I thought this clinic (below) may be of interest to your chapter members as we head into spring.
Sincerely,
Karen Bailey
208-849-3474
Education chairman
On a quiet foothills trail, the hum of an electric bike is becoming a more common sound.
E-bikes are growing in popularity nationwide and are increasingly showing up across the Ridge to Rivers trail system in Boise. But Trail Manager David Gordon says many riders are using them in places where they are not allowed.
Despite signage posted throughout the system, Gordon said riders continue to bring e-bikes onto nonmotorized trails.
“Even though we’ve got our trails signed everywhere, we’re finding people riding e-bikes all over the place,” Gordon said.
Under current federal guidelines, e-bikes are classified as motorized vehicles. Because of that, they are only permitted on two motorized trails within the Ridge to Rivers system: Eighth Street Motorcycle Trail No. 4 and Femrites Patrol Trail No. 6.
“They’re really still only allowed on our two motorized trails, because federally, they’re still classified as a motorized vehicle,” Gordon said.
Gordon said the technology allows riders to travel farther and access areas that may otherwise be difficult to reach, which can lead to unintended impacts.
He said a growing concern goes beyond traditional e-bikes to include electric motorcycles, which are heavier and capable of higher speeds.
“They’re heavier, they go a lot faster,” Gordon said.
He said many of the riders using electric motorcycles are younger, including junior high and high school students. Some of the bikes can reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, creating safety risks on narrow, multi-use trails.
“There’s lots of people out there — little kids, dogs, older people — anyone that can be out there not expecting something coming around like a little motorcycle at a high rate of speed,” Gordon said.
In addition to safety concerns, officials say the vehicles can cause damage when riders leave designated trails.
“Thirty miles an hour is not uncommon, and they’re heavier, and those are really a safety concern, as well as the fact that they can easily travel off trail,” Gordon said.
As the busy trail season approaches, Ridge to Rivers officials say enforcement and signage will continue, but they emphasize that protecting the system ultimately depends on users.
“It takes the community to manage our trail system,” Gordon said.
PDF: organizational-realignment-factsheet
On March 31, the U.S. Forest Service announced plans to move its headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Salt Lake City, Utah. It will also close or repurpose all nine of its regional offices, create 15 state offices, and shutter research and development facilities in more than 30 states. According to a news release, the plan is intended to make the agency more “nimble, efficient [and] effective.” Forest Service leaders told staff on a call after the announcement that no changes will be made to fire and aviation management programs or field-based operational firefighters.
Since first announcing its intent to reorganize the agency last July, the Trump administration has marketed the plan as a way to streamline Forest Service operations, with a focus on boosting timber production and communicating more closely with local communities. But during a congressional hearing and public comment period on the subject last summer, more than 80% of the 14,000 public comments submitted were negative, with many tribal representatives, conservation groups and former Forest Service staffers opposing the move. A U.S. Department of Agriculture summary of public comments included concerns that relocating Forest Service staff and further cuts to its budgets “could compromise ecological management, public access, and employee morale.” The current plan incorporates many elements of the original proposal, including the move to Salt Lake City and the closure of regional offices.
“Nobody is asking for this,” said Robert Bonnie, who oversaw the Forest Service as a Department of Agriculture undersecretary during the Obama administration. “None of the farm groups want this. No one in conservation wants this. Nobody.” To Bonnie and other former Forest Service staff, the plan, which will uproot thousands of employees, looks like it will only make the agency’s existing troubles worse, especially given the past year of deep cuts and chaos.
“This is not going to strengthen the Forest Service, it is going to weaken it,” Bonnie said. “It’s not about solving problems, it’s about blowing things up.”
MARY ERICKSON, a retired Custer Gallatin National Forest supervisor, had more questions than answers after the announcement. “I’m not going to say if it’s good or bad at this point,” she said. “It’s just such a sweeping change with no real analysis about if there would be cost savings.”
Under the new proposal, some states will have their own offices and others will be lumped together, similar to the organization of the Bureau of Land Management. This will be a new approach for the country’s 154 national forests, which have long been managed by the nine regional offices that will be shuttered or repurposed. Now, forests in Washington, Oregon, Montana, Alaska and Idaho will each be managed by their own state office. Forests in Nevada and Utah, however, will be managed together, as will forests in Colorado and Kansas.
Some Forest Service research facilities, including the Rocky Mountain Research Station in Fort Collins, Colorado, will stay open. Others, including the research station in Portland, Oregon, which is responsible for critical work on species like spotted owls, will be closed. Losing local leadership “is not going to improve the programs,” said former Forest Service wildlife biologist Eric Forsman. Forsman, who retired in 2016, studied spotted owls and red tree voles at the agency’s Forestry Sciences Laboratory in Corvallis, Oregon, which will remain in operation. “It may help budgets,” he added, “but it won’t improve the quality of the research or the amount of research that gets done.”
Erickson and others were also concerned about the plan to move high-level bureaucrats out of D.C., where the nation’s law- and policymakers reside. “I would push back on this idea that moving out of D.C. is moving closer to the people you serve. That’s not the role of the national office,” Erickson said. The national office, she added, is supposed to coordinate and create guidance based on national policy. “Forests and districts have always been the heart of local communities and local delivery.”
After talking with current and former Forest Service staffers following Tuesday’s announcement, she also worries that, at least in the short term, disarray created by the reorganization will hamstring the agency’s ability to address the complex and worsening challenges that modern forests face. Those include tree disease outbreaks, the growing wildland-urban interface and climate change-induced drought. The Forest Service is already reeling from the loss of thousands of employees during the last year, through the terminations and deferred resignations effected by the now-defunct Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.
The reorganization may also lead to states playing an even bigger role in forest management, said Kevin Hood, executive director of Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics, who retired in 2025 after decades working in the Forest Service throughout the West. While local coordination isn’t bad in theory, he said, he’s concerned the new structure will be a step toward ceding the management of national forests and other public lands to states.
Tribal representatives, several of whom declined to comment for this story, voiced concerns during the July public comment process that the reorganization would lead to losses of expertise and fractured relationships. Mass staff relocations, one representative wrote, would “destroy irreplaceable knowledge about Treaty rights, forest conditions, and working relationships built over decades, and new staff unfamiliar with the land will make mistakes.”
FOR MANY PEOPLE in conservation, the Forest Service reorganization feels like déjà vu, or even a recurring nightmare.
In 2019, during Trump’s first term, his administration announced a plan to move nearly all Bureau of Land Management staff out of the agency’s D.C. headquarters to Grand Junction, Colorado — then a 66,000-person city located hundreds of miles from a major airport. As with the March 31 Forest Service announcement, the administration said the change would put high-level staff closer to the mostly-Western lands they manage. Instead, many of those staff left the agency altogether, said Tracy Stone-Manning, who directed the BLM under President Joe Biden and is now president of The Wilderness Society.
