Current News Coverage
New state forester named in Idaho
Capital Press, 12-19-24
Julia Lauch is Idaho’s new state forester, the Department of Lands announced.
She has 20 years of forestry and fire experience with state natural resource agencies and has spent more than a decade with the Idaho Department of Lands. She succeeds Craig Foss, who retired in November after nearly five years in the job and more than 29 with the department.
The state forester, a role delegated by the department director, is the leading advocate for management of the state’s forests, limiting damage from insects, disease and fire, and ensuring compliance with the Idaho Forest Practices Act, according to an IDL news release.
The state forester oversees the department’s Forestry and Fire Division, which manages wildland fire suppression, forestry assistance, and initiatives such as good neighbor authority, shared stewardship and forest legacy programs.
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IDL hosting public comment hearing on Post Falls proposed marina expansion
KREM2, 12-19-24
POST FALLS, Idaho — The Idaho Department of Lands is seeking comment on a proposed marina expansion on the Spokane River.
A public hearing is scheduled 4 to 8 p.m. tonight at the Coeur d'Alene High School auditorium.
StanCraft, which made improvements to Red Lion Templin's Hotel on the River in Post Falls since buying it earlier this year, is also renovating the marina.
According to a legal notice published in The Press, 414 PF Hospitality, LLC has submitted an application to the Department of Lands to "expand the existing commercial marina including private moorage, reconfigure existing fuel lines with two new dispensaries and build a new ship store on the Spokane River."
The "evidentiary hearing" is an opportunity to offer testimony regarding the proposed project.
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USDA Announces Grants to Support Private Forestland Management and Conservation
Tri-State Livestock News, 12-18-24
Missoula, MT, December 17, 2024 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service announced awards totaling $7.4 million in Forest Landowner Support Grants in the Northern Region. This grant funding supports the Forest Service’s efforts to implement its Wildfire Crisis Strategy by increasing hazardous fuels treatments to reduce wildfire risks on private and tribal lands.
“We are thrilled to announce these grant awards to existing and new partners. The Inflation Reduction Act has given us the opportunity of a generation to support state-endorsed cost share payment programs for forest management on private land and increase carbon sequestration and storage practices,” said Jennifer Hensiek, Deputy Director for State, Private, & Tribal Forestry.
Northern Region Forest Landowner Support projects receiving funding are:
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The Climate Trust (Oregon Climate Trust) – The Tribal Reservation and Allotment Carbon Enrollment project will work with the Northern Cheyenne Tribe in eastern Montana. The project will reach out to landowners to develop a strategy to overcome barriers to fuels treatments. Key lessons will be shared to demonstrate a model pathway for others.
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The Blackfoot Challenge – This project aims to improve forest resilience within the Blackfoot Valley in Western Montana. Reducing fuel loads will work to increase resilience to uncontrollable wildfire, insect and disease outbreaks, and anticipated climatological conditions in the future.
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Idaho Department of Lands – Through the Idaho Landowner Assistance Program, the Idaho Department of Lands aims to enhance landscape resilience, reduce carbon emissions from disturbances, and promote collaborative restoration efforts. Proposed practices such as planting, thinning, and establishing fuel breaks will support these objectives, ultimately improving ecosystem health, water quality, and wildlife habitat.
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Idaho Land Board Announces a $63 Million Distribution to Public Schools
KOZE, 12-18-24
Idaho public schools are receiving a $63,039,600 distribution for the current school year, which is the largest portion of the $103,221,600 distributed to all endowment beneficiaries.
Funding for the distribution comes from money earned from managing endowment land and investments.
The Idaho Board of Land Commissioners, better known as the Land Board, presented a symbolic check to Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield and the youth in the Capital Singers yesterday (Tue) during its holiday celebration at the Idaho Capitol rotunda.
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Idaho Conservation League encouraged by federal legislation to clean up abandoned mines
Idaho Conservation League, 12-18-24
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On December 17, 2024, the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024 was signed into law by President Biden after passing the U.S. House of Representatives last week. This bipartisan legislation, co-led by Senator James Risch (R-ID) and Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM), aims to tackle problems left behind by abandoned hardrock mines. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate in July 2024.
