The deer herd that resides within McCall’s city limits is once again up for discussion.
Idaho Fish and Game gave a presentation to McCall City Council, warning that the deer problem could get worse.
Through surveys done over the winter, Fish and Game now estimate the in-town deer population to be at least 258. It was noted that there is a high fawn-to-doe ratio, meaning the herd is growing.
“We learned that we have a minimum of 258 deer living in town during winter. We observed that they’re quite habituated to people,” Regan Berkley of Fish and Game said. “…We saw a very high fawn to doe a ratio… But the essence of what that means is this is a growing deer herd. The fawn-doe ratio that we observed here in town is nearly twice what we usually see at that same time in winter range on our natural herds.”
Fish and Game has recently taken 40-plus calls from people reporting dead/injured deer. Berkley said this number is likely higher as the McCall Police Department is also receiving reports.
The problem & past measures
There was a trapping effort in late January in Cascade led by Fish and Game. It was stopped after 75% of the 20 captured deer had exotic lice. Berkley said there is “no reasonable medication or treatment” for this.
“Those had exotic lice and had to be euthanized. We did not go into that as a euthanasia effort. We went into it with the hopes that we would be able to translocate most of the deer that we laid hands on. That turned out not to be the case,” Berkley said. “We stopped trapping after two days to regroup.”
There have been two cases of exotic lice found in McCall deer – this prevents relocation to winter range. In addition to spreading lice, there is also concern about the growing mountain lion population from the influx of deer.
Fish and Game have received over 50 reports of mountain lions since mid-January, most of which have been spotted around Rio Vista Boulevard and Spring Mountain Ranch.
“It is not atypical for us to have some reports of mountain lions in town any given winter we get a couple here or there. This winter has been remarkable,” Berkley said.
More issues that come from feeding include deer getting trapped in things like hammocks and Christmas lights, and aggressive deer.
“Although not exclusively, it is mama deer that likely have a fawn stashed nearby that no one can see because that’s how they deal with their fawn….then when someone comes walking along unwittingly with their dog, we get reports of dogs being threatened and or actually stomped by deer nearly every year,” Berkley said. “…We do occasionally have deer actually being threatening towards people – not letting people get in their front door and that sort of thing.”
Trail Head Project – Pettit Lake – Stanley Basin Saturday & Sunday June 24-25, 2023
The Tin Cup Corrals Project is being lead by the USFS and involves multiple volunteer groups
with the plan to upgrade this trail head for horse camping and stock use.
Prime access to the Sawtooth’s.
More information about the project comming soon!
Past Pictures 2022 2019
Contact: Lisa Griffith 208-571-1054 projects@sbbchidaho.org
Getting ready for the project: (GRANT)
Dear Lisa,
I am pleased to inform you that the Sawtooth National Recreation Area License Plate Fund (Goat Plate Program) grant application that you submitted for 4Q2022 was approved. These funds are specifically dedicated for the construction and installation of two new corrals adjacent to the Tin Cup Trailhead in the SNRA. Please send your invoice to Kathryn Grohusky, Executive Director, at P.O. Box 820, Hailey, ID 83333 or to Kathryn@sawtoothsociety.org, and she will mail the check to you directly.
Just a reminder that at six months or midway through the grant (whichever is sooner) following award of your grant, you will submit an email status report. It should be emailed to the Society at grants@sawtoothsociety.org. The report should describe briefly what has been accomplished and how much grant money has been spent, and it should advise of the estimated completion date for the project.
Also, upon completion of the project, you will email a status report to the Society. The report should describe what was accomplished and how much grant money was spent (including copies of paid invoices), and it should indicate what, if any, financial assistance was received from other funding sources. Absent Society written approval otherwise, unused grant monies shall be returned at this time. Additionally, we would appreciate knowing how the Society was recognized.
The Sawtooth Society is pleased to partner with the Sawtooth Ski Club in helping to serve recreationists in the SNRA. Thank you for submitting the grant application and for working with the Sawtooth Society to preserve, protect, and enhance the SNRA.
Again, congratulations and all best regards,
Debra LaMorte, Chair, Sawtooth Society LPF Grants Committee
Purchasing Material & start Fabrication
Bart Baer building gates
READ REPORT: 2022Annual-Report-PUG
Since the inception of the Sportsmen Show, BHCI chapters “Boise, Squaw Butte & Treasure Valley” have had an information booth next to the USFS booth where we provide information about the organization and the need for volunteers to assist with the stewardship of trails on public lands in Idaho. With BCHI increasing partnership with the Idaho Trails Association in the last decade they joined the booth in 2018. Covid impacted this show over the last couple of year, with 2023 being the first year that the show was back to full size with the attendance of the past.
