Current News Coverage
Idaho Department of Lands Seeks Logging Operator to Serve on Forest Practices Advisory Committee
Observer News Group, 3-12-26
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho – Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) is seeking qualified applicants for the “Operator South” position on the Idaho Forest Practices Advisory Committee (FPAC).
The position represents logging operator interests in southern Idaho, defined as areas south of the Salmon River. The selected applicant will serve a three-year term ending Dec. 31, 2028. Applicants must be logging operators working in southern Idaho.
FPAC operates under the Idaho Forest Practices Act and is authorized in Section 38-1305, Idaho Code. It provides technical assistance and recommendations to IDL and the Idaho State Board of Land Commissioners on matters related to forest practices in the state.
Read Observer article
Conference brings wildlife, forestry experts to Moscow
Bonner County Daily Bee, 3-12-26
The Family Forest Landowners and Managers Conference, March 29-31, will center on forestry and wildlife and offer tools to better navigate the complex trade-offs facing forest landowners in a rapidly changing world.
Nationally recognized speakers and hands-on information will be available at the conference, which takes place at the Best Western University Inn at 1516 Pullman Road in Moscow.
The forum is organized by the Idaho Forest Owners Association (IFOA), in partnership with the Idaho Tree Farm Program, the Idaho Department of Lands, and the USDA Forest Service.
Read Bonner County Daily Bee article
Idaho Department of Lands seeks logging operator to serve on Forest Practices Advisory Committee
Big Country News, 3-11-26
COEUR D'ALENE - Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) is seeking qualified applicants for the “Operator South” position on the Idaho Forest Practices Advisory Committee (FPAC).
The position represents logging operator interests in southern Idaho, defined as areas south of the Salmon River. The selected applicant will serve a three-year term ending Dec. 31, 2028. Applicants must be logging operators working in southern Idaho.
FPAC operates under the Idaho Forest Practices Act and is authorized in Section 38-1305, Idaho Code. It provides technical assistance and recommendations to IDL and the Idaho State Board of Land Commissioners on matters related to forest practices in the state.
Read Big Country article
Protecting our homes and communities: Wildfire Education Workshops scheduled in Peck and Lenore
Clearwater Tribune, 3-11-26
The Nez Perce Soil and Water Conservation District and Nez Perce County, in partnership with the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL), invites community members to attend upcoming educational workshops focused on wildfire awareness, homeowner protection, and evacuation preparedness.
With wildfire seasons becoming increasingly impactful across Idaho, these workshops are designed to provide residents with practical tools and expert guidance to better protect their homes, properties, and families.
READ the Clearwater article
Summer fire season outlook, funding info at March 13 presentation
Idaho County Free Press, 3-11-26
KOOSKIA — The lack of snow in area mountains could have a big impact on the upcoming fire season. Are you prepared? Hear from a panel of speakers on what’s coming and what help is available at a March 13 presentation, set at the Kooskia Community Center.
Guest speakers include Mike Ward, executive director, Idaho Firewise; Sandi Paul, Idaho County Fire Mitigation; Mark Anderson, Kooskia Fire Chief; Jim Wimer, fire information specialist, Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest; Max Beach, general manager, Idaho County Light and Power Cooperative; Al Allman, Idaho Department of Lands ; and Sergeant Jerame Lee, Idaho County Sheriff’s Office.
Read Idaho County Free Press fire season article
Craig Mountain fuel reduction project underway
Idaho County Free Press, 3-11-26
Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG), in partnership with the Nez Perce Tribe Forestry and Fire Management, is doing a three-year fuel reduction project on Craig Mountain. The first phase began Jan. 19, along Deer Creek Road and is expected to run through mid-April. Crews will thin and grind brush and small trees to reduce wildfire risk along Deer Creek Road, Hushpuppy Road and surrounding areas.
During the three years, the project will cover about 780 acres managed by IDFG, the Idaho Department of Lands, Nez Perce County and the Nez Perce Tribe. The effort will help firefighters safely and effectively respond to future wildfires, according to a news release.
Read Idaho County Free Press article
Idaho Senate to debate amendment to safeguard public lands for future generations
KTVB, 3-10-26
BOISE, Idaho — A proposed constitutional amendment dealing with the future of Idaho's public lands is now on hold in the state Senate until Friday.
