Reporting "Near Misses" Today Helps Prevent Injuries Tomorrow
The latest edition of the IDL Safety Newsletter covers a many topics including screen time and eye strain, flu season and the influence of sleep on one's health. It also delves into the important topic of "near misses," or incidents that could have easily turned into accidents.
Please remember that near miss reporting is important! It provides critical information to assist in identifying safety issues and trends. Near miss reporting may help save a co-workers from injury!
IDL team members are strongly encouraged to report near misses to IDL's Safety Officer, Vikki Snider.
Because an IDL Team Member Asked for It...
Early this winter in Moscow at IDL's All Staff Meeting, team members learned of Director Miller's penchant for corny dad jokes. Feedback from the event revealed his repertoire of jokes needed help.
After an anonymous critic graciously sent the Director an outstanding compilation of highly entertaining and extremely corny dad jokes, he said, "well, they asked for it."
At least for awhile, you now must endure his bi-weekly virtual stand up comedy routine!
Director Miller's Favorite Dad Joke This Week:
Q: Why do trees hate riddles?
A: Because they don’t like being stumped.
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Superintendent Critchfield Visits IDL Fire Cache in Coeur d'Alene
Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield visited IDL's Interagency Fire Cache in Coeur d’Alene Thursday. She met with IDL team members to learn about the skillsets the agency needs and how Career Technical Education (CTE) can help fill skill gaps. Critchfield’s visit coincides with national CTE Month.
Kootenai Technical Education Campus (KTEC) Director Colby Mattila joined Superintendent Critchfield to see first-hand local opportunities for placing CTE graduates in good paying state jobs.
Critchfield spent time ahead of the tour visiting the Coeur d'Alene Staff Office and the Mica Area Office.
WATCH THE SUPERINTENDENT'S INTERVIEW ON YOUTUBE
21st Annual Foresters Forum
IDL foresters from across the state convened in Coeur d'Alene this week for the annual Forester Forum. Hosted by Northwest Management, Inc. and Riley Stegner and Associates, for 21 years this event has promoted professional growth in the forest and natural resources industry.
The agenda included strong representation from Team IDL.
State Forester Craig Foss kicked off the first full day of the event with well-received opening remarks to an engaged crowd of 297. Adriene Morrow, IDL's Stewardship/Regulatory Program Specialist, presented on the Forest Practices Act in a panel discussion with other experts from Washington and Montana. During a dinner with industry executives Director Miller discussed IDL's significant work and progress towards modernizing the state's wildland fire program, and the status of master fire agreement negotiations.
Legislation to Prevent Recreational Damage on Endowment Land
More than 96% of all endowment land is open for public access and recreation. Unfortunately, bad actors sometimes damage endowment land and degrade its potential for making money for endowment beneficiaries. Repairing the land can be expensive.
In extreme cases, a last and unwanted course of action is to close parcels of endowment land to public access.
IDL knows education and enforcement are critical tools for changing bad behavior and preventing recreational damage on endowment land.
To assist IDL, law enforcement currently has only one tool, misdemeanor or felony criminal trespass charges. Issuing a misdemeanor can be a sledgehammer approach to addressing minor abuse where an infraction would be more appropriate.
A new bill sponsored by Senator Mark Harris on Tuesday would create an infraction-level option that includes provisions for a warning.
This new bill drew heavily from IDL's legislative attempt in 2021 to prevent recreational damage to endowment land. A diverse group of stakeholders, including the Idaho State ATV Association, Idaho Sportsmen, Idaho Recreation Council, and Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association developed the legislation over the past year. Their boards voted earlier this winter to endorse the legislation. IDL, Idaho Cattlemen Association, Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, and Rep. Mike Kingsley also had a seat at the table were the bill was developed.
The new legislation sailed through its hearing when introduced on Tuesday, February 7. It will be heard in the Senate Resources and Environment Committee on Monday, February 13.
Learn More About Senate Bill 1049 - Endowment Land Notices, Restrictions:
Upcoming IDL Legislative Presentations
Senate Resources and Environment Committee
Director Miller and Josh Harvey will present information about IDL's fire modernization efforts to the Senate Resources Committee on Monday, February 13 at 1:30 p.m. MT.
House Resources and Conservation Committee
Miller and Harvey will also present information about IDL's fire modernization efforts to the House Resources Committee on Monday, February 13 at 1:55 p.m. MT.
House Education Committee
Director Miller and EFIB Manager of Investments Chris Anton will present information about how and why the endowments support public schools to the House Education Committee on Wednesday, February 15 at 9 a.m. MT.