Thank you to all the chapter and ITA members who took time to staff our booth and talk to the public that showed an interest in our organizations and our Mission!
Animated Ski Short Classic: It’s Time to Watch ‘Hors Piste’ If You Haven’t Already
The animated short ‘Hors Piste’ is like a Pixar short crossed with a harrowing search-and-rescue story. It’s funny, cringe-worthy, unexpected, and a hilarious take on a ski trip gone wrong.
Hello everyone,
This is Ryan Ghelfi. I am the new executive director for the Selway-Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation. My wife and I along with our two children relocated to McCall Idaho from Ashland Oregon this past month.
Here is a short primer on my background. I have owned and operated a few different small businesses over the past seven years all in the outdoor recreation space. I’ve also spent a lot of time as a multi-day outdoor guide for mountaineering, backcountry skiing, and backpacking organizations in Oregon and California. In addition I have been on the board for Siskiyou Mountain Club, a non profit based in Southern Oregon.
Please feel free to share my contact information with stakeholders who you think should have it. I will continue to work with Sally Ferguson until March 31 2023 to assure a smooth transition. I look forward to working with you and to furthering the shared goal for the stewardship of these great Wilderness lands.
All the best,
Ryan Ghelfi (he/him/his)
Executive Director
Selway-Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation
SW IDAHO OFFICE
PO Box 1886
Boise, ID 83701
(530) 949-4928
Tucked in the mountains of Valley County in a small town just east of Yellow Pine is the Stibnite Mine District. The district was mined for more than 100 years, dating back to 1899 before closing. Now, a proposed project looks to reopen the mine.
Perpetua Resources, formerly Midas Gold, wants to open the mine again with the Stibnite Gold Project to primarily mine for gold and antimony but also some silver. Antimony is commonly used to make bullets and batteries.
According to Perpetua Resources, during World War II, Stibnite Mine District provided 90% of the antimony and 50% of the tungsten for the U.S. The site was mined up until 1996 but has since sat vacant.
After years of project refinement and 10,000 public comments following the Forest Service’s Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement, or SDEIS, Perpetua’s Modified Mine Plan was released to the public.
The Stibnite Gold Project is weighty, encompassing more than 1,700 miles. Perpetua wants to clean up the mining district that has tailings and waste from decades ago and again give the U.S. access to a critical mineral. But opponents say this project would further damage the environment. And Valley County officials are split on whether the mine would help or hurt the area.
READ MORE: SCNF Partnerships Newsletter Feb 2023
READ MORE: SCNF Partnership and Volunteer Program Strategy FY 2023
I am writing to tell you that my wife Nancy passed yesterday afternoon. She had fond memories of all of you and the good times spent in your company.
Robbin Schindele
High Haven House
PO Box 342
Glide, OR 97443
208.365.1789 / robbinschindele@yahoo.com
SEE MORE ABOUT THIS TRAINING: 508-NWTC Mailer 2023
Greetings SBFC members and friends,
It is my privilege to announce the hiring of Ryan Ghelfi as the next Executive Director of the Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation. Ryan brings with him a lifelong passion for all things Wilderness. Ryan has a degree in Business Administration/Accounting from Southern Oregon University. In his resume, Ryan describes himself as “an outdoor professional with a wide breadth of experience in the mountains and in business with a lifelong passion for Wilderness, trails, and maintaining access to our vast public lands.” When you meet Ryan, you will see why we are so excited to have him leading our team.
Ryan and his family will be moving from Ashland Oregon to McCall, Idaho in February. Ryan and his wife have two children with a third due in April. In Ashland, Ryan owned two Wilderness related businesses and was the treasurer for the Siskiyou Mountain Club. Ryan was a professional long distance runner from 2014-2020. He held speed records for ascents of Half Dome and Mt. Shasta. Please join me in welcoming Ryan into the SBFC community.
Ryan will begin his new position on March 1 after spending time working with outgoing Executive Director, Sally Ferguson, to assure a smooth transition.
Sincerely,
Jim Heidelberger; SBFC Board Chair
NEW SOUTH WALES, Australia — Sometimes you just want McDonald’s ice cream and sometimes you’re a horse.
