Current News Coverage
Fruitland residents speak out against plans to drill for oil and gas near neighborhoods
Idaho Capital Sun, 12-18-25
FRUITLAND – Several local residents and city officials spoke out Wednesday against Snake River Oil and Gas’s plans to drill a well near a residential neighborhood in Fruitland to explore for natural gas and hydrocarbon liquid.
Snake River Oil and Gas wants to build a well with a drilling site accessible off of U.S. Highway 95 and NW 16th St. in Fruitland.
The company filed an application with the state for an integration order for property owners who have not reached agreements with Snake River Oil and Gas to allow for drilling.
But Fruitland resident Charles Otte and several local residents spoke in opposition to the proposal during a public hearing Wednesday at Fruitland City Hall.
Read the Idaho Capital Sun article
Idaho Department of Lands auctions Idaho Military Division surplus property for $810,000
Big Country News, 12-18-25
PAYETTE – The property known as the Payette Readiness Center in Payette, Idaho, was sold at auction on December 13, 2025. Only one bidder participated and the property was sold to Agape Bible Church for the appraised price of $810,000.
The property is about four acres with a 10,662 square foot commercial building, parking areas and other improvements commonly associated with military use.
The parcel was sold by Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) after it was declared surplus by the Idaho Military Division and approved for disposal by the Idaho Land Board on August 20, 2024. Idaho statute requires a public auction for the sale of state surplus lands, and IDL can accept no less than the appraised value of the property at auction.
Read the Big Country News article
Fruitland residents pack city hall to oppose potential oil and gas drilling
KIVI, 12-18-25
FRUITLAND, Idaho — Concerns mounted in Fruitland Wednesday night as a packed city hall meeting gave homeowners the chance to voice opposition to Snake River Oil & Gas's integration application which could potentially lead to drilling in Fruitland's impact area. Payette County Commissioners approved a 500 feet set back from Fruitlands city limit last week.
The state-organized meeting featured an evidentiary hearing led by the Idaho Department of Lands and the Office of Administrative Hearings, allowing each party to present information before moving to public comment.
Read the KIVI article
A High-Five in the Mirror
Level Up Humanity (Wayne Hoffman), 12-18-25
Sometimes a story lands in your lap and you can’t help but ask … why?! Why did the government spend your hard-earned money on this? And if they’re willing to burn resources on a vanity project like this, what else are they wasting your money on behind closed doors?
Earlier in the week, Idaho state officials held a big gathering in the Statehouse Rotunda to *checks notes* present themselves with a ceremonial check? Yep. That happened. I can’t decide whether I should be amused or annoyed by this. I’m leaning toward the latter.
The Idaho Capital Sun was there and reported on the self-congratulatory display:
Read the Wayne Hoffman article
Idaho Land Board Announces a Merry $68 Million Distribution to Public Schools
KOZE, 12-17-25
It is a very Merry Christmas for Idaho’s public schools this year. Public schools are receiving a $68,224,800 distribution for the current school year, which is the largest portion of the $110,371,200 distributed to all endowment beneficiaries.
Funding for this distribution comes from money earned from managing endowment land and investments.
The Idaho Board of Land Commissioners (Land Board) presented a symbolic check to Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield and the youth in the Capital Singers Tuesday during its Christmas celebration in the rotunda.
Read the KOZE article
Idaho Land Board announces record $68M funding distribution to K-12 public schools
Idaho Capital Sun, 12-17-25
The Idaho State Board of Land Commissioners presented state leaders with a ceremonial $68.2 million check on Tuesday to celebrate this year’s funding disbursement to the K-12 public school system.
Idaho Department of Lands Director Dustin Miller said the $68.2 million funding distribution is a record-high amount, due to a combination of increased timber sales and low expenses.
“We saw increased revenue from endowment lands this past fiscal year mostly through the increase in our timber harvest level over time,” Miller said. “Also, one thing I am proud of is that while our revenue is going up, expenses are staying relatively flat. This is an added benefit to the beneficiaries.”
Read the Idaho Capital Sun article
State, Forest Service renew and expand stewardship agreement
St. Maries Gazette Record, 12-17-25
Benewah County residents will soon see increased forest management activity along with new wildfire-mitigation efforts, and expanded economic opportunities following the renewal and expansion of Idaho’s Shared Stewardship agreement between the State of Idaho and the U.S. Forest Service.
Governor Brad Little joined U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz and Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) Director Dustin Miller earlier this month to sign the updated agreement, which is designed to significantly increase the pace and scale of forest management across Idaho’s national forests and adjacent state and private lands.
The agreement builds on the original 2018 Shared Stewardship framework and places an emphasis on cross-boundary collaboration, wildfire risk reduction, and sustainable timber production.
Read the Gazette Record article
Idaho schools receive $68.2 million from endowment fund
KMVT, 12-16-25
BOISE, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — The Idaho Board of Land Commissioners presented a $68.2 million distribution to public schools, the largest portion of the $110.4 million distributed to all beneficiaries.
