IDL Lends a Helping Hand to ISDA for Quagga Mussel Treatment
Quagga mussels are notorious for their rapid spread and ability to clog pipes critical for drinking water, energy production, agriculture, recreation, and other essential uses. Established infestations can severely impact fish populations and wildlife habitats, causing infrastructure damage that incurs hundreds of millions of dollars in both direct and indirect costs.
One area in need of treatment this fall is downstream from Shoshone Falls, requiring specialized equipment to be transported via helicopter. When ISDA reached out for assistance, the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) stepped in to help and provide a lift.
Despite the ongoing fire season, which seems to not want to end, IDL's fire staff swiftly coordinated logistics to allocate our Type 1 helicopter for the quagga mussel project before it went off contract on Tuesday. Once released from the Valley Fire on Sunday, the helicopter was quickly reassigned to this mission in Twin Falls. The IDL team embraced the unique challenge, conducting extensive mission preparation in a compressed timeframe for what they dubbed “Operation Boats and Totes.” IDL was proud to assist with this all-hazards mission. An Emergency Disaster Declaration allowed IDL to support ISDA with sling-load missions to transport two boats and empty industrial totes to an island at the base of Shoshone Falls where there is no direct boat access. All-Hazards missions such as “Operation Boats and Totes” highlight the importance of state agency staff being willing and able to lend a helping hand while gaining valuable training opportunities, and conversations will continue about possibilities for seamlessly carrying out these essential types of missions in the future.
This mission was indeed distinctive, and it required the collaboration of a skilled team to execute it safely and professionally. Special thanks to Corrie Ivey and Julia Lauch for their exceptional coordination, Randy Gaulrapp (Helicopter Manager - a retired USFS Panhandle Helitack Superintendent currently employed by Hillman County, Colorado), and to our dedicated IDL helicopter crew members, Nate Clements, Blaine Fredrickson, and Hunter Lockhart) who worked diligently on the ground.
KIVI gave our team some great coverage! https://www.kivitv.com/twin-falls/using-a-helicopter-to-sling-boats-over-shoshone-falls-isda-gets-set-for-quagga-eradication
 photo by Corrie Ivey
photo by Dustin Miller
 photo by Corrie Ivey
 photo by Corrie Ivey
IDL Warns the Public the Wildfire Season Isn't Over
IDL sent out a news release on October 7 reminding people to do their part to prevent wildfires.
"Even as temperatures begin to cool slightly, the lack of moisture and the abundance of dry fuels keep the wildfire risk dangerously high," said Josh Harvey, IDL Fire Bureau Chief. "We need everyone to do their part in preventing wildfires as we move into the fall."
As the fire season draws to a close, many of IDL’s seasonal firefighting personnel have completed their service for the year. With fewer firefighters on hand, it is crucial that the public helps to prevent wildfires by staying aware of fire restrictions, taking precautions with outdoor burning, and being diligent in extinguishing campfires completely.
"We rely heavily on seasonal firefighters during the peak of fire season, but in the fall, we have fewer resources available to combat wildfires," Harvey explained. "This makes prevention efforts from the public even more important."
IDL Extends Closed Fire Season
IDL has announced the extension of the closed fire season, requiring burn permits statewide beyond the original end date of October 20, 2024. This decision comes in response to unseasonably warm, dry weather and increasingly hazardous fuel conditions, which continue to elevate the risk of wildfires.
Typically, the closed fire season runs from May 10 to October 20 each year, during which burn permits are required for any open burning outside of city limits. However, due to the ongoing high fire danger and a decrease in firefighting resources as seasonal crews wrap up, burn permits will remain mandatory until further notice.
“Conditions across Idaho remain dry and volatile, and our firefighting resources are limited this fall,” said Craig Foss, IDL State Forester. “We are asking the public to remain vigilant and ensure all fires, including campfires and debris burning, are fully extinguished. The extended closed fire season is critical to minimizing the potential for human-caused wildfires.”
During this extended period, anyone conducting burn activities must obtain a free burn permit through the Idaho Department of Lands website www.burnpermits.idaho.gov.