In fact, by the time the Grand Junction office opened in 2020, only 41 of the 328 BLM employees expected to move West chose to do so, according to a High Country News investigation. For many, moving meant uprooting their entire family, and required a spouse to find a new job in a much smaller market.
The reorganization cost taxpayers $28 million. And the Biden administration ended up moving many high-level positions back to D.C., though it did keep some agency leaders in the Grand Junction office, which it renamed the agency’s “Western Headquarters.” John Gale, who headed the office for two years under Biden, sees merit in searching for ways to improve public-lands management. But restructuring and relocation need to be done thoughtfully and carefully to be effective, he said.
That’s because agencies lose irreplaceable institutional knowledge when people with decades of experience are forced out the door, said Stone-Manning. And while that may not have been the first Trump administration’s intention, it was indeed the outcome of the BLM reorganization. She and others expect the Forest Service to suffer the same fate, with even more dire results for the public.
“Our public lands are not being cared for the way they need to be,” she said. “And what that means is ultimately people will throw up their hands and say the federal government can’t manage them, let’s sell them off.”
For more than a decade, Perpetua Resources—the junior gold mining company behind the controversial Stibnite Gold Project—has peddled a shifting set of narratives to “sell” their project to Idahoans, investors, and the U.S. Government. As Perpetua moves toward a final investment decision on the project, it’s worth examining how well those narratives have really held up.
The original narrative Perpetua put forth was that their massive new mine was counterintuitively necessary to clean up historic mining issues at the site. However, the U.S. Forest Service concluded in their Final Record of Decision that taking no action at all to address the existing contamination at the site would be less harmful to the environment than proceeding with the Stibnite Gold Project, even assuming that the company’s mining and proposed cleanup work goes perfectly according to plan (which never happens). Perpetua also inaccurately claimed that restoration was only possible through the proposed mine; the Nez Perce Tribe in particular has invested millions of dollars to restore the surrounding watershed and clean up contamination from earlier mining operations at Stibnite.
Perpetua’s second narrative was that the antimony mined at Stibnite would help advance a broader transition to clean energy by supplying a key ingredient for a new type of liquid-metal battery. However, the company designing those batteries (Ambri) filed for bankruptcy in 2024, and you’d be hard pressed to hear Perpetua make any mention of clean energy since President Trump’s reelection.
More recently, Perpetua has leaned heavily on a third—and more politically potent—narrative: that the Stibnite Mine is essential to U.S. national security because it would provide antimony for military uses. At first glance, this claim is compelling. Antimony is used in a range of military applications, and reducing reliance on foreign supply chains for our national defense is a worthwhile goal. But a closer look reveals this argument for what it is: a convenient facade.
In a recent appearance on the mining investor podcast Mining Stock Daily, Perpetua CEO Jon Cherry said the quiet part out loud: “Antimony is the enabler because of the government’s support. The economics are driven all by the gold. Our mine plan is based on gold.” The message could not be more clear: Stibnite is not about antimony, it’s about the gold (and it always was).
Even on its own terms, the antimony narrative is full of holes. Perpetua has acknowledged that a mere 10% of Stibnite’s mined antimony ore will actually be routed to the military. And as it turns out, Stibnite’s antimony might not actually be high enough grade to meet the military’s standards. Recent reporting by Bloomberg highlighted that industry experts and some military officials don’t see Stibnite as the best domestic source of antimony, in part because of the high cost associated with refining their lower grade ore. Multiple projects being pursued elsewhere in the West contain notably higher grade antimony than Stibnite.
Perpetua’s evolving narratives to justify this mine have proved to be misleading at best and downright false at worst. Strip away the mining company rhetoric and what remains is an irresponsible, taxpayer-subsidized open-pit gold mine designed primarily to maximize returns for wealthy shareholders. Perpetua will essentially be using $80 million of government subsidies intended to support antimony production to take $18 billion worth of gold out of the ground. And unlike oil and gas companies that must pay a royalty back to the public for the resources they extract from public lands, Perpetua would pay no such royalties to exploit our public lands thanks to the antiquated Mining Law of 1872.
We need some mines in some places for some reasons. But a massive open-pit gold mine in the headwaters of the South Fork Salmon River—one of Idaho’s most ecologically important watersheds—simply to line investor pockets and stockpile gold bars in faraway vaults? No thanks.
Trump’s Pick to Lead National Parks? An Executive Who Manages Private Hotels Within National Parks
The White House announced a new director of the National Park Service (NPS) last week — and parks advocacy groups are not happy about the choice.
Hospitality executive Scott Socha is President Trump’s pick to lead the NPS, according to a list of new federal appointments announced on Feb. 11. Unlike many past directors of the NPS, Socha has no apparent experience in public service or conservation.
Moreover, Socha’s company, Delaware North, specializes in hotels and resorts, many of which are located within national parks. Delaware North has even successfully sued the NPS over the ownership of iconic names, including “Yosemite National Park.”
The Senate must still confirm the nomination of Socha, who is “totally qualified” to implement Trump’s plans for the parks, a White House spokesperson told GearJunkie on Tuesday. “Scott looks forward to implementing America First initiatives, such as increasing park access for American families, reducing permitting burdens, and raising money for conservation projects,” spokesperson Taylor Rogers said.
However, parks groups point out that Trump’s plans for the park service have also included a proposed $900 million cut, which parks organizations have said would shutter hundreds of NPS sites around the country.
Good morning all,
I would like to announce Justin Nash as the National Saw Program Manager (NTE 120 detail) with a start date of February 22, 2026. Nash, Justin – FS, <justin.nash@usda.gov>
Nash grew up in a small town near Yosemite National Park, where his early experiences in the outdoors fostered a lifelong commitment to natural resource stewardship. He began his wildland fire career in California in 2007 and has extensive experience across multiple disciplines, from local operations to national-level fire management.
A graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno’s Rangeland Ecology Program, Justin combines academic expertise with practical leadership in fire operations. The Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program played a pivotal role in his early career development, and he continues to contribute as an instructor each year. Justin has extensive experience in the Forest Service saw program and has served as a forest saw program manager and designated regional program instructor.
Justin’s career reflects a strong commitment to advancing operational excellence and workforce development within the fire organization. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring national forests with his wife, Jess, and their two dogs, continuing the connection to the outdoors that began in the shadow of Yosemite.
Congratulations to Justin Nash who will be detailed in as the USFS National Saw Program Manager. As many of you already know, Justin has spent a large part of his career here in Region 4 on the Humboldt Toiyabe NF and has been an integral part of our saw program. He will be an outstanding addition to our National Saw Program as we continue to move forward.
Interior Dept blazes ahead on unified wildland firefighting agency, without Congress endorsing plans
The Wildland Fire Service also stops short of folding in wildland fire personnel or programs from the USDA’s Forest Service.
The Interior Department is blazing ahead with a reorganization plan that will bring all of its wildland firefighting operations into a single agency.
