Idaho Department of Land develops online portal for more wildland firefighting training
KTVB, 3-3-22
The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) has created an online training portal to modernize its wildfire suppression program. The program allows new opportunities for loggers, landowners, and foresters to help safely fight wildfires.
IDL said in a press release that the training opportunities are an “efficient solution to a persistent national problem, scarce firefighting resources.”
Loggers and foresters can be valuable during wildfire incidents because of their knowledge of local forests and heavy equipment skills. They are often the first to spot wildfires and have the skills necessary to begin initial fire suppression tactics.
After receiving the proper training, heavy equipment operators can also become eligible to work contracts for fire suppression on IDL lands.
READ MORE
Idaho lawmakers seek to end investments in Russia
Associated Press, 3-2-22
Lawmakers on Wednesday voted to introduce legislation seeking to dump investments in Russia following that nation’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Ukraine is a nightmare and a disaster right now,” said Democratic Rep. John Gannon, one of the sponsors of the legislation. “Bullying by Russia has become a war for no reason, and this war has been condemned by the world.”
The House State Affairs Committee voted to introduce a resolution affecting the $3.2 billion Endowment Fund.
Those investments are managed by the Endowment Fund Investment Board, mainly for public schools. About 28% of the fund is invested in international and global stock.
Chris Anton, the board’s investment manager, said Wednesday that the state sold $1.2 million of Russian investments Wednesday and has $1.7 million remaining invested in Russian debt that the country has frozen, making a sale impossible for now.
“Overall, our exposure is almost nothing compared to the size of the fund,” Anton told The Associated Press in an interview.
READ MORE
‘Inexcusable’: Idaho House condemns Russia for attack on Ukraine in bipartisan memorial
Idaho Statesman, 3-2-22
The Idaho House on Wednesday passed a bipartisan memorial condemning Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
Sponsored by Reps. Matt Bundy, a Mountain Home Republican, and Colin Nash, a Boise Democrat, the memorial says the Idaho Legislature commends “the courage and resolve shown by the Ukrainian people in defending their country against Russian aggressors.” It also urges Gov. Brad Little to “take all appropriate measures to sanction Russia.”
Lawmakers are also considering ways for the state to divest from Russia. Reps. John Gannon, a Boise Democrat, and Bruce Skaug, a Nampa Republican, introduced bills that would direct state agencies to shed investments in Russian currency and assets.
One bill would direct the Endowment Fund Investment Board, which manages the financial assets of several state agencies, to sell, trade or divest Russian currency and investments. The other bill would direct the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI) to drop Russian investments.
READ MORE
The Idaho Foundation for Parks and Lands: The Origin Story
KPVI, 3-2-22
Fifty years ago, in December 1972, the late Governor Cecil Andrus, D-Idaho, appointed a group of 10 prominent citizens to serve on the board of a new statewide foundation that would have the ability to receive donations of valuable lands that would become state parks, vital conservation properties and local parks and recreation areas.
The Idaho Foundation for Parks and Lands played a vital role in receiving more than 50 gifts of property that would become some of the most valuable and prominent state parks and conservation areas in Idaho, including Harriman State Park in Island Park, Farragut State Park in Bayview, Veterans Memorial State Park in Boise, Barber Pool and Conservation Area, the Reinheimer Ranch in Ketchum, and many more.
READ MORE
House OKs hazard pay for wildland firefighters
Bonner County Daily Bee, 2-27-22
The Idaho House approved a bill offering hazard pay to Idaho wildland firefighters on Friday by a 49-19 margin.
If the legislation becomes law, Idaho wildland firefighters will receive hazard differential pay equal to 25% of their hourly rate when they're working on an uncontrolled fire or at an active fire helibase.
“What this does is it recognizes that wildland firefighting is a very dangerous profession,” said the Fire Management Chief for the Department of Lands (IDL) in Coeur d’Alene, Josh Harvey. “There’s all sorts of things in that wildland fire environment that can kill an individual or seriously injure them.”
Harvey, a born and raised Idahoan, has been a wildland firefighter since graduating high school. He has spent much time working shoulder to shoulder with interagency partners. He's also been in charge of other federal or state firefighters who, while doing the same job, were compensated at a higher rate because they received hazard pay.
READ MORE
No decision yet on mine permit appeal
Challis Messenger, 2-27-22
No decision has yet been rendered in an appeal that objects to a conditional use permit issued by Custer County officials for the US Calcium mine at Darlington.
County commissioners heard several hours of testimony on the issue last week, but agreed they wanted more time and information before they vote on whether to uphold or reject the Custer County Planning and Zoning Commission’s permit that was issued late last year. They didn’t set a time for when they’ll make that decision, but commission Chairman Wayne Butts said repeatedly notice would be posted and the public would be notified of that meeting. Butts said he and fellow Commissioners Steve Smith and Randy Corgatelli can uphold what the planning and zoning commission did or send the matter back to that board for other action.
...later questioning, Erika Malmen, the attorney for US Calcium told Smith that US Calcium had not filed for “an official” floodplain permit from the county. She said mine officials are “coordinating” with the Idaho Department of Lands and the BLM on a “site-wide plan.” She also said the mine is working on other items required by the state lands department.
READ MORE
Firefighter hazard pay goes before Legislature
Bonner County Daily Bee, 2-25-22
A bill focusing on hazard pay for Idaho’s wildland firefighters is proceeding through the legislative process.
