ICL Blog

Governor Otter has asked the director of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, Nancy Merrill, to explore ways to make the department "self sufficient." In other words, the department needs to figure out how to pay for itself without general fund support.

Today, the Statesman reported that Merrill, who takes her family to the Oregon dunes to ride dune buggies every year, thinks it would be a good idea to open up Idaho's Bruneau Sand Dunes to buggies. The department would charge a fee for riding in the area to generate dough.

This would be a huge disservice to the peace, quiet and scenery at the Bruneau Dunes. It seems that Parks and Recreation is bent on catering to motorized recreation.

I guess we can't blame them. That's where the money is. Off-roaders pay to register their vehicles. Those fees pay for motorized trails and operating costs at the department.

Hikers, backpackers, mountain bikers and equestrians have no such programs in Idaho. So it's no mystery that the Parks and Recreation devotes its time and energy to motorized recreation.

Many of my friends may disagree, but until nonmotorized recreationists are willing to pay, we'll  continue to see ideas like opening the Bruneau Dunes to dune buggies come from the department.

Please submit comments to the State Parks Board today!

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found that sage-grouse are “warranted but precluded” for listing under the Endangered Species Act. The agency determined that sage-grouse populations are low enough to warrant protections but that other species are at higher risk of extinction. Sage-grouse will be monitored yearly as a “candidate species” and can be listed if the population continues to drop.

Sage-grouse numbers have shrunk in half over the last several decades due to habitat loss from wildfires, noxious weeds, overgrazing, and conversion to agriculture. Conservation groups are concerned that a series of new transmission lines and energy projects will further degrade habitat.

The Idaho Conservation League is a member of the Idaho Sage Grouse Advisory Council, which works with Fish and Game and local communities to improve habitat for sage-grouse. Hopefully, this outcome will keep everyone at the table and their feet to the fire to come up with real solutions.

Watch this video of the amazing strut display of the greater sage-grouse!

Join the Idaho Conservation League and Conservation Voters for Idaho for our legislative reception on March 11, 5-7 pm, in Boise. Come mingle with Idaho legislators and conservation friends.

Emergency Regarding Wolves
Good news! The resolution encouraging the declaration of a state of emergency on wolves has died. Rumor has it that Governor Otter asked that the resolution be held. We were concerned that the resolution would further undermine the professional staff at the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

Invasive Species
A Senate committee passed SB 1344. The bill clarifies the role of law enforcement, the use of inspection stations and the decontamination process for boats and other vehicles suspected of carrying invasive species. This is an important step in keeping Idaho waterways free of quagga and zebra mussels.

Conservation Funding
Senate Bill 1343 is headed to the full Senate for a vote. The bill would create a conservation fund to protect and enhance working lands that provide natural resource benefits for all Idahoans. 

Cattle Secrets
Unfortunately, the Idaho Cattle Association has introduced SB 1346. Information about waste management is critical for protecting the environment and public health. The public hearing has been changed; it is now March 9, 8 am, in the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Take Action on State Parks!
The budget for state parks will be set on Monday, so take a moment to tell our elected officials what you think! 

Look for more news next week!

Join a community supported agriculture (CSA) program in your area and enjoy fresh-from-the-farm vegetables and fruits all season long.

Now is the time to sign up. The nifty LocalHarvest website provides an abundance of options in your area. Just enter your zip code to find out which farmers want to put food on your family's table. The cost to participate generally ranges from $300 to $400 for the season.

Most CSAs offer a robust selection of fruits and vegetables. Many participants find they enjoy expanding their cooking skills by experimenting with recipes for unique foods such as fava beans, mustard greens, and bok choy. 

To help you in your culinary adventures, consider investing in a helpful cookbook. Two to check out are Simply In Season, expanded edition by Cathleen Hockman-Wert and Mary Beth Lind, and The Farm To Table Cookbook: The Art of Eating Locally by Ivy Manning.

