IDL tracks and monitors news coverage of our activities and significant events that may impact our operations, recapping the coverage in this newsletter.
This publication also details IDL's social media posts for the week, keeping stakeholders and our front-line customer service staff apprised of our public-facing communications.
The lessee of the only home on Cougar Island in Payette Lake bid $2 million to buy the lot at an auction held Wednesday in Eagle by the Idaho Department of Lands.
Jim Laski, a Bellevue attorney, was the only person to place a bid at Wednesday’s auction, which offered the 14.2-acre island as a whole or in five lots platted by the state.
Laski told The Star-News after the meeting that despite placing the winning bid for his 2.5-acre lot, he cannot afford the $2 million price tag, the minimum bid set by the state.
“I can only make that bid because I’m the lessee,” Laski said after the auction. “I’ll either try to sell my position or I’ll end up continuing to lease the island (from the lands department).”
The auction of an island owned by the state at the northern end of Payette Lake ended without much action Wednesday with just one of the five lots on Cougar Island sold.
The auction lasted just a few minutes, with the current leaseholder of the only developed lot on Cougar Island bidding on the property.
Jim Laski, a Bellevue attorney, paid $2 million for the land.
He declined an interview with Boise State Public Radio Wednesday. But in comments before the state land board in June, he said the property has meant a lot to his family since he began leasing it about 10 years ago.
“Since then, my family and I have spent as much time during the summer as possible enjoying the island and the unique beauty an Idaho mountain lake has to offer,” Laski said at the time.
Idaho sells only 1 of 5 island parcels on Payette Lake
Associated Press, 9-14-22
EAGLE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho officials on Wednesday sold only one of five parcels at an auction involving a 14-acre island in Payette Lake near the vacation and second-home town of McCall in west-central Idaho.
The Idaho Department of Lands sold one lot on Cougar Island for its appraised value of just over $2 million to Jim Laski of Bellevue, Idaho. Laski has been leasing the lot from the state and built a cabin on it.
The agency also offered for sale the other four lots or the island as a whole, but they went unsold.
The Lands Department in a news release said it “will evaluate the next step for the other parcels on the island. The goal remains maximizing the return on behalf of the endowment beneficiary.”
The state constitution requires the Idaho Land Board, which directs the Land Department and is comprised of the governor and four other statewide elected officials, to maximize financial return over the long term, benefitting mainly public schools. State land managers told the Land Board that the island was underperforming financially, and selling the entire island or individual parcels was in the state’s best interest.
Republican Gov. Brad Little and four other members of the Idaho Land Board voted 5-0 in June to reaffirm a previous board decision to sell the island.
Portion of Cougar Island on Payette Lake sold by State of Idaho
KTVB, 9-14-22
The island is visible in a popular spot of the lake, with a family leasing a part of the property. The island is owned by the state, but Idaho is looking to sell the land to maximize financial return.
Wednesday afternoon, an auction was held in Eagle for lots of Cougar Island. People registered to bid on those pieces or the whole island itself, if they choose to.
In June, Idaho officials voted to sell the 14-acre "high-end" island in Payette Lake. Governor Brad Little and four other members of the Idaho Land Board voted 5-0 to confirm a previous decision to sell the island.
The island has five designated lots, with one lot hosting a cabin and a current lessee. But why did Idaho take the land to auction?
The state constitution requires the Land Board to "maximize financial return over the long term", mainly to benefit public schools. State land managers have said, cougar island is underperforming financially, and selling it is in the state's best interest.
One lot on Cougar Island gets buyer, rest of island remains in state hands
BoiseDev, 9-14-22
Cougar Island went on the auction block Wednesday, with just one parcel was sold.
The 14.21-acre island is the largest in Payette Lake and has gained a lot of attention when the state decided it would auction the lots. The property is part of the Idaho Land Endowment.
Since the state’s announcement of an auction, both the Valley County Commissioners and the City of McCall voiced concerns. Both parties worried that an auction would result in the county losing the land for recreation. McCall made an attempt to designate the island as an Area of Critical Concern with the hope that this would stop the auction – however, the Valley County Board of Commissioners did not ratify the city’s resolution.
Corbett Bottles Real Estate hosted the auction at the Waters Edge Events Center in Eagle. The auction offered five different parcels on the island. The only parcel that sold was the sold 2.52 acres lot with the home on it. One bid was received for the property on the island with a current home $2,025,000. Jim Laski of Bellevue, Idaho, who leases the property currently, was the winning bidder, according to Josh Purkiss with the Idaho Dept. of Lands.
