Environment

 

Water Quality and Conservation

Last updated Fall '06

Erosion Control / Stormwater Management »

Watershaping Issue

An agreement between Idaho Power Company and Bonneville Power Administration to accommodate split releases was in place from 1995 until 2000. No formal agreement has been made since 2000, therefore each concurring year it has been necessary for concerned individuals, various citizens' groups, and public agencies to annually request cooperation from the water controlling agencies for split releases.

In a split-flow release, a portion of the water allocated for downstream irrigation and salmon needs is released from Lake Cascade in the spring when the lake is at a high level and the remainder is released in the fall after summer high temperatures have passed, usually around Labor Day. Idaho Department of Environmental Quality modeling has shown that split-flow releases are beneficial to water quality because the lake maintains a deeper pool when the temperatures are the highest.

It was determined that Lake Cascade be maintained with a minimum pool of 450,000 acre-feet. When the lake is drawn below 450,000 acre-feet during the summer months, high temperatures occur in the top several meters of the water column and decreased dissolved oxygen levels increase the likelihood of fish kills and toxic algae blooms.

Poison and Rock Creek

In 2002, a Multi-Parameter Water Quality Instrument was installed at the mouths of Poison and Rock Creek that continuously measure temperature, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and water level. Samples are also hand tested for ammonia, ecoli, nitrate, orthophosphate, suspended solids, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and chlorophyll A. The data obtained is submitted to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) for regular review. The data sent back has shown good water quality amidst any construction concerns. The IDEQ has publicly stated that the Tamarack project will increase the water quality in Lake Cascade.

During the summer/fall of 2002, $150,000 was spent to restore approximately 1/3 mile of Poison Creek and ½ mile of Rock Creek. Poison Creek was rechannelized to its historic meanders and old irrigation ditches were filled in. Rock Creek was revegetated using on-site native willow cuttings. The streambanks of both creeks were stabilized using coconut fiber rolls and rock riprap. During the construction effort, sediment fencing and jut matting was installed to minimize any sediment transportation into the channels. Boulders were strategically placed to create pools for hiding and staying cool and gravel areas were introduced for spawning. The stream enhancement work has greatly improved trout habitat on both creeks.

"It's good to see work being done to restore and protect streams flowing into Lake Cascade," said Shawn Miller, a Trout Unlimited state council member based in McCall. "Our goal is to return the fishery of Lake Cascade and of the North Fork of the Payette River to the quality it once was. Trout Unlimited supports programs such as those underway at Tamarack Resort that work toward that important goal."

Both creeks now flow freely to Lake Cascade after Tamarack's surface water rights were converted to ground water rights in December 2002. Those surface water rights contribute roughly 7.48 cfs, with an annual consumptive use of 584 acre-feet of water to Lake Cascade.

A 12.84-acre permanent conservation easement was donated to the Idaho Foundation for Parks and Lands, along with a $10,000 grant to underwrite costs the foundation may have in the future as it monitors conditions on the protected lands. The conservation easement consists of open space and riparian habitat along Poison and Rock Creek. The conservation easement will enhance wildlife habitat by prohibiting any human development within its boundaries.

Mud Creek

The Mud Creek Restoration Project is a grant project to restore over 7,000 ft of streambank along Mud Creek and protect another 11,000 ft along Lake Fork Creek, which is located approximately 1 mile northwest of Lake Cascade in Donnelly. The proposal was submitted to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) 319 Nonpoint Source Program in February 2001 and funding was awarded in May 2003. Tamarack Resort is matching 40% of this $135,764 restoration project. The benefits of this project are to reduce total phosphorus and sediment loading into Lake Cascade, improve riparian habitat for cold-water biota and wildlife, raise awareness and accountability with local landowners, and be used as a public education tool.

High School Volunteers
During September and October 2003 juniors and seniors from Cascade High School advanced biology class volunteered for the Mud Creek Restoration Project. The students have been involved with the project for over 2 years collecting water quality data, GPS mapping, and attending all site visits with natural resource professionals, i.e. fishery biologist, soil conservationist, engineer, and wetland specialist to learn more about various monitoring and management ideas for restoring Mud Creek.