Join a CSA this spring and enjoy a season of local and healthful food. Not only is CSA membership a wonderful way to eat healthy, it is an easy way to help protect Idaho’s quality of life. Your choice supports local families, improves air quality, and reduces pollution.

Enjoy the season!

Spring is in the air! And we have some fun ideas for you!

Idea 1

Get inspired with this great web forum, wickedidaho.com, for hiking, backpacking, rafting, kayaking, and fishing stories and tips from outdoor enthusiasts in Idaho.

Itchin' to get out? There's nothing that feels more like spring than sun-heated corn snow. Don't miss the last two winter hikes of the season:

• Cross-country skiing at Hasbrouck Ranch near Cascade
• Snowshoeing at Mores Creek Summit near Idaho City
  

Idea 3

Room is still available on both the April 3 and April 10 wolf tours. Register today!

Jim Wood and his family have been ranching in Bonner County for more than 60 years.

They've seen a lot of changes in the county during that time, including rapid growth and sprawl, which made them wonder how much longer they would be able to keep ranching and logging the family spread.

With the help of the Forest Legacy Program and technical assistance from the Clark Fork-Pend Oreille Conservancy, the Woods were recently able to secure a conservation easement to protect 643 acres of the property.

The property contains forests, meadows and critical habitat for wildlife, and it has been managed for timber and cattle over the years. That's how the Wood family wants it to stay.

While the Forest Legacy Program is an important tool for protecting working lands, we need more tools in Idaho for conservation of working landscapes and wildlife habitat.

That's why the Idaho Conservation League is part of the Working Lands Coalition and supports SB 1343 this Idaho legislative session.

Boiseans turned out to voice their support for the proposed designation of thousands of miles of rivers and streams to protect ESA-listed bull trout. Biologists, river guides, fishermen, retirees, and grandmothers delivered a simple message, "Protect Clean Water!"

The hearing capped off a round of eight meetings held throughout the West to consider a strong proposal from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the clean, cold mountain streams where bull trout thrive.

Because of their sensitivity to pollution and their reliance on cold mountain streams for spawning, bull trout are an indicator for watershed health. Unfortunately, their numbers have dwindled over the past several decades to the point where they are listed as endangered. Climate change presents additional threats to the species.

Bull trout also serve as a surrogate for other species. If we protect clean water and keep habitat secure, we ensure that numerous other fish, amphibians, and wildlife are protected as well.

As someone who spends endless hours reviewing proposals and providing comments, I was encouraged to see so many passionate supporters speak out in support of our treasured wildlife heritage.

Submit your written comments until March 15.

Winter's not over yet!

We just got a dose of fresh powder in the Panhandle. So get inspired to make some backcountry turns at the Winter Wildlands Alliance Backcountry Film Festival Saturday, March 6, in Sandpoint.

The Idaho Conservation League is hosting the event at 7 pm in the beautiful auditorium of the Sandpoint Events Center, Pine and Euclid.

The films celebrate the beauty, diversity and adventure of the winter backcountry from Australia to Japan and right here in the United States, while exploring issues that impact our experience of winter's wonders.

Quiet winter recreation is also the topic of an essay I wrote for Sandpoint Reader and Down To Earth Northwest.

Check out the film clips here and then make plans to join us Saturday, March 6!

The film fest is very affordable—only $5 at the door—and we'll have concessions, plus Eichardt's Pub will provide a wine and beer bar, and—last but not least—we have a number of cool door prizes to give away!

The Idaho legislative session has likely hit the halfway point, and budget setting started this week. No hearings have been scheduled for the conservation license bill or the state of emergency on wolves.

Legislative Reception
Join the Idaho Conservation League and Conservation Voters for Idaho on March 11, 5-7 pm, in Boise for our legislative reception. Come mingle with Idaho legislators and conservation friends.