The Idaho Conservation League (ICL) is pleased that this bill has been signed into law after having been in the works for many years. This effort is needed to help address the pollution leaking from hundreds of thousands of abandoned mines, most of which are in the West. These abandoned mines contaminate over 100,000 miles of streams with arsenic, cadmium, lead, and other heavy metals that make the water unsafe for animals, humans, and aquatic species. According to the Idaho Department of Lands, there are 8,800 abandoned mines in the state.
“Pollution flowing out of abandoned mines in Idaho impacts thousands of miles of streams, contaminating drinking and irrigation water, harming fish and wildlife, and posing safety hazards to public land users,” said Justin Hayes, executive director of the Idaho Conservation League. “This new law, which was co-sponsored by both Idaho Senators Risch and Crapo, will provide new tools to clean up these messes, restoring water quality and fisheries. We appreciate their work and know that it will make a difference in Idaho, and across the West.”
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Idaho Land Board Distributes $63 Million to Public Schools
Big Country News, 12-17-24
BOISE - The Idaho Board of Land Commissioners announced a $63,039,600 distribution to public schools for the current school year, representing the largest portion of a total $103,221,600 allocated to endowment beneficiaries. The funds are generated through revenue from managing endowment land and investments.
During a holiday celebration in the State Capitol rotunda, a symbolic check was presented to Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield and the Capital Singers, a student music group. Critchfield acknowledged the significance of the funding, emphasizing the impact of endowment-generated revenue on Idaho’s public education system.
The endowment fund currently holds $3.3 billion, with reserves designed to cover approximately seven years of distributions for nine designated beneficiaries. This reserve structure is intended to ensure continued financial support during economic downturns.
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Idaho Dept. of Lands names new state forester
Moscow-Pullman Daily News, 12-17-24
The director of the Idaho Department of Lands has named Julia Lauch as Idaho’s new state forester.
Lauch will lead management of state forests and wildfire suppression. She takes over the position from Craig Foss, who retired in November.
“It’s an honor to step into this role. I appreciate the trust placed in me by Director (Dustin) Miller and look forward to embracing this new challenge,” Lauch said in a news release. “I believe in the importance of active forest management, safe and effective fire management, and ensuring that our forests continue to provide numerous benefits for Idahoans. Unlike some states, Idaho has the forest products industry infrastructure vital to keeping our forests healthy and productive.”
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Julia Lauch has been designated as Idaho’s State Forester. The state forester is the leading advocate for the management of Idaho’s forests, limiting damage from insects, disease, and fire and ensuring compliance with the Idaho Forest Practices Act.
Lauch will oversee IDL’s Forestry and Fire Division which manages wildland fire suppression, forestry assistance, and various forestry and fire management initiatives, including the Good Neighbor Authority, Shared Stewardship, and Forest Legacy programs.
Lauch has 20 years of forestry and fire experience with state natural resource agencies and has spent more than a decade with IDL. The State Forester role is delegated by IDL’s Director, Dustin Miller.
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Idaho Department of Lands names new state forester
Idaho Press, 12-16-24
The director of the Idaho Department of Lands has named Julia Lauch as Idaho’s new state forester.
Lauch will lead management of state forests and wildfire suppression. She takes over the position from Craig Foss, who retired in November.
“It’s an honor to step into this role. I appreciate the trust placed in me by Director Miller and look forward to embracing this new challenge,” Lauch said in a press release. “I believe in the importance of active forest management, safe and effective fire management, and ensuring that our forests continue to provide numerous benefits for Idahoans. Unlike some states, Idaho has the forest products industry infrastructure vital to keeping our forests healthy and productive.”
Idaho Department of Lands Director Dustin Miller selected Lauch, who has been with the department for over a decade, according to the release.
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IDL approves Trestle Creek encroachment permit
Bonner County Daily Bee, 12-13-24
SANDPOINT — The Idaho Department of Lands approved a key encroachment permit last month for the proposed Valiant development near Trestle Creek.
This encroachment permit, which was approved Nov. 18, would allow Valiant to move forward with plans to develop seven residential lots and an 88-slip commercial marina near the mouth of Trestle Creek. The project has drawn considerable public backlash, mostly over the potential dangers to protected bull trout populations that spawn in Trestle Creek.