Starting next week, the department’s wildland fire employees and programs will be moved into a new Wildland Fire Service.
Congress did not approve funds for the consolidation of federal firefighting programs into a single agency. The Wildland Fire Service also stops short of merging wildland fire personnel or programs from the USDA’s Forest Service with those same resources at the Interior Department.
An internal memo sent to staff on Monday states the Wildland Fire Service “will unify wildland fire management within DOI only.”
According to the memo, obtained by Federal News Network, the Wildland Fire Service will “align operations” with USDA through shared procurement, predictive services, research, and policy reforms.
“The success of these efforts will rely on ongoing support from Congress to secure the necessary funding and authorities needed to implement and sustain these important reforms,” the memo states.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order last summer requiring the Interior Department and USDA to consolidate their wildland fire programs “to the maximum degree practicable and consistent with applicable law.” The Trump administration’s fiscal 2026 budget request noted that wildland fire response has been split across five agencies in two departments.
A comprehensive spending deal to fund the Interior Department through the end of fiscal 2026 did not endorse the Trump administration’s plans to consolidate federal wildland firefighting operations into a single agency.
Democrats on the Senate Appropriations Committee wrote in a summary of the Interior spending bill last month that the spending package “specifically provides funding to continue wildland firefighting using the longstanding practice of funding both the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to allow Congress to consider legislative proposals for such a major change.”
Most of Interior’s wildland fire personnel will move over to the Wildland Fire Service starting Feb. 8. Last month, Brian Fennessy, former chief of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department and former fire chief of the Orange County Fire Authority, was tapped to serve as the new chief of the Wildland Fire Service.
The Wildland Fire Service will merge the wildland fire operations of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Land Management, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, the Office of Aviation Services and the Office of Wildland Fire.
By unifying wildland fire programs spread across four DOI bureaus and two offices, the Interior Department expects to “eliminate redundancies and build a more cohesive workforce.”
“This integration paves the way for streamlined training, stronger recruitment, and greater career growth for Interior wildland fire personnel,” the memo states.
Last fall, an employee group called Grassroots Wildland Firefighters applauded greater coordination between the Interior Department and the Forest Service but said these actions “do not yet go far enough.”
“We know the limits of what can be done through executive action alone. At the same time, we know the limits of what can be done through executive action alone. Lasting reform — true consolidation of our nation’s wildfire workforce under experienced fire leaders in a single, mission-driven organization — will ultimately require congressional action,” the group said in a press release.
Interior said the next steps to stand up the Wildland Fire Service will “occur in deliberative phases to ensure continuity of operations and readiness for wildfire activity in 2026.”
Interior Secretary Burgum issued a departmentwide order last month calling for the unification of the disparate wildland fire operations and activities.
An earlier order from Burgum specified that the Wildland Fire Service would function more as a “strategic alignment of resources” between Interior and the Forest Service, including early fire detection technology, planes and vehicles and modernized communication tools, to ensure “cross-team coordination when jointly fighting wildland fires.”
Wildfires cost the United States hundreds of billions of dollars, posing a risk to national security, public health, energy infrastructure and water sources.
Monday’s memo states that the Wildland Fire Service “positions DOI to harness cutting-edge technology more efficiently,” and invest in advanced wildland firefighting tools.
“By streamlining the chain of command from the firefighter on the ground straight up to the chief, the USWFS will eliminate bureaucratic hurdles and ensure decisive, timely action during wildfire incidents. This clarity in decision-making will strengthen coordination and accelerate response efforts when every second counts,” the memo states.
Tribal wildland fire programs will also be included in the new Wildland Fire Service. The memo states the Interior Department will continue to “honor and administer” current contracts and agreements with tribal wildland fire authorities, and that its Bureau of Indian Affairs will help transfer existing contracts and agreements over to the Wildland Fire Service.
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This documentary pays homage to Wyoming’s pioneering mountain guides and their crucial contributions to the advancement of safe and empowering climbing practices. By weaving together the stories of legendary figures like Glenn Exum and Paul Petzoldt with contemporary narratives, the film will serve as an enduring source of heritage, wisdom, and inspiration for the broad and interconnected community deeply invested in mountaineering and outdoor pursuits.
With Wyoming PBS content you can delve into Wyoming history, explore the breathtaking beauty of our iconic national parks, and immerse yourself in the inspiring tales of Native American leaders, ranching life, the wonders of nature, and the many things to do in Wyoming. Whether you’re seeking inspiring narratives or planning your next adventure in our beautiful state, WY PBS is your trusted guide.
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Public Lands – US House votes Wednesday to strip conservation measures that safeguard the wilderness
The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed a resolution Wednesday that puts a copper-nickel mine on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness one step closer to reality. Taking an unprecedented approach to using the relatively novel Congressional Review Act, the House voted 214-208 in favor of overturning a 20-year mining moratorium that was established in 2023. These current protections cover 225,504 acres in the Superior National Forest and center around the Rainy River Watershed that lies upstream of the BWCA.
“The Boundary Waters is the pinnacle of wild places,” says Matthew Schultz with Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters. “The chance of polluting a place like that to me is pretty crazy. It just doesn’t shake out.” READ MORE
Idaho state Sen. Ben Adams, R-Nampa, introduces a proposed amendment to the Idaho Constitution that prevents the state from selling future public lands it obtains from the federal government. (Clark Corbin/Idaho Capital Sun)
Sen. Ben Adams, R-Nampa, first announced his proposal in August, well ahead of the 2026 legislative session that began this month, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported. He unveiled the draft text of the amendment later that month.
Adams told the Senate State Affairs Committee on Wednesday that since unveiling his proposal, he’s had conversations with residents and industry leaders all over the state.
“I wanted feedback. I wanted a lot of feedback, because it deals with a very personal matter for every Idahoan, and that is our public land here in Idaho,” Adams said.
He said he slightly changed the text from his August proposal, but “the intent did not change.” READ MORE
We’re looking forward to hosting a number of webinars over the next few months to help get you ready for hiking season.
Come learn about our Youth Trail Program for ages 14-18!
February 10 @ 6pm PT/ 7pm MT
Learn how to make backcountry meals that are simple, nourishing, and actually taste good with Kristina Schmid, founder of EmpowHer Outdoors.
February 11 @ 6pm PT/ 7pm MT
This is your chance to get a sneak peek at the year’s best projects and learn how you can be part of making a difference on Idaho’s incredible trails.
February 26 @ 6pm PT/ 7pm MT
Basic Wilderness Survival & First Aid Webinar
Kristina from EmpowHer Outdoors will help you build confidence in the outdoors by learning essential wilderness survival and basic first aid skills.
March 11 @ 6pm PT/ 7pm MT
WHAT’S BEHIND ALL THIS deferred maintenance? According to Forest Service staffing
reports from 2019, the agency’s workforce has contracted substantially over the last 30
years, losing roughly 20% of its staff. Under the Trump administration, full-time staffing
has decreased by an additional 10% due to DOGE layoffs, though this
month’s Congressional appropriations bill spared the agency the worst of the drastic
2026 budget cuts proposed by the White House last year.