That was the case for one tiny horse in Australia.
The horse was spotted in the drive-thru at a McDonald’s in New South Wales.
Video taken by human drive-thru customer Donna Bevan showed the horse waiting patiently in the backseat of another car.
She posted the video to TikTok last week.
Bevan told Storyful she first thought the animal was a “huge white dog” until she looked again.
The driver of the other vehicle told Bevan the horse’s name is Rocco.
“He’s excited for his ice cream!” the driver shouted.
Bevan called seeing a horse waiting in a car for McDonald’s soft serve an “unbelievable sight.”
Expo Offers Top Notch Clinicians, Shopping, and Entertainment
The 37th annual Idaho Horse Expo will be held April 7-9, 2023 at the Ford Idaho Horse Park in Nampa, Idaho. If you are a horse lover of any age, you can’t miss this event. The expo features international and local clinicians and trainers.
The featured clinicians are Ty Evans, of Utah and Evan Bonner, of Washington State. Ty Evans is also conducting a one-day clinic on mulemanship prior to the expo on April 6 in the Coverall Arena. The Idaho Horse Expo will also feature clinicians presenting in-hand training, ground training, ranch riding, jumping, classical dressage, and more.
Featured Events
On Friday we’ll have the Breed Showcase where 10 breeds of horses will exhibit a freestyle routine and a short explanation about their breed. Following the Breed Showcase will be a Friday Fiesta Night, highlighting our Spanish Breeds and the Escaramuza Drill Team. Miss Rodeo Idaho and the Royalty Fashion Show will be back by popular demand Saturday afternoon. Meet Miss Rodeo Idaho and many other queens from regional rodeo courts.
Saturday Night Horse Fever on Saturday evening celebrates Idaho horses and riders in musical routines and skits. You’ll see dancing horses and some of the finest horses in the state. Also on Saturday night there will be Dueling Disciplines with a dressage rider and a reiner. Each day in the Main Arena, the expo will feature collegiate teams of three who will demonstrate their skills in starting untrained colts. This is a judged challenge with the top team receiving special recognition.
With over 100 vendors, you can shop to your heart’s content! Stallion Alley will feature a variety of stallions standing in the area, and the Blue Ribbon Private Treaty Horse Sale is back as well. This sale is a great place to sell or buy a horse where the two parties do the bartering, and you can try the horse before you buy.
Kids’ activities are always a hit and there will be a Breyer Stable Mate Horse painting with a model horse show to follow each day. Also for children are stick horse activities, an Easter egg hunt, scavenger hunts, bouncy horses and much more. Remember, children 12 and under get in for free all three days!
An ETS (Equestrian Trail Sports) competition will be held on Saturday and a rodear competition held on Sunday. (A rodear is a timed and scored competition involving a cowboy, his horse, his dog and a cow or two to be driven through an obstacle course.)Sunday will be a special cowboy church service presented by Wade Black. We hope to see you there! For more information visit www.idahohorsecouncil.com. Contact Idaho Horse Council at 208-465-5477 or email idahohorsecouncil@yahoo.com.
Fueled still by an influx of people moving from other states, Idaho was the second-fastest growing state in the country in 2022, with a population that nearly reached 2 million people for the first time in July, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
Compared to the previous estimate in July 2021, Idaho grew by 1.8% to an estimated population of 1,939,033 people in July 2022, census officials said.
As Idaho edged toward the 2 million population mark for the first time, only Florida grew at a faster rate nationally in terms of percentage growth. In 2022, Florida grew by an estimated 1.9% according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Although the latest population figures were released by the U.S. Census Bureau, the numbers are estimates and are different from the results of the official census. The official census takes place every 10 years, with the most recent census taking place in 2020. To obtain the latest population estimates, U.S. Census Bureau officials used data on births, deaths and migration to calculate population changes since the most recent 2020 census.
Results of the official census conducted every 10 years are important for a number of reasons. They determine the allocation of states’ seats in the United States House of Representatives, play a role in calculating the amount of federal funding sent to a state and shape how state legislative and congressional boundaries are drawn and divided during state redistricting procedures.
The annual population estimates, such as the new 2022 figure, give insight into how populations change and shift during the 10 years between the official census.
What caused Idaho’s population to increase?
According to news releases issued by the U.S. Census Bureau and Idaho Department of Labor on Dec. 22 and Dec. 23, Idaho’s net in-migration accounted for the vast majority of Idaho’s growth. A positive net in-migration means that more people moved into the state than moved out over the time period.
