COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — It was a deal the Idaho Department of Lands couldn't refuse, reports the Coeur d'Alene Press.
When the state had a chance to bid on almost 18,050 acres of timberland spread across the five northern counties, officials didn't hesitate.
“Adding an additional 18,000 acres of timberland to the endowment portfolio increases future revenue for the beneficiaries while also supporting Idaho’s broader economy,” IDL director Dustin Miller said.
The land included in the bid package was offered as a package deal and offers good quality timberland, IDL public information officer Sharla Arledge said. Proceeds from the sale of endowment cottage sites and commercial real estate were used to pay for the properties.
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Forest fires are a reality in the region and homes located on forested lands can be at risk from forest fires. However, homeowners can lessen that danger by taking a few common-sense steps.
A three-hour workshop on how to do just that, "Landscaping for Fire Prevention," will be held Feb. 16. The program will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at the University of Idaho Sandpoint Organic Agriculture Center, 10881 N. Boyer Road.
The workshop will teach rural homeowners how to lessen fire danger, discuss wildland fire experiences and participate in a simple exercise to assess their homes' interface fire risk.
It was a deal the Idaho Department of Lands couldn't refuse.
When the state had a chance to bid on almost 18,050 acres of timberland spread across the five northern counties, officials didn't hesitate.
“Adding an additional 18,000 acres of timberland to the endowment portfolio increases future revenue for the beneficiaries while also supporting Idaho’s broader economy,” IDL director Dustin Miller said.
The land included in the bid package was offered as a package deal and offers good quality timberland, Sharla Arledge, IDL public information officer, said. Proceeds from the sale of endowment cottage sites and commercial real estate were used to pay for the properties.
Beyond generating ongoing revenue for endowment beneficiaries, IDL officials said the purchase keeps working forests working, supports Idaho's forest products industry, and preserves recreation opportunities for the public. The purchase was authorized by the State Board of Land Commissioners in November 2022.
In the $50.4 million deal, IDL acquired 6,222 acres in Shoshone County, 4,563 acres in Benewah County, 4,005 acres in Bonner County, 3,216 acres in Boundary County and 40 acres in Kootenai County on behalf of the Public School, Normal School and State Hospital South endowments. Almost 84% of the land acquired benefits Idaho’s public schools, IDL officials said in a press release.
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