Recreational trail staff, once robust in the 1980s, has dwindled with these reductions in
force, with many districts reporting zero, or just one, permanent recreation staff and
fewer than three seasonal staff to oversee hundreds of miles of trail. A July 2025
internal Forest Service report, shared with me by a confidential source, concluded that
each of the agency’s nine regions were missing up to 80% of their trail and recreation
workers.
December’s follow-up Forest Service report quoted a chorus of disaffected anonymous
rangers. “My trail program is suffering the worst morale setbacks of all my district
programs,” said one acting district ranger. “We lost 200 years of trail experience this
year,” said a forest recreation manager. One district trail manager was considering
packing in a multi-decade career altogether. “It feels like 24 years of trails and
wilderness work,” they said, “rolling back to the bottom of the hill.”
Volunteers and local stewardship groups have had to show up in force, demonstrating
the value Americans place on access to public lands. In fiscal year 2023, 71,660
volunteers contributed 2.6 million hours of service to the Forest Service, more than
double the hours logged by agency employees. Yet even that tidal wave of donated labor
can only slow, not reverse, the decline of infrastructure compounded over decades of
mismanagement.
At the highest levels of government, on both sides of the aisle, politicians acknowledge
this systemic neglect. During his Senate confirmation hearing, now-Secretary of the
Interior Doug Burgum agreed that addressing the maintenance backlog was crucial: “We
just have to make sure not just the national parks, but across the whole department, we
have to get the formulas right, because we are creating liabilities for future generations
if we are not taking care of that deferred maintenance.”
READ FULL STORY: Public Land Trails are Disappearing
There are fewer than 300 wolverines left in the Lower 48, but soon a new effort will seek to restore the endangered animal’s population. Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) just announced its plan for the first-ever wolverine reintroduction program.
History of wolverines: Wolverines were once widespread in the Lower 48, in states like California, Minnesota, Oregon, and Colorado, according to the Center for Biological Diversity.
Since the early 1900s, the population has sharply declined, mostly due to trapping and habitat loss. In 2023, they were added to the Endangered Species List.
Why reintroduce? Beyond helping revive an endangered species, reintroducing the wolverine has other benefits. The animal is naturally an opportunistic scavenger-predator. In addition to hunting small mammals like squirrels and rabbits, they’ll eat leftovers from carcasses of sheep, caribou, and moose that other, larger predators have left behind.
As the nonprofit Defenders of Wildlife explains, “Wolverines play an important role as nature’s cleanup crew. By scavenging dead animals, they help recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem and reduce disease spread by eating carcasses.”
What’s the plan? According to CPW, over 94% of the planned reintroduction habitat is on federal land. The areas include parts of Rocky Mountain National Park, the Elk and West Elk Mountains, and the San Juan Range.
The department will release 15 wolverines per year for 3 years beginning in 2027. Depending on how the species fares, there may be more reintroductions. Since wolverines have very large home ranges, the state can support around 100.
The U.S. Department of the Interior is preparing to issue a new directive that would make hunting and fishing the default use across most Interior-managed public lands unless specific closures are justified.
What’s new: Under this framework, federal lands would be considered open to hunting and fishing unless a closure is required by law, public safety concerns, or documented resource protection needs. Closures will require clear er justification, higher-level approval, and better documentation.
This does not create new hunting or fishing rights or eliminate conservation safeguards. It does, however, flip the starting assumption. Hunting and fishing would be treated as a default use of federal lands, not an exception.
What land does it a pply to? The order would apply to areas controlled by the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Bureau of Reclamation. Some units within the National Park Service that already permit hunting would also fall under the framework.
What land is excluded? Areas closed to hunting by statute would remain closed. Lands managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs would not be affected. READ MORE
BOISE, Idaho — Winter riders looking to hit the snow at Pilot Peak and Mores Creek Summit in Boise County should avoid the area due to poor snow conditions and downed trees.
Boise County Grooming 8A, a group that maintains snowmobile trails and winter parking lots, said it was astonished by how many trees had fallen in the area Thursday.
Boise County officials said even if it gets good snowfall, the area will be challenging to groom, as “[they] are going to need a lot of snow to be able to groom over and around this huge mess.”
“In the 39 years of riding Mores Creek area I have never seen anything close to what we seen today,” Boise County Grooming 8A said.
The Boise County Sheriff’s Office said riders should avoid the area for safety concerns due to a 3-foot snow base. Mores Creek Summit is recommended for expert riders, and the approximate Thursday’s snow base is 0 feet. LINK TO STORY
Union representatives for U.S. Forest Service workers in the Sawtooth and Salmon-Challis national forests are echoing some conclusions stated in an internal Forest Service trails report recently obtained and published by The Washington Post describing widespread public and employee dissatisfaction with trails on federally-managed public lands.
The internal report, published on Tuesday, Dec. 16, stated that services and public satisfaction in national forests across the U.S. will “continue to decline in 2026 and beyond without direction to prioritize investments in recreation generally and the trails program specifically.”
The report also stated that some districts across the country have lost up to 100% of their trails staff and “hundreds of years of trail expertise.” It stated that Forest Service staff are experiencing stress and burnout.
BOISEDEV ICYMI 2025
In Case You Missed It: Some of our best stories of the year
A company owned by Texas billionaires Dan and Faris Wilks is selling 73 ranch sites carved from about 2,000 acres south of Cascade.
Plans for Legacy Creek Ranch, as dubbed by DF Development, look like subdivisions across Valley County, but are not subject to the same rules and review process because the ranch sites were created by a series of lot line adjustments and original parcel splits.
That, Valley County Planning and Zoning Administrator Cynda Herrick said, is the difference between selling raw land and being required to follow the county’s subdivision laws.
“I’ve been talking with (DF) and they understand that this isn’t the preferred method,” Herrick told Valley Lookout. “But it’s what they’re entitled to by law.”
The method used by DF enables Legacy Creek Ranch to avoid the county’s subdivision requirements, which include plans for drainage, irrigation, drinking water, septic systems, utilities, and streets.
It also means that the company is not required to create a fire protection plan covering things like water supply, emergency access, and vegetation management.
The plan also avoids review by the Valley County Planning and Zoning Commission, as well as several state agencies, including the Idaho Transportation Department, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, and the Idaho Department of Water Resources. READ MORE
Volunteers clear nearly 500 fallen trees from Forest Service roads | Coeur d’Alene Press https://share.google/6dS7zogwVPNW5DTuF
Volunteers assess road conditions in the Fernan Hill area following last week’s high winds. Volunteers removed nearly 500 fallen trees from area Forest Service Roads over the weekend.
It’s not just snowmobilers that recreate on North Idaho’s National Forest land, said Back Country ATV and UTV Association President Bret Uhlich.
