Understanding Your Benefits: Employee Assistance Program
Life can be stressful. The State of Idaho's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides confidential, short-term counseling services for benefit eligible employees and their dependents to help them handle concerns constructively, before they become major issues.
If you have concerns about marriage, relationships or family problems, stress, anxiety and depression, grief and loss, job pressures or substance abuse, accessing your EAP benefits is only a phone call away.
Benefit eligible employees, their spouses, children and step-children up to age 26 may receive 5 visits per person, per issue, per plan year with no copayment required.
The benefits of counseling
LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
IDL Takes Delivery of New Wildland Fire Crew Carriers
BME Fire Trucks recently delivered a pair of crew carriers the department ordered months ago. IDL received funding for these vehicles as part of its FY2022 budget which was approved by the Idaho Legislature and signed by Governor Little during the 2021 legislative session.
While it’s taken considerable time and effort to secure these vehicles, that effort is worth it!
As an agency, we often talk about the importance of safety. Purchasing these crew carriers turned that talk into action. Carriers are crucial for keeping our people safe because often the most dangerous part of a fire is traveling to or from it. Our new 10-person crew carriers are built to get IDL personnel to the fireline quickly, safely, and comfortably. They are designed to handle the rough terrain inherent to fighting fires in Idaho, featuring tubular skeletons that increase roll-over protection and crew safety.
Idaho Land Leaders' Summit Slated for October 4 and 5
Expanding on last summer's successful leadership tour of the Benton cedar salvage sales cohosted by IDL and Stella Jones, next month IDL and Idaho's forest products industry will cohost the Idaho Land Leaders' Summit in Coeur d'Alene.
Invited participants include Land Board members and their staff, legislators, local county commissioners, IDL staff, and representatives from Idaho's forest products industry.
The two-day event begins on Wednesday, October 4 with an industry-sponsored reception and dinner at the Coeur d’Alene Resort. During the dinner, Dr. Dennis Becker, Dean of the University of Idaho's College of Natural Resources, will lead a panel discussion about the Importance of Forest Management to Idaho’s Economy.
Thursday, October 5 will be spent in the field. During the tour, leaders will visit forestry sites and learn about issues that are critically important to both the department and industry, including: forest management, mitigating wildfire risk, fiber supply, workforce development and more. The agenda features stops at a Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) project, a 2023 wildfire in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), a timber sale and a tour of Idaho Forest Group’s mill at Chilco.
Director Miller Visits Clearwater, Maggie Creek Supervisory Areas
Last week Director Miller traveled north to visit IDL's Clearwater Supervisory Area in Orofino and Maggie Creek Supervisory Area in Kamiah.
During the visits he met with local staff members, answered questions about the agency's transition to Luma and highlighted the importance of employee self-care, particularly as it relates to mental health. Additionally, he discussed the agency's future proofing initiative, work underway on the next itineration of the Forest Asset Management Plan (FAMP) and monetizing recreation.
While at the Maggie Creek office in Kamiah, he also toured IDL's new seasonal housing facility.
Because an IDL Team Member Asked for It...
The autumnal equinox, which marks the beginning of fall, will occur this year on Saturday, September 23 at 12:50 AM MT. There's no better way of saying goodbye to summer and hello to fall than with corny dad jokes!
Director Miller's Favorite Dad Joke This Week:
Q: Why shouldn't you whisper secrets while in a corn field?
A. Because corn has ears!
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Quagga Mussel Larvae Found in Snake River, Idaho Responds Aggressively
This week the Idaho State Department of Agriculture confirmed the presence of quagga mussels at larval life stages in the Centennial Waterfront Park area of the Snake River. These findings mark the first time a rapid response plan has been put into action for quagga mussels in Idaho.
The plan includes a multi-agency strike force designed to swiftly and aggressively treat the affected area of the Snake River with the hope of eliminating the microscopic larvae before they can gain a foothold. Director Miller is fully engaged in supporting this effort.
Why is this serious?
- Because this invasive species can quickly spread and clog pipes that deliver water for drinking, energy, agriculture, recreation, and a variety of other uses. They also could negatively affect fish populations and wildlife habitat.
- If we are not successful, an unchecked spread – which we are doing all we can to stop – has the potential to cost Idaho hundreds of millions of dollars in actual and indirect costs. It could potentially increase your taxes and bills.
What can you do to help?
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CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY ALL WATERCRAFT AND ITEMS THAT GO IN THE WATER – This situation is reminder to anyone who has watercraft or items you put in the water to be vigilant in practicing the steps of CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY before putting your watercraft or item back in the water. This includes boats, kayaks, paddleboards, canoes, oars, waders, boots, lifejackets, fishing gear, buckets, nets, and other items. Visit idaho.gov for information on CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY.
- If your watercraft (including kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, boats, and others) has been on the Snake River in the Centennial Park area of Twin Falls in the past 30 days, please take it to an Idaho State Department of Agriculture hot wash station in Twin Falls for proper treatment. DO NOT attempt to decontaminate watercraft yourself. Call (208) 332-8620 for location information or visit www.idaho.gov/quagga.
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Stay out – Closures are in place in and along the Snake River until further notice as the investigation in the area continues. The public’s cooperation in staying out of the impacted area is crucial to the success of our efforts. For current closure information, visit www.idaho.gov/quagga.
How can you stay updated?
