temperatures still exceed optimum temperatures for growth. Repeat measures are expected to better define the physical habitat responses as the project matures.

2nd Presenter – Jon Firehammer Research Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist Coeur d’Alene Tribe

Title:
Monitoring westslope cutthroat trout in watersheds of the Coeur d’Alene basin – Challenges associated with a species that occupies spatially diverse habitats throughout its life-history

Abstract
Recovery of self-sustaining westslope cutthroat trout populations in watersheds of the Coeur d’Alene system entails preserving core areas that contribute significantly to population productivity, identifying limiting factors that are preventing recovery, and implementing restoration measures to address those factors. However, evaluating the response to restoration actions implemented in one part of the watershed can be challenging because fish from these populations express extensive migratory behavior throughout their life-cycle and consequently may be adversely impacted by factors in other parts of the watershed. Individuals exhibit both seasonal movements among spatially distinct stream reaches and spawning movements between tributary habitats and Lake Coeur d’Alene. In order to understand the full complement of processes that may be limiting the recovery of cutthroat trout in these watersheds, it is necessary to examine indices of population response at all life-stages. Currently, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s Fisheries Program monitors in-stream processes by conducting surveys in tributary habitats to prioritize areas for conservation and to track population trajectories, and in restored mainstem corridor habitats to examine linkages between physical habitat changes and habitat use. The Program also traps both juveniles and adults as they move between stream and lake environments to track trends in spawner abundance and productivity, and to examine growth and survival rates during lake residence.

Tags: clearwater, Fisheries

Biofuels in Idaho (Session 1, Panel Discussion)

John Crockett, Office of Energy Resources
Rhys Roth, Climate Solutions
Russ Hendricks, Idaho Farm Bureau
Tom Ulrich, Idaho National Laboratory

The following hour of the biofuels session will be a discussion among panelists and attendees about the information presented in the previous session. It promises to be a lively discussion of how biofuels fit into Idaho’s overall transportation picture and how the industry is addressing such issues as supply of biofuels feedstocks, market challenges facing the biofuels industry, and environmental concerns.

Tags: Biofuels

Idaho Children & Nature Network: Statewide Public Awareness

( 1 hour session, Northstar Room)

Presented by Meggan Laxalt Mackey and Vicky Runnoe

Children are spending less time outdoors today. This has profound effects on their physical, mental and emotional health, as well as the health of our lands. The Idaho Children and Nature Network was formed to raise awareness of this problem. This citizen-based coalition is working to empower Idahoans to lead healthy lives by developing a sense of place in Idaho’s outdoors. The Network’s mission is to “Connect children with nature in Idaho from backyards to mountaintops.” Join Network representatives at this session, and learn about Idaho’s progress to connect children and nature in our communities.

Tags: children, northstar

Where Is Mercury Coming From and What Happens Once It’s Here?

Presented by Carl Brown and Don Essig, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality

There are a number of Idaho water bodies that have fish advisories for mercury. While contamination concerns for mercury focus primarily on fish and water, air deposition of mercury is the predominant source of the mercury found in water. A general discussion of mercury air sources, transport, and deposition will be presented. Specific studies concerning deposition of mercury in Idaho will be summarized. Next the fate of mercury once it has fallen on the landscape will be described, i.e. how it goes from the watershed to fish. Studies of mercury in fish tissue in Idaho water bodies will also be summarized.

Tags: Cinnabar, mercury

Biofuels in Idaho
(Session 2, Panel Discussion)
This second hour of the biofuels session will be a discussion among panelists and attendees about the information presented in the previous session. It promises to be a lively discussion of how biofuels fit into Idaho’s overall transportation picture and how the industry is addressing such issues as supply of biofuels feedstocks, market challenges facing the biofuels industry, and environmental concerns.

Tags: Biofuels

Greg Servheen hosts a Land Trust meeting

Tags: Cinnabar, Land Trust

Running-Grass EPA presents the third session in a series on Environmental Justice Training

Title: Advancing Environmental Justice Through Literacy Training

Tags: emerald

Pharmaceuticals In Water
Overall we will be addressing Emerging Contaminants in the Environment with specific emphasis on Pharmaceuticals.

