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Crews Battling 5-10 Acre Wildfire on IDL Grounds North of Harvard, ID; No Houses or Structures Threatened at this Time
Big Country News, 7-22-22
Multiple fire units are on scene Friday battling a 5-10 acre wildfire in a clearcut on Idaho Department of Lands ground north of Harvard, ID near the border of Latah and Benewah counties.
The fire, which has been named the 'Chelsey Fire,' was first reported around 6:30 a.m. Friday morning (July 22). According to the IDL, the fire is currently of moderate intensity with some spotting downwind and has a high potential for growth.
Four aircraft (two SEATS, two helicopters), two dozers, two IDL engines, and a Deary water tender are on scene, along with other IDL firefighters. More firefighting resources are also en-route.
No houses or other structures are threatened at this time. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, however dry lightning was reported in the area Thursday night.
To view the IDL Fire Map, click HERE.
City of McCall urges county and Land Board to put a stop to Cougar Island auction
BoiseDev, 7-21-22
The City of McCall is continuing its fight to save Cougar Island.
At 14.21-acres, Cougar Island is the largest island in Payette Lake. In June, the Idaho Department of Lands said it would move forward with auctioning the island, which is part of Idaho’s endowment land.
“Big Payette Lake is the sole source of drinking water for our community. It is a critical resource for our community that must be protected,” the city wrote in a letter to the Idaho State Land Board.
During a special meeting, the McCall City Council unanimously voted to send two letters, one to the Valley County Commissioners, asking them to take legal action that could stop the auction. The other went to the Idaho Department of Lands, urging it to consider what they call the importance of the land before the auction.
Commissioners’ letter
In the letter to the county commissioners, the city starts by explaining its shared concern about losing land to recreate and the impact on drinking water, then asks them to take action.
Valley County has been working to transition all cottage sites surrounding the lake to the Payette Lakes Recreational Water and Sewer District sewer system. Developments on Payette Lake’s perimeter are required to be serviced by a Department of Environmental Quality sewer system, not septic. This is a major concern outlined in the letter.
“Extending sewer lines to the island will be difficult and extremely expensive. IDL’s ‘perc testing’ of the island as part of the appraisal process causes us great alarm because it indicates the intent for septic systems to be installed, which should not be allowed for the same reasons septic systems are not allowed on any other shoreline property of Payette Lake,” the letter said.
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Opinion: McCall parries to IDL’s thrust on Cougar Island
Star-News, 7-21-22
After being forced for years to endure the insolence of the Idaho Department of Lands regarding local planning laws, the McCall City Council is now turning the tables on its land-use nemesis regarding IDL’s plans to sell Cougar Island on Payette Lake.
The city has long pleaded with the state to comply with city and county laws when discussing development plans for its massive holdings of state endowment land surrounding the lake. But the IDL and the state land board have offered little more than lip service to the city’s position, stating local zoning laws would be enforced on state land only if convenient and without costing the state money. Two recent examples were in 2018, when the state put sites on Deinhard Lane and Lick Creek Road up for lease for cellphone towers. City laws require cellphone towers to blend in with their surroundings using disguises such as artificial tree limbs, but the state waived that requirement when the tower builders said the cost of compliance would be too high.
Now the city gets to flip the script on the state over Cougar Island, the 14-acre site which was selected first on the list for the state to cash in on prime parcels in and around McCall. The IDL is advertising the upcoming auction with the implication that buyers of one or more of the four vacant lots on the island will be allowed to build a vacation home on the lot. The city, however, notes that once state land is purchased by a private party, the state’s claims of a zoning exemption are no longer valid and buyers could be stuck with a very expensive campsite.
Such a scenario would allow attorneys to make a lot of money, but otherwise has no value to the city, state or the public. The Idaho Department of Lands should admit the city has the upper hand and cancel the auction of Cougar Island. The agency then needs to face the reality that any future auctions of state land will encounter a similar situation. The IDL should then tailor the terms of each auction to match the planning laws in place and not suggest impractical proposals that can never be realized and which incur the wrath of disgruntled bidders on the state.
