Bonner County Arsonist Sentenced to 10 Years
An IDL fire investigation resulted in an arsonist going to prison.
Ryan Nathanial Green, 23, entered guilty pleas to six counts of third-degree felony arson for the 2022 Gunsmith, Mundy Lane, Mangy, Nail, Little Thursday and Thursday fires.
Greene was sentenced to 10 years in prison with five years fixed on each of the six arson charges, sentences to run concurrently.
Greene was also ordered to pay restitution and court costs of $245.50 per case for a total of $1,473. He received credit for 169 days served in jail while waiting to go to court on these six charges.
As part of the plea deal, the U.S. government agreed that federal prosecutors would not bring separate charges in connection to the summer 2022 fires. Both state and federal prosecutors also agreed not to bring separate federal charges regarding any other fires set in 2021 or 2022.
Greene was arrested in August 2022 following a joint investigation by the Idaho Department of Lands, Idaho State Fire Marshal, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Moscow PD Recognizes Robbie Johnson for Assistance with the Idaho Four Homicide
In December the Governor's office reached out to IDL, asking if our agency could lend a hand to the Moscow Police Department to help manage communications for the Idaho Four Homicide.
On short notice Robbie Johnson, a senior Public Information Officer who is also certified as a PIO Type 2 for wildfire incidents deployed to Moscow. Robbie assisted Moscow PD for nearly a month.
IDL recently received a letter from Chief James Fry of the Moscow Policy Department expressing gratitude for Robbie's help "to maintain an even keel with the media." He went on to note that "the Department of Lands is extremely luck to have someone of Robbie's caliber." We couldn't agree more.
Read the letter from Chief Fry
Senate Bill 1049 - Recreation on Endowment Land
On Tuesday, March 1, SB 1049, a stakeholder-sponsored bill designed to help address recreational impacts on endowment land, cleared the House Resources and Conservation by unanimous vote. Rep. Jerald Raymond (District 31 - Menan, ID) will carrying the legislation in the House.
Sen. Mark Harris previous carried the bill through the Senate where it passed 25-9-1.
This legislation, authored principally by David Claiborne of the Idaho State ATV Association, eliminates heavy-handed misdemeanor or felony charges for minor offenses which are the only charges currently available for law enforcement to bring. Instead, the bill allows POST-certified law enforcement officials to issue a warning ticket for minor first offenses, with second violations under the statute being punished with an infraction and $250 fine.
Citizens' due process rights are protected by requiring IDL to post visible signage in the area where recreation use restrictions may apply, publish the restrictions on the agency’s website and make the information available at the nearest IDL area office.
IDL Presents Performance Metrics Presentation to House Resources and Conservation Committee
On Wednesday, Director Miller appeared again before the House Resources and Conservation Committee to follow up his February 13 committee appearance. Topics he covered included IDL fire modernization and reviewing the agencies FY 2022 performance measures.
FY 2022 Performance Measures
1. Volume Timber Sold Per FAMP
2. Net Return on Timber
3. Percent of Fires Controlled at <10 Acres
- Goal:94%
- Achieved: 92%
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IDL's success in containing fires during Initial attack is key to preventing large, expensive and damaging wildfires. Staffing and equipping our fire program properly is key to meeting this objective. This performance measure only includes fires during FY 2022. The 2022 fire season encompassed fiscal years 2022 and 2023, which included fires that occurred after July 1, 2021. The fire season during calendar year 2021 was extreme. During the 2022 fire season 92% of fires were held at 10 acres or less.
4. Fire Readiness Reviews Complete
- Goal: 12
- Achieved: 7
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IDL fire bureau staff visits each fire protective district to ensure they are ready for the upcoming season. They look at things like crew training and equipment status to ensure safe and effective fire response. During FY 2022 the readiness reviews of several fire protective districts were combined together, saving time. Although reporting on this metric accounts for only seven reviews, all 12 districts were reviewed for readiness.
5. Percent of Forest Practices Act Inspections
- Goal: 50%
- Achieved: 36%
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IDL's Private Forestry Specialists conduct Forest Practices Act inspections to ensure soil and water resources are protected on all state and private timber harvests. The agency did not reach 50% in FY 2022 because during fire season, it’s all hands on deck – we prioritizing aggressively yet safely fighting fires above all. Again, the fire season in Fiscal Year 2022 included fires occurring after July 1, 2021. The fire season in calendar year 2021 was extreme.
6. Percent of Leases Renewed by Expiration Date
- Goal: 100%
- Achieved: 58%
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While the goal is to renew leases in a timely manner, in some cases the actions of the lessee inhibit a timely renewal. In other cases, the lease may terminate because the activity is completed. Sometimes internal review processes may hamper our ability to get them under lease. Our lease renewal activities were put on hold in FY21 while we reviewed and updated our processes and procedures.
7. Check Scales Conducted
- Goal: 130
- Achieved: 159
- IDL check scales to ensure the scalers are accurate in scaling logs. Accuracy is crucial for ensuring those purchasing logs receive what they bought, and those selling logs are compensated fairly.
Other FY 2022 Highlights
- $88 million distributed to endowment beneficiaries
- 301 MMBF of timber harvested with 53,817 truckloads hauled
- 2.67 million seedlings planted on 8,106 acres
- 2,208 land leases managed
- 1,633 technical assists to private landowners
- 10,600 encroachment permits and 153 submerged lands leases were managed
- 1,545 active mines and 31 active dredge & placer operations managed
- 287 wildfires fought with 92% held to less than 10 acres during 2022 fire season
Digital Signage Now Live at Boise Staff Office
Efforts to pilot a digital signage program for IDL's offices concluded with success. New signage has been installed in the reception area at the Boise Staff Office and in the main lobby.
The signs cycle through videos that include safety messages, current social media posts, endowment facts, job listings and more.
This effort represents a new communication channel for helping our external customers understand IDL's endowment, fire and regulatory missions and for sharing timely information to our own team members.
After IT completes anticipated upgrades to the wireless networks in IDL offices the initiative will be expanded to supervisory area, field and staff offices that wish to participate.
JFAC Supplemental Appropriation Hearings, IDL Budget
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved IDL's 2024 budget request on Tuesday, February 28.
Previously, JFAC held a supplemental appropriation hearing for IDL regarding federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding on February 16, voting to approve a fund adjustment.
A second supplemental request hearing for IDL was also held on February 17. JFAC approved FY 2023 supplemental requests for the Cottonwood Fire District and other fire equipment, resulting in the introduction of Senate Bill 1117.
Fast Facts for Board Members Webpages
The online resource for Land Board members and their staff, Fast Facts for Board Members, contains links to meeting materials and more. These webpages provide general information about IDL, contact information for executive staff, outline the agency's authorities.
In Case You Missed It
One Team One Voice Webpage
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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