U.S. Army Corps of Engineers To "Fertilize" Dworshak Reservoir | Environment

 Federal officials have given the go-ahead to add fertilizer to Dworshak Reservoir, a bid to help improve the health of the kokanee population.

The Lewiston Tribune reports the Environmental Protection Agency permit will allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' stalled lake fertilization project to resume.

The project began in 2007 to balance phosphorus and nitrogen levels in the reservoir and increase the size of kokanee.

But last July, the EPA told the agencies it needed a permit to continue adding nitrogen to the 55-mile-long lake; That's after some people complained the project was promoting unwanted blue-green algae growth.

Idaho Department of Fish and Game officials say the project could actually reduce algae, promote desirable phytoplankton and zooplankton and improve kokanee health.

The project could resume next spring.