Idaho Legislative Session
The Idaho Legislative Session began Monday, January 6, 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.
IDL Budget
JFAC Natural Resources Maintenance Budget
For the second year JFAC is first setting maintenance budgets for categories of agencies. IDL falls under the Natural Resources Maintenance Budget which also includes DEQ, Fish & Game, EFIB, Parks & Recreation and Water Resources.
On January 17, 2025, a combined total of $513,855,000 was approved for the agencies.
IDL's Decision Units are scheduled to go before JFAC on February 11.
Rulemaking Presentations
On Wednesday, February 3, IDL will present seven sets of proposed rule changes to the Senate Resources & Environment Committee. The House Resources & Conservation Committee will take up the rules on Thursday, February 13.
Rules Governing Administration of Cottage Site Leases on State Land
IDAPA 20.03.13 - Pending Rule
The Idaho Department of Lands administers IDAPA 20.03.13 Administration of Cottage Site Leases on State Lands, a residential cottage site leasing program on behalf of the Land Board for state endowment trust lands. These activities are authorized by Idaho Code Title 58, Chapter 3 – Appraisement, Lease, and Sale Of Lands. The adoption of related rules is authorized by Idaho Code 58-104.
Rules Governing Grazing, Farming, Conservation, Noncommercial Recreation, and Communication Site Leases
IDAPA 20.03.14 - Pending Rule
The Idaho Department of Lands (Department) administers IDAPA 20.03.14 – Rules Governing Grazing, Farming, Conservation, Noncommercial Recreation, and Communication Site Leases, leasing programs on behalf of the Land Board for state endowment trust lands. These activities are authorized by Idaho Code Title 58, Chapter 3 – Appraisement, Lease, and Sale of Lands. The adoption of related rules is authorized by Idaho Code 58-104.
Rules Governing Geothermal Leasing on Idaho State Lands
IDAPA 20.03.15 - Pending Rule
The Idaho Department of Lands (Department) administers IDAPA 20.03.15, Rules Governing Geothermal Leasing on Idaho State Lands a geothermal leasing program on behalf of the Land Board for state endowment trust lands and lands owned by other state agencies. These activities are authorized by Idaho Code Title 47, Chapter 16 – Geothermal Resources. The adoption of related rules is authorized by Idaho Code 47-1603.
Rules Governing Oil and Gas Leasing on Idaho State Lands
IDAPA 20.03.16 - Pending Rule
The Idaho Department of Lands administers IDAPA 20.03.16, Rules Governing Oil and Gas Leasing on Idaho State Lands, an oil and gas leasing program on behalf of the Land Board for state endowment trust lands and lands owned by other state agencies. These activities are authorized by Idaho Code Title 47, Chapter 8 – Oil and Gas Leases on State and School Lands. The adoption of related rules is authorized by Idaho Code 47-802.
Rules Pertaining to Forest Fire Protection
IDAPA 20.04.01
The Idaho Department of Lands administers IDAPA 20.04.01, Rules Pertaining to Forest Fire Protection under the authority of the Idaho Forestry Act (Title 38, Chapter 1, Idaho Code).
This rule provides requirements for forest fire protection that are designed to prevent and mitigate wildland fires caused by those conducting a forest operation. It adopts the definitions (among others) for Forest land and Range land from 38-101 and defines Forest Operations; it details protection standards that must be met by forest land owners who choose to provide their own protection. The rule describes burning permits required during the closed burning season established by 38-115, during which a permit from the department is required to burn, and details fire-fighting tool requirements, water supply and equipment requirements, and fire watch requirements during forest operations and critical fire times.
Rules Pertaining to the Idaho Forestry Act and Fire Hazard Reduction Laws
IDAPA 20.04.02
The Idaho Department of Lands administers IDAPA 20.04.02, Rules Pertaining to the Idaho Forestry Act and Fire Hazard Reduction Laws under the authorities of the Idaho Forestry Act (Title 38, Chapter 1, Idaho Code) and Fire Hazard Reduction Programs (Title 38, Chapter 4, Idaho Code).
This rule sets standards for reducing or mitigating the fire hazard created by the harvesting of forest products or potential forest products during forest operations. The rule describes the Certificate of Compliance-Fire Hazard Management Agreement required by 38-122 for anyone about to engage in cutting forest products. It provides for management of the subsequent fire hazards created through a bonding process in accordance with 38-122, 38-404 and 38-405 and details metrics for quantifying and mitigating those hazards.