Hikers, cross-country skiers and even sled dog teams take advantage of the groomed backroads and trails that make winter recreation accessible.
“We all love the backcountry,” Uhlich said.
It was this love for the backcountry that united 75 volunteers Saturday, enough manpower to clear nearly 500 fallen trees along Bunco Road, Fernan and the Fourth of July Pass.
Most volunteers were members of local organizations, including the Back Country ATV and UTV Association, the Coeur d’Alene Snowmobile Club and multiple Jeep clubs.
“Calls for action” were issued last week after high winds tore through North Idaho, downing trees, damaging infrastructure and resulting in one death.
One member of the Snowmobile Club had driven up into the Fernan Saddle area Wednesday to assess the road conditions and found trees nearly 2 feet in diameter toppled across the dirt road.
The club member was able to clear a quarter mile of the roadway by himself.
“Progress is possible, but it is slow, hard work,” the Snowmobile Club shared to social media Dec. 18.
With volunteers split into nine teams, several dozen miles of roadway were cleared of downed trees and other debris.
Cutting and moving the downed trees out of the roadways will save groomers both time and resources once the area receives significant snowfall, said Coeur d’Alene Snowmobile Club President Steven Cox.
The work will also allow outdoor enthusiasts to access the trails earlier in the season.
“I figured we should use the brief window we have before it started to snow,” Cox said.
These efforts underscored the importance of organizations like the Snowmobile Club, he added.
“This shows exactly what the need for this club is,” Cox said. “It was really good to see how many people came together to do this.”
And though there’s still plenty more work left to do, time and weather will determine whether crews can safely get back out there.
“There’s more to go, but unfortunately it’s a little dicey out there,” Uhlich said.
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- Streamlined Permitting: Makes it easier for outfitters, guides, and nonprofits to operate on public lands.
- Improved Access: Creates new bike trails, modernizes campgrounds, and helps underserved communities get parks and green spaces.
- Economic Support: Benefits local economies, especially in rural areas, by supporting recreation businesses and infrastructure.
- Modernization: Updates technology and processes for visitor experiences, like online passes and better data.
- Inclusivity: Includes provisions for adaptive trails for veterans and people with disabilities (like the Military & Veterans in Parks Act).
- Expanded Opportunities: Supports activities like shooting ranges, climbing, and camping.
- Comprehensive: A package of multiple recreation-focused bills rolled into one.
- Bipartisan: Passed with broad support in Congress.
- Sustainable: Aims to grow the outdoor economy without harming natural resources, preventing degradation at busy sites.
Bipartisan legislators in the House this week co-authored a bill to outlaw the intentional use of snowmobiles and other motorized vehicles to ram and crush coyotes, wolves, and other animals on federal land.
The Snowmobiles Aren’t Weapons (SAW) Act would “close a glaring gap in federal wildlife protections,” according to the conservation group, Animal Wellness Action.
While several states prohibit hunting wildlife “from motor vehicles,” most states, not including Minnesota, Oregon, and Colorado, do not explicitly outlaw ramming or running over animals with a motorized vehicle on federal land.
“At a time when the House is taking up problematic legislation to remove federal protections for gray wolves from the Endangered Species Act, it’s more important than ever to stand up for responsible stewardship of our public lands and wildlife,” said Rep. Val Hoyle, D-Ore. “This bipartisan legislation shows we can work through thoughtful policy debates on conservation and wildlife management without condoning cruel and dangerous practices that threaten animals and public safety.”
The bill was co-sponsored by Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., and Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa.
After receiving a lot of flak
Hey Folks,
I’m reaching out to highlight our appreciation for your time and energy in working with the Boise National Forest and our north zone (Cascade, Emmett and Lowman District) trails program.
I’m currently applying for trail grant funding to pay for crews to do work on motorized and non-motorized trials in 2027 and 2028. The reason for this timeline is that I learn whether we are awarded the grant in early summer 2026 and can’t receive funding until the fall of 2026, therefore I use that funding to pay for crew time the following year.
I have attached a draft of our current trail grant; I also send a draft of the grant to the IDPR committee that oversees the awarding of RTP grants.
What I need from your organization if you haven’t already submitted it: Volunteer hours for the 2025 field season. I have attached a volunteer report form, but you can also use a different format, number of volunteers number of hours (8 is the minimum for a day) and where are really helpful. What I need if your group would like to support the Boise NF in it’s grant request for 2026. A letter of support.
I use volunteer hours to make up the %5 non-federal match. Currently IDPR lists that value at $7.25 an hour for the RTP grant. I have made a request to update that amount to match the actual value that volunteers contribute, so hopefully that will change at some point. The letter of support needs to list the number of volunteer hours a group is willing to support us doing trail work during the years we will have the grant. The letter must explicitly state the number of hours, as per IDPR policy. I generally use the previous year’s volunteer hours or take an average. I am happy to help sort out hours and draft a letter or provide examples if needed. If you don’t want to state you will help with hours, just a note that you support the grant is also helpful.
Second, please let me know if there is a time when I could attend a club meeting in January, February or March and what date, time and location the meeting would occur and I can give an update on 2025 trail work and future planning.
Again, thank you so much for the support and help, we covered a lot of ground in 2025 and addressed lots of post fire impacts with help from so many partners. We certainly couldn’t do the work without you.
READ FULL STORY: Horseback Ride Fall – 2025
READ FULL STORY: Hiker Rescued From Quicksand
Idaho State Department of Agriculture urges pause on horse events after out-of-state EHV-1 outbreak
Idaho State Department of Agriculture officials are urging horse owners and event organizers to hit pause on upcoming equine events and avoid transporting horses for now, after multiple cases of Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 (EHV-1) were confirmed in horses that attended recent competitions in Texas and Oklahoma.
There are no confirmed EHV-1 cases in Idaho at this time, according to the ISDA. But because the virus can spread easily and can be deadly, the Idaho State Veterinarian is strongly recommending a temporary halt to hauling horses.
EHV-1 affects horses’ respiratory and neurological systems. It spreads through direct horse-to-horse contact, shared airspace, contaminated clothing, and other surfaces. Symptoms include fever, nasal discharge, coughing, lethargy, or neurological symptoms such as stumbling, incoordination, loss of tail tone, and hind-limb weakness.
EHV-1 cases have been reported in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. Idaho horse owners who attended or were near those competitions are asked to contact the Idaho State Veterinarian. Exposed horses should quarantine for 21 days and be monitored for symptoms. This virus is not transmissible to humans.
While the state continues navigating budget holdbacks and revenue shortfalls, the balance of Idaho’s wildfire suppression fund is expected to drop to $15 million after closing the books on the 2025 wildfire season, state officials said Tuesday. Idaho’s expenses for the 2025 wildfire season netted about $40.6 million, Idaho Department of Lands Director Dustin Miller said during Tuesday’s meeting of the Idaho State Board of Land Commissioners, which is frequently referred to as simply the Land Board. Miller told the Land Board that Idaho incurred about $59.3 million in expenses as of Nov. 3, but the state expects to recoup about $18.6 million through reimbursement agreements and partnerships – resulting in a net total of about $40.6 million.