In-migration accounted for 88% of Idaho’s growth, while natural changes from births outnumbering deaths accounted for about 11% of Idaho’s growth, census officials said.
Growth isn’t new for the Gem State. In fact, growth appears to be slowing. Census officials said Idaho’s growth between July 2021 and July 2022 dipped below the five-year-average of 2.3% and slowed to 2016 levels. For the first time in five years, Idaho was not the top spot for new residents, census officials said.
Nationally, the United States population grew by .4%, up to 333.2 million people. Regionally, the South and the West were the only two regions of the country to experience growth in 2022, census officials said. The Northeast and Midwest posted population declines from 2021 to 2022, with more people moving out than moving in.
“There was a sizeable uptick in population growth last year compared to the prior year’s historically low increase,” Kristie Wilder, a demographer in the Population Division at the Census Bureau, said in a written statement. “A rebound in net international migration, coupled with the largest year-over-year increase in total births since 2007, is behind this increase.”
Nationally, the top five states in terms of percentage growth were:
- Florida, 1.9%
- Idaho, 1.8%
- South Carolina, 1.7%
- Texas, 1.6%
- South Dakota, 1.5%
The five states with the highest percentages of population decline were:
- New York, -0.9%
- Illinois, -0.8%
- Louisiana, -0.8%
- West Virginia, -0.6%
- Hawaii, -0.5%
In the spring, the U.S. Census Bureau plans to release new population estimates for metro areas, counties and cities.
The Wildest Place, SBFC’s Fall Newsletter, is here!
The newsletter highlights all of our summer wilderness stewardship accomplishments, welcomes new SBFC staff, and more!
Outdoor Conversations is SBFC’s presentation and lecture series focused on different aspects of wilderness and the outdoors.
Join SBFC in conversation with splitboard/river guide and filmmaker Sam Thackeray.
In the Spring of 2021, Brian Peters, Jess Asmussen, and Sam Thackeray set off to traverse the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. Covering a large part of Central Idaho, the Frank Church totals 2.3 Million Acres. As the largest wilderness area in the lower 48, the Frank Church is the definition of remote, and it’s becoming more so. The trio’s plan is to snowboard and ski from East to West across the expanse of the wilderness and experience a place few have ever had the opportunity to see in this way. Over 16 days the crew covers 130 miles and 67,000 vert, finding some amazing descents, maddening travel conditions, and a lot of time to reflect.
Sam and Brian will introduce the short film they made about their experience, screen the film, and take time for questions and answers after the presentation.
Youth Trail Crew
This was ITA’s third season for our Youth Trail Crew program. Volunteers ages 14-18 came out for seven different projects and cleared 22 miles of trails! Seeing teens experience living and working together in a new, challenging environment, growing connections with each other and the land, has been beyond rewarding.
“It’s really given me unforgettable experiences that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.” Daunika, ITA Youth Trail Crew Volunteer
Video premiere! Check out our new video about our Youth Trail Crew program.
Catharine Beverly-Bishop
Recreation Management Specialist
Forest Service
Boise National Forest
catharine.beverly-bishop@usda.gov
1857 HWY 16
Emmett, ID 83617
The 37th annual Idaho Horse Expo will be held April 7-9, 2023 at the Ford Idaho Horse Park in Nampa, Idaho. If you are a horse lover of any age, you can’t miss this event. The Expo features internationally known clinicians as well as local clinicians and trainers.
The featured clinicians are Ty Evans, UT and Evan Bonner, Sultan, WA. Ty Evans is conducting a 1 day clinic on Mulemanship prior to the Expo on April 6 in the Coverall Arena.
Idaho Horse Expo will also feature many local clinicians presenting in-hand training, ground training, Ranch Riding, Jumping, Classical Dressage, etc.
Featured events on Friday, will be the Breed Showcase where 10 breeds of horses will exhibit a freestyle routine and a short explanation about their breed. Following the Breed Showcase will be Friday Fiesta Night, highlighting our Spanish Breeds and the Escaramuza Drill Team.
Back by popular demand will be the Miss Rodeo Idaho and Royalty Fashion Show Saturday afternoon. Meet Miss Rodeo Idaho and many other queens from rodeo courts who are from the region.
Saturday evening will be Saturday Night Horse Fever celebrating Idaho Horses and riders in musical routines and skits. See dancing horses and some of the finest horses in the state. Following Horse Fever, will be Dueling Disciplines with a Dressage Rider and a Reiner.
