Wildfire protection jobs created as stimulus funds arrive locally

The federal stimulus is starting to be felt locally.

More than $2 million in federal stimulus funds will be funneled to North Idaho to prevent catastrophic wildfires and create 55 jobs.

The Northern Region of the Forest Service and the Idaho Department of Lands will receive the funds to beef up existing hazardous fuel treatment programs on state and private lands in Kootenai, Benewah, Boundary and Bonner counties.

Meanwhile, Idaho will receive $39 million from the Environmental Protection Agency for clean water projects to create jobs and protect communities and the environment. EPA will also provide $4.4 million for tribal drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in the Northwest.

Nelle Coler of the Panhandle Area Council said the timber-related jobs will start as soon as weather and ground conditions permit. Those interested in the jobs should apply through their local Department of Labor office as existing vendor companies are being notified of the funding or call her for more information at 772-0584, ext. 3012.

“It’s very hands-on and labor-intensive work,” Coler said.

She said it’s estimated the funds will create 20 new jobs in Kootenai County, 15 in Bonner and 10 each in Boundary and Benewah.

Coler said the funds will supplement existing programs in the counties that protect homes and properties from wildfires.

“There’s still a lot of work to be done,” she said.

With the water projects, Paula vanHaagen of the EPA said specific projects, their locations and the number of jobs haven’t been determined.

“Most of the programs are still in the process of identifying the priority projects,” she said. “Some have to run competitive grant processes.”

She said the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, for instance, plans to seek public comment on projects that could be funded.

Marc Stewart, Coeur d’Alene Tribe spokesman, said the Tribe is also identifying possible projects.

“There aren’t any guarantees with any of the dollars, but we’ll definitely go for as much as we can,” Stewart said.

As soon as projects are finalized, EPA will provide the funding. EPA officials expect the funding to flow to the states beginning in April.

The funds will supplement existing annual EPA grants to the states. The states use the funds to issue loans for enhancing, upgrading and rebuilding public drinking water systems and public wastewater systems.

EPA’s funding to the tribes will be transferred to the Indian Health Service, which manages water-related infrastructure construction for the tribes. IHS expects to be able to begin using the funding in April.