Aquifer Protection Board

Meetings

• 4:00 pm
• 1st and 3rd Wednesday every month.
• Kootenai County Administrative Building
  451 Government Way
  Coeur d’ Alene, ID 83814
• Members of the public are welcome - and encouraged - to attend.
• A list of meeting dates for the current year can be found here.

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.

View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes

Overview

In 1996, federal funding for the protection of the Sole Source Aquifer was discontinued, emphasizing the significance of the APD's support for programs and projects aimed at preserving its quality. It is now the responsibility of Washington and Idaho, each governed by their respective laws and regulations, to finance and implement protection initiatives.

Kootenai County collects a parcel fee from every parcel of land in Kootenai County within the aquifer boundary to fund the APD’s work program through Idaho Statute Title 39 Chapter 5. According to the statute, the maximum fee authorized per dwelling unit shall not exceed twelve dollars ($12.00) annually, collected through Property Tax. Since the APD was founded in 2007, the parcel fee has never been more than $8.00 and the current Aquifer Protection fee is $5.74 per parcel per year. The revenue from these parcel fees are used to fund Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer protection projects in Kootenai County.

Establishment

• Established by the Idaho State Legislature in 2007
• Idaho Code - Title 39 - Chapter 5

Purpose

The protection of groundwater quality by creating fee based funding for the following endeavors:

• Assist regulatory bodies with enforcement of existing regulations, monitor and inspect potential sources of pollution
• Implement educational programs for the entire community that enhances protection of the ground water
• Coordinate the work of public agencies to assist in the prevention of degradation of our valuable ground water and to avoid the extensive cost of remedial action.

Governance

The Governing Board shall be the Board of County Commissioners of Kootenai County, Idaho.

Policy & Advisory Committee

The Governing Board shall appoint at least 9 and no more than 11 members to this committee. The composition of this committee shall consist of members who live within the district boundaries and who are representatives with the following characteristics:

• A municipal domestic water provider
• A water district
• An irrigation district
• A private water system
• A well recognized business organization
• A well recognized environmental organization
• The agricultural community
• An engineer or hydrologist
• A citizen

Responsibilities

The responsibility of the committee shall be to make recommendations to the County Commissioners regarding aquifer protection as to:

• Work program elements
• Methods of cooperation among public agencies
• Developing an aquifer protection budget
• Any other tasks assigned by the Governing Board
• Hold at least one public hearing per year to receive public input

Additional Information

Additional information regarding the Aquifer Protection District may be found on the Panhandle Health District webpage.

Members