Idaho tried to auction a state-owned island near McCall. Only one person bid on it
Idaho Statesman, 9-14-22
A much-anticipated auction for a state-owned island in Payette Lake attracted a single bidder, who offered to buy only one parcel.
The Idaho Department of Lands offered five parcels on Cougar Island for sale during Wednesday’s auction, with the option for bidders to bid on the entire island at a starting bid of $10.3 million.
The only bid was on the parcel of Cougar Island that includes a 3-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home. The bidder, Jim Laski, currently leases the land from the department. Laski paid just over $2 million for the home and 2.5 acres, the department said in a news release.
50 Acre Prescribed Fire Needed Within Woodhead Fire Area Needed To Prepare Site For Planting
DailyFly, 9-14-22
In 2020 the Woodhead Fire impacted 20,000 acres of endowment land. The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) quickly responded and successfully planned salvage operations to capture the remaining value of damaged and dying timber before the fire was fully extinguished.
Tomorrow marks the next crucial step in the reforestation process, a prescribed fire to prepare a 50-acre site within the Woodhead Fire area for planting.
At 9 a.m. PT on Thursday, September 15, IDL will burn slash leftover from timber salvage operations on a piece of endowment land roughly the size of 38 football fields. Burning operations should conclude about 5 p.m., but smoke may be visible for up to 48 hours. The prescribed burn will adhere to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality’s smoke and airshed management requirements. IDL also worked with Washington and Adams County’s to plan this prescribed fire.
Seedlings are ordered and scheduled for planting in two weeks.
Given favorable weather conditions and the location of the burn site within an area previously burned over in 2020, fire managers rate the risk of the fire spreading as very low. Nevertheless, an IDL fire engine will be on scene.
Payette groups say they hope to buy all or part of Cougar Island for conservation
BoiseDev, 8-13-22
The auction of Cougar Island is only days away, but the fight to conserve the land has not stopped.
Both the Payette Land Trust and United Payette aim to conserve the 14.21-acre island in Payette Lake through a bid, or several, at the upcoming auction. The two conservation groups hope to raise enough money to bid for the entire island, but if they can’t come up with the cash, the groups will try to buy individual parcels.
According to a news release, if the groups acquire the island or at least part of it, they will extinguish development rights on the undeveloped land, allow limited public access, and reserve the right to curtail public access entirely if overuse or degradation occurs.
PLT says it hopes to buy at least three or two parcels if it can’t buy the entire island. The groups decided that owning only one lot would be ineffective in “meaningful conservation.”
The appraised value of the west side of the island is $4.2 million. PLT and UP have raised $1.5 million. The groups are looking for $2.7 million more to conserve the majority of Cougar Island and are accepting pledges until the start of the auction on September 14.
PLT said it will bid until the group has gained the minimum of two contiguous parcels and until the max amount of funds is used.
Crews Knock Down Midday Wildfire at Shooting Range East of Lapwai
Big Country News, 9-13-21
LAPWAI - Crews from the Lapwai Volunteer Fire Department, along with Nez Perce Tribe Fire Management and a contracted agency for the Idaho Department of Lands responded to a wildland fire at around noon on Tuesday at a shooting range on South Tom Beall Road, east of Lapwai
According to Lapwai Fire Chief William Skiles, the fire burned about 30 acres, no structures we damaged, and there were no injuries. The cause is still under investigation.
Prospect Fire Now 100% Contained
DailyFly, 9-12-21
HARVARD, Idaho – The Prospect Fire is completely contained. Firefighters will continue to patrol the area and complete the fireline rehabilitation process over the next couple of weeks. The public can expect to see smoke as internal fuels smolder.
Yesterday, in addition to their work on the fire, crews were able to assist the local fire district as a new fire was reported outside of Potlatch, ID. The fire was contained, and the cause is under investigation.
This will be the last daily update for the Prospect Fire unless fire behavior significantly changes. The North Idaho Type 3 Incident Management Team 2 (NIT3 IMT2) transferred command of the fire back to the Idaho Department of Lands – Ponderosa Area Office as of 6:00 am this morning.