Legislation to Watch
IDL Legislation
RS29948, OGCC Oil and Gas Statute Updates
This is IDL's only legislation this year. If approved it will update Idaho Code § 47-3, last updated and modernized in 2017.
The bill
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Provides additional guidance to operators, mineral interest owners and the state.
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Improves and clarifies reporting guidelines for operators.
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Changes the makeup of the commission by removing the Director of the Department of Lands.
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Updates the technical requirements of commissioners to better reflect the needs in Idaho.
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Defines just and reasonable terms for integration.
Status Update
- 02/09 House Resources and Conservation Committee unanimously approved the bill to be printed.
Other Legislation
Although these bills are not sponsored by IDL, we are monitoring them as they may impact our agency. For more information about the bills listed below, check out this week's edition of IDL's Legislative Update newsletter.
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House Bill 12 - State Agencies, Donations, Sponsors
- This legislation adds to existing law to prohibit state agencies from donating to or sponsoring a nongovernmental event or organization, to provide exceptions, and to provide a penalty.
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House Bill 14 - Human Resources, Compensation
- This legislation amends existing law to provide for advancements in pay based on certain factors and to provide for retention bonuses in certain circumstances.
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House Bill 17 - State Personnel, Overtime Work
- This legislation amends existing law to revise the definition of “overtime work.”
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House Bill 43 - Fish and Game, Interference
- This legislation adds a civil remedy to address violations of intentional access obstruction to public lands and certain private lands.
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House Bill 91 - Government Employees, Membership Fees
- This legislation would prohibit the use of tax dollars by public officers, public employees, and subdivisions of government for membership fees or dues to any organization unless required to do so by law or required to maintain a professional licensure for state employment.
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House Bill 97 - List of State Government Agreements
- This legislation requires agencies to report all agreements to the State Controller, and for him to track them for purposes of transparency.
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House Joint Memorial 1 - Oregon, Idaho Boundaries
- This memorial authorizes the Idaho and Oregon legislatures to begin official discussions on whether it is feasible to move the Idaho border into Eastern Oregon.
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Senate Bill 1001 - State Owned Dwellings
- This legislation repeals the existing code that requires rules for state agencies to manage the acquisition, rental, tax status, and record-keeping for state-owned dwellings. The rules duplicate various statutes.
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Senate Bill 1021 - Priest Lake, Outlet Structures
- This legislation clarifies that the existing Priest Lake outlet control structure is under the sole and exclusive supervision and control of the Idaho Water Resource Board and requires approval of the Idaho State Legislature and the Governor before any additional outlet control structure from the lake may be constructed.
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Senate Bill 1049 - Endowment Land Notices, Restrictions
- This is the legislation authored by recreation stakeholders that IDL worked with over the past year. The bill protects state land from being abused and misused.
Director Miller Presented at IAC Conference, Met with Benewah, Boundary and Shoshone Commissioners
On January 30, Director Miller presented information about the Idaho Master Fire Agreement to a full conference room at the Idaho Association of Counties' Public Lands Committee meeting.
On February 1, Miller met with Commissioner Phil Lampert (Benewah), Commissioner Tim Bertling (Boundary) and Commissioner Jeff Zimmerman (Shoshone). They discussed IDL's recent acquisition of timberland in their counties and recreational use of endowment land. The outcome of the meeting was positive for all parties.
Doubling Down on Dad Jokes
Since Valentine's Day is just around the corner, Director Miller wanted to double-down and share a second dad joke with you.
Q: What do trees do on Valentine’s Day?
A: They get sappy.
IDL IT Extends a Helping Hand to Idaho State Forestry Contest
For the past 39 years Idaho's State Forestry Contest has introduced students to forest and resource management, inspiring generations to pursue careers in natural resources.
We're excited to report the ruby jubilee of the contest, scheduled for May 11, 2023, at Farragut State Park, now features bigger scholarships for the kids and improved technology thanks to IDL's IT team.
IT staff modernized an application to calculate scores for individual participants and teams. As an outcome, the new version of this product is more stable and user friendly. IT also collaborated with contest planners to understand their business needs. Future iterations of the app will help streamline contest administration even more.
Employees Leaving IDL
We wish departing team members the very best in their new endeavors.
- Karen Robinson, Pend Oreille Supervisory Area
In Case You Missed It
Here's a recap of other recent IDL newsletters you may find interesting:
One Team One Voice Newsletter Archive
Did you miss some important news? Are you curious about knowing what's happening across IDL? Our One Team, One Voice webpage contains an archive of IDL's newsletters covering:
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