The funding comes from money earned through managing endowment land and investments. The endowment fund currently holds $3.6 billion, which supports current and future endowment beneficiaries.
Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield received the symbolic check and made the following statement,
“It is exciting to receive this check on behalf of Idaho’s school children from the state’s endowment fund,” said Critchfield. “The revenue made from these lands and endowment investments makes a difference every year for Idaho’s public schools. It is also a reflection of how much the men and women of Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) and the Endowment Fund Investment Board (EFIB) believe in the endowment mission.”
Read the KMVT article
Idaho Land Board presents $68M check to students at Christmas event
KBOI2, 12-16-25
BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — The Idaho State Board of Land Commissioners hosted a Christmas celebration featuring a performance by the Capital Singers, an elite choir from Capital High School, and a check presentation to students.
The event took place on Tuesday morning in the 2nd Floor Rotunda of the Idaho Capitol in Boise. The Land Board presented a symbolic "Big Check" to school children, representing the endowment lands and fund distribution of $68,224,800 for Fiscal Year 2026.
Read the KBOI2 article
Idaho Dept. of Lands holds public hearing in Fruitland for oil and gas on Dec. 17
Argus Observer, 12-16-25
FRUITLAND — A six-hour public hearing will be followed by an hour long opportunity for members of the public to comment on Dec. 17 in the council chambers at Fruitland City Hall, 200 S. Whitley.
The matter at hand is Fruitland property owners who are formally objecting to an application by Snake River Oil and Gas to drill for oil and natural gas that is underneath Fruitland homes.
IDL sets seasonal road restrictions
Bonner County Daily Bee, 12-13-25
NAPLES — Seasonal restrictions will go into effect Monday, Dec. 15, for the state endowment roads in the Trail Creek, Dodge Creek and Ruby Creek drainages. Idaho Department of Lands has posted signs at the lower gates of the roads that lead to the drainages to provide advance notice to recreationists, hunters and trappers.
As in previous years, this is only a temporary restriction on full-sized motorized access. These lower gates manage access to miles of roads extending further up these drainages, including particularly susceptible steep and native-surface roads in highly erosive soil types.
Read the Bonner County Daily Bee article
Land Board to Celebrate Christmas with Carols and a Big Check Presentation
City News, 12-11-25
(BOISE) – The Idaho State Board of Land Commissioners (Land Board) will celebrate Christmas with a performance from a local high school choir and check presentation to students. The celebration will take place 8:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 16 at the Idaho Capitol 2nd Floor Rotunda at 700 West Jefferson Street in Boise.
Celebration includes:
Christmas carols courtesy of the Capital Singers (elite Capital High School choir) and the presentation of the traditional “Big Check.”
Read the City News article
Idaho's swift timber salvage after Rock Fire hailed as a success
KBOI2, 12-11-25
Valley County, ID (CBS2) — In the aftermath of the Rock Fire, which ignited on Aug. 12, 2025, and scorched nearly 2,800 acres across the Boise National Forest, Payette National Forest, and Idaho Endowment Trust lands, the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) has been praised for its rapid response in preparing and auctioning salvage timber. This effort aimed to protect public resources, reduce hazards, and preserve the remaining timber value.
The salvage operation, one of the fastest turnarounds seen by IDL foresters, was made possible through strong coordination with the Boise National Forest, Payette National Forest, and the Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) program. Early planning and collaboration allowed salvage activities to commence while the fire was still active, reducing safety hazards and increasing the value of burned timber before deterioration occurred.
Read the KBOI2 article
Quick, Coordinated Salvage Operations Remove Burned Timber and Hazards After Rock Fire
Big Country News, 12-11-25
VALLEY COUNTY - In the wake of the Rock Fire, which began on August 12, 2025 and burned nearly 2,800 acres across the Boise National Forest, Payette National Forest, and Idaho endowment trust lands, the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) moved swiftly to prepare and auction salvage timber to protect public resources, reduce hazards, and preserve remaining timber value.
This salvage effort represents one of the fastest turnarounds IDL foresters have seen, made possible through strong coordination with the Boise National Forest, Payette National Forest and the GNA program. Early planning and collaboration allowed salvage activities to begin while the fire was still active, reducing safety hazards and increasing the value of burned timber before deterioration occurred. It created a unique opportunity to have coordinated salvage operations simultaneously across state endowment and federal ownership boundaries.
“This project is a great example of what can be accomplished when agencies work side-by-side with shared priorities. Through close coordination between IDL, the Boise National Forest, and Tamarack Resort, we were collectively able to move quickly to address post-fire hazards and recover valuable timber. The speed of this effort not only reduced safety risks for the public but also ensured that resources were put to good use — a real win for Tamarack, the Forest Service, and the citizens of Idaho,” said Jon Songster, GNA’s Bureau Chief.
Read Big Country article
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