ELWd Structures
During the fall workdays the students installed 17 ELWd Structures, which are used for streambank stabilization. The ELWd Structures are made of small diameter logs that are fastened together and anchored into the bank. The ELWd Structures were filled with gravel and topsoil, then native willows and alders were planted in and around the structures to provide long-term bank stability after the ELWd Structures erode away (15+ years).

"These are the kind of projects that motivate kids because they can learn about science the way it's done in the real world, and the results can make a difference in the community," said Clinton Kennedy, whose students have won national awards for their environmental work on Lake Cascade.

Riparian Fencing
Wildlife-friendly fencing was installed along both sides of Mud Creek and along Lake Fork Creek. That’s 18,000 feet of streambank that will now be protected from grazing cattle!

Grazing Plan
The Valley Soil and Water Conservation District prepared a grazing plan, complete with a prescribed cattle rotation schedule and alternative watering plan.

We Finished this Project in Summer 2006!
We will continue our monitoring efforts to determine the effectiveness of the applied Best Management Practices.

Lake Cascade

Created in 1949 for hydroelectric power and irrigation purposes, Lake Cascade is a reservoir operated by the US Bureau of Reclamation that also provides flood control, recreation and fish and wildlife habitat. When the reservoir is full, there are 26,307 acres of surface water in Lake Cascade and 86 miles of shoreline. The reservoir extends 21 miles and is 4.5 miles wide at its widest point. The northern end of the reservoir is located near the confluence of the North Fork of the Payette River, the Gold Fork River, Boulder Creek, and Lake Fork Creek. The only island in the reservoir is Sugarloaf Island, which rises 140 feet above the high water line and is approximately 100 acres in size.

The reservoir is an important recreation resource in the region, especially for residents of the Boise metropolitan area. The reservoir provides a mixed fishery (both cold water and warm water species) and is one of the most heavily fished waters in the state. Cascade's fish species include rainbow and brown trout, coho and kokanee salmon, smallmouth bass, bullhead catfish, and yellow perch.

Lake Cascade is a shallow water body, therefore it is susceptible to eutrophication and algae blooms due to nutrient loading and elevated summer water temperatures.

Water quality at Lake Cascade has been a subject of public concern since the 1970s, when noxious algal blooms, aquatic weeds, and fish kills began to occur (IDEQ 1996). Water quality has been monitored on Lake Cascade since 1975 by the Bureau of Reclamation and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

In 1996, a Watershed Management Plan was developed to improve water quality conditions by decreasing the excess phosphorus loading. Since this plan was implemented, Lake Cascade has shown large improvements in water quality due to enormous efforts from state and federal agencies as well as private landowners. The watershed has met 100% of its point source and 40% of its non-point source phosphorus reduction goals! The point sources included the McCall wastewater treatment plant and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game's fish hatchery in McCall. The non-point source pollutants originate from forestry, agriculture, and suburban management practices. These non-point sources are much more difficult to manage because of their diffuse nature. There have been many grant funded restoration projects occurring around the reservoir to help reduce the non-point source pollutants. Examples of these projects include constructed wetlands for nutrient removal, riparian restoration projects, shoreline stabilization, and implementation of conservation plans.

Osprey Meadows Golf Course

H2O Usage
Osprey Meadows' irrigation needs are determined through a scientific weather station that determines evapotranspiration (ET). Evapotranspiration is the combination of water that is evaporated and transpired by plants as a part of their metabolic processes. In short, the weather station determines watering needs of the planted grasses, preventing wasted water and runoff. Click Here to learn more about evapotranspiration.

Waste Water Recycling System
Osprey Meadows has installed a self contained waste water recycling system that provides recycled water to clean the Turf Maintenance equipment. The system utilizes a series of baffles and microbs to settle and digest petroleum and chemical products rinsed off the vehicles, preventing it from entering the storm drain.

Fertilizer Use
Fertilizer demands have been determined through scientific soil tests. Soil tests identify +/- nutrient levels allowing for exact applications. Slow release and organic fertilizers are used to prevent leaching and runoff of excess nutrients.

