Senate votes to require hiring 3 more attorneys to represent Land Board, instead of Attorney General
Idaho Press, 3-16-22
The Senate has voted 29-6 in favor of legislation to hire three new attorneys to serve as in-house counsel for the state Land Board, rather than have the Idaho Attorney General’s office provide legal counsel to the board, of which the Attorney General is a member. Sen. Mark Harris, R-Soda Springs, the sponsor of SB 1372, said, “At the very least this creates the perception the Attorney General’s office has an oversized influence on the Land Board as a whole. This bill simply places all constitutional officers that sit o the Land Board on an even playing field.”
The bill would require the hiring of a general counsel and two additional attorneys, plus a legal assistant, while also cutting the Attorney General’s office staff by three positions; its fiscal note estimates the cost at $601,800, but says the Department of Lands’ dedicated funds could cover part of that, so there would be a savings to the state general fund in future years.
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Farm Bureau survey looks at non-fee grazing costs
Farm & Ranch News, 3-15-22
The Idaho Land Board in October voted not to support a proposal by the Idaho Department of Lands to raise the state grazing fee by 28 percent.
Since that time, Idaho Farm Bureau Federation has released the results of a study that the organization believes supports the land board’s decision not to raise the rate that ranchers pay to graze their cattle on state-owned land.
The IDL in 2021 proposed raising that fee from $7.07 per animal unit month to $9.07 per AUM. An AUM represents the use of public land for one cow and her calf per month.
The IDL’s proposal to raise the rate failed after the five-member land board voted 2-2 on it. Gov. Brad Little recused himself from the vote because he is a rancher.
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TREASURE FROM A TRASH TREE: Local woodworker to share creations made from City Creek Russian olives
Idaho State Journal, 3-15-22
Before proposing to his wife, Emma, Ike Sutherland went to his favorite fishing hole along the Portneuf River and cut a half-inch bough from a Russian olive tree.
He tied a bell to the end of the bough, hung a wedding ring inside as the ringer and presented it to her on Christmas.
Viewed as trash trees by many, Russian olives have always held a special place in Sutherland’s heart ever since he made his unique marriage proposal 18 years ago. So when the city recently brought in a team to cut down many of the invasive trees near the City Creek trailhead, using massive Clydesdales to haul the logs away, Sutherland dreamed up a project.
Russian olives were once planted for wildlife habitat and erosion control. From an ecological perspective, the city opted to use $130,000 in Idaho Department of Lands grant funding to remove the Russian olives because they’re known to reduce streamflow, add excess nitrogen into waterways through the berries and choke out native plants.
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Ukrainians urge Idaho legislature to act on Russian investments
Boise State Public Radio, 3-14-22
The Senate State Affairs Committee heard emotional testimony Monday as it considered proposals to divest Russian assets held in state investment funds.
Julia Martin is one of three Ukrainians who shared their family’s experiences during the Russian invasion of their country.
“This is a genocide they’re doing – the Russians doing genocide. This is not a war. They’re killing civilian people who trying to just escape for shelter,” Martin said.
Nearly 600 civilians have died in Ukraine over the past three weeks, according to NPR.
Her cousin, Martin said, is a combat medic treating injured soldiers and civilians alike in horrific situations.
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Wildfire management receives $8 billion from bipartisan infrastructure law
KTVB, 3-14-22
Wildfire seasons are getting worse in length and severity according to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC).
Wildfires burned more than 7 million acres of land in 2021 and more than 10 million acres in 2020.
In response to the growing threat, NIFC briefed Boise Mayor Lauren McLean Monday morning alongside US Department of Interior Deputy Secretary, Tommy Beaudreau, on what to expect going forward.
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Idaho Department of Lands Hoping to Expand Pool of Licensed Log Scalers by Offering Free Training in Lewiston
Big Country News, 3-10-22
In an effort to expand the number of licensed log scalers in the state, the Idaho Department of Lands is preparing to host a free training opportunity to introduce people to the occupation. With more than 31,000 Idahoans working in green collar forest sector jobs, only 127 of them are currently licensed by Idaho to scale logs commercially, according to the IDL.
Idaho’s forestry industry relies on log scalers to establish the value of logs by accurately calculating the potential value-added products that can be manufactured from them. Log scaling also confirms the accuracy of timber cruise volumes, measures log inventory and can be used for assessing taxes.