Jeff Fromm will speak first and overview the broader issue. His presentation title is “Pharmaceuticals in the Environment.” His talk will provide an overview on pharmaceuticals in wastewater, with respect to sources, occurrence in water bodies, observed and potential ecological and human health effects, treatment, and prevention.

Tressa Nicholas will present on her Thesis project:
“Monitoring Groundwater for Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) from a Municipal Lagoon Treatment and Land Application site.” The talk will provide information and results from this Idaho study site.

Robin Finch will present on:
“Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCP) in the Environment and Lower Boise River” This talk will review point and non point source contribution with emphasis on the Lower Boise River studies.

Tags: clearwater, water purity

Connecting Youth and Nature – Sustainability’s Future

Speakers: Ted Howard, Cultural Resources Director Shoshone – Paiute Tribes
Ron Peters, Fisheries Program, Coeur d’Alene Tribe
David Cannamela, M.K. Nature Center, Idaho Dept. of Fish & Game

Moderator: Helen Rigg, Idaho GEMStars

Building links between people, culture and the natural world is important to sustainability. Learn about specific projects that are reconnecting youth with the natural world by using hands on outdoor experiences to help rebuild the connection to our environment. Discover examples of how Idaho’s youth are reconnecting to the environment through projects involving growing native plants for restoration of burned areas, reconnecting culturally through indigenous foods like the camas and getting their feet wet as they experience a river ecosystem in their own community. Gain insights from those delivering these projects on what worked for them, what challenges were faced and what results are expected from their efforts to get youth involved in nature.

Tags: Youth and Nature

David Moen presents the Luncheon Keynote III

Tags: ballroom, keynotes

NEBC (northwest environmental business council) sponsors and Robert Grott, NEBC Director, speaks and presents awards.

Tags: ballroom

Roadless Rule Panel Discussion

(2:15 to 3:30, 1.25 hour session)

Jonathan Oppenheimer

The roadless panel will be providing three agency/organization perspectives on the newly released roadless rule along with comments on how the new rule will affect the management and utilization of roadless areas within the state of Idaho.

Tags: delamar, Roadless Rule

Carbon Credits – New Opportunities for Sustainable Land Management

Moderator: Helen Rigg, Idaho GEMStars

Speakers: Dr. Sian Mooney BSU
Tony Bennett, Idaho Department of Agriculture

Climate change poses great challenges but also presents some new opportunities. Land managers have the opportunity to manage land and natural resources to remove carbon and other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere while also achieving sustainability and stewardship goals. In addition to the benefits of carbon reduction and more sustainable land management practices, there is also the potential to receive financial compensation for this ecosystem service by selling their reductions as “credits.” These “credits” are purchased by others that want or need to reduce their own carbon contributions. This session will explain carbon credits and how they are traded in the voluntary and mandatory carbon markets. Learn how the Nez Perce tribe is utilizing carbon credits from their forest lands to raise funds to further sustainable forestry practices. An opportunity for questions and discussion will be provided.

Tags: Carbon Credits

Pocatello’s Environmental Education & Sustainability Project

Hannah Sanger

Exhibitors and Posters present their materials in the emerald Room until 3:30

Tags: all sponsors

Toxin Levels in the Columbia River and Tributaries

Mary Lou Soscia

Ann Williamson

Tags: Columbia River, Toxin

Funder’s Panel

Traci Bier, US EPA
Lauren Carlson, Idaho Community Foundation
Joan Gagliardi,
Charlotte Martin Foundation
Jeanne Wolverton, Western Director of the Steele-Reese Foundation (invited)

The Funder’s Panel brings together representatives from various organizations that fund environmental programs. Panelists represent state and federal government, private foundations, and a community foundation. Each panelist will provide a introduction to the kinds of funding available and types of projects supported, with hints about what makes a grant a winner. Plenty of time for Q&A is planned.

Tags: Cinnabar, Funding

Film – “Shadow of the Salmon”

Cultural Traditions and Natural Resource Sustainability

Facilitators:
Helen Rigg, Director Idaho GEMStars
Gwen Carter, Water Resources Division Director, Nez Perce Tribe.

