STOP
THE 
PRIEST LAKE SIPHON

Priest Lake, Idaho MAY 30, 2023

IT IS NOT OVER

The constant support from the lake community is vital.

 

Due to the overwhelming support from the lake community, S 1021 was passed and signed by the governor. Any proposal to draw water from the lake to improve Priest River will now require legislative and governor approval. This is an important measure to protect the lake. However, there are ongoing efforts to improve the river. We support those efforts as long as no harm is done to the lake.

We MUST REMAIN vigilant and engaged to ensure that no proposal is advanced to the state which compromises the lake such as the siphon or other coldwater bypass system.

There is currently a Priest River Watershed Group in its formative stages. Stop The Priest Lake Siphon (STPLS) has members on the steering committee to protect the lake. The Watershed Group has some members who support the bypass.

It is our goal to support alternatives to improve the river that do not harm the lake. The constant support from the lake community is vital. Together we are a strong voice. Let’s finish the job!!

The efforts of STPLS to pass S 1021 required legal expenditures. STPLS requests that you consider a contribution to retire those expenses as well as future expenses. STPLS is entirely volunteers. 

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CLICK HERE TO DONATE
 

Thank you.

 

 

GREAT NEWS!

Priest Lake, Idaho - March 21, 2023.

Today, Governor Brad Little signed into law Senate Bill 1021 (Protect Priest Lake), which now requires that any alteration to the outlet control structure at Priest Lake be authorized by the Idaho state legislature and governor.

This law will help to protect the lake's water quality and ensure that its natural beauty is preserved for future generations.

This is a major win for the thousands of people who live at or frequent Priest Lake. For nearly 10 years, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) has been setting the table for the construction of a massive pipe in the bottom of Outlet Bay at Priest Lake which would have diverted billions of gallons of deep and cold water around the dam into Priest River in an effort to improve the river’s fish habitat. However, their own sponsored studies failed to prove any long-term significant benefit to the river’s fishery, and the risks to the lake were real. A harmful algae bloom popped up 2 years ago in Outlet Bay itself, the very bay from which IDFG proposed to draw off the billions of gallons of water.

The response to the calls for action was overwhelming – on social media, at town hall meetings, conversations at the STPLS booth at the Priest Lake Spring festival, letters to the editors, and especially in emails and telephone calls to Idaho’s elected officials. Idaho legislators heard from “Priestlakers” by the thousands with emails and telephone calls.

This was democracy at its best.

And now, perhaps, our focus can be shifted towards viable alternatives for rehabilitating Priest River