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Winning legal argument raised too late in Idaho forest project lawsuit, judge rules
Capital Press, 1-18-24
A federal judge has determined an environmental group forfeited a winning legal argument against a 6,800-acre Idaho forest project by not raising it early or specifically enough.
The Alliance for the Wild Rockies failed to object to the project’s definition of “wildland-urban interface” while the U.S. Forest Service was still formulating the plan, according to Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Raymond Patricco in Idaho.
The definition of “wildland-urban interface” is a key matter in the case because areas encompassed by that term weren’t required to undergo time-consuming environmental studies.
In 2018, the Forest Service authorized the Hanna Flats Project in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, which included 2,350 acres of timber harvest, prescribed burning and reforestation treatments within a 6,800-acre footprint.
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Committee recommends 1% increase in pay for all state employees
Post Register, 1-18-24
BOISE — 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.
The recommendation will go to the budget-setting Joint Finance and Appropriation
The estimated cost for the merit-based and across-the-board increases would be around $27.4 million from the state general fund. This number wouldn’t include public schools administrative and classified staff or military compensation, which will be addressed in their individual budgets, according to Legislative Services Office staff.
The 2% merit-based increase will allow agency heads to provide raises at their discretion, while all employees will receive the 1% increase.
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Safeguarding Idaho’s timberland: Forest Legacy Program expands to support jobs, forest health and fire mitigation
KIFI, 1-16-24
BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) - Idaho has more than 103,000 acres of timberland enrolled in its Forest Legacy Program, mostly in the state’s northern counties. According to officials from the Idaho Department of Lands, 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,” Idaho State Forester Craig Foss said. “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.”
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Idaho Expands Forest Legacy Program, Adding 33,000 Acres of Timberland
Big Country News, 1-16-24
BOISE - Idaho's Forest Legacy Program sees significant growth as an additional 33,000 acres of timberland join the initiative, bringing the total enrolled area to over 103,000 acres. The Idaho Department of Lands reports that in the past year, the state secured additional grant funds to support the expansion.
The Forest Legacy Program, aimed at keeping working forests functional, allows private landowners to sell the development rights to their timberland at fair market value while retaining ownership of the land. Idaho State Forester Craig Foss highlights the program's benefits for citizens, working families, and communities, emphasizing that enrolled private land remains open to the public for recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, hiking, and more.
The initiative not only provides recreational opportunities but also contributes to wildlife habitat preservation, water quality, and the conservation of scenic landscapes. Foss underscores the economic significance, noting that enrolled acreage continues as productive timberland, supporting Idaho's $2.5 billion forest products industry and providing employment for over 30,500 people in green collar jobs related to the forestry sector.
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Wiretap produces federal charges including bid-rigging and fraud
Wildfire Today, 1-16-24
Following a court-authorized wiretap investigation, a federal grand jury in Boise returned an indictment last week charging two executives of competing companies with conspiring to rig bids and allocate territories in violation of the Sherman Act (which prohibits trusts, monopolies, and cartels), conspiring to commit wire fraud, and committing wire fraud, according to U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit.
LocalNews8 reported in December that the seven-count felony indictment specifies that the conspiracy by 60-year-old Ike Tomlinson of Terreton and 61-year-old Kris Bird of Salmon affected contracts for firefighting services. The U.S. Forest Service runs a competitive bidding process for these contracts; the indictment alleges that beginning in February 2014 Tomlinson and Bird coordinated their contract bids to “squeeze” and “drown” competitors; they accepted payment for fuel trucks at collusive and noncompetitive daily rates, and then tried to conceal their actions.
The East Idaho News reported that the two were indicted by a grand jury on one count of felony conspiracy to commit wire fraud, five counts of felony wire fraud, one count of conspiracy in restraint of trade: bid rigging and territorial allocation. The charges involve actions between February 2014 and March 2023. The Jefferson Star reported in December that Tomlinson and Bird pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The indictment quotes a text conversation between Tomlinson and Bird, in which the two are discussing raising prices for water tenders.
Tomlinson: Got my water tenders in. Did not put any in salmon. FYI.
Bird: You are the man!! If you wan to put a couple here for a high amount I don’t really care!
Tomlinson: I think I might do that. What should I bid?
Bird: All find out what my bid was and then maybe we’ll both raise them. 😄
Tomlinson: K just let me know Thanks
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Mondays Bug Me
Posted January 15, 2024
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Forest Legacy- Safeguarding Idaho's Timberland
Posted January 16, 2024
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News Release: Safeguarding Idaho's Timberland: Forest Legacy Program Expands to Support Jobs, Forest Health and Fire Mitigation
Looking for video and photos for media coverage? Visit our Dropbox: https://loom.ly/NTjAy1E
Link to News Release: https://loom.ly/u35PUoI
Photos: Idaho State Forester Craig Foss presents Forest Legacy to the State Board of Land Commissioners today, January 16, 2024.…
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