Category: All News Releases

(Grangeville, Idaho) – The Transfer Fire is holding at roughly 40 acres after it was first reported about 9 p.m. Pacific Time on August 17 about 6 miles east of Grangeville. The fire started off the Mount Idaho Grade Road in steep terrain with mature timber. The first priority was to prevent the fire from going up toward homes and from heading down and crossing the South Fork Clearwater River.

The initial fire attack was handled by USDA Forest Service fire crews who assisted the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL), the agency now managing the fire.

While the fire did head uphill in the initial stages, it did not reach homes and there were no evacuations, although residents were told to be prepared. The fire was as close as 200 yards away from the closest home. As many as 50 homes were immediately threatened by the rapidly-moving fire. Today, the risk to homes has greatly decreased and is considered unlikely.

The fire was kept small thanks to the assistance from the Forest Service and the emphasis on aggressive use of aircraft on the fire initially. As many as 5 aircraft were in the air at the same time, including fixed-wing aircraft dropping fire retardant, and large helicopters dropping water during the fire’s peak yesterday.

Today at least 100 fire crew members are on the fire, mainly digging fire line, with the help of a bulldozer. Aircraft are not necessary. Hose has been laid around the perimeter, with the ability to spray water every 100 feet. This has brought fire containment to 20 percent and assurance to residents that there is no need to evacuate at this time. IDL is working with residents and the community to spread the word about the fire and will provide news of any status changes that may potentially bring new threats to homes. Right now there are no large flames visible from the fire, and it is not moving outside of the 40 acres.

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Media Contact
Robbie Johnson, Idaho Department of Lands PIO
(208) 908-1786, rjohnson@idl.idaho.gov

 

 

(BOISE) – The State Board of Land Commissioners (Land Board) today approved a 4.2 percent increase for the fiscal year (FY) 2022 distributions to the eight endowment funds that support Idaho’s public school system, universities, state hospitals for the mentally ill, state veterans homes, the Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind, Idaho’s juvenile corrections system, and Idaho’s prison system.

The $88,076,500 total distribution to all endowment beneficiaries sets another new record. The money comes from timber sales, leases on endowment lands and earnings from the land grant endowment fund. The land grant endowment fund generated an investment return of 5.2 percent for the year ending June 30, 2020.

Idaho’s public school system will receive $54,798,000 in FY22 – 4.2 percent more than the FY21 distribution. The Penitentiary fund will see a 7.5 percent increase over last fiscal year, receiving $2,689,500 in FY22.  University of Idaho will see a 7.0 percent bump in distributions, for a total of $5,102,000. The University of Idaho School of Agriculture will also be given a 7.0 percent increase in FY22, receiving $1,660,000. (See the attached distribution sheet.)

The Endowment Fund Investment Board (EFIB) manages the land grant endowment fund and recommends beneficiary distributions to the Land Board.

The Land Board also approved the EFIB recommendation to transfer $18,685,000 of earnings reserves to the permanent fund in an effort to grow the permanent fund and boost long-term beneficiary distributions.

“Strong investment returns allowed us to both increase beneficiary distributions for FY21 and maintain strong reserves ensuring consistent distribution for years to come,” EFIB Manager of Investments Chris Anton said. “The recommendations made today represent an appropriate balance between the interests of current and future beneficiaries.”

The Land Board provides direction to the Idaho Department of Lands in its management of more than 2.5 million acres of endowment trust lands in Idaho and the EFIB in its management of the $2.4 billion land grant endowment fund. The Land Board is comprised of the Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Controller, and Superintendent of Public Instruction.

 

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NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:

Chris Anton, EFIB Manager of Investments

208-334-3312 or Chris.Anton@efib.idaho.gov

UPDATED: 8/13/2020

(Idaho City) – As many as 360 people have been assigned to the Pumpkin Fire, with about 270 people on the fire line. This week a person on the fire line developed symptoms consistent with coronavirus and was removed from the fire line and isolated. The individual subsequently tested positive for coronavirus. Two other individuals assigned to the fire but working on a different crew appeared to be symptomatic, but rapid testing returned negative results.

The individual who tested positive and the firefighters that were working with that individual were isolated and left the area and returned to their home unit without interacting with other fire crews, the Incident Command Post in Idaho City, any of the communities surrounding the Pumpkin Fire, or the general public.

The suppression of the fire is a joint effort between the Idaho Department of Lands, the US Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. The fire started by lightning the morning of August 6 southwest of Hawley Mountain. It is burning in timber and in difficult mountain terrain.

Every possible precaution has been taken to prevent infection and the spread of COVID-19 between fire crews, support staff, and local communities. Crews and support staff are continuing protection measures that include social distancing, wearing face masks when unable to maintain social distance, going through daily self-screening, practicing rigorous sanitation, and minimizing contact with local communities.

In addition, the firefighting effort is designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• To limit the size of the fire camp, operations resources stay in small “spike camps” near the fire line.
• Along with camping separately, crews in the field have limited face-to-face interaction with each other while they work, a concept called a “Module as One” so that if a firefighter becomes ill, the exposure is limited to that one crew, simplifying isolation and contact tracing.
• Support personnel at the Incident Command Post also work in small functional groups and limit face-to-face interactions.

Next Steps:

• Contact tracing is being conducted and firefighting work will continue.
• The confirmed COVID-19 case has not slowed down progress on the fire.
• Crews will continue to be to do self-checks for coronavirus symptoms.
• All people associated with the fire will continue to follow COVID-19 safety guidelines.
• Additional resources are available if needed.

Pumpkin Fire Details:

• Access by road is difficult and a four-hour round trip from the Idaho City Incident Command Post.
• The fire is 4 miles northwest of Placerville, 7.5 miles northeast of Horseshoe Bend, and 8 miles southeast of Garden Valley. No structures are immediately threatened.
• The size is currently holding at 438 acres.
• Crews continue constructing fire lines while helicopters provide water drops to areas of concentrated heat.

 

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Media Contact

Scott Phillips
Idaho Department of Lands
Policy and Communications Chief
(208) 713-6487
pio@idl.idaho.gov

 

 

(Boise) – A string of temperatures above 100-degrees and a wildland fire near Centerville has put Idaho Department of Lands fire crews to the test.

The Thompson Fire was reported Tuesday. Despite burning in grass, fir