Conservation Funding
The Idaho Working Lands Coalition, in which we’re involved, introduced a bill to create a state conservation fund. The bill will have a hearing in the Senate Resources Committee on March 3, 1:30 pm. SB 1343 would create this fund to protect and enhance working lands that provide natural resource benefits for all Idahoans. While we are not seeking money at this time, it is important to begin building the infrastructure.

Air Quality
Good news! An attempt to repeal the auto emissions testing program for Canyon County was stopped. A committee defeated HB 591 by one vote! Interestingly, Governor Otter expressed his opposition to the bill the morning of the hearing. The testing program will go forward, but I don’t believe it will end the political fighting.

Cattle Secrets
Unfortunately, the Idaho Cattle Association has introduced SB 1346. Information about waste management is critical for protecting the environment and public health. The public hearing on this bill has been set for March 4, 8 am, in the Senate Agriculture Committee.

For nearly two decades, the main road along the South Fork Boise River above Anderson Ranch has been closed to snowmobiles to protect winter elk habitat.

The Sawtooth National Forest is considering lifting the restriction in the South Fork based on recent data showing that area elk have changed their winter grounds to the Camas Prairie, west and south of the river.

But the Forest Service is also considering new snowmobile restrictions on the Fairfield District. According to the Times News, the district ranger is looking at new snowmobile controls in the headwaters of the South Fork to protect wolverine dens and mountain goat winter range.

If the elk have in fact moved to the Camas Prairie for good, the proposed changes could result in a net benefit for wildlife. To be successful, adequate habitat for wolverines and mountain goats will have to be protected from the noise and disturbances caused by snowmobiles. Finally, the Forest Service must have a plan for communicating the changes to snowmobilers and enforcing the new rules when riders knowingly violate them.

I just returned from a three-day wolf watching trip in the Frank Church Wilderness. Mark Menlove with Winter Wildlands Alliance and his wife Dana joined me. We flew in to one of the grandfathered airstrips (where it is legal to land) and backpacked up above the river to a bench where we set up our camp and spotting scopes.

The goal was twofold: witness any helicopter landings in the wilderness outside of airstrips and record wolf information ourselves. Steve Garman with Lighthawk helped provide the aerial reconnaissance for the trip.

Over the next three days we saw bighorn sheep, mule deer, elk, golden eagles—and wolves. We were privileged to watched a black male and white female wolf cavorting and resting on snow-covered ridgetop high above the river.

While I am still troubled over recent decisions regarding wilderness management, it was important to remind myself firsthand of the reason conservation groups like ICL take on these challenging issues. The wilderness and wildlife that live there remind us of what is really important in our lives and in our world. They have many things to teach us still.

During the last election, Blaine County voters passed the Land, Water and Wildlife Levy. The Idaho Conservation League, along with other local nongovernmental organizations, was instrumental in the process.

The levy will raise $3.5 million over two years, and the money will be used to protect land, water and wildlife within Blaine County. The Levy Advisory Board (LAB), a nine-member citizen oversight committee, is presenting an update to the various city councils within Blaine County next month. All meetings are open to the public, and we hope you'll be there:

• Monday, March 1, 2010, 5:30 pm—Ketchum City Council
• Monday, March 8, 2010, 5:30 pm—Hailey City Council
• Thursday, March 11, 2010, 4:00 pm—Sun Valley City Council
• Thursday, March 11, 2010, 6:30 pm—Bellevue City Council
• Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 7:00 pm—Carey City Council

Have kids? You're probably starting to think about Spring Break. Don't have kids? Spring is still a great time to head out.

This year, consider a local "staycation" instead of leaving Idaho. By enjoying a vacation close to home, you avoid high gas and travel costs, prioritize family togetherness over stressful travel details, and discover (or rediscover) those nearby natural wonders that we Idahoans sometimes take for granted.

Think of all the things you can do right here in Idaho!

