Current News Coverage
Trump chooses Idahoans to oversee federal forests
Lewiston Tribune, 1-30-25
Two Idahoans have been tapped by President Donald Trump to oversee the U.S. Forest Service.
Trump nominated Michael Boren for under secretary of agriculture for natural resources and environment. The position, which oversees the Forest Service, requires confirmation by the U.S. Senate.
Trump also appointed Tom Schultz to serve as Boren’s chief of staff, a position that does not require confirmation.
Schultz comes from the Idaho Forest Group, where he is vice president of resources and government affairs. He previously ran the Idaho Department of Lands and worked for the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
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In an interview with the Tribune, Schultz said he will start Feb. 10 and his job will be to support Boren.
“I’m there to make sure the under secretary is successful,” he said.
While not speaking for Boren, Schultz said he is confident one of their first tasks will be to ensure Idaho and other western states are prepared for the coming fire season.
Schultz said the agency, as dictated by law, will seek to promote multiple uses of national forest land and look to involve the public.
“A big focus is to make sure we are aligned with our public,” he said. “We are there to serve the American public.”
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Switching slopes
Bonner County Daily Bee, 1-28-25
After two decades operating on the back side of Schweitzer, local ski and snowboard guiding business Selkirk Powder Company is making fresh tracks in a new sector of the Selkirk Mountains and beginning the process of improving the area for winter recreation.
Since 2003, the company has used snowcats, helicopters and snowmobiles to lead ski trips in areas outside of ski resort boundaries. Over the course of a day, participants are brought into a remote area and shuttled up a slope to ski back down, usually enjoying untracked snow along the way.
This January, Selkirk Powder began leading trips in its new operating area — a 6,250-acre state-owned zone containing forested land and the alpine ridges of Atlasta Mountain and Mount Casey. The company holds a permit issued by the Idaho Department of Lands to lead trips in the zone and improve the area for winter use during the offseason.
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Trump names USDA wildfire prevention staff in advance of California trip
ESSFeed.com, 1-25-25
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the appointment of Capitol Hill veteran Kristin Sleeper and former Idaho Department of Lands Director Tom Schultz to key positions focused on forest management, wildfire prevention, and natural resource conservation. These appointments underscore a renewed commitment to protecting communities, enhancing forest health, and ensuring responsible stewardship of natural resources.
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Tom Schultz has been appointed as the chief of staff for Natural Resources and Environment at USDA. Schultz’s background includes serving as vice president of resources and government affairs at the Idaho Forest Group, where he oversaw timber procurement operations and managed relationships with government officials. Prior to that, Schultz served as the director of the Idaho Department of Lands, where he managed millions of acres of endowment lands and minerals. With a background as a former United States Air Force officer and leadership roles in Montana’s Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Schultz brings a diverse set of skills and experiences to his new position.
The appointments of Sleeper and Schultz come at a critical time, as President Trump is set to visit California to assess wildfire damage and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s response. These appointments signal a commitment to addressing the challenges posed by wildfires, enhancing forest health, and promoting responsible natural resource management.
Both Sleeper and Schultz will oversee the U.S. Forest Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, focusing on the sustainable management of the nation’s forests, grasslands, and watersheds. President Trump recently nominated Idaho businessman Michael Boren to be undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment, and if confirmed, both Sleeper and Schultz would report to Boren.
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Key Safety Tips
Posted January 31, 2025
Registration Open for State Forestry Contest
Posted January 29, 2025
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