Miller estimated that leaves the state’s wildfire suppression fund with a balance of about $15 million heading into the 2026 wildfire season.
That amount of money is likely not enough to pay wildfire bills in 2026. Miller estimated that the state will be on the hook for almost $5 million next year in fixed costs at the beginning of the season before the first fire even starts. Idaho Gov. Brad Little said costs could be well over $10 million when the cost of contracting for helicopters, crews and other equipment are added – all before fighting a single wildfire.
That means state officials could have to find additional money to fight wildfires at a time when all state agencies – other than the K-12 public school system – are navigating mandatory budget holdbacks of 3% and the state budget is projected to end the current fiscal year with a budget deficit estimated at $58.3 million, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported. As state revenues come in below projections, the Idaho Legislature’s powerful budget-setting committee, the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, or JFAC, has signaled that next year’s budgets will be tight, and legislators will generally focus more on trimming budgets rather than approving new budget expenses to avoid running a budget deficit, the Sun previously reported.
Idaho governor said he doesn’t want state going into debt fighting wildfires
Little has favored pre-funding the state’s wildfire suppression fund to make sure money is available upfront, ensure firefighting operations are not shortchanged or interrupted and to avoid going into debt fighting wildfires.
“Backing the Fire Suppression Deficiency Fund means Idaho’s wildland firefighters can focus on aggressively protecting timber, lands, property and people without funding delays, and lawmakers can enter next year’s budgeting cycle without a deficit due to wildfire suppression,” Little and the Land Board members wrote in a Feb. 18 letter to JFAC. At the beginning of the 2025 legislative session, Little requested $60 million to build up the wildfire suppression fund, but the Idaho Legislature agreed to provide $40 million. With the balance of the wildfire fund now dropping to $15 million, Little said Tuesday he is trying to decide how much funding he needs to request to be prepared to fight wildfires in 2026 so the state does not have to use deficiency warrants to pay the bills. Little and other state officials have compared the deficiency warrant process to running up credit card debit to pay for essential state services.
“By the time you contract for helicopters and the airplanes and the crews and everything, it’s well over $10 million,” Little said Tuesday. “I’m just trying to figure out what the budget request needs to be so we don’t have to do deficiency warrants.”
Compared to the more severe 2024 wildfire season, Idaho’s wildfire costs were lower this year at an estimated $40.6 million. In 2024, Idaho’s wildfire costs were about $58 million, the Sun previously reported.
The Land Board is made up of Little, Secretary of State Phil McGrane, Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador, Idaho State Controller Brandon Woolf and Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield. The Land Board provides direction to the Idaho Department of Lands, which is responsible for fighting wildfires on state land.
The Idaho Legislature will set the fiscal year 2027 budget for the Idaho Department of Lands during the 2026 legislative session, which begins Jan. 12 at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise.
Idaho’s Large Tracts Program
For many Idaho hunters, some of the best days in the field happen on private timber ground – chasing elk through foggy draws or hiking into a quiet clear-cut for deer at first light. Part of what makes that possible is the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s Large Tracts Program.
This program is a partnership between Fish and Game and private timber companies that keeps large sections of private forestland open for public use. These are working timberlands – owned and managed for logging – but thanks to these agreements, hunters, anglers, and other recreationists can still enjoy access without needing special permission or paying a trespass fee. In return for allowing access, IDFG compensates enrolled landowners (at a much lower rate than they could get by leasing it exclusively to individuals) and conservation officers are able to enforce regulations and restrictions such as game laws and motor vehicle violations.
Most of these enrolled lands are found in north and north-central Idaho, home to some great whitetail, elk, bear, and turkey habitat. The rules are pretty straightforward, but every year, a few bad choices – driving around a gate, cutting firewood without permission, ignoring closures – risk leaving a negative impression of hunters on the landscape. These lands are private, and access is never guaranteed – especially if abuse or damage becomes a significant enough problem.
Following these rules is more important than ever in times of change. Since May of 2019, PotlatchDeltic – the largest landowner enrolled in the Large Tracts Program – has allowed public access to 567,002 acres of their land. But just recently a merger has been announced between Potlatch and the Florida based company Rayonier to become the second-largest publicly traded wood commodities company in North America.
While there are many questions that are waiting to be answered, including the new name of the merged companies, one thing is for certain – we want the Large Tracts Programs looked at in a positive light to ensure these properties are able to be accessed by all, not leased to individuals or through paid permit system like much of the private timber ground in western Oregon and Washington.
Programs like this only work when we hold up our end of the deal. Respecting restrictions, packing out what we pack in, and reporting violations when we see them are small actions that make a big difference. They show landowners that Idaho hunters value the opportunity they provide.
The Large Tracts Program is proof that access and private property rights can coexist – when there’s trust and cooperation. So this season, as you head into your favorite patch of timber, remember: these lands aren’t ours, but the privilege to use them is. Let’s do our part to keep them open for Idaho hunters.
Heads up, deer hunters – EHD is affecting parts of the Clearwater. region Get the latest details and heat map from Idaho Fish and Game. LINK TO MORE INFORMATION
Wildfire has taken a toll on wildlife habitat in the Boise Foothills – but you can help restore it. This Saturday, join the Idaho Wildlife Federation, youth leaders from the community, and Idaho Fish & Game for a hands-on volunteer restoration day.
We’ll be planting Idaho native shrubs and grasses to stabilize soil, prevent invasive weeds, and improve habitat for mule deer, upland birds, and pollinators.
Join youth leaders, Idaho Wildlife Federation, and Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game to restore an area of the Boise Foothills that was burned during recent wildfire. We will be putting native plants in the ground and learning about our local ecosystem.
Please meet HERE at the Homestead Trailhead (3210 S Council Spring Rd) in Barber Valley. Turn onto Council Springs Road from Warm Springs. Park in the dirt area at the end of the road.
Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and walking shoes. If you have accessibility concerns please reach out to us at climateaction@cityofboise.org. Please bring a water bottle. We will provide shovels and gloves.
Harriman Trail System Assessment
Existing Conditions Assessment
TRAIL MANAGEMENT PLANNING PROJECT
FHSP November Open House Invite Flyer
Existing Conditions Assessment Open House:
The Friends of Harriman State Park (FHSP) is hosting two open houses on Monday, November 10, to update the public on its ongoing trail planning project for the park.
CRO Planning and Design was retained by FHSP in September 2024 to conduct a 21-month research project that will culminate in a new Trails Management Plan for the park.
The consulting firm has now completed an “Existing Conditions Assessment” that describes current trail conditions, critical wildlife habitat, and perspectives from both winter and summer trail users.