Representative Sage Dixon, R–Ponderay, will bring House Bill 588 before the Idaho House of Representatives today for its third reading.
If HB588 garners the necessary majority vote from representatives, it will advance to the Idaho Senate for committee review.
“It’s an equity issue,” Scott Phillips, Policy and Communications Chief for Idaho Department of Lands said Thursday. “Right now Idaho cannot offer hazard pay when other jurisdictions do.”
READ MORE
Clydesdale team makes short work of City Creek Russian olive removal
Idaho State Journal, 2-25-22
Excavators and other heavy equipment weren't an option for a tree-removal job in places along City Creek due to the potential to make a mess of the stream bed and the adjacent trail.
So the contractor hired to remove invasive Russian olive trees from the popular recreational area turned to a solution from the past, bringing in a team of hulking Clydesdales to haul away the trunks and limbs.
Cody Redford, with Inkom-based CR Fence Co., has filled lots of contracts for tree removal — mainly clearing away thick juniper stands on public lands — but he'd never tried using horses before. The old-fashioned approach yielded such impressive results, however, that Redford anticipates using horses in the future whenever he has to do work on steep or hard-to-access topography.
Hannah Sanger, the city's science and environment division manager, said the project is funded by a $130,000 fuels-reduction grant from the Idaho Department of Lands. She said widening of the City Creek Creek Trail would have been necessary to provide access to heavy equipment if the horses weren't available. Equipment will be brought in, however, to remove Russian olive groves higher up the trail system, along the Serengeti connector and in the Cusick Creek area, Sanger said.
READ MORE
IDL asks Legislature to allow hazard pay for its wildland firefighters
KIVI, 2-24-22
Yet another state agency is facing staffing challenges and drought conditions aren't helping.
Earlier this month we told you about the possibility of a multi-year drought in Idaho, which could increase wildfire risks.
Now, the Idaho Department of Lands is hoping a new bill will help address staffing challenges on the firelines.
IDL manages the state's endowment land, which makes money for Idaho's public schools and other beneficiaries. Managing this land includes fighting wildfires on private, state and federal land. The department is asking for help from the state to make sure they're equipped to handle this.
READ MORE
IDL Working to get Higher Pay for the Firefighters That Save Idaho Lives, Land and More
DailyFly, 2-24-22
Idaho’s wildland firefighters are a step closer to receiving competitive compensation on par with their federal peers and other western states.
Idaho’s Department of Lands (IDL) has become a defacto training ground for wildland firefighters and faces extreme challenges recruiting and retaining qualified personnel. The agency’s wildland firefighters engage in highly dangerous work for low pay protecting 6.2 million acres of private, state, and federal land. Most are hired as temporary, seasonal employees and do not receive benefits.
After just two seasons, 40% of IDL wildland firefighters do not return to work for the agency. This high turnover rate, given training requirements, is costly. Those seeking careers in a fire often use IDL to obtain certifications and experience, then go on to obtain permanent or higher-paying jobs elsewhere.
READ MORE
Bill Seeks to Increase Pay for Idaho's Wildland Firefighters
Big Country News, 2-24-22
Idaho’s wildland firefighters are a step closer to receiving competitive compensation on par with their federal peers and other western states.
A release from the Idaho Department of Lands says the agency has become a defacto training ground for wildland firefighters and faces extreme challenges recruiting and retaining qualified personnel. The agency’s wildland firefighters engage in highly dangerous work for low pay protecting 6.2 million acres of private, state and federal land. Most are hired as temporary, seasonal employees and do not receive benefits.
READ MORE
Road equipment, spring parade focus of commissioner meeting
Bonner County Daily Bee, 2-23-22
In a brief but productive weekly business meeting, commissioners allocated approximately $1,286,696.45 in routine spending, received $120,000 in grant funding from the Idaho Department of Lands, and approved Coolin's May 28 Spring Festival parade — amongst other items of business.
Emergency Management brought one item before the commission asking to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Idaho Department of Lands to receive $120,000 in grant funding. The county will have to pay $12,000 of that sum in order to qualify for receiving the funds.
Funding will be used for hazardous fuel treatment in the Blanchard area in association with the bonfire program as a part of IDL’s Shared Stewardship Project. The item was approved by commissioners.
READ MORE
Hazard pay for wildland firefighters goes to Idaho House floor
Capital Press, 2-22-22
The Idaho House Commerce & Human Resources Committee Feb. 21 endorsed a bill that would allow the state Department of Lands to provide hazard pay of up to 25% to its wildland firefighters.
The panel voted to send House Bill 588 to the full House with a do-pass recommendation.
Firefighters would earn the differential while working on a fire not yet controlled or at a fire helicopter base servicing flights, according to the bill.
READ MORE
Retaining wildland firefighters helps keep communities safe
KIFI, 2-22-22
Idaho’s wildland firefighters are a step closer to receiving competitive compensation on par with their federal peers and other western states.
Idaho’s Department of Lands (IDL) has become a defacto training ground for wildland firefighters and faces extreme challenges recruiting and retaining qualified personnel. The agency’s wildland firefighters engage in highly dangerous work for low pay protecting 6.2 million acres of private, state and federal land. Most are hired as temporary, seasonal employees and do not receive benefits.
READ MORE
|
