Idaho Legislative Session
The Idaho Legislative Session began Monday, January 8, with Governor Little's State of the State address. IDL has several pending rules this session, however, we have no proposed legislation this session. The IDL Legislative Update will be available each week as we follow the session noting hearings and legislation that we will be following.
Rulemaking Presentations
On Monday, February 5, IDL will present five sets of proposed rule changes to the Senate Environment & Resources Committee.
Information about IDL's rulemaking and proposed legislation is available on our 2024 Legislative Priorities webpage.
Rules of Practice and Procedure Before the State Board of Land Commissioners
IDAPA 20.01.01 - Pending Rule
IDAPA 20.01.01 protects citizens’ due process rights by governing the practice and procedure in contested cases before the State Board of Land Commissioners and the Idaho Department of Lands.
This rule chapter implements the following statutes: Idaho Code 58-104 State Land Board – Powers and Duties and Idaho Code 67-5206(5)(b) – Promulgation of Rules Implementing Administrative Procedure Act.
Rules Governing Dredge and Placer Mining Operations
IDAPA 20.03.01 - Pending Fee Rule
The Idaho Department of Lands administers IDAPA 20.03.01, Rules Governing Dredge and Placer Mining Operations under the authority of the Idaho Dredge and Placer Mining Protection Act (Title 47, Chapter 13, Idaho Code).
IDAPA 20.03.01 allows responsible resource extraction while protecting the lands, streams and watercourses of the state.
Rules Governing Administration of the Reclamation Fund
IDAPA 20.03.03 - Pending Fee Rule
The Idaho Department of Lands administers IDAPA 20.03.03, Rules Governing Administration of the Reclamation Fund under the authority of Title 47, Chapter 18, Idaho Code.
IDAPA 20.03.03 provides consistent guidance in how Idaho’s Reclamation Fund (Fund) is implemented. The Fund is a type of state bond pool created in 2002 to provide an alternative form of performance bond or financial assurance as required by Idaho mining regulations. The Fund is to be used by the Department to complete reclamation in the event an operator is unable to so.
Rules Governing Navigable Waterways Mineral Leasing
IDAPA 20.03.05 - Pending Fee Rule
The Idaho Department of Lands manages the beds of navigable waterways to provide for their commercial, navigational, recreational or other public use. IDAPA 20.03.05, Riverbed Mineral Leasing in Idaho establishes a consistent process to authorize mineral exploration and extraction on state-owned navigable rivers and collect rents and royalties.
Rules Pertaining to the Recreational Use of Endowment Land
IDAPA 20.05.01 - Pending Rule (New Chapter)
This is negotiated rulemaking for a new rule chapter: Rules Pertaining to the Recreational Use of Endowment Land (IDAPA 20.05.01).
Senate Bill 1049 was designed to curb the abuse or misuse of endowment land, preserving its revenue-generating potential for the beneficiaries. The legislation, which was signed into law, created a new section of Idaho Code that became effective on July 1, 2023.
The law requires rulemaking to specify prohibited activities that are subject to a warning ticket for minor first offenses, with second violations under the statute being punished with an infraction and $250 fine.
Watch the committee hearing:
 Anna Maria Mancini preparing legislative books for IDL staff.
IDL Budget Information
JFAC Natural Resources Maintenance Budget
JFAC has changed its procedures for budget setting this session. They are taking up maintenance budgets for categories. IDL falls under the Natural Resources Maintenance Budget which also includes DEQ, Fish & Game, EFIB, Parks & Recreation and Water Resources.
On January 16, 2024, a total of $525,672,500 was approved for the agencies combined. Representative Steve Miller made the motion, Senator Van Burtenshaw seconded, vote 15-3-2.
Budget Documents
Change in Employee Compensation Committee Recommendations
The Change in Employee Compensation Committee voted Wednesday afternoon to recommend a 1% across-the-board increase for permanent state employees and an additional 2% merit-based increase.
The committee also recommended an increase in the salary structure by an average of 3.7% for IT/engineering and nursing/health care staff as well as an implementation of two new structures for those two groups. They also recommended funding to bring any employees up to a minimum of new pay structures.
The recommendation will go to the budget-setting Joint Finance and Appropriation Committee (JFAC), which will decide how much to add to agency budgets.
Because an IDL Team Member Asked for It...
With all the winter storms in mind...
Director Miller's Favorite Dad Joke This Week:
Q: What did the icy road say to the car?
A: Wanna to go for a spin?
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Forest Legacy Program
State Forester Craig Foss provided the Land Board with updated information on IDL's Forest Legacy Program.
Idaho has more than 103,000 acres of timberland enrolled in its Forest Legacy Program, mostly in the state’s northern counties. In the past year the state received additional grant funds to enroll another 33,000 acres in the program.
“Citizens who enjoy recreation in the forests, working families and Idaho communities benefit from the Forest Legacy Program because it keeps working forests working,” explained Idaho State Forester Craig Foss. “Under this voluntary program private landowners can apply to sell the development rights to their timberland at a fair market value but retain ownership of the land.”