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2022 fire season causing concern for some officials
KMVT, 3-10-22
Fire season last year was a year where everyone was on high alert, the Bureau of Land Management using their last-ditch effort to stop the spread of wildfires.
“Fire restrictions are kind of our last resort,” said Kelsey Brizendine, fire information officer with the BLM.
The result of those restrictions led to no major fires impacting Southern Idaho, at least in our viewing area. While winter brought lots of snow in the beginning, January and February were bone dry, leaving some concern for the upcoming season.
“They’re (reservoirs) not full, that’s one of the concerns,” said Jackie Frey with the Twin Falls E.M.A. “So even as snow melts and then you start going into irrigation time and season and stuff you only have so much water.”
With recent snows, the little moisture has helped but having it this late isn’t ideal, according to officials.
“You wanna see that there be a large amount of snowpack, but not in the condition we are in March,” said Frey. “You wanna see that back several months.”
To help prepare for the season, the Department of Lands is doing all they can to get as many firefighters on the front lines as possible with wildland firefighter training.
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Tree planting workshops offered in March
Bonners Ferry Herald, 3-10-22
Promptly renewing a forest with tree seedlings is key to sustainable forestry, whether to replace harvested trees or those that died from fire, insects, or disease. Every year that the forest is understocked is a loss in forest growth. Brush or grasses taking over a site can make establishing new trees very difficult and expensive. Finally, the Idaho Forest Practice Act requires reforestation within five years of timber harvest. In March, a half-day workshop titled “Successful Tree Planting” will introduce participants to key elements of planting forest trees successfully. The program will feature:
Indoor instruction on: planted vs. naturally generated tree seedlings; site preparation; seedling stock types; seedling sources; planting tools and technique; responding to inadequate moisture, wildlife damage, and other threats to seedling survival; and financial and technical assistance to help forest owners plant trees.
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Cd'A opposes dock proposal near City Beach
Coeur d'Alene Press, 3-5-22
Coeur d’Alene and the Idaho Department of Lands are opposing an application for a dock near City Beach.
City attorney Mike Gridley said the dock would be inside the city’s designated swimming area in Lake Coeur d’Alene, which extends from the Independence Point steps to Hubbard Avenue at North Idaho College.
“It is a designated swimming area under our city code,” he said.
The city filed its opposition to the application with the state Board of Land Commissioners on Thursday.
“The designated swimming area includes the waterfront at City Park that is host to over 100,000 citizens from June through September each year. Each year over 2,600 Ironman and triathlon competitors train and compete in this part of Lake Coeur d’Alene,” Gridley wrote. “Subjecting these athletes, children and other citizens to the risk of gruesome propeller injuries or boat related injuries would be contrary to the intent and purpose of the Lake Protection Act and the greater public good."
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Letter: Trident returns with new approach
Times News, 3-4-22
On Feb. 9, Brody Aston, a lobbyist working on behalf of Trident Holdings LLC introduced House Bill 587 (HB 587) that would significantly change how the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) organizes, hires, and conducts business.
This bill proposes creating a new position responsible for land exchange oversight, select and manage outside experts (including private attorneys), and implement new and undefined hiring standards. United Payette founding partners The Idaho Conservation League and Idaho Wildlife Federation are tracking the bill’s progress, currently in the Resources and Conservation Committee.
It’s clear that Trident hasn’t given up (it’s land exchange application was rejected last August) on its plan to acquire significant lands around Payette Lake, with apparent intentions of developing those lands into resorts, conference centers, and luxury homes.
United Payette, a broad coalition of concerned citizens and organizations, continued working toward a sustainable solution that supports the permanent conservation of the McCall area endowment lands.
Although Trident represents the most recent entity hoping to acquire and develop coveted endowment lands, it won’t be the last. This is why United Payette members and supporters dedicate their time and financial resources to keeping the Payette endowment lands publicly accessible. If you would like to join our effort by contributing either funds, your time, or both, go to our unitedpayette.org or email us at unitedpayette@gmail.com.
Randy Fox, Idaho Conservation League
Daniel Ritz, Idaho Wildlife Federation
Idaho Department of Land develops online portal for more wildland firefighting training
KMVT, 3-2-22
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.
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