Governor's Trail Ride
This year’s Governor’s Trail Ride was hosted by Aslett Ranches in Three Creek, ID, at their Flying Spear Outfitters camp. The camp is approximately 50 miles from Twin Falls, located west of Salmon Falls Reservoir near the Idaho and Nevada border.
Director Miller joined officials from other state and federal natural resource agencies, as well as local ranchers.
For IDL, the issues discussion which occurred Thursday afternoon presented an important opportunity to talk about fire suppression, RFPAs, sage grouse, grazing and work underway to address recreation’s impact on endowment land. IDL's grazing lessees have been impacted by recent increases in recreation upon the land they lease, particularly regarding public disregard for gates.
Our agency also benefited by reconnecting with our colleagues and customers on the range, where many of the land management decisions we make play out.
Recreation Rulemaking Update
During the last legislative session, a group of stakeholders including the Idaho State ATV Association, Idaho Recreation Council, Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association and Idaho Sportsmen sponsored legislation to help curb destructive behavior on endowment land.
Governor Little signed Senate Bill 1049 into law on March 20.
The new law provides an alternative to heavy handed misdemeanor or felony criminal trespass changes for those who damage endowment land. Instead, it allows POST certified law enforcement officers to issue warnings and simple citations.
Rulemaking is required to implement the new law.
Earlier this month IDL sent notices about negotiated rulemaking for IDAPA 20.05.01 to 2,458 interested parties via email or SMS/text messaging, promoted the rulemaking on social media, launched a new rulemaking webpage, published notice of the rulemaking in the Administrative Bulletin, and held the first of two public meetings.
On Thursday night 17 people, including the stakeholders behind SB1049, agency staff from IDL, Idaho Department of Fish and Game and Office of the Attorney General, and other members of the public, attended the meeting either in-person or via Zoom.
After reviewing the first draft of the rule, IDL listened carefully to the suggestions and ideas offered by participants. Many of the comments IDL received will likely be incorporated into a future draft of the rule.
The next meeting is scheduled for July 10 in Coeur d'Alene for in-person or Zomm attendance. Public comments for the negotiated phase of this rulemaking will be accepted until July 19.
Governor Little Appoints Mary Pat Thompson to the Endowment Fund Investment Board
Governor Brad Little announced today his appointment of Mary Pat Thompson to the Endowment Fund Investment Board.
The Endowment Fund Investment Board was created by the Idaho Legislature in 1969 and is charged with administration and investment management responsibilities for the Land Grant Endowment Fund according to policies established by the Idaho State Board of Land Commissioners. The board consists of nine members who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.
Mary Pat Thompson served as the Senior Vice President of Finance for MWI Animal Health and as a Consultant with Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co. She serves on the boards of AAA Oregon/Idaho and Regence Blue Shield of Idaho and is a member of the Board of Advisors for Zions Bank. Thompson graduated from the University of Idaho with a B.S. in Accounting.
Thompson replaces Richelle Sugiyama who served on the board for the last seventeen years. Sugiyama was named the Chief Investment Officer of the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho in 2022. She serves on the Treasurer’s Investment Advisory Board, the State of Board Education’s Investment Advisory Board, the Boise State University Foundation and the Idaho Community Foundation.
“We are excited to have Mary Pat Thompson join the Board and are extremely grateful for the outstanding service Richelle Sugiyama has provided,” said Chris Anton, Manager of Investments. “Sugiyama has played an instrumental role in the success of our organization.”
Land Board Staff Convene in Valley County for Summer Summit, Visit Payette Lakes Supervisory Area
Each summer IDL's executive team hosts a strategy meeting with Land Board Staff. The meetings always focus on budget development, but also address important issues with statewide impact and matters local to where the meeting was hosted.
This year's agenda followed the standard approach.
In addition to the list of decision units IDL will request when it submits its budget to the Land Board for approval later this summer, the group discussed solving the conundrum of how to ensure the budgetary needs of Idaho's two timber protective associations make their way before the Legislature's Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee.
As expected, recreation on endowment land was a hot topic. In the coming weeks the executive team will strategize about developing a portfolio-wide plan to monetize recreation on endowment land. The current approach is rooted in one-off leasing and statewide agreements with other agencies.
Leasing opportunities consistent with IDL's mission and capabilities were also discussed.
Scott Corkhill, IDL's local area manager, also led the group on a tour of endowment parcels in McCall and around Payette Lake included in the 2021 Payette Endowment Lands Strategy.
Director Miller Tours Hells Canyon with U of I
On June 8 and 9 Director Miller joined University of Idaho President Scott Green, representatives from other state and federal agencies, and Idaho legislators at the university's College of Natural Resources (CNR) summer president's tour.
As a member of the UI's CNR Advisory Board, Miller helped plan the tour. Each year the university holds this event to highlight how CNR prepares graduates to address natural resource challenges across Idaho's landscape.
This year's tour showcased the intersection of hydroelectric power generation and fisheries recovery and management. It included a stop at the Idaho Department of Fish and Game's Cecil D. Andrus Wildlife Management Area (WMA). At the WMA participants discussed wildlife management within the context of other land uses, like grazing.
IDL's Payette Supervisory Area manager Scott Corkhill led discussions about the 2021 Woodhead Fire which burned to the west of Hells Canyon. He explained how IDL began preparing burned endowment timber for salvage before the smoke had cleared the air, and how the agency quickly replanted the endowment acres.
Benton Butte Timber Salvage Update
In the May 26 Director's Update you received information about the Benton Butte salvage sales following the July 7, 2021 Cougar Rock Complex that included the Benton Butte Fire. IDL successfully sold six cedar salvage sales within two years of the fire with trees being planted while harvesting was taking place.
IDL sent out a news release this week to make the public aware of the hard work of IDL team members the the successful and quick turn around for the six Benton Butte cedar salvage sales.
IDL Teakean Hand Crew to the Rescue
A big thunderstorm passed over the town of Troy earlier this month knocking down 19 trees that completely blocked access to the popular Latah Trail.
It was IDL's Teakean Hand Crew to the rescue. Our heroes didn't don red capes, but they did wield chainsaws.
The crew went to work cutting up and removing downed trees in a matter of hours. Their hard work quickly opened the trail, saved the county hours of hard labor, and kept our firefighters tuned and ready for the fire season ahead.
Latah County was grateful for the professional help from the Teakean Crew.
"The firefighters had the trail cleared by noon. It would have taken us days and days since we don't have their training or expertise," said Latah County Parks Director Andy Grant. "The downed trees were all perfectly cut and stacked, allowing my staff to concentrate on removing the wood, branches and brush."
Director Miller noted that IDL strives to be an active, positive partner in our communities and it is our people that make us who we are as an agency. The director is proud of the Teakean Crew for stepping up and making a difference.
   
Employees Leaving IDL
We wish departing team members the very best in their new endeavors.
- Jeannie Nez Perce, Pend Oreille Supervisory Area
In Case You Missed It
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