There are still several permits including a joint permit between the Army Corps of Engineer and Idaho Department of Environmental Quality for a variety of associated approvals as well as a 404 and a 401 permit that the project still needs according to project representative Jeremy Grimm of Whisky Rock Planning and Consulting.
IDL’s final order that approved the encroachment permit said the application from Valiant had met the requirements of Idaho Code and the standards required for a commercial marina. It also stated that the marina will provide clear environmental, economic and public benefits that exceed any detrimental effects of the development.
In the final order, IDL said it regulates encroachments, not upland development standards and “although legitimate questions were raised by public and agency comments, all that are outside of IDL's statutory authority must be addressed through the responsible agencies.”
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10,800-acre easement announced
Bonner County Daily Bee, 12-13-24
In partnership with Stimson Lumber Company and the Idaho Department of Lands, nonprofit Trust for Public Land announced an easement agreement Wednesday that will protect 10,846 acres of working forests in Bonner and Boundary counties.
Under the agreement, IDL holds the development rights to land owned and logged by Stimson Lumber Company, ensuring the easement areas will not be subdivided and will continue to contribute to the local timber industry.
“By protecting over 10,000 acres of working forestland in northern Idaho, Trust for Public Land has ensured that these vital landscapes will be preserved for future generations,” said Trust for Public Land Northern Rockies Director Dick Dolan.
The new easement area includes property south of Sagle adjacent to Lake Pend Oreille and near Farragut State Park as well as forest land southwest of Bonners Ferry. Sections of the easement property border state land as well as Stimson Lumber Company property already protected by existing agreements.
In a press release, IDL Director Dustin Miller and Stimson Lumber Company President Andrew Miller expressed their commitment to preserving working forests in the area and protecting the longevity of Idaho’s timber industry.
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Idaho County Commission: Bridge for Gold Point mill; discussion on logging roads
Idaho County Free Press, 12-11-24
GRANGEVILLE — Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) Land Bureau Chief Jon Songster was at the Dec. 3 meeting of the Idaho County Commissioners to discuss a memo of agreement with the county about a partnership between IDL and the county for repair and maintenance of roads where there is logging.
“You can’t use GNA [Good Neighbor Act] funds for those county roads,” Songster said, “but IDL can help with road work inside the timber sale areas. The memo I brought with me today is basically just a framework. It allows for an exchange of capacity that can be in kind [goods or services instead of money], or it can allow for the exchange of funds to do the work from one party to another. The agreement lays out a structure on a project-by-project basis to itemize what kind of work needs to be done, when it needs to be done, the payment information, and all the details.”
The IDL does the layout of the roads, road brushing, reconditioning and repairs needed to keep the roads capable of hauling logs. The county road work that is paid for with IDL funds would be contracted out so it will not interfere with the Idaho County Road and Bridges Department’s regular workload.
“Logging in the Dixie-Comstock area is the main focus, and the other area we are working in is Elk City. We have at least three to four years of work in the Elk City area, and then we’ll be moving on to the Dixie-Comstock project,” Songster said. “We have two active timber sales and a third timber sale that the IDL will be administering and will be up for auction in the spring sometime.”
“The partnership is a great idea,” said Commissioner Skip Brandt. Commissioners Ted Lindsley and Denis Duman concurred, and county attorney Matt Jessup was asked to look over the agreement before it is signed and in place.
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VIEW THE SOCIAL MEDIA ARCHIVE ON IDL'S WEBSITE
Merry $63 Million Distribution
Posted December 17, 2024
It's a Merry $63 Million Distribution for Idaho's public school kids! The Idaho Land Board presented a symbolic check to Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield and the youth in the Capital Singers during its holiday celebration in the rotunda.
https://loom.ly/hM-OP_w
IDL Announces New State Forester
Posted December 18, 2024
Julia Lauch has been designated as Idaho's State Forester. The state forester is the leading advocate for the management of Idaho’s forests, limiting damage from insects, disease, and fire and ensuring compliance with the Idaho Forest Practices Act.
Lauch will oversee IDL’s Forestry and Fire Division which manages wildland fire suppression, forestry assistance, and various forestry and fire management initiatives, including the Good Neighbor Authority, Shared Stewardship, and Forest Legacy programs. https://loom.ly/jBjs--Y
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