Delivered Products Pilot Project Moves Forward
Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) is launching a delivered product sales pilot project and is looking to contract directly with loggers for harvesting and delivering timber products to purchasers.
Under the Delivered Product Sales Pilot Program, IDL will sell at public auction specific product sorts like pulp, posts and poles, sawlogs, cedar poles, or house logs directly to end-users, contracting with loggers to harvest and deliver the product sorts.
For loggers to be eligible to bid on harvesting and delivering products under this pilot program, timber harvesting contractors must apply to become eligible bidders. The bidder eligibility application period runs from July 1, 2022, through August 1, 2022. Following the application period, qualified applicants will be invited to submit bids on specific delivered product projects as they occur.
Associated Logging Contractors is encouraging contractors to fill out the application and get their name on the list as a qualified applicant.
In IDL's research we found that other states and companies that sell timber as delivered products report net revenue increases of 10% to 20% compared to the traditional stumpage sell.
Director Miller Joins Governor Little for Annual Trail Ride
Director Miller participated in the Governor’s Trail Ride near Blackfoot this week. One of the main issues discussed back at camp was managing the impacts of increased recreation while protecting multiple uses. Several state and federal agency leaders participated in the discussion.
- All agencies are experiencing increased use by those recreating.
- All agencies are experiencing damage to the resource from people not being good stewards
- IDL and other state agencies deal struggle with enforcement issues
Land Board Staff Summit and Forestry Tour
IDL has invited Land Board staff to attend the annual Land Board Staff Summit held this year in Orofino June 27-29. Stella Jones is hosting a tour of Benton Ridge Fire Salvage Sale which will be accompanied by discussion of IDL fire management and the importance of Timber Protective Associations. Other topics will include 2023 Legislative Priorities, seasonal housing shortages, discussion on statewide recreation impacts on endowment lands, and problematic leases. Staff members will also have the opportunity to observe a salvage timber auction in the Orofino office.
Attendees participating in the forestry tour are reminded to wear field-appropriate clothing, such as jeans, closed toed shoes or boots, and layers in case the weather turns inclement.
Benton Ridge Background
The Benton Ridge area is a collection of timbered endowment parcels encompassing more than 5,500 acres near the headwaters of Dworshak Reservoir on the southern shore of North Fork of the Clearwater River. Much of the Benton area is timbered with valuable cedar. The beneficiaries of these endowment lands include Public Schools, University of Idaho, Charitable Institutions, and State Hospital South. The area is approximately 2 hours from Orofino by car, or 20 minutes by helicopter.
Approximately 2,600 acres of this endowment timberland, which is managed by IDL’s Clearwater Supervisory Area, burned extensively in July of 2021 in the Benton Ridge Fire which was managed as part of the Cougar Rock Complex. The Benton Ridge Fire did not impact all endowment land located in the vicinity. The Cougar Rock Complex burned more than 8,000 acres.
Following the fire, IDL promptly set up five cedar salvage sales totaling an estimated 45,530 MBF with a net value of $12.9 million. To date, three of the five timber sales have been sold at public auction with Stella Jones Corporation purchasing the largest offering, the Benton North Cedar Salvage. Benton North encompasses 21,605 MBF and sold for $7.2 million in September 2021. The remaining two sales will be offered at auction on Wednesday, June 28, 2022.
IDL takes on leadership role with Recreate Responsibly Idaho
Recreate Responsibly Idaho (RRI) began in March 2020 at the request of the Governor’s office. Initially, it addressed recreation during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic as record numbers of in-state residents and out-of-state tourists flocked to Idaho to go hiking, biking, ATV and UTV riding, whitewater rafting, fishing, camping, hunting, and participate in other outdoor recreation opportunities. The increase put strain on recreation infrastructure and land management staff. Continued population growth and ongoing pressure on outdoor recreation facilities in Idaho has illustrated the need to continue the RRI efforts.
The Idaho Department of Lands is taking the lead among state agencies, both state and federal, to support the third year of RRI and is working closely with the Idaho Department of Commerce and a paid marketing campaign with the goal of future-proofing recreation opportunities in Idaho. Key solutions are wildfire prevention, reduction in waste in the outdoors, and reducing damage to state and federal lands, including Idaho Endowment Lands.
Governor Little Tours the Coeur d'Alene Interagency Fire Cache
Governor Brad Little toured Idaho Department of Land’s Coeur d’Alene Interagency Fire Cache Tuesday, June 14, 2022, as part of a wildfire preparedness review. The Governor thanked the wildland firefighters and IDL staff for preparing for what that lies ahead. Dustin Miller declared IDL and the TPAs prepared for the wildfire season.
While there the Governor also announced a new web based Wildfire Alert System that allows the public to sign up for text or email alerts about wildfires on land protected by IDL in their area.
IDL Launches New Wildfire Alert Notification System
In prior years, the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) heavily relied on social media and its website to share information about wildfires with the public. Now, Idahoans have another way to obtain timely information. They can sign up for text or email alerts about wildfires on land protected by IDL by visiting www.idl.idaho.gov/alerts.
The new alert system supports the Governor's Leading Idaho initiative to enhance public safety. The system covers all 6.3 million acres in IDL's 12 forest protective districts.
When a fire under IDL protection exceeds 10 acres in size or threatens structures, IDL typically sends timely updates about the incident to local officials, fire agencies and the media. The new alert system leverages work already undertaken by IDL's Fire Information Duty Officers by using the agency's GovDelivery email system to automatically distribute incident updates to a broader list of public subscribers. For this reason, it's crucial that District Duty Officers reach out to the on-call Fire Information Duty Officer when an incident exceeds ten acres in size, threatens structures, or is likely to generate media or public interest.
When announcing the Wildfire Alert system at a press conference in Coeur d'Alene on Tuesday, Governor Little explained: "Not everyone uses social media, so it is important to provide the public with additional options to stay apprised of wildfires that may affect them. The new Wildfire Alert System allows Idahoans, especially those who live in the wildland urban interface, a new and convenient option for obtaining timely and relevant information about wildfires."
Printable Resources for IDL Offices
Please print the Wildfire Alerts poster and display it in your office for walk-in customers to see, and use the the flyer as a handout at public events.
New Safety Program Employee Award
Employee safety is a priority at IDL! Employees who go above and beyond to identify safety issues, take action to mitigate safety issues, and follow through to ensure actions needed, are taken are now eligible for the new Safety Program Employee Award. The award is presented annually in conjunction with the Employee of the Year Awards during the Spring Leadership Meeting.
To be eligible for nomination, an employee must:
- Demonstrate commitment to the health and safety of employees by identifying safety issues within their home office or for all IDL employees.
- Take action and make recommendations to prevent employee injuries or illness.
- Recognize unsafe conditions or practices and work to resolve issues.
- Consistently make safety a priority.
Nominations and the recipient selection for this new award will mirror the process used for recognizing IDL's Employees of the Year. Operations Chiefs, Area Managers, Bureau Chiefs and Executive Staff submit the nominations. Employees are welcome to suggest nominees to their Operations Chief, Area Manager or Bureau Chief.
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