More than 90% of the private land currently enrolled in Idaho’s Forest Legacy Program is open to the public for hunting, fishing, hiking and other recreational uses. It also preserves wildlife habitat, water quality and scenic landscapes.
IDL sent out a news release to better help Idahoans understand what Forest Legacy is and how it benefits everyone.
 Craig Foss addresses the Land Board.
Shared Stewardship Updates
Each year IDL staff and federal partners present an update on the Shared Stewardship and Good Neighbor Authority initiatives to the Land Board. Ara Andrea noted statewide there has been a 71% increase on national forests and 47% increase on state endowment lands within priority landscapes. A long list of accomplishments for both initiatives in the focal areas both north and south was provided.
The Land Board asked what they could do to enhance the success of the GNA and Shared Stewardship efforts. Ara explained their ongoing support is crucial, and budget enhancements for personnel and contracted services are needed. Increasing manpower, expertise, and sustainable funding are essential to expanding operations, especially in rural counties.
 left to right USDA Deputy Regional Forester Tim Garcia, IDL Director Dustin Miller: USDA Region 1 Regional Forester Leanne Marten, Southern Idaho Shared Stewardship Coordinator Brian Davis, USDA Region 4 Regional Forester Mary Farnsworth, IDL GNA Bureau Chief Jon Songster, IDL Idaho Shared Stewardship Coordinator Ara Andrea, IDL Forestry and Fire Division Administrator Craig Foss
New Deadlines for Land Board Materials
To allow sufficient time for final preparation and required legal review, IDL staff will be submitting all memos, attachments and other documents by the close of business on the Friday that falls approximately 10 calendar days prior to the Land Board staff briefing. This allows IDL to provide the documents to Land Board staff one week before the Land Board staff meeting.
It is understood that certain financial reports are dependent on end of month data and cannot always be completed by the deadline. Those items will be submitted as far in advance of the Land Board staff briefing as possible.
It is also understood that this deadline may result in Land Board agenda items being delayed by a month.
Any changes to Land Board materials resulting from the staff briefing must be completed and submitted to Renee (landboard@idl.idaho.gov) as soon as possible but no later than 12 p.m. MT the following day (Wednesday). Revised materials will be provided to Land Board members/staff by close of business on Wednesday following the staff briefing.
Doubling Down on Dad Jokes
Just when you thought the jokes couldn't get worse...
Q: Where does a snowman get the weather report?
A: The winternet.
Jim Elbin Making Area Visits
Trust Land Management Division Administrator Jim Elbin will be visiting Ponderosa Supervisory Area in the next couple of weeks to present on Endowment Reform while he is there. The session will provide background on state endowment history, endowment reforms since statehood and the effect of the Constitution changes in 1998 and 2000. This talk will also be provided as an online microlearning in the near future for all IDL employees. It will be a great resource for new employees and especially for those who work on endowment lands as managers or regulators.
More Area visits are planned for the future. Please feel free to reach out to him with topics you would like to discuss.
Winter Storm Warning
IDL's Safety Officer recently sent out a Safety Bulletin giving employees a heads up regarding winter storm warnings. Tips were also provided to assure safe travel that included:
- Your gas tank is full
- Your windshield wiper fluid is full and wiper blades are good
- You have a flashlight with new batteries
- You have a blanket and food supplies
An explanation was provided on the difference between watches, advisories and warnings.
NASTL's 2024 Summer Conference in Idaho
The National Association of State Trust Lands will hold its 2024 Summer Conference in Coeur d'Alene this year. IDL will be hosting the event and is currently in the planning stages.
A logo has been developed for the Summer Conference.
IDL previously hosted this event in 2016 at the Schweitzer Mountain Resort near Sandpoint.
University of Idaho Becomes Tree Campus USA
With a long and much anticipated effort, the University of Idaho has applied for recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree Campus USA Higher Education Institution.
In 2023, the University established a Campus Tree Advisory Committee that will be headed and organized by the office of sustainability. The advisory committee worked together to develop a "Campus Tree Care Plan" which defines design standards, and lays out policies for tree planting, maintenance, and removal standards, and identifies acceptable species to be planted on university properties.
 Students planting trees along a creekbed in the Palouse countryside. Photo courtesy of University of Idaho.
Robert Barkley Retirement
After more than 35 years of service to IDL and the people of Idaho, Robert Barkley has retired. Barkley was a FPA Resource Supervisor for the Ponderosa Supervisory Area and his last day was today.
Yesterday friends and co-workers celebrated him and his years of service with a retirement party at the Deary Community Center. Rodney Cochrane presented Barkley a plaque from the FPA team, Jason Svancara presented a fire Pulaski on behalf of the Fire Bureau, and Gary Hess gifted him an antique map bag.
We wish Robert Barkley the very best as he enters this time of new adventures.
 
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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