The proposal would prevent Idaho from selling public lands if the federal government ever transferred them to the state.
Supporters say the measure would protect access to those lands for future generations. Critics worry it could limit the state's flexibility and leave Idaho responsible for expensive land management.
Read KTVB 3-10 article
Members of JFAC reach decision to partially restore fire preparedness funds
KBOI2, 3-10-26
BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — A portion of fire preparedness funding has been restored by the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee after failing once already last week. Facing resistance from some members over how the money is being spent.
As part of the rescissions from the Governor and action taken by JFAC, a portion of funds from the Forest and Range Fire Protection program was taken out of the Idaho Department of Lands budget. Adding up to an additional $131,800 for fiscal year 2026 and a total reduction of $318,300 for fiscal year 2027.
Action taken by the committee on Monday would partially restore these reductions. Adding $124,900 for fiscal year 2026 and $140,400 for fiscal year 2027. These restorations were not requested by the Department of Lands.
Read KBOI2 article
Idaho Legislature’s budget committee agrees to restore some of wildfire budget cuts
Idaho Capital Sun, 3-9-26
The Idaho Legislature’s budget committee voted Monday to restore some of the state funding for wildfire protection and prevention that state legislators cut earlier in this year.
During its meeting Monday at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise, the Idaho Legislature’s Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, or JFAC, voted to restore a total of $265,200 for the Idaho Department of Lands’ forest and range fire protection program.
The funding, which is split between the current fiscal year 2026 and fiscal year 2027, will go toward hiring seasonal firefighters to gear up for the upcoming wildfire season, standing up a new fire protection district in eastern Idaho and fire prevention.
Read Idaho Capital Sun article
JFAC reverses course on wildfire funding, restricts future firefighter bonuses
KTVB, 3-9-26
BOISE, Idaho — This story originally appeared in the Idaho Press.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee voted to fund Idaho fire preparedness measures for the coming fire season Monday in what was a reversal of decisions made last week to vote down fire preparedness requests.
The Idaho Department of Lands' (IDL) request for this fiscal year was to restore $124,900 of the department’s Forest and Range Fire Protection Program. This amount — similar to a request brought forward Wednesday — mostly restores the $131,800 the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) previously approved as part of additional 1% cuts to the agency.
In his debate against the restoration, Rep. James Petzke, R-Meridian, pointed to the department’s expenditures during the previous fiscal year, in which the department ended up reverting some funding for its Forest and Range Fire Protection Program after not being fully expended by the end of the season.
Read KTVB JFAC article
IDL closing Clagstone Road sandpit in Sandpoint due to vandalism, illegal dumping
KREM, 3-9-26
SANDPOINT, Idaho — The Idaho Department of Lands says it will close vehicle access to the sandpit at Clagstone Road this week due to illegal dumping and vandalism.
IDL says it is working with the Idaho State Police (ISP) to install barricades to prevent vehicles from entering the area, which is on state endowment land in southern Bonner County. The closure will begin Friday, March 13.
Officials say the area is commonly used for recreation and target shooting. Foot traffic will still be allowed.
IDL says the closure comes amid problems with illegal dumping of trash, construction debris, and abandoned vehicles. The dumping and vandalism continued to occur despite repeated cleanup efforts and outreach.
Read KREM article
House gives go-ahead to cut most agency budgets by additional 1% this fiscal year
KTVB, 3-7-26
BOISE, Idaho — This story originally appeared in the Idaho Press.
The House voted 48-22 on Friday to approve deeper spending cuts for this fiscal year, sending a bill to the governor’s desk that will cut most state agencies' budgets by 4%.
The vote arrives after the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) voted in early February to approve a bill bringing across-the-board 1% cuts with limited exceptions for K-12 public schools, the Idaho Department of Correction and the Idaho State Police. For each agency that is subject to JFAC’s approved cuts for the fiscal year, it represents a deeper reduction beyond the 3% holdbacks ordered by Gov. Brad Little in the fall of last year.
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While JFAC has fully or partially restored several cuts previously slated for this fiscal year, others remain subject to the 1% cuts. This is the case for the Idaho Department of Lands’ forest and range fire protection program, which requested $125,000 to mostly restore the $131,800 JFAC voted to cut from the agency. JFAC took up this request on Wednesday and, in a 7-12 vote, failed to restore these fire preparedness funds.
Read KTVB article
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