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IDL tightening endowment land rules
Star-News, 6-20-23
The Idaho Department of Lands is seeking public comments to guide enforcement of a new law aimed at curbing damage to state endowment lands, including those around Payette Lake.
The law allows warnings and citations to be issued by law enforcement to people caught littering, riding UTV's off-trail, destroying signage and damaging endowment lands in other ways.
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State Harvesting Timber That Burned Near Elk River in 2022, Working to Rebuild Forest
Big Country News, 6-21-23
OROFINO – In July 2021, the Cougar Rock Complex wildfire burned through about 2,600 acres of endowment trust land, located east of Elk River, managed by the Idaho Department of Lands. The fire damaged 140 million board feet of predominantly high value cedar. IDL says burned timber must be harvested within a few short years to retain any value. As it degrades, its value depreciates.
“The lack of a road system for harvesting inside Benton Butte coupled with the active fire suppression on the site made planning salvage operations difficult,” said IDL director Dustin Miller.
But IDL team members out of Orofino were up to the challenge and acted quickly to salvage the valuable timber. The first timber salvage sale sold in September while the fire still burned. Over a two-year period a total of six cedar salvage timber sales went to auction. All six sold, a testament to the agency’s efforts to bring the timber to market before it decayed.
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Idaho’s risk for significant wildfires fires to increase in July and August
Idaho Capital Sun, 6-21-23
Idaho’s potential for significant wildfires will increase in July and August, state fire officials told Gov. Brad Little and the other members of the State Board of Land Commissioners on Tuesday.
When fire season picks up, half of the seasonal firefighters will be brand new — as turnover leaves Idaho equipped to meet only the minimum standard of fire protection.
The Idaho Department of Lands Fire Management — which is responsible for fire suppression on more than 2.4 million acres of state endowment lands as well additional private forests and rangelands — will be experiencing turnover among firefighters and shortages in fireline leadership personnel, Idaho Department of Lands Fire Chief Josh Harvey said.
Harvey told the Land Board that it has been difficult to retain experienced firefighters, and this season 50% of the department’s seasonal firefighting force is new.
Harvey said the department will need to pursue alternative strategies to properly maintain the fireline leadership, such as rotating engine captains out from districts that are more heavily staffed and placing them in fire districts that lack personnel with leadership qualifications.
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Idaho prepares for wildfire season with lots of new firefighters
BSU Public Radio, 6-21-23
A relatively wet spring has brought much of southern Idaho out of drought. The moisture is boosting grass and vegetation growth and delaying the drying-out process. But fire forecasters warned Tuesday that as temperatures climb next month, the increased plant growth could mean more fuel ready to burn.
Nick Nauslar, a fire meteorologist for the Bureau of Land Management in Boise, told the Idaho Land Board that southwest Idaho and the Panhandle are expected to have above normal fire potential in July and August.
On southern Idaho rangelands, the increased potential is due to the “expected curing and drying of those fuels,” Nauslar said.
In North Idaho, it’s a different story. Most of the Panhandle is still in a moderate drought and peak snowpack this winter ranged from below-normal to normal, whereas most of the southern part of the state saw above-normal amounts of snow in the mountains. Then, come spring, the snow melted very quickly. That means vegetation could dry earlier in the summer.
Most of the West is not expected to have above normal wildland fire potential this summer. However, Nauslar emphasized that big fires can and will happen even when there’s a “normal” outlook.
North Idaho’s above-normal fire potential extends into September.
That could be a problem. Josh Harvey, the Bureau Chief of Fire Management for the Idaho Department of Lands told board members that the state is struggling to retain experienced firefighters.
“We’re currently working on a plan to assist the districts most lacking in those leadership qualifications by rotating some of our engine captains and Firefighter Is from the districts that are a little more heavily staffed,” he said.
Of 170 seasonal firefighters, about half are brand new hires and 78% are in their first or second year working for the state agency.