NIT3 IMT2 would again like to thank all the fire crews, cooperators, and contractors; their commitment to fighting fire aggressively and safely throughout this incident has been integral to our success. Community support has been outstanding – Thank You.
Those restrictions come as the team's meteorologist calls for "a good chance" of moisture moving into the SNRA Tuesday afternoon, with rain possible through the end of the week.
Fire restrictions in place starting Sunday for Sawtooth North Zone
KIVI, 9-10-21
JEROME, Idaho — Wildfires continue to burn across Idaho which has prompted officials to put fire restrictions in place in order to reduce the risk of human-caused fires.
The Sawtooth National forest service and the Idaho Department of Lands have initiated stage 1 fire restrictions on the Sawtooth National Forest portion of the Sawtooth North Zone, starting Sunday, Sept. 11.
This includes lands north of Highway 20 to the northernmost Sawtooth National Forest boundary situated in Blaine, Camas, and portions of Custer, Elmore and Boise counties.
The Jones Creek Fire is burning east of the Snake River on public lands administered by the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, about 7 miles north of Pittsburg Landing.
It was reported Sept. 4 and the cause is under investigation. Northwest Team 7 assumed command of the fire Thursday.
Firefighters have been able to slow the progression of the Jones Creek Fires and limit impact to property in the area.
The fire has burned to the Snake River along the western edge.
Along with the much larger Double Creek Fire burning west of the Snake River, these fires periodically have filled the Snake River Canyon with smoke. There is no immediate threat to river travel or boating facilities. River users are asked to remain aware of the status of both fires.
Homes in the Getta Creek and Deer Creek areas remain in a Level 1 “Get Ready” status.
Prospect Fire
The Prospect Fire, located 8 miles north of Harvard, is at 285 acres and 5% contained.
Fire crews are mopping up the interior of the fire and extinguishing hot spots. Although fire behavior has been minimal over the past several days, a wind shift is forecast from the east with gusts as fast as 30 mph that may increase fire behavior and test control lines on the west side of the fire for the first time.
Currently, there are no road or area closures but caution when driving near the fire area is strongly advised. Roads are narrow and winding with blind curves and steep drop offs. Logging and fire equipment are large and heavy and have less maneuverability than standard vehicles. Motorists are asked to use alternative routes to avoid the area if possible.
IDL ramps up wildfire investigation, suspected arsonists arrested
KID Radio, 9-9-21
BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) in collaboration with the Idaho State Fire Marshall’s Office and law enforcement on alleged arson fires recently resulted in two arrests with another pending.
Last week, the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Priest River man accused of multiple counts of arson. Earlier last month, the Idaho County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Challis man for arson on the Quinn Fire. An arrest is pending on two other wildfires under IDL protection.
IDL investigates all wildfires under its protection. So far this year, the agency investigated 226 wildfires, and of those, 102 are under investigation as human caused.
Over the past two years the agency has worked to modernize its fire program. While IDL has always retained a few fire investigators on staff, its new Investigation Program is led by a dedicated manager and includes about 20 other IDL employees who completed specialized fire investigation training.
4,000+ Acre Jones Creek Fire Burning North of Pittsburg Landing 50% Contained
Big Country News, 9-9-21
*Fire Update (9/9/22)*
RIGGINS - On Friday, Fire officials provided an update on the Jones Creek Fire, which is burning east of the Snake River approximately seven miles north of Pittsburg Landing in Idaho County. As of Friday morning, the fire was estimated at 4,429 acres and is 50% contained. The fire has not increased in acreage over the past 48 hours.
According to fire officials, successful suppression actions have resulted in slowing the fire’s progression and limiting impacts to values at risk. The fire is primarily burning in grass, with timber stringers. Aerial resources and ground crews have been successful in suppression actions.
We harvest and plant trees to support Idaho’s public schools and other beneficiaries. On 10/26 we’ll sell at auction 4 million board feet of timber at our Maggie Creek Supervisory Area office. Learn more about the Dream Weaver timber sale at https://loom.ly/NylhSaI
Sign up to receive text or email notifications about our upcoming timber sales: https://loom.ly/RAKIwcw
Idaho's timber industry accounts for nearly $2.5 billion of our state's economy. Read this interesting article about the great job opportunities available for Idahoans in rural communities.
We're hiring an Administrative Assistant 1 to work in the Director's Office in downtown Boise. Be part of a great team, work for a fantastic state agency. Apply today!