Wetland Management
Wetlands are preserved and protected. All wetland crossings on the golf course have been strategically handled with an intricate system of suspended bridges allowing minimal disturbance. Helical piers have been placed in the earth to which the bridges are built on. Vegetated buffer zones were left between any waterbody or wetland and the golf course.

Wetland Management
Wetlands will be preserved and protected. All wetland crossings on the golf course have been strategically handled with an intricate system of suspended bridges allowing minimal disturbance. Helical piers have been placed in the earth to which the bridges are built on. Vegetated buffer zones will be left between any waterbody or wetland and the golf course.

Audubon International
Osprey Meadows has enrolled in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program. Receiving certification in this program includes ongoing improvement in Chemical Use and Reduction, Water Conservation and Water Quality Management.

Storm Water
In many locations throughout the golf course water features will be used as settlement ponds for storm water in the case of heavy rainfall or spring snowmelt.

 

 

Waste Reduction / Recycling

Last updated Fall '06

Recycling Program

Tamarack Resort opened its own recycling center on Earth Day, April 22nd 2006. We're accepting plastic, aluminum, tin, glass, cardboard, newspaper, magazines, white office paper and mixed paper. The recycling center is open to all employees, homeowners, lodging and recreation guests.

Since the recycling center opened we’ve kept the following recyclables out of the landfill!

Cardboard= 38,526 lbs.
Aluminum and Tin= 1,842 lbs.
Plastic= 2,615 lbs
Glass= 13,385 lbs.
Paper Products= 10,690 lbs.

Office paper throughout resort contains at least 30% post-consumer content and meets federal and state guidelines for recycled content.

Paper towels and bath & facial tissues are made from 100% recycled wastepaper and are certified by Green Seal:

• Wastepaper is not de-inked using solvents containing chlorine or any other harmful chemicals or compounds
• Wastepaper is not bleached using chlorine or any of its derivatives
• Do not contain any added pigments, inks, or fragrances
• The cores in the roll towels are made from 100% recycled materials
• Minimum of 40% post-consumer wastepaper content in paper towels, 20% in bath tissues, and 10% in facial tissues

Environmentally Responsible Cleaning Products:

• Safe for aquatic life and non-toxic to humans when diluted for use
• Non-combustible and non-corrosive to skin and eyes
• Ingredients are readily biodegradable
• No chlorine, NPE, EDTA, or NTA
• VOC levels under 1% when diluted for use
• Free of known carcinogens and reproductive hazards

RECYCLING FACTS

One ton of recycled paper uses: 64% less energy, 50% less water, 74% less air pollution, saves 17 trees and creates 5 times more jobs than one ton of paper products from virgin wood pulp.

Recycling with Donnelly Elementary School

Tamarack Resort is working with Donnelly Elementary’s 5th grade class to recycle all the paper generated by the school. Monthly the school’s paper is picked up and taken to the resort recycling center.

 

 

Natural Resource Conservation

Last updated Fall '06

Shuttle Bus

A shuttle bus takes employees and guests from around Valley County to Tamarack Resort seven days a week. The shuttle makes stops at the surrounding towns of McCall, Lake Fork, Donnelly, and Cascade three times daily. A full-sized bus also takes guests to the resort from Boise three days a week. Our shuttle program has the potential of saving 3,139,200 miles per year driven by our employees and guests. This saving would result in a significant reduction of Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Hydrocarbons, Nitrogen Oxides, and VOC.

Snowmobiles

The majority of our snowmobiles have 4-stroke engines. Our two new 2-stroke Ski-doo machines have the new PowerTEK system. The PowerTEK system consists of a throttle position sensor, which is combined with the Digital Performance Management (DPM) carburetion system and a sophisticated Engine Control Module (ECU) computer to precisely manage engine performance for optimal fuel usage and minimal emissions. The new machines also have the semi-direct injection (SDI), where electronic injectors shoot just the right amount of fuel into the transfer port, enabling better fuel efficiency. Older two-stroke engines emit 20-33% more fuel and lubricant than 4-stroke engines. The rich fuel mixture and lubrication process resulted in high amounts of emissions like carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, particulate matter, and a variety of air toxins. Tamarack Resort is also looking into utilizing oxygenated gasoline and alternative lube oils.

