Unpermitted dredge miners face increasing penalties

Dredge miners who choose to mine in Idaho without proper permits face increasing monetary penalties for flouting regulations. Recently, a Washington dredge miner paid a record-setting $24,000 fine for nine …

Hagerman Wildlife Management Area: A birdwatcher’s paradise

Hidden within the Hagerman Valley lies a protected ecosystem fed by springs from the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer, providing habitat and life for birds, deer, and furbearers.

Legislative Update – Finally sine die, redistricting and candidates

The 2021 Idaho Legislature finally came to a close on November 17 after 311 days, shattering the previous record of 118 days.

Empire Mine proposal near Mackay raises local concerns

There is currently a proposed open-pit copper heap leach mine in the hills near Mackay.

Infrastructure Bill: What’s in it for Idaho?

On November 15, 2021, President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a $1.2 trillion measure characterized as the largest long-term investment in infrastructure in a century.

The moment for methane

At the 2021 COP26 summit, many world leaders, including President Biden, pledged to reduce global methane emissions by at least 30% below 2020 levels by 2030. In response to the pledge, the Biden Administration released a comprehensive plan for reducing U.S. methane emissions.

Searching for Sockeye

Last week, ICL staff got a rare opportunity to join Shoshone-Bannock Tribal fish biologists for their annual redd counts at Pettit Lake.

Canadian mining company tries to overturn U.S. environmental policy

On October 29th, the Montana Board of Environmental Review (MBER) agreed to review Teck Resources’ petition to appeal selenium limits in Montana waters.

Westslope Cutthroat Trout are the Canary of the Mine

For the Kootenai River Watershed, Westslope Cutthroat Trout are the canary of the mine.

Hope for a salmon solution in 2022

Recently, a pair of announcements from the Biden Administration and two Washington elected leaders renewed momentum around restoring the lower Snake River.