• Tour some local gardens before making it a family project to prepare and plant your own
• Pack your binoculars, camera, and a picnic and go on a nice day hike
• Visit a beach along your favorite Idaho river and skip stones
• Pack up your "variable" weather gear and camp at your favorite campground or yurt
  
• Gather a bunch of friends to clean up a special area, like a schoolyard, beach, or trail
• Conquer all of the above on your week-long staycation
  

But remember, you have to treat your staycation as a real vacation. So give it a start and end date and devote your time to relaxing, having fun, and unplugging from chores, work and school! Take the time to enjoy outdoor Idaho to the fullest!

Among the many benefits of the proposed Pend d'Oreille Bay Trail, a shoreline corridor connecting Sandpoint, Ponderay and Kootenai, is the opportunity for alternative transportation.

In a feature story about Ponderay in the Bonner County Daily Bee, city planners from Sandpoint and Ponderay described the trail as a project that would change the transportation game.

Said Ponderay City Planner Erik Brubaker, “It would become a smoothly flowing corridor that could offer a 10-minute commute from downtown Sandpoint to a big employer like Coldwater Creek—and it would be the most beautiful commute on Earth.”

A concept plan for the trail is in the works, and an open house to view the latest draft map is planned for 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, at ICL's Sandpoint office in the Sandpoint Events Center on Pine and Euclid.

Planning is one thing—but funding this ambitious project is another, and the cities need all the help they can get.

You can help by asking our senators to support full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund!

A federal court denied our request for an injunction on landing helicopters in the wilderness to monitor wildlife, stating that the Wilderness Act "contemplates some management necessary to meet minimum requirements for the administration of the area." 

At the same time, the judge stated that this decision is not a stamp of approval on helicopter use:

[T]he next helicopter proposal in the Frank Church Wilderness will face a daunting review because it will add to the disruption and intrusion of this collaring project. The Forest Service must proceed very cautiously here because the law is not on their side if they intend to proceed with further helicopter projects in the Frank Church Wilderness.

...Given that this project is allowed to proceed, the next project will be extraordinarily difficult to justify.

Although the judge denied our request for an injunction on the landings, he effectively put the Forest Service and Idaho Department of Fish and Game on notice that they will have to go through full environmental assessments for any future motorized intrusions. 

The judge's cautionary tone to the Forest Service reinforces our decision to challenge this controversial action. One of ICL's key roles to to guard the heart of Idaho's wild country. We will remain vigilant.

The Idaho Legislature is working on a number of hot topics such as the conservation license, cattle secrecy and wolves.

Pay for State WMAs?
Thank you for providing such thoughtful and thorough comments to my question about conservation licenses last week. You proved that you’re dedicated folks who care about Idaho! As of today, 70 of you have emailed and given me quite a bit to think about. Most of you support the idea of conservation licenses. But everyone—including me—has more questions than answers. At the end of the day, we need assurance that the money will indeed support conservation. A hearing on this bill has not been set, and the Legislature seems divided.

To learn more, check out our bill tracker and review HB 532. You can also find the wildlife management areas in Idaho. The license would be a piece of paper to keep in your wallet or purse, and the process for obtaining it would be the same as for a hunting or fishing license.

Cattle Secrets
Unfortunately, the Idaho Cattle Association has introduced SB 1346, which would keep information about waste generated by cattle operations a secret. We have a long history of opposing efforts to keep information from the public. Information about waste management is critical for protecting the environment and public health. The public hearing on this bill has been set for 8 am, March 4, in the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Emergency Regarding Wolves
I am surprised that I can still be surprised by Idaho politics. Instead of instilling confidence that Idaho can run a responsible and respectable wolf management program, the state is undermining its own credibility. This resolution further undermines the professional staff at the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. HCR 43 finds that a state of emergency on wolves exists in Idaho and that any lawful means should be taken to reduce wolf number to 150. The resolution cites the alleged threat to children and adds that individuals must arm themselves to face the growing threat. The sponsor of this legislation is Rep. R.J. Harwood (R-2).