Publication Date: Thursday, July 21, 2022
McCall: No new homes allowed on Cougar Island
Star-News, 7-21-22
The current zoning of Cougar Island on Payette Lake would not allow any more homes to be built if the island is sold at auction by the Idaho Department of Lands, the McCall City Council was told last week.
The island is zoned for one home per 10 acres and there is already a home on the 14.2-acre island, but the IDL plans to accept bids for five lots it platted on the island in 2014.
That means whoever buys any of four vacant lots on the island at an auction tentatively set for Boise on Sept. 8 would not be able to build on them, McCall City Attorney Bill Nichols said.
“Just because the state says there’s five lots doesn’t necessarily mean there’s five lots,” Nichols said. “It’s already got zoning that applies.”
A letter informing the state of the current zoning was scheduled to be approved on Wednesday during a special meeting of the council. That action had not been taken as of the printing deadline for The Star-News.
The lands department prefers to sell the island as a whole, which real estate experts have advised would likely earn the most money at auction, said Sharla Arledge, a spokesperson for IDL.
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COMMENTARY: Public lands belong to all of us
Coeur d'Alene Press, 7-20-22
Evan Koch, chairman of the Kootenai County Democrats.
Idaho’s heritage and culture are built around our shared majestic outdoors. Citizens of the Gem State cherish having unparalleled access to public land for hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, boating and other recreational activities. With very few exceptions, Idaho’s national forests and public lands are wide open for everyone to enjoy.
Unfortunately, a handful of well-positioned Idaho politicians with help from some out-of-state financial backers want to take control of public land in order to sell it off to developers. Under the banner of “state control” these special interest groups, including the American Lands Council, are behind an effort to usurp ownership of lands that belong to all of us. Their strategy is to place our public land at the mercy of the Idaho Land Board.
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Idaho Endowment Fund lost $400 million last fiscal year
Associated Press, 7-19-22
The Idaho Endowment Fund that distributes money to public schools and other entities lost $400 million in the fiscal year that wrapped up at the end of June, state officials said Tuesday.
Investments Manager Chris Anton told the Idaho Land Board the fund lost about 13% of its value, dropping from $3.1 billion to $2.7 billion during what has been a tough stretch for investors. However, the fund is up 5.9% over the last three years and 8.3% over the last 10 years.
“We are rather aggressive, and there are going to be years when we’re down,” Anton told the board. “But, as you’ve all seen, the strategy has paid off over the long term.”
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Express Fire near Clearwater River Casino now 100% contained
KHQ, 7-19-22
The Express Fire is now 100% contained according to Nez Perce County Emergency Management.
Fire crews from Idaho Department of Lands and Nez Perce Tribe Fire continue to patrol and conduct mop-up operations.
"Nez Perce County Office of Emergency Management would like to thank all of the agencies and crews that responded to the fire," Nez Perce County Emergency Management said in a Facebook post.
Last Updated: July 19 at 12:40 p.m.
The Express fire in Nez Perce County is 70% contained, according to Nez Perce County Emergency Management (NPCEM).
The fire began on the north side of US-95, above the Clearwater River Casino, and grew from 60 acres to around 2,000 by 3 p.m., NPCEM reports.
The United States Forest Service responded with multiple fixed wing water and fire retardant tankers, in addition to helicopters with water buckets. Smokejumper and helitack crews parachuted on the site early in the day, joining nine engines from multiple agencies, including Idaho Department of Lands, and Ponderosa, Maggie Creek, and Craig Mountain fire districts, Nez Perce County Fire, Wheatland Fire, and Nez Perce Tribe Fire. Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association provided and operated a bulldozer to assist firefighting efforts. NPCEM states no further structures are currently threatened, and evacuation orders have been lifted.
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AT&T still wants to build controversial cell tower near Redfish Lake
ICL news release, 7-19-22
The controversial proposal to build a new 195-foot cell tower on state-owned lands on a ridge overlooking Redfish Lake appears to be moving forward. The cell tower was originally pitched under the guise of improving emergency communications in the area. After public opposition and indications that AT&T might abandon its proposal, the company now seeks to build a standard commercial cell tower at the same site in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA).