New trail maps are featured that geolocate areas of highest use and conflict as well as unauthorized, user-defined trails.
Specific recommendations for future trail design, use and maintenance will be derived from Assessment findings, so agency and public input is critical at this stage. Project partners include:
- Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation
- Idaho Department of Fish and Game
- Caribou-Targhee National Forest
How to Participate in the Open House
We welcome anyone interested to attend the following open house events taking place on Monday, November 10:
- Island Park: 12-2 p.m. @ the Fremont County EMS Building (4395 County Circle, Island Park, ID) (Google Maps Directions )
- Idaho Falls: 6-8 p.m. @ the Centennial Conference Room of the IDFG/IDPR Regional Office (4279 Commerce Circle, Idaho Falls, ID) (Google Maps Directions )
We are excited to share information and hear your perspectives about the project’s existing conditions assessment, a robust data collection process to gain insights on current physical, managerial, ecological, and visitor use conditions related to Harriman’s trails. These will be drop-in events, so feel free to visit any time during the two-hour periods. Opportunities for feedback about Harriman’s trails and the project will be available at this event.
Click here to RSVP to the open house events!
What if I Cannot Attend the Open Houses?
If you cannot attend the open house, we encourage you to view the virtual open house website, which will share the same information and opportunities for feedback as the in-person open house. Virtual open house materials will be available starting Monday, November 10, and will remain open until December 1.
Friends of Harriman State Park Grant Updates:
To help with future trail rehabilitation, the Friends of Harriman State Park intends to apply for FY2027 grants under these two funding programs administered by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation:
Recreational Trails Program (federal)
Mountain Bike Plate Fund (state)
Thank you and have a great weekend,
Brett Rannow, MS (he/him/his)
Associate Planner
715.204.6876
In the face of mounting legal challenges, the corporate backers of a gold and antimony mine in Central Idaho hosted state and federal dignitaries Friday at the remote site to celebrate recent approvals that have advanced the multibillion-dollar venture — which is at least another three years from operations.
The occasion, labeled a “ribbon cutting” by Perpetua Resources, the mining company behind the large-scale project, was more than eight years in the making. The U.S. Forest Service took that length of time before giving its blessing for the open-pit mine in the Payette National Forest mountains east of McCall — a point of frustration about such permits for Idaho’s federal lawmakers, who have all fully endorsed the project. Perpetua earned federal approval in January to reopen the abandoned site near the community of Yellow Pine, which has been mined off and on dating to the late 19th century. The publicly-traded Canadian gold mining firm, now with its headquarters in Boise, spent handsomely to push what it called the Stibnite Gold Project through the demanding environmental review process. “After eight years of extensive permitting review and over $400 million invested, it is finally time for the Stibnite Gold Project to deliver for America,” Jon Cherry, Perpetua’s president and CEO, said in a news release. “A united vision to produce critical resources urgently needed for national security and to restore an abandoned site, along with the feedback from our communities, have guided us to this monumental milestone.”
At the ceremony Friday, Cherry and other speakers promoted the mine’s importance in delivering the most shovel-ready domestic reserve of antimony in the U.S., including for its use in national defense, the company said in a report of the event. The critical mineral is needed for munitions, including missiles, some nuclear weaponry and other military equipment like night-vision goggles. “This mine offers a secure, reliable, domestic resource for military-grade antimony sulfide and is aligned with the Army’s ongoing ‘Ground-to-Round’ assured munitions strategy for establishing a complete domestic supply chain — from raw material access to material processing to ammunition production — as we modernize and fortify the ‘Arsenal of Democracy,’ ” U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John Reim told attendees. Antimony also is used in clean-energy technologies, including liquid-metal batteries, and for purifying glass in solar panels.
Perpetua also announced Friday that it obtained the Forest Service’s permission to begin initial construction in the near future, contingent on securing project financing. That’s expected to be in place “in the coming weeks,” the news release said. But lawsuits cloud the current mining plan and timeline, which envisions about 15 years of operations. Years more would then be spent cleaning up the site, including restoration of historical habitat where salmon spawn along the Salmon River. Perpetua has reported spending more than $20 million already to improve water quality and clean up legacy waste from past mining at the site.
The Nez Perce Tribe holds exclusive treaty rights to fish, hunt and gather on the land where the mine is planned. The tribe’s original agreement is from 1855 — predating both the U.S. Mining Law of 1872 and Idaho statehood in 1890. Last month, the Nez Perce sued in federal court to overturn the Forest Service’s decision to grant final approval to Perpetua. The mine would restrict access to its tribal members, on top of creating heightened risks of mine runoff entering into the headwaters and decreasing dwindling fish populations, according to the lawsuit. “The Forest Service dismissed our requests to consider alternative approaches that would avoid and minimize harm to our treaty rights and life sources and instead adopted Perpetua’s goals and interests for the mine,” Shannon Wheeler, the Nez Perce’s tribal chair, said last month in a statement. “We are filing suit to force the Forest Service to address the mine’s enormous and long-term degradation and destruction to our treaty life sources, and to honor our reserved right to fully and freely exercise our treaty fishing, hunting, and gathering rights as the U.S. government promised over 170 years ago.” Earlier this year, several conservation groups sued in federal court over their own environmental worries from Perpetua’s proposal to mine the old site in a rugged part of Valley County. The lawsuit cited concerns that the project would use toxic chemicals to extract gold, which could harm sensitive ecosystems and salmon near the border of the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness.
Perpetua has signed on as a defendant in both lawsuits, which are in their early stages. State permits pending The mine still requires two more state water quality permits in order to proceed, and also has a state air quality permit tied up in litigation. On Thursday, an Ada County judge sided with the environmental nonprofits the Idaho Conservation League and Save the South Fork Salmon in a lawsuit against the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality for its approval of that permit. The state agency sought to dismiss the legal claim on procedural grounds, but now the suit is scheduled to play out this fall. Anna Marron, spokesperson for the Department of Environmental Quality, declined to comment Friday, citing active litigation.
Perpetua anticipates the mine would create nearly 1,000 jobs during construction and more than half that total for operations. Idaho Gov. Brad Little, who attended Friday’s event, offered his support for the enterprise. “Idaho is proud to celebrate this milestone with Perpetua Resources and showcase the ways we are moving forward valuable projects that create hundreds of good-paying jobs that support Idaho’s rural economy,” Little said. “These jobs will allow Idaho’s young people to build rewarding careers right here in the communities of the west-central mountains.”
Preliminary construction, including road and power upgrades, is expected to get underway next month, Cherry told the Valley Lookout. Controlling shareholder: ‘A dream come true’ Friday’s ceremony drew skepticism from opponents of the mine, given that much remains to be resolved — including in the courts — for the project to move forward and begin digging. “There appears to be an element of theater involved,” Will Tiedemann with the Idaho Conservation League told the Idaho Statesman. “So as much as Perpetua does, this ribbon-cutting seems to be heavily influenced by marketing and appearance than the actual construction and permitting factors of starting construction — and when.” Perpetua said it intends for mining to get underway by 2029.
