KTOI receives grant to help reduce overburdened landfill

BOUNDARY COUNTY — The Kootenai Tribe of Idaho has been selected for the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling program by the Environmental Protection Agency. The program, which is for recycling grants is for tribes and intertribal consortia.

The grant program is funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law). It provides $275 million for Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grants to support Building a Better America.

The Kootenai Tribe will use these funds to create compost and recycling opportunities for tribal citizens and also to partner with Boundary County to build a sustainable, viable program that reduces organic wastes entering the already overburdened landfill, KTOI officials said.

“The Kootenai Tribe has never lost sight of its original purpose as guardian of the land. This project will demonstrate the commitment the Kootenai Tribe has to care for and improve the environment,” Chairwoman Jennifer Porter of KTOI said. “We look forward to working with Boundary County to create and implement a plan for reducing the amount of waste going to the landfill. This effort will reduce emissions that are contributing to climate change and help keep the cost of waste management down for everyone.”

Questions about this project can be directed to Environmental Project Manager, Karen

Schumacher, at Kschumacher@kootenai.org or at 208-267-3519, ext. 514.