AT&T already signed a lease with the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) to operate a commercial tower on state endowment land through 2040. AT&T’s annual rent to IDL under this lease is a mere $30,746.85 (increasing 3% annually).
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must also approve the commercial cell tower before it can be built. This process may provide opportunities for public comment and require a detailed environmental review.
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Wildland fire crews building perimeter around Express Fire near Lewiston
KBOI 2, 7-18-22
The wildfire burning near the Clearwater River Casino is estimated at 1200 acres, according to the Idaho Department of Lands fire incident map.
The Nez Perce County Emergency management's Facebook page posted earlier this morning that the Casino, residential area, and RV park in the immediate area have been evacuated.
READ MORE
Evacuation orders lifted as crews continue to fight Lewiston fire
KREM 2, 7-18-22
Firefighters are working to get a wildfire under control near Lewiston on Monday morning. The Express fire started Sunday night north of US 95 near the Clearwater River and Clearwater River Casino & Lodge.
Nez Perce County Emergency Management reported Clearwater River Casino, residential areas, and RV parks in the immediate area were evacuated, but that order has since been lifted. The Express gas station and casino are also reopened.
Nez Perce County posted that wildland fire crews are actively establishing a perimeter to contain the burn.
"Please do not enter the area north of HWY95 in the vicinity of the Casino. Use caution and reduce speeds on HWY 95 in both directions. Smoke may reduce visibility and fire crews and law enforcement may be working along the highway," Nez Perce County posted on Facebook.
The Idaho Department of Lands reports the fire has burned at least 1,200 acres.
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Idaho Department of Land Bureau Chief completes Harvard fellowship
KIFI, 7-15-22
Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) Forest Assistance Bureau Chief Archie Gray has completed a Fellowship Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at the Harvard Kennedy School, which is the public policy school of Harvard University.
Gray was chosen to attend the program by the National Association of State Foresters Foundation (NASFF) Foundation, in partnership with the USDA Forest Service, State & Private Forestry. The foundation covered the expenses of attending the three-week-long fellowship that used a combination of case studies, lectures and projects to build leadership and problem-solving capacity.
“It was an honor to be chosen for this fellowship,” Gray said. “As a leader it is important to challenge yourself, challenge your preconceptions and find ways to help those you lead develop in their careers and ability to lead.”
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Wildfire Alert
Posted July22, 2022
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(Deary, Idaho) A five-to ten-acre fire was reported approximately 6:30 a.m. PT in a clearcut on Idaho Department of Lands ground. The fire is currently of moderate intensity with some spotting downwind and has a high potential for growth.
No houses or other structures are threatened. The cause of the fire is under investigation but dry lightning was reported in the area last night.
Four aircraft (two SEATS, two helicopters), two dozers, two IDL engines, and a Deary water tender are on scene, as well as half the Teakan fire crew and other IDL firefighters. More firefighting resources are en route and expected shortly. Mike McManus is the Incident Commander on this fire.
Sign up for text or email wildfire alerts: https://loom.ly/qa5vYzo
Stay informed by visiting our Fire News Feed: https://loom.ly/7ji4pJE
Learn more about IDL Fire: https://loom.ly/Q3Rq5IA
We Need You
Posted July 22, 2022
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Only you can prevent a fire that burns through your favorite camping area by making sure your campfire is out before you leave. We need you. #OnlyYou
Learn more about IDL Fire and Prevention at https://loom.ly/Q3Rq5IA
#Prevention
 IDL Timber Sale
Posted July 21, 2022
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We sell timber from endowment land to generate vital revenue for public schools and other beneficiaries. Our foresters protect this renewable timber resource by managing the land, selling timber, planting new trees, and repeating the process.
Idaho's forest products industry is the largest contributor to the endowments' annual revenue.
On August 17 at 10 am PT we'll sell the "Deet Ton" timber sale public auction to the highest bidder. Learn more about this timber sale: https://loom.ly/7diz79g
Sign up to receive text and email notifications about future timber sales: https://loom.ly/gF68oEA
#Forestry #Logging
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