|
From the Desk of the Governor
September 25, 2023
|
|
Idaho LAUNCH grants go live Oct. 3, sign up now for alerts!
The application window for the Idaho LAUNCH grants opens Oct. 3!
LAUNCH is a game changer for our young Idahoans.
Through LAUNCH, Idaho is recognizing that hundreds of career paths after high school deserve our support by offering up to $8,000 to cover the costs of an education or training program that leads to an in-demand career.
These are ‘real world’ jobs Idaho employers desperately need to fill.
Idahoans can sign up now at https://nextsteps.idaho.gov/launch to get notified when high school seniors are able to apply.
To qualify for a LAUNCH grant, students must:
- Be a graduate (class of 2024) from an Idaho high school, home school, or GED
- Be an Idaho resident
- Be enrolled in or have applied to an eligible Idaho institution
- Begin enrollment by Fall semester after graduation
- Complete a Career Pathway Plan at nextsteps.idaho.gov
|
|
Quagga Mussel Larvae Detection Snake River
The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) confirmed this week the presence of quagga mussel larvae in the Centennial Waterfront Park area of the Snake River. Multiple samples of quagga mussel at larval life stages have been found in the Twin Falls area by ISDA’s early detection monitoring program.
The findings mark the first time a rapid response plan has been put into action for quagga mussels in Idaho. ISDA is implementing a rapid response plan that includes notifying impacted entities, implementing containment measures, conducting delimiting surveys and evaluating for potential treatment options.
These invasive pests will clog pipes that deliver water for drinking, energy, agriculture, and recreation. This is a very high priority for Idaho and for me, given the gravity of the risk. If we are not successful, an unchecked spread – which we are doing all we can to stop – has the potential to cost Idaho hundreds of millions of actual and indirect costs. Thankfully, we caught the mussels early on and have already started a robust response to get these mussels OUT of our waters. We need everyone to support these efforts.
ISDA is asking for the public’s cooperation in staying out of the water in the Centennial Waterfront Park area, in an effort to contain the mussel populations. ISDA staff and boats will be in the water performing delimiting surveys to determine the physical range of the impacted area. Boat ramps and public access to the water are closed temporarily.
Click the button below for updates on the issue and to view a map of the impacted area!
|
WATCH: Program to help support Idaho high schoolers enter in-demand jobs opens Oct. 3
Idaho LAUNCH is a GAME CHANGER for Idaho students and Idaho families. Click the button below to watch the full KTVB story!
Alongside state lawmakers, students, and partners in higher education at the College of Western Idaho (CWI), Governor Brad Little (R-Idaho) announced a program for graduating high school students to earn a state-funded scholarship to pursue needed education and skills throughout the state.
The Idaho LAUNCH program will offer a one-time opportunity for students to receive 80% off their tuition and fees, according to the governor's office. The application portal will open on October 3, and the scholarship will provide a maximum of $8,000 per applicant.
“We want all our young people — that’s been my goal from the get-go — to have the opportunity to stay in Idaho and succeed,” he said.
Integrated Waste Treatment Unit celebrates operational success
This week, I joined the Idaho National Laboratory in celebrating the completion of the Integrated Waste Treatment Unit's 100th cannister.
This accomplishment epitomizes years of teamwork.
The IWTU is a key part of the long-term viability of the lab, and we all agree it is important that Idaho does not become a permanent repository for waste.
With each gallon of sodium-bearing waste treated, the Idaho Cleanup Project is fulfilling its commitment to the people of Idaho to protect the underlying Snake River Plain Aquifer and close the tank farm forever.
The Idaho Environmental Coalition commemorated five months of operations at the Integrated Waste Treatment Unit on Wednesday.
To date, the Integrated Waste Treatment Unit, which became operational April 11 after years of delays, has treated more than 68,000 gallons of sodium-bearing radioactive liquid waste. This represents 8% of the total 900,000 gallons of liquid waste stored in three underground tanks at the Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center.
“This really is a milestone because this is part of the commitment between the Department (of Energy), the cleanup contractors and the state of Idaho,” Governor Brad Little said. “It really is a testament to the people that have redesigned it, continued to work on it, done it safely and we can see the end in sight. … That’s important that we get this liquid material in those three tanks turned into the safer (granular) form to protect the aquifer of the state of Idaho and to fulfill the commitment.”
Now that the 53,000-square-foot facility is in operation, project leaders anticipate it will take three to seven years to treat all of the liquid waste.
|
Cutting the ribbon on Schweitzer's new bridge!
|
|
|
Idaho's one-stop shop for accessing public meeting information related to nearly 200 State of Idaho agencies and entities.
|
|
Idaho State Capitol
700 W. Jefferson Street
Boise, ID 83720
|
|
|
|
