Idaho Legislative Session
IDL is closely following the legislative session and bills that might affect how we do business on behalf of the endowment beneficiaries.
Two bills were introduced this week that would affect certain grazing leases and all endowment leases, land permits and other land use agreements.
Senate Bill 1243 - Grazing
This legislation would allow the grazing leases from the Owyhee Land Exchange that came in from federal lands to be treated as if it were a federal permit, automatically renewing every 10 years with no auction. It would only apply to lands acquired through federal land exchanges.
House Bill 434 - State Land Leases
This legislation would require all leases, land permits and other land use agreements for state land entered into by the State Board of Land Commissioners have standard terms and conditions for maintenance and repair and include provisions for remediation.
The IDL Legislative Update will be available each week as we follow the session noting hearings and legislation that we will be following.
IDL Budget Information
Director Miller will have the opportunity to answer questions concerning IDL's FY25 budget request and decision units at our scheduled JFAC hearing on Monday, January 29.
JFAC Natural Resources Maintenance Budget
JFAC has changed its procedures for budget setting this session. They took 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, January 17 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.
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 Constitutional 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.
Over Snow Vehicle Funds and Educating the Public
IDL sent out a news release this week explaining possible damages snowmobilers can do by "boondocking" or navigating through snow in open meadows or between trees.
“Accidental or careless activities such as running over young trees emerging out of the snow can stunt tree growth,” said Todd Wernex, IDL Recreation Program Manager. “Trees provide product for the forest industry and help fund Idaho’s public schools.”
The release explained how $1 from each Over Snow Vehicle (OSV) tag now goes to IDL to provide snowmobile opportunities and to repair impacts directly related to snowmobile use on endowment land.
The OSV fund allows us to build kiosks, purchase snow poles for grooming, and assist with brush clearing on trails, as well as developing maps and signs to guide snowmobilers away from vulnerable areas.
De-Escalation Training
IDL's Safety Officer Vikki Snider has partnered with the Idaho Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) to provide a de-escalation training in both the North and South regions for IDL employees.
The training will take place in March and will be geared to IDL's unique interactions with the public and the possibility of difficult interactions with the public.
The training will provide IDL staff with tools and techniques to better deal with interactions with a disgruntled customer.
Dates and locations:
CDA Staff Office-Sundance Room
March 12th
8:30 – 12:00 PST
Boise-JRW East Conference Room-700 W State Street, Boise
March 20th
8:30 – 12:00 MST
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.
IDL accepting project proposals for grants
IDL has now opened the process for three types of grants: Hazard Fuels Reduction grants, Landscape Scale Restoration grants and Western State Fire Managers grants. These grants are funded by the USDA Forest Service, State & Private Forestry Branch, but are administered through IDL.
Hazard Fuels Reduction grants are intended to fund fire risk mitigation treatments on non-federal forest lands.
Landscape Scale Restoration grants promote collaborative, science-based restoration of priority forest landscapes and furthers priorities identified in State Forest Action Plans.
Western State Fire Managers grants are awarded through a competitive process with emphasis on hazard fuel reduction in the wildland urban interface or WUI.
IDL will hold an informational pre-proposal webinar Friday, February 9 to assist those who are interested in participating. IDL also offers detailed information about the grants on our Forestry and Fire Grants webpage: https://www.idl.idaho.gov/about-forestry/forestry-fire-grants/
Chester the Peacock
Peacocks have a reputation for guarding yards, but Chester the Peacock has taken his job to a new level by guarding a load of timber. This week Chester hitched a ride to the logging yard at the Idaho Forest Group Chilco Mill in North Idaho, riding 38 miles on top of the logs.
IDL used a photo of this adventure-seeking bird for social media posts. Chester helped us reinforce the importance of supplying fiber to Idaho's timber industry.
Chester was safely captured by his owner and taken back home.
 photo by IDL log scaler Becky Hendrickx
 Photo by IDL log scaler Becky Hendrickx.
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.
Last week 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 Webpage
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:
|