Luma Guides for IDL
It can be difficult to remember all the steps in completing an expense report or for submitting or setting up PCard options. Help is now available. There are now detailed IDL Luma Guides on Sharepoint.
The guides fall under the following categories:
- Fire Suppression Travel
- Non-Fire Travel
- Other Expense Reports
- PC Submit for Close
- PCard Set-up Options
These step-by-step instructions will make the process easier and help to ensure everything is submitted correctly.
Take a few minutes to take a look at what the guides have to offer: https://idlands.sharepoint.com/Administration/SitePages/Luma-guides.aspx
Need Ice Cleats? Deadline Coming Up Soon!
Just a reminder, the deadline to order ice cleats by Tuesday, October 15th!
To order your ice cleats:
- All permanent IDL employees are eligible to order. If you have lost or damaged ice cleats from previous years, you may order new ones.
- Access the order form through this link Ice Cleat Order Form
- Decide which brand you want, select appropriate size, and submit order by October 15th
- Vikki Snider will place the orders and have them shipped directly to your office
- If you have issues or questions with your order after October 22nd, please contact Alex Erickson at Kootenai Valley.
- Alex will not be placing additional orders, only answering order questions, so please be sure to get your orders in by the deadline.
Federalism Committee Discusses Idaho Wildfire Situation
On September 25th, Director Miller and Fire Bureau Chief Josh Harvey participated in the Idaho Legislature’s Committee on Federalism. They provided an overview of our firefighting strategies in Idaho, highlighting our collaborative efforts with partners in wildland fire, the master fire agreement, and our ongoing modernization initiatives for the IDL Wildland Fire Program.
Miller and Harvey also discussed our salvage logging efforts and our partnerships with the Forest Service, particularly through the Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) and Shared Stewardship Program, aimed at reducing fuel loads on federal lands. They emphasized that while each fire organization has distinct missions and operates under different conditions, collaboration is essential; no agency can effectively manage fire response alone in Idaho.
College of Natural Resources Board President's Tour
The week of September 23rd, Director Miller, Michele Andersen, and Heath Hancock participated in the 9th annual UI College of Natural Resources Advisory Board President’s Tour in Island Park. Hosted by the CNR Advisory Board and UI President Scott Greene, the tour highlights the unique challenges of managing natural resources in Idaho and explores collaborative solutions that often the CNR plays a role in.
This year’s focus was on the Island Park area, addressing increasing demand for state park usage, wildlife management concerns, and forest management issues. Given the popularity for recreational activities in the area, IDL is actively exploring ways to enhance public opportunities in the region while generating additional income for the endowments.
 Heath Hancock presenting to CNR tour - photo by Dustin Miller
 Teton Mountains - photo by Dustin Miller
New Buildings at St. Joe Supervisory Area Taking Shape
Crews are making good progress on the new administration building and fire building. On Sept. 20 the front parking area was paved. Sheetrock work is the next step inside and outside siding will be started next week. Crews starting putting up siding on the fire building last week.
The St. Maries Gazette Record featured an update on the construction projects on September 26, interviewing Area Manager Tony Brede.
IDL staff is excited to possibly move into the new buildings this winter. They will move from an old building that had multiple add-ons and remodels over the past 50 years and was not ADA-compliant.
The new administrative offices will be all on one level and will be ADA compliant with a large conference room with a max capacity of 50 people.
Staff are excited to move into the new building with the bonus of an up-to-date heating and cooling system.
The new fire building will have three heated bays, allowing crews to keep the engines fully serviced and housed in the building 24/7.
The Admin building is supposed to be completed the end of January with an early February move in date. Fire building will be completed around April/May. Total project to be completed by July 2025.
 St. Joe Administration building in progress - photo by Tony Brede
 St. Joe Fire building in progress - photo by Tony Brede
New Boise Staff Office Signage
New signage in the IDL Boise staff office is an effort to be prepared for First Amendment Audits. Signs are now posted on all doors within the building that are for "Employee Only Access."
More Photos From Quagga Mussel Mission
photos by Corrie Ivey
       
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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