Cultural traditions help sustain our connection to the environment. The film, “The Shadow of the Salmon”, shares the story of a Lakota boy reconnecting with his Northwest Salish relatives and cultural values. During his visit, he learns about salmon, the Northwest environment and tribal traditions. This film was produced by 360 Productions, the Northwest Straits Commission, Salmon Defense, the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission and the Potlatch Foundation. It is scheduled for a future showing at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian and on PBS. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience this story and share in the follow-up discussion.

(Film provided courtesy of Northwest Indian Fisheries commission)

Tags: film, northstar

The Building Sustainable Communities Initiative: A New University and
Community Partnership

(3:45 to 5:00pm, 1.25 hours)
The Building Sustainable Communities Initiative (BSCI) brings together an interdisciplinary team of faculty from 8 UI colleges and 9 academic departments, and UI Extension to deliver state-of-the art programs in graduate planning education, community outreach, and in-service professional training.

The entire initiative is linked together by a “bioregional” approach to planning that considers the ecological functions and human settlement patterns of a region, builds more inclusive civic constituency, and emphasizes regional resources and energy sources to inform community and economic development policy and design.

This session will highlight the work BSCI faculty and students are currently doing with Idaho communities.

Steve Hollenhorst will present an overview of the interdisciplinary bioregional approach embodied in the initiative.

Steve Drown will discuss the current Learning and Practice Collaborative (LPC) happening in Cascade, Idaho. In partnership with the Cascade community, the project explores the boundaries of bioregional thought and practice while transforming university outreach through cross-disciplinary student and faculty service learning.

Laura Laumatia will discuss how design and planning on the Coeur d’Alene Reservation can support efforts by the Tribe and community to break down
generations of social divides, and provide a means for the reinhabitation of place.

Sandra Pinel will highlight how students in a local and regional
planning class worked with the Latah County Planning and Zoning Commission to complete a Smart Growth assessment of its land use plan.
The students also researched the viability of various rural transportation and agricultural preservation alternatives.

David Paul will discuss the role community design may play in obesity and the development of preventable disease in the United States.

Tags: Bioregional

Sustainable Abundance: Living a Big Life, Leaving a Little Footprint

Speaker: Courtney Rush, PCEI

Wednesday, November 19th- The Emerald Room 3:45-5:00

As a woman of faith, Courtney has been commissioned to care for God’s Creation, and it isn’t hard! It is fun! Please join Courtney for a discussion on God’s original Creation, what Creation has come to be, and how we can work together to restore it. Learn how Courtney experiences God in the wilderness, and take home practical ways that you can become more sustainable today, this week, this month, and this year.

Tags: faith

Become an AmeriCorps Partner: Building Capacity with a National Service Program

(3:45 – 3:30pm Delamar Room)

Presenter: Rachael Goetzelman

Does your organization have an environmental or educational project that has been on the backburner? Are you looking to increase your organization’s visibility in and outreach to your communities? Increase your volunteer base? AmeriCorps could be the answer. Join Rachael Goetzelman to identify projects at your organization that need greater attention in order to realize their full potential and explore how enlisting an AmeriCorps member could help you achieve your goals. Rachael will also discuss how AmeriCorps has been utilized by various non-profits, public schools, universities, and government agencies throughout Idaho and eastern Washington.

Tags: Americorps, delamar

Geo Web Networking Concepts & Projects

Google Earth browser screen shot

Gary Grimm

GeoWeb Networking 2 – Clearwater Room – 3:45 pm

Link: Abstract Geo Web 3.0 pdf

An exhibit booth demonstrating both GeoWeb and Networking Concepts and projects will be set up in the Ballroom at the beginning of the Summit and be continuously available for two days. Included will be examples of Geospatial Web (GeoWeb), Image Web, Semantic Web (DataWeb), OpenSource Web, Interest/Social Web and Mobile Web opportunities that are beginning to create a phase 3 transformation of the Internet and the World Wide Web. People that have laptop computers or smart phones will be able to interact with model examples of a GeoWeb Network before, during and after the summit. In addition, two special presentation sessions have been arranged for a group demonstration, discussions and questions and answers. The first session will be an introduction to the topics and how experiment with them during the two day Summit. The second session on day two will provide a forum for how to continue projects and discussions to further develop these GeoWeb Networking topics after the 2008 Summit concludes.

Tags: geoWeb