Rules Governing Conservation of Oil and Natural Gas in the State of Idaho
IDAPA 20.07.02 - Pending Rule
The Idaho Department of Lands administers IDAPA 20.07.02, Rules Governing Conservation of Oil and Natural Gas in the State of Idaho under the authority of Title 47, Chapter 3, Idaho Code.
IDAPA 20.07.02 defines and clarifies the procedures for regulating oil and gas exploration and development activities on public and private lands in the state. These rules are required for the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to fulfill their duty to prevent waste, protect correlative rights, and prevent pollution of fresh water supplies during the exploration and production of oil and gas resources.
Watch the committee hearings:
FY2024 Annual Report Now Available Online
IDL's FY2024 Annual Report is now available online. Printed copies will be delivered to Land Board members and staff soon.
The communications team greatly appreciates all who helped contribute and confirm the information published in the report, and encourage everyone to make it their go-to source for information and facts about our agency.
New Deputy Director for Policy and Administration
Michele Andersen has accepted the Deputy Director for Policy and Administration position, which is a newly created position. Michele officially started in her new role on Monday January 6.
The focus of this position will be to provide additional focus and leadership to our Fiscal Team, Communications Group and Facilities and Fleet Manager, support to our Boise Administrative staff, external outreach to lawmakers, industry partners and agencies, and serve as our liaison to our HR team, among other duties.
Michele spent 10 years as a field biologist in the Clark Fork/Pend Oreille basin for the Kalispel Tribe, then came to IDL in 2013 as a Lands Resource Specialist at the Pend Oreille Lake Supervisory Area. In 2014 she joined the Technical Services Bureau at the CDA Staff office serving as ID Team Program Manager and then TS Bureau Chief. In 2020 she started as the Operations Division Administrator and in 2021 after emptying their nest in Bonner County,
In her own words Michele says, “IDL is the best place I have ever worked and I feel lucky to enjoy the work I do and the people I get to work with every day. I am honored and grateful to serve IDL in this new role”.
Forestry Day at the Legislature
Forestry Day at the Legislature was Tuesday, January 14, with a lunch for legislators held at the Boise Centre on the Grove. The Director and other IDL leadership attended the luncheon providing opportunity to meet legislators.
The theme was Fostering Resilience and Sustainability: Collaborative Solutions for Idaho' Forest Challenges, and was hosted by Intermountain and Inland Empire Society of American Foresters.
Governor's Wildfire News Conference
Governor Little held a press conference at IDL’s Southwest Office on Friday January 17, to highlight Idaho’s efforts to proactively prepare for wildfire season in light of the ongoing crisis in California.
Director Miller gave an update on IDL’s efforts to address wildfire challenges in Idaho as we implement the Governor’s Wildfire Report Recommendations.
Also joining the Governor, was Department of Insurance Director Dean Cameron, Office of Energy and Mineral Resources Administrator Rick Stover, and Office of Emergency Management’s Brad Richy. IDL Fire was represented by Todd Wernex, Cameron Swisher and Kat Stother.
photos by Jane Kreller
 Governor Little speaking to reporters
 Dustin Miller speaking to reporters
 from left to right: Cameron Swisher, Kat Stother, Todd Wernes, Governor Little, Dean Cameron, Dustin Miller, Brad Richy and Rick Stover
Engagement Survey Follow Up
The employee engagement survey led by the Governor’s office and the Department of Human Resource. The results of the survey provided valuable insights into both our strengths and areas where we can improve.
We received high marks in areas including safety, respect, living our values, trust in management, and innovation. However, the survey also highlighted areas where we can improve, including follow-up on survey results, pay and benefits, alignment between experience and expectations, communication, and trust in leadership. I appreciate everyone’s participation and honest feedback.
In response, the leadership team (Executive Team, Area Managers, and Bureau Chiefs) developed the attached action plan to address these areas of concern, which we will begin implementing in January. This plan will include the creation of an Employee Engagement Committee, with Jim Elbin serving as the Executive Team Sponsor. More information on the implementation will follow in the coming weeks.
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:
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