Interagency JLUS Committee Coordinates Land Use in Southwest Idaho
In 2010, under a contract managed by the Idaho Department of Commerce, a Joint Land Use Study was completed through the collaborative efforts of local, state, and federal officials, state agency representatives, residents, land owners, business representatives, tribal government, citizens and military leadership from the Idaho National Guard and Mountain Home Air Force Base.
The study sought to catalog current and future land uses that could impact base operations, and foster collaborative land management solutions.
Since the study, a core group of collaborators, including IDL, have continued to meet regularly to discuss and coordinate land use plans that may impact Gowan Field, Mountain Home Airforce Base, the Orchard Combat Training Center and the Saylor Creek Air Force Range.
IDL manages more than 15,000 acres of endowment land in the training areas.
This week the committee met and discussed plans to convert the fighter wing at Gowen Field to F-16s. Starting in 2026, the 16 venerable A-10 tank-busting Warthogs currently stationed at Gowen will likely be replaced with an equal quantity of upgraded, Block 40 F-16s, a staple of U.S. air superiority. Staff from the Idaho Air National Guard detailed efforts underway to mitigate noise impacts for area residents and businesses.
According to an Scott Phillips, who represented IDL at the meeting and lives in the flight path of Gowen Field, "although F-16s are a little louder than A-10s, they both sound like strength and freedom!"
The group also toured the Orchard Combat Training Center and the Saylor Creek Air Force Range via Blackhawk helicopter, focusing on the impacts of wind and solar power generation projects on the training ranges.
Fast moving fighter jets train at altitudes as low as 100' which is well within the height of many wind turbines in the area. The towers upon which the turbines perch can foul an F-16s active electronically scanned array radar's view of threat emitters in the training range. Glare from solar installations can also blind pilots, putting them at risk particularly during takeoff and landing. New transmission lines can impact training, too.
These world-class training ranges in southwest Idaho are one reason why Idaho is likely to receive a new F-16 mission when the A-10s are gone. The ability for fighter planes and helicopters to train at low altitudes in these areas make them more desirable than other ranges where flight decks are much higher.
There are significant land use challenges stakeholders on the committee are working to address. For IDL, one challenge is balancing the national security needs fulfilled by the training ranges with the Land Board's constitutional mandate to maximize long-term revenue for the beneficiaries. Endowment land in the area holds significant potential for wind and solar energy leasing.
Through the collaborative JLUS process, identifying solutions that meet the needs of all stakeholders will be possible. For example, the Army Compatible Use Buffer (ACUB) Program was identified as one potential funding source that could help meet the financial needs of the beneficiaries. Historically, this program has been used by military installations to work with partners to encumber off-post land to protect habitat and buffer training without expanding federal land ownership.
Idaho Outdoor Recreation Fund Advisory Council Meeting
Last Friday the Governor's Idaho Outdoor Recreation Fund Advisory Council convened at the Department of Fish and Game's headquarters in Boise. Director Miller, who is a member of the council, participated in the meeting.
The agenda included a review of the results from a recent outdoor recreation survey conducted by GS Strategy. Participants will also discussed the application and evaluation process for funding projects that improve under-utilized outdoor recreation resources, enhance access, increase revenue and improve long-term outdoor recreation sustainability.
Hunting season is upon us, can hunters see you?
Endowment land provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities. With fall's arrival, hunting reigns supreme. During hunting season we must be extra vigilant about how we go about our business.
Wearing orange is an essential component of hunter safety. It's also crucial for keeping IDL field staff safe during hunting season. Wearing blaze orange helps ensure that you will be seen from a long distance and in various conditions.
When working in the field during hunting season:
- Be safe, be seen
- Make your presence known
- Be courteous
The bottom line: the more blaze orange you wear, the more visible you are in the forest and fields.
IDL provides field-going employees with high visibility t-shirts, sweatshirts, baseball caps and stocking hats. If your responsibilities require you to be in the field and you have not received high visibility clothing, please contact Vikki Snider immediately.
Drowsy Driving Kills More than 1,500 Annually
According to the National Safety Council, drowsy driving accounts for about 100,000 crashes, 71,000 injuries and 1,550 fatalities annually. Don't become a statistic!
Be aware of your limitations and conduct self-checks. If you are driving and become tired, pull over. Get out and walk around or take a nap (in a safe location of course). We want you to come home safely from whatever you have been doing!
Doubling Down on Dad Jokes
Just when you thought the jokes couldn't get worse...
Q: How do you fix a broken pumpkin?
A. With a pumpkin patch!
Idaho Sportsman Claybuster
Today Director Miller spent part of a vacation day participating in a clay pigeon shooting event in Caldwell hosted by Idaho Sportsmen and benefitting the Idaho Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus. Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke and Representatives Josh Tanner and Ned Burns, among others, also participated in the event.
Idaho's bipartisan and bicameral Idaho Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus was established in 2004 as an entity through the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses – a national network of organized state legislative sportsmen’s caucuses with a current collective membership of approximately 2,000 legislators.
Since its inception, the Idaho Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus has continued to work collaboratively for the benefit of conservation and Idaho’s shared outdoor heritage and sporting community by advocating for science-based policies to protect and advance hunting, angling, trapping, and recreational shooting.
Employees Leaving IDL
We wish departing team members the very best in their new endeavors.
- Hannah (Walik) Juber, Craig Mountain Forest Protective District
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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