The retention challenges come a year after lawmakers boosted IDL firefighters’ starting pay to $15 an hour and added hazard pay of up to 25% above regular wages.
Fire outlook: Idaho rangeland has high wildfire potential this summer
Big Country News, 6-20-23
BOISE — Above-normal grass fuel loads in southern Idaho’s rangelands may contribute to greater fire potential this summer.
Nick Nauslar, a predictive services meteorologist with the National Interagency Fire Agency, provided a wildfire outlook to the State Land Board on Tuesday morning.
The wet spring in Idaho, especially the southwest part of the state, has contributed to a lot of growth of rangeland fuels, such as grasses and shrubs. It’s expected that once those grasses dry out in July and August, this could create prime conditions for more fire activity in those months.
FIREFIGHTING READINESS AND RESOURCES
The Idaho Department of Lands has contracted firefighting aviation resources — which include helicopters, amphibious water scoopers and single-engine air tankers — based in Coeur d’Alene, Grangeville and McCall, said Fire Management Bureau Chief Josh Harvey. These resources move based on fire activity and where they’re needed.
The department also recently purchased another drone, referred to as an “unmanned aviation system,” bringing the fleet up to six. These drones allow “safe and cost-effective reconnaissance,” Harvey said.
(note: this news story ran statewide on multiple media websites)
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IDL Teakean Hand Crew Help Clear the Way to Reopen Popular Latah Trail Following Large Storm Earlier this Month
Big Country News, 6-20-23
TROY, ID - The public is once again able to access Latah Trail thanks large in part to the Idaho Department of Lands Teakean Hand Crew.
Earlier this month, a large thunderstorm passed through the area knocking down 19 trees that completely blocked access to the popular trail, but it wasn't long before the IDL Teakean Hand Crew came to the rescue. After being called upon, the crew went to work cutting up and removing downed trees in just a matter of hours.
"Our heroes don’t wear red capes, but occasionally they do wield chainsaws," said IDL Director Dustin Miller.
Latah County Parks Director Andy Grant says he is grateful for the professional help from the Teakean Crew.
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Help be part of the solution in keeping endowment land open for recreation
KIFI, 6-16-23
BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho’s 2.5 million acres of endowment trust lands are meant to generate revenue through timber, grazing and other management activities. This money helps fund the endowment beneficiaries, primarily K-12 education and reduces taxes on hard-working Idahoans. Recreational use of endowment land is a secondary privilege allowed only if it does not cause damage or disturb the revenue generating potential of the land.
More than 96% of endowment land is accessible by foot, watercraft or motor vehicle, for hunting, fishing, hiking, camping or other recreation.
“Unfortunately, when a few bad actors damage endowment land, it can impact recreational access for everyone,” Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) Director Dustin Miller said. “Money to repair damage comes out of funding for public schools and recreation user fees and short-changes Idaho’s children and outdoor enthusiasts.”
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From Burned Trees to New Seedlings
Posted June 22, 2023
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Wildfire burns through timber? High value cedar? We got this: "From Burned Trees to New Seedlings, IDL Gets Value Out of Salvaged Timber and Rebuilds the Forest." How? With helicopter logging and baby tree planting.
Full story in our news release: https://loom.ly/D_ecuzU
#OneTeam
#Idaho
#Forestry
IDL Teakean Hand Crew to the rescue!
Posted June 21, 2023
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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 the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) Teakean Hand Crew to the rescue. "Our heroes don’t wear red capes, but occasionally they do wield chainsaws," said IDL Director Dustin Miller.…
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Negotiated Rulemaking
Posted June 20, 2023
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More than 96% of endowment land is accessible by foot, watercraft, or motor vehicle, for hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, or other recreation.
Unfortunately, when a few bad actors damage endowment land, it can impact recreational access for everyone.
Be part of the solution! Participate in negotiated rulemaking!
We're meeting on June 22 at 6 pm MT in Boise. You can attend via Zoom, too.
Learn more: https://loom.ly/75Pc2qw
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