If that happens, the bulk of the 148 million pounds of antimony at the site would be prioritized during the initial years of operations, the company said. That amount is expected to supply only about a third of annual U.S. demand for six years, with the highest-grade material reserved for the military. The vast majority of profits from the mine, however, would come from its 4.8 million ounces of gold. A company-funded independent study from 2012 estimated about 93% of the project’s value derived from gold, while nearly 7% came from antimony and less than 1% from some silver at the site. Antimony would be produced as a byproduct from the excavation process, Cherry has acknowledged, in the company’s primary pursuit: building and operating a gold mine. In an investor call in June, the company’s controlling shareholder, billionaire hedge fund manager John Paulson, talked about the project exclusively in terms of gold. “
This almost is like a dream come true for us,” he said of the mine’s approvals toward possible operations. “But beyond the current mine plan, we think there is a lot of exploration potential in this site.” Today, with gold prices soaring to all-time highs, the site’s deposit is projected at nearly $18 billion. Antimony also has hovered at record prices this year, with current values placing the mine’s reserve at about $3 billion. To build and operate the mine project was estimated in 2020 to cost $1.3 billion. More recently, Perpetua applied for $2 billion in debt financing from the Export-Import Bank of the U.S., an independent executive branch agency. Perpetua expects its loan application to receive final bank review by spring 2026.
Read more at: https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/environment/article312145226.html#storylink=cpy
LAPWAI – Today, the Nez Perce Tribe filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Idaho, challenging the U.S. Forest Service’s final Record of Decision approving Perpetua Resources Corp.’s (“Perpetua”) Stibnite Gold Project (“Mine”), a massive open pit gold mine in the headwaters of Idaho’s South Fork Salmon River in Idaho. The Mine sits within the Nez Perce Tribe’s homeland, where the Tribe reserved in treaties with the United States its sovereign rights to fish, hunt, gather, pasture, and travel.
The Forest Service’s decision authorizes Perpetua to mine three open pits, establish ore processing facilities, build roads and transmission lines, and impound over 400 acres of the Meadow Creek valley with 120 million tons of mine tailings, inundating spawning and rearing habitat for native fish. The Mine will clear thousands of acres of vegetation, destroy hundreds of acres of wetlands, generate billions of pounds of waste, destroy fish and wildlife habitat, and impair surface water and groundwater regimes well past the life of the mine.
According to the Forest Service’s own final environmental analysis, the Mine will cause significant and long-term impacts to the Tribe’s treaty rights and resources. Operations will require diverting the East Fork South Fork Salmon River, a Nez Perce usual and accustomed fishing place, into a tunnel for over a decade, as well as restricting Tribal members from accessing the area for fishing, hunting, and gathering.
Before Perpetua’s predecessor companies began acquiring interests in the Mine in 2008, the Tribe had secured funding to restore legacy mining impacts on fish passage at the site. The Tribe’s Department of Fisheries Resources Management still currently spends approximately $2.8 million annually to restore Chinook salmon, steelhead, and bull trout populations and habitat in the South Fork Salmon River watershed.
“Our treaty-reserved rights are the supreme law of the land and fundamental to the culture, identity, economy, and sovereignty of the Nez Perce people,” said Shannon F. Wheeler, Chairman of the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee. “For nearly a decade, the Tribe has consistently and exhaustively voiced our deep concerns to the Forest Service about the Mine’s threats to our Treaty rights upon which our culture and way of life depend and which jeopardize our ability to transfer our knowledge and customs unique to this area to our children.”
“The Forest Service dismissed our requests to consider alternative approaches that would avoid and minimize harm to our Treaty rights and life sources and instead adopted Perpetua’s goals and interests for the Mine,” Chairman Wheeler said. “We are filing suit to force the Forest Service to address the Mine’s enormous and long-term degradation and destruction to our Treaty life sources, and to honor our reserved right to fully and freely exercise our Treaty fishing, hunting, and gathering rights as the U.S. Government promised over 170 years ago.”
Anna Daly writes: When thinking about outdoor activities to do in and around the Treasure Valley, horseback riding might not be the first to come to mind.
However, there are several ranches within an hour driving distance from Boise that offer horseback trail rides for people of most ages and abilities.
Whether it’s your first time riding or you’re a seasoned rider, horseback riding is a great way to connect with nature and enjoy the scenic views Idaho has to offer.
All of the ranches below have age, weight, clothing requirements, and additional guidelines, so it’s important to check those out before you go.
Flowing Springs Ranch: Located in Robbie Creek, which is about a 45-minute drive from downtown Boise, Flowing Springs Ranch offers trail rides all year long on its 4,000 acres of land. Horseback riding starts at $75/hour per person. The ranch also offers half-day and full-day adventures. For more information and to book a ride, head to Flowing Spring’s website.
Lazy R Ranch: About an hour drive from Boise, along Highway 55, sits the Lazy R Ranch. Near Banks, the 4th-generation working cattle ranch is located in the Dry Buck Valley. Whether you’re a novice, experienced, or in between, a guide will match you with one of their trail horses. Lazy R Ranch offers rides Thursday through Saturday, with 90-minute rides starting at $99. Reservations can be made on the ranch’s website.
Yahoo Corals: This one is a farther drive from Boise, but it is close if you’re in Valley County. Yahoo Corals, located a few miles from downtown McCall, takes riders on trails through the Payette National Forest. Reservations need to be made 3-5 days in advance, with 90-minute trail rides starting at $75. For more information and how to book, head to Yahoo Coral’s website.
Dana and Karen Bailey are members of the Heartland Chapter of BCHI.
Dana has been assisting with sawyer training for the last 3 year as a sawyer coach.
Please welcome Giovanni Lopez from the Dixie National Forest as our new USFS R4 Crosscut Coordinator. Gio has a strong wilderness background working with both the Montana Conservation Corps (MCC) and the US Forest Service. His previous work history with the MCC had him stationed on the Flathead National Forest working within the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. After MCC, Gio has worked in a variety of locations with the USFS such as the Swan Lake Ranger District on the Flathead NF, the Lolo NF, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie in R-6, the Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF, and now in his current position on the Dixie National Forest in southern Utah.
Gio has a passion for wilderness skills and developing the skillsets of others as a crosscut instructor and C-Sawyer Evaluator. He is excited for the opportunity to continue building the Regional Crosscut program and working with our Forest Service sawyers and partners in the use of primitive skills/tools.
Gio will be replacing Patrick Brown from the Payette National Forest. Huge “Thank You” to Patrick as he was in this role for approximately 15 years. Patrick will still stay involved in the saw program when he is able, and we sure appreciate his dedication and passion building this program.
If you want to reach out to Giovanni, his email is Giovanni.lopez@usda.gov. Thank you Gio for taking on this collateral role within the R4 Saw Program!