Each day in the Main Arena, we will feature Collegiate teams of 3 who will demonstrate their skills in starting untrained colts. This is a challenge that will be judged with the top team receiving special recognition.
There will be over a 100 vendors, so you can shop to your heart’s content. For those who want to better their horsemanship, we have clinics by many knowledgeable local horsemen and women.
Blue Ribbon Private Treaty Horse Sale is back!! Great place to sell or buy a horse where the seller and buyer do the bartering and you can try before you buy.
Stallion Alley will feature a variety of stallions standing in the area.
Kids Activities are always a hit and we will have Breyer Stable Mate Horse painting with a model horse show to follow each day. Stick Horse Activities and races. Easter egg hunt and scavenger hunts all three days. Bouncy horses and many more activities for youngsters and remember Kids 12 and under get in FREE all three days!!!
As for competitions, an ETS (Equestrian Trail Sports) competition will be held on Saturday and a Rodear competition held on Sunday. For those who are wondering what this is, it is a timed and scored competition involving a cowboy, his horse, his dog and a cow or couple of cows to be driven through an obstacle course. Sunday will be a Special cowboy church service presented by Wade Black!! Hope to see you there!!! For more information contact Idaho Horse Council at 208-465-5477 or idahohorsecouncil@yahoo.com.
Idaho Horse Council website: www.idahohorsecouncil.com
Idaho Horse Expo website: www.idahohorseexpo.com
Another Amazing Year
This past weekend past member of our chapter John Bush passed away. He was in the Landmark area doing some trail clearing with Joe Williams. When they got back in camp, John mentioned to Joe that he was feeling very tired and needed to sit down. Joe said that John appeared to fall asleep and shortly after stopped breathing and died. John and Jackie were members of our chapter in the early 2000’s. This is Jackie’s contact information: Jackie Bush, 6700 Sage Canyon Way, Star, ID 83669
Star, Idaho – John Michael Bush, 69 years old, of Star, Idaho, passed away on October 15, 2022 in the mountains of the Idaho wilderness that he loved.
Mass of Christian burial will be Saturday, October 29, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Benedict Church in Atchison, Kansas, with Fr. Jeremy Heppler, OSB as celebrant. Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be Friday, Oct. 28, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home.
John was born on December 23, 1952, in Atchison, Kansas, the son of Francis Miller Bush and Mary Elizabeth (Langan) Bush. He graduated from Maur Hill Prep and then the University of Kansas with his B.S. in Electrical Engineering. He remained an avid Jayhawk his entire life. Following graduation, he departed Kansas for Texas and began his long career in semiconductor design working with leading companies in the burgeoning electronics and computer industries. Though his path never led back for more than visits, John was always a steadfast Kansan and son of Atchison.
He and Mary Louise (Jackie) Bush were united in marriage on April 18, 1981, in Leon Springs, Texas.
John was endlessly curious and always testing or investigating new thoughts. Throughout life, he pursued serious interests in photography, horsemanship, outdoorsmanship, woodworking, gardening, skiing, and snorkeling. He had a flair for repairing machinery and electronics, as well as building and renovation, and never failed to share his talents with those around him. John was also a member and past president of the Backcountry Horsemen of Idaho where he led members on trips deep into the mountains and maintained trails used by all entering the backcountry.
He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings, James “Jim” Bush, Robert “Bob” Bush, Charles “Charlie” Bush, Thomas “Tom” Bush and Dorothy Bush.
John is survived by his wife, Mary Bush, of Star, ID; a daughter, Kathryn L. “Katie” and her spouse, Travis Field, of Seattle, WA; a son, James C. and his spouse, Caitlin Bush, of Olympia, WA; his grandson, Samuel M. Bush; four sisters, Elizabeth Adams, Virginia Lefler, Barbara Bush, Mary Lou Weatherford; and one brother, Richard Bush.
John’s Wife Jackie
Pictures provided by Ellen Knapp
Every day, regular people like you lose their hard-earned money to online phishing scams.
Phishing is a type of online scam where criminals make fraudulent emails, phone calls, and texts that appear to come from a legitimate bank. The communication is designed to trick you into entering confidential information (like account numbers, passwords, PINs, or birthdays) into a fake website by clicking on a link, or to tell it to someone imitating your bank on the phone.
