The Restoration Partnership is conducting an assessment of the natural resources in the Coeur d’Alene Basin. This will include individual subbasin assessments (SBAs) for each of the 5 subbasins within the Coeur d’Alene Basin watershed. These subbasins are: 1) Upper Coeur d’Alene River, 2) South Fork Coeur d’Alene River, 3) St. Joe/St. Maries, 4) Coeur d’Alene Lake, and 5) Upper Spokane River. Click on the map to the right to get more information on each subbasin.

The purpose of subbasin assessments is to give us a snapshot of the current health of natural resources in the Coeur d’Alene Basin. This “snapshot” will help us identify the areas that need restoration the most, the effects restoration might have in certain areas, and how we would measure the effectiveness of restoration projects in the future. The information utilized in the assessments may include, but is not limited to: The 2000 Report of Injury Assessment and Injury Determination, recent data collected by land management agencies and governments as part of their monitoring programs, and special studies.

There are several components that can make up an SBA, some of which include: Physical Characteristics, Hydrology and Climate, Major Land ownership, Land Use, Fuels and Fire, Water, Sediment and Soil Quality, On-Going Mining-related Hazardous Substances Effects to Natural Resources, Terrestrial and Wetland Communities, Aquatic Communities, Vegetation, Air Quality, Visual Resources, Noxious Weeds, Invasive Species, Threatened and Endangered Species, Cultural Resources , Socio-economic Conditions, and Climate Change.

The results of SBAs can be used throughout the entire restoration planning process by way of alternative development, prioritization, and restoration implementation.



Activities and Uses Waterfowl Fish Water Quality Vegetation Wildlife 2000 Injury Determination Report