Grooming Cats

We have a new Pisten Bully 600 that consumes far less fuel than our other cats (5 gallons per hour versus the 8 gallons per hour we get with the Prinoths) and the Piston Bully adheres to Tier III emission standards.

Golf Carts

All golf carts at Osprey Meadows are electric!

 

 

Wildlife Habitat

Last updated Fall '06

Conservation Easement

Almost 13 acres were donated to the Idaho Foundation for Parks and Lands as a permanent conservation easement. This easement will protect and enhance important wetland areas, wildlife habitat, and two stream channels flowing through the golf course. Tamarack also presented the foundation with a $10,000 grant to underwrite costs the foundation may have in the future as it monitors conditions on these protected lands. The conservation easement is located around the lower stretches of Poison Creek and Rock Creek. This area has been rehabilitated to support trout and wildlife habitat.

Bald Eagles

On September 25, 2001 a wind storm broke a 300+ year-old ponderosa pine in half that had been the nesting site for the Poison Creek bald eagles for at least 17 years. No eagles were nesting in the tree at the time of the incident. Tamarack contracted raptor biologists at Boise State University to modify 3 trees with artificial nests within the surrounding 184-acre protective area the US Fish and Wildlife Service had previously designated. Unfortunately, the eagles did not utilize any of the artificial nests or make any of their own within this protected area. Tamarack has committed to protecting this 184-acre nature park, called “ Foothills Park,” for at least 10 years from motorized vehicles and construction activities. Currently, Foothills Park will remain a non-motorized nature park for hiking, mountain biking, frisbee golf, Nordic skiing, and snowshoeing.

During the summer of 2004 a new bald eagle nest was discovered near West Mountain Road and Osprey Meadows golf course. After the discovery, the area that surrounds the new nesting area was protected from any further development. Through some feather DNA analysis, it was determined that these eagles were not related to the former Poison Creek pair. For the past couple years this pair has had unsuccessful nesting attempts. When the tree was climbed, it was determined that the nest was poorly constructed and sloping badly away from the tree trunk, most likely aiding in the yearly nest failures. During fall 2006 we contracted Boise State University to reconstruct the eagle nest in effort to assist them with a successful nesting attempt. During this process they attached a level platform to the tree and rebuilt the nest. The new nest looks great, we’ll see if the eagle pair agrees this spring!

Osprey Meadows Golf Course

The Osprey Meadows Golf Course has enrolled in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, which promotes ecologically sound land management through conserving natural resources and protecting wildlife habitat. Much of the wildlife habitat component of the program has been completed. During the spring of 2006, the biology students from Cascade High School planted butterfly gardens and installed nesting structures they had built in their shop class for bluebirds, wood ducks, kestrels and swallows. The previous fall the students installed 20 bat boxes throughout the wetlands to serve as a biological mosquito control. Osprey Meadows also incorporated native landscaping and a natural boundary throughout golf course. These native areas allow protective corridors for wildlife to travel from the lake to the mountain, while also providing safe areas to raise their young. Three man made ponds have also been added to provide additional wetland habitat for waterfowl, songbirds, and fish.

 

 

Community Outreach

Last updated Fall '06

Conservation Funds

Tamarack Resort agreed to donate up to $150,000 for projects associated with wildlife habitat improvement and water quality enhancement within the Lake Cascade watershed. A steering committee comprised of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Bureau of Reclamation, Valley Soil and Water Conservation District, Valley County, and Tamarack Resort will determine which projects will most effectively improve wildlife habitat and water quality.

Mud Creek Restoration Project

Advanced Biology students from Cascade High School assisted with the Mud Creek Restoration Project for 3 years. The students were involved with preliminary planning, water quality monitoring, stabilizing streambanks, analyzing data, writing reports, and meeting with a wide array of natural resource professionals to gain experience “in the field.”

Roadside Litter Clean-Up

Tamarack Resort has committed to clean a mile stretch of highway 55 on the Boise/Adams County line twice a year. In addition, Tamarack staff volunteers to pickup litter along 4 miles of West Mountain Road to the resort.