Don’t fall for fake. Use these tips from the American Bankers Association to learn how to spot shady texts, emails, and phone calls by knowing the things your bank would never ask.
- Slow down—think before you act. Acting too quickly when you receive phishing email, text messages, or phone calls can result in unintentionally giving scammers access to your bank account — and your money. Scammers want you to feel confused and rushed, which is always a red flag. Banks will never threaten you into responding or use high-pressure tactics.
- Never share personal information. Your bank will never ask for your PIN, password, SSN, or one-time login code in a text, email, or phone call. If you receive a message asking for personal information, it’s a scam.
- Avoid clicking suspicious links. If an email pressures you to click a link — whether it’s to verify your login credentials or make a payment, you can be sure it’s a scam. Banks never ask you to do that.
- Watch for attachments and typos. Your bank will never send attachments like a PDF in an unexpected email or text. Misspellings and poor grammar are also warning signs of a phishing scam.
- Be skeptical. In the same way defensive driving prevents car accidents, always treating incoming email as a potential risk will protect you from scams. Fraudulent emails can appear very convincing, using official language and logos, and even similar URLs.
- Hang up—even if it sounds legit. Whether it’s a scammer impersonating your bank or a real call, stay safe by ending unexpected calls and dialing the number on the back of your bank card instead.
Learn more at BanksNeverAskThat.com, follow #BanksNeverAskThat on social media for quick tips, or check this in-depth guide on how to spot phishing and what to do if you fall prey.
Anna Daly writes: Idaho’s lakes and rivers provide many opportunities for anglers looking to hook something special.
Whether it’s a type of trout or salmon, all have their own unique colors and markings.
However, there is one fish swimming in Idaho’s high-mountain lakes whose beauty stands out from the rest: the Arctic Grayling.
Its sail-like fin that fans out across its back and its vibrant markings make this fish truly a striking catch.
The Arctic Grayling – which is a type of trout – is not native to the state and is a rare find in most places in Idaho. However, they are stocked in several backcountry mountain lakes.
They don’t get very big in Idaho’s cold lakes with the last record fish caught measuring 16.2 inches. According to Idaho Fish and Game, anything over 12 inches is considered a big Arctic Grayling.
To see when and where Idaho Fish and Game has stocked the Arctic Grayling, head to the Idaho Fishing Planner.
In 2020 BCHI assisted Fish & Game in stocking one lake on the western side of the Frank Church
Join us for a Dutch Oven dinner to celebrate National Public Lands Day at the beautiful ranch of ITA supporters Ken and Virginia Greger. Tickets are $12 each and include Dutch Oven lasagna (vegetarian option available), salad, bread, and dessert. After dinner, our host and cook, Ken Greger, will give a llama packing demonstration with his herd. The best part? There will be baby llamas! Come celebrate our public lands and give back to your trails. The number of tickets are limited so get your spot today! Ticket sales will close Friday, September 23.
Doors open 5:00pm, dinner will be served at 5:30pm.
BYOB: Lemonade and water will be available but feel free to bring your own alcoholic drinks if you’d like.
Location: Ken and Virginia Greger’s Ranch, 2011 S. Luker Rd, Kuna, ID 83634
https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/all-official-sq-names
The U.S. Department of Interior’s Board on Geographic Names has voted to approve replacement names for 650 places across the West, including Idaho, that included the slur “sq—.”
The board voted Thursday to approve the replacement names, including 71 places in Idaho, as part of an effort to remove the term from federal use, according to a press release issued by the U.S. Department of Interior. Department officials said the term is used as an offensive ethnic, racist and sexist slur for Indigenous women.
“I feel a deep obligation to use my platform to ensure that our public lands and waters are accessible and welcoming. That starts with removing racist and derogatory names that have graced federal locations for far too long,” Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland said in a written statement. “I am grateful to the members of the Derogatory Geographic Names Task Force and the Board on Geographic Names for their efforts to prioritize this important work. Together, we are showing why representation matters and charting a path for an inclusive America.”
The vote came after the Derogatory Geographic Names Task Force spent months reviewing public comment and recommendations from 70 tribal governments that participated in the process, U.S. Department of Interior officials said. Overall, the task force received more than 1,000 recommendations for name changes, including several different recommendations for some of the same places or features.
The new names are in place effective immediately for federal use, officials said.
In Idaho, the changes included renaming 14 different streams named “Sq— Creek” and giving them new names that include Priest Stream, Chief Eagle Eye Creek, Pia Soko Naokwaide, Yeva Agai Naokwaide and Newe Waippe Naokwaide.
Other examples include replacing the name “Sq— Mountain” for two different mountains, which are now called Willow Spring Mountain and Spring Valley Mountain. Four other mountains named “Sq— Peak” were also renamed Santa Rita Peak, Wheatfield Mountain, Sierra Ancha Peak, and Porcupine Mountain.
The complete list of places with replacement names is available on the U.S. Geographic Survey website.
The Greater Hart-Sheldon region straddles the Oregon-Nevada border and provides essential habitat for pronghorn, as well as hundreds of other sagebrush-dependent plants and animals. In 2016, the region supported more than 8,000 pronghorn. However, populations have declined since then, with the most recent count at 4,313 animals in 2019.
As information newly published by the U.S. Geological Survey highlights, this landscape is critically important to the future of North America’s “prairie ghost.” ONDA used this GIS data to create the map below, which highlights how much of the migration corridor lacks a strong protective status and how many miles of fencing still cross this corridor.
BY: CLARK CORBIN – AUGUST 29, 2022
Idaho public lands and forests are in line to receive $28 million for the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to put toward improvements and upgrades through the first two years of funding from the Great American Outdoors Act.
Enacted in August 2020, the Great American Outdoors Act is a five-year initiative that provides about $1.9 billion per year in federal funding from 2021 to 2025. Funding is split between the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Indian Education for projects across the country.
Public lands managers in Idaho say money allocated through the Great American Outdoors Act couldn’t be coming at a better time.
“The biggest impact from the Great American Outdoors Act, for us, is really the ability to improve recreation sites,” Bureau of Land Management Idaho State Director Karen Kelleher told the Idaho Capital Sun in a telephone interview.
“Idaho’s population is growing, and that was supercharged with COVID when a lot more people moved to Idaho and a lot more people discovered the outdoors,” Kelleher said. “The timing of the Great American Outdoors Act has been really fortuitous. We definitely had a significant backlog of work that needed to be done on recreation sites.”
For the 2021 and 2022 fiscal years, the Bureau of Land Management in Idaho has received a total of $11.4 million from the act, said Serena Baker, the BLM’s deputy state director for communications in Idaho. That money should allow the bureau to tackle 75% of its backlog of deferred maintenance at recreation sites, roads and facilities across Idaho.
“We couldn’t normally fund these projects, but it’s allowing us to do bigger projects,” Rod Collins, a deputy state director for the Bureau of Land Management in Idaho said in a phone interview.
Work in the Treasure Valley and beyond
One of the projects allows the BLM to improve the water, sewer and electrical systems at C.J. Strike Reservoir, a popular fishing destination located in Elmore and Owyhee counties that has produced three state record-breaking fish in recent weeks, Idaho News 6 reported.
The bureau will use about $1.6 million from the Great American Outdoors Act to complete repairs at the boat ramp and boat dock and improve parking at Beehive Bend, a popular recreation spot along the Payette River near the town of Horseshoe Bend. Design of the project is scheduled to begin this fall, with repairs to follow.
Great American Outdoors Act funding will also go to road maintenance, campsite improvements and brush clearing at the Wolf Flats Recreation Area east of Idaho Falls. Wolf Flats is a popular, no-fee spot along the Snake River for fishing and camping.
Bureau of Land Management officials said that having five years of funding in the law allows them to focus on the design and engineering of projects in the first couple of years and move into construction and repairs in the remaining years. Projects were chosen from a database of work orders and condition assessment of sites that were prioritized and submitted to Bureau of Land Management headquarters. The amount of funding available allows officials to focus on replacing pieces of Idaho’s outdoors infrastructure that may have come to the end of their lifespan, like water systems, boat ramps or bridges.
“The public will really enjoy the sites more and be able to enjoy them, and we will be in a position where we can maintain them,” Kelleher said.
The Sun has previously reported on some of the Great American Outdoors Act projects, including improvements and upgrades at the National Interagency Fire Center facility adjacent to the Boise Airport.
Meanwhile, officials with the U.S. Forest Service identified $7.7 million worth of approved projects from 2021 and $9.8 million in requested funding and projects for 2022, according to a U.S. Forest Service overview of Idaho project and Intermountain Region press officer Marshall Thompson.
The largest of the Forest Service’s requested 2022 projects proposes spending almost $3.5 million to reconstruct Forest Service Road 214 on the way to Redfish Lake. Another proposed 2022 project aims to spend $2.2 million to improve six campgrounds in the Sage Hen Recreation Area in the Boise National Forest, Emmett Ranger District.
Timelines for completing construction vary from project to project, and some projects will take multiple years to complete.
Projects in the Boise National Forest
- $75,000 for toilet replacements at the Buck Mountain, Troutdale and Penny Springs Campgrounds in the Boise National Forest, Cascade Ranger District.
- $160,000 for improvements at the Edna Creek Campground in the Boise National Forest, Idaho City Ranger District.
- $275,000 for replacing a timber bridge with a new prefabricated steel bridge at the East Fork Burnt Log Creek in the Cascade Ranger District on a popular road that leads to the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.
- $258,000 for reconstructing the water system at the Idaho City Ranger District’s housing compound used by fire and timber crews and permanent employees.
- $189,600 to reconstruct the water system at a Boise National Forest, Emmett Ranger District administrative site that also includes a cabin that is available for the public to rent.
- $275,000 for replacing the bridge Scriver Creek in the Emmett Ranger District with a nail-laminated deck that U.S. Forest Service officials said will improve safety and access.
- $53,000 for trail maintenance and signs on the Yellow Jacket, 10 Mile and Silver Creek Summit trails in the Boise National Forest.
Total: $1.3 million in approved projects.
- $58,500 for replacing the water system at the Huckleberry Campground in the Payette National Forest, Council Ranger District.
- $83,876 for trail maintenance along the South Fork Salmon River Trail in the Payette National Forest, Krassel Ranger District.
- $70,945 for rerouting sections of the French Creek and Bear Pete Ridge trails in the Payette National Forest, McCall Ranger District.
- $167,298 for replacing fire pits, picnic tables, grills, bathrooms and signs at seven developed campgrounds and several primitive campsites in the Krassel Ranger District.
- $51,800 for replacing picnic tables, fire rings, signs and kiosks at the Last Chance Campground and Hazel Lake Campground in the Payette National Forest, New Meadows Ranger District.
- $134,650 for rerouting 1.5 miles of the Little Weiser Trail in the Council Ranger District.
- $269,000 for deferred maintenance and building repairs at the Burgdorf Guard Station in the McCall Ranger District.
- $400,000 to replace the failed Jenkins Crossing trail bridge in the McCall Ranger District to restore public access to once-popular trails.
- $95,095 to repair bridges in the Council Ranger District and Weiser Ranger District.
Total: $1.3 million in approved projects.
Our ITA Youth Trail Crew Program provides opportunities for youth ages 14-18 to learn about the outdoors while building and maintaining hiking trails in a safe, teamwork-oriented environment.
Students will have the opportunity to live and work together in some of Idaho’s most wild places for a few days to up to a week at a time. Through this experience, they will build skills in teamwork and communication, as well as develop confidence in using traditional tools to perform trail maintenance. Our hope is this experience will inspire teens to become lifelong stewards and voices for their public lands and trails.
Our trips are led by experienced crew leaders who are passionate about the outdoors. These projects allow teens to meet new friends, try new things and explore Idaho’s best outdoor places.
ITA will provide all the meals and supervision for the week. Tents, sleeping bags, and pads are available. Crew leaders will have cell phones/radios in case of emergency.
Contact trails@idahotrailsassociation.org if you have any questions about our youth projects.
The Pulaski Users Group (PUG) organizes volunteer trips focused on trail maintenance, trail reclamation, and invasive species monitoring. Volunteers receive related training which equips them with the skills and knowledge to complete a variety of trail restoration projects. We aim to inspire community members to be stewards and advocates for our public lands.
We want to acknowledge that we work and live on the traditional lands of the Shoshone-Bannock People. We acknowledge that they have stewarded this land and these waters since time immemorial. We encourage you to check out this map to learn more about whose lands you are on.
xx
The Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation is a community of wilderness minded and hardworking individuals dedicated to bringing citizens and youth to wilderness to work, live, and play. Since 2006, SBFC has helped steward the 4-million-acre Selway-Bitterroot Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, across Idaho and Montana.
Earlier this month, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee released a draft report outlining an actionable plan – and associated costs – for removing the lower Snake River dams (LSRDs) and replacing their services. The report clearly shows removing the LSRDs is not only feasible but fiscally responsible to improve the region’s long-term infrastructure and to save Idaho’s iconic salmon and steelhead. READ MORE
