Earlier this month, the Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative celebrated its 25-year anniversary. The initiative is made up of one member representing Boundary County, one representing Bonners Ferry and one member from the Kootenai Tribe. 

KVRI serves as a forum for the three groups to communicate and partner on projects, aiming to “improve coordination, integration and implementation of existing local, state and federal programs,” according to the organization’s website. 

“The purpose of KVRI is to develop partnerships and a collaborative approach in focusing on resource issues, build connectivity between the local community and tribal, state and federal agencies and bring key players to the table to provide a proactive forum for the community to work together in natural resource planning,” Theresa Wheat, administrative director for the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho and KVRI facilitator, wrote. 

Monthly meetings often include presentations or talks on topics that can affect all three entities. This month, the group heard about the new Boundary County Extension agricultural program run by the University of Idaho, which offers educational programs in agriculture, horticulture, health and well-being, food safety, forestry and 4-H youth programs. 

“The first project was the establishment of the Burbot Subcommittee, which was a pilot project to develop, implement and evaluate an innovative recovery strategy for the lower Kootenai River,” Wheat wrote. 

In January 2019, the subcommittee was retired after the project’s success led to the reopening of burbot fishing on the Kootenai River. 

Other retired subcommittees include the Wetland and Riparian Committee and the Wildlife-Auto Collision Committee. More recently, grizzly bear and forestry subcommittees have been created to focus on grizzly bear management and forestry resources. Meetings are open to the public. 

Wheat said the work is ongoing. 

“There will always be challenges, particularly with the changing environment and the number of endangered and threatened species in the Kootenai Valley,” Wheat said. “Working together through collaboratives such as KVRI will ensure these are addressed, explored and solutions sought that benefit all.”