The Red Feather Lounge's Dave Krick kicked off the first local food fundraising dinner in the cellar last week. The three-course locally inspired dinner included lasagna filled with homemade ricotta cheese, a local sprout salad, and an assortment of delicious desserts—including homemade pumpkin ice cream—all paired with local or regional wines.

These monthly dinners bring together locavores, growers, conservationists, farmers, and foodies to discuss our local food system and watch a film related to the issue. Last week we watched Fresh, an inspiring film featuring more of the sustainable farmer or permaculturist than the gloomy corporate-run food industry.

The dinner and wine are donated by the Red Feather and all funds raised go to a proposed local food assessment headed by the Treasure Valley Food Coalition (TVFC), a subsidiary program of Sustainable Community Connections. The assessment will answer several questions:

• How much and what type of food is grown in the Treasure Valley?
• How much food is exported and imported?
• How is local food distributed?
  

The locally focused dinners continue the fourth Thursday of each month, following Green Drinks in the Red Feather cellar. The cost is $25 per person.

Purchase your ticket now for February 25, the next dinner!

The next time you're hiking in the Sawtooths, biking through Farragut State Park or even strolling around Tubbs Hill in Coeur d'Alene or along the Boise Greenbelt, consider what it took to protect these areas for public enjoyment.

What it takes in most cases—eventually—is money, and lots of it. From Sandpoint City Beach to Bear Lake State Park, parks and natural areas across Idaho have benefited over the years from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Since it was created in 1965, over $38 million has been spent in Idaho.

But that's just a drop in the bucket of what could be available to protect and enhance Idaho's public lands and recreation areas.

The national fund was created by Congress and is authorized to receive $900 million annually in federal revenues from oil and gas leases off the outer continental shelf.

Unfortunately, the fund usually gets a small fraction of what it's authorized to receive. That's why Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Max Baucus (D-MT) are sponsoring legislation to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Help us in asking Idaho's senators to join as cosponsors for the sake of Idaho's great outdoors and our quality of life.

The city of Boise found out today that federal money will not be forthcoming for the proposed streetcar alignment in downtown Boise.

Whether you're for a streetcar or whether you're happy we didn't receive the grant, we need alternative transportation funding in Boise and throughout the Treasure Valley.

Why? Well, a few reasons.

• This area is likely going to hit nonattainment for ozone as soon as the new federal smog standard is passed. The best available science shows the Treasure Valley air to be unhealthy for our children. We've got to find ways to get cars off the road.

• Transit studies by regional experts and commonsense show a need for local, short connectors from bus routes and rail. In the future, the valley's workforce should be able to catch a train in Caldwell and hop on a bus or a streetcar to get to an office in downtown Boise. 

• We must start planning for growth in the valley now. In the next 15 or so years, we may see 400,000 more people in this area. Gas prices are never again going to hit $0.99 a gallon, and the valley's workforce will need alternatives to cars. 

You never need an excuse to get out and enjoy Idaho’s natural wonders. But if an excuse is what you want, join scientists and nature enthusiasts for the 2010 Great Backyard Bird Count this weekend! 

By participating you'll help researchers from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society as they collect population data on the birds of North America and Hawaii.

The Great Backyard Bird Count is one of many citizen science networks. Citizen science allows researchers to gather more information and cover broader areas. It's also terrific fun! Information collected by citizen science informs conservation priorities, not just for the birds but also for the ecological communities they live in and migrate through.

Today it's easier than ever to participate. Simply print species lists from the website, count birds—from your kitchen window, an urban park or a favorite ski trail—and provide your survey results in just a few minutes. You don’t need to be an expert. In fact, they encourage people of all ages and levels of expertise to participate.

You can learn more and get a  list of birds for your area. So dust off that field guide and clean those binocular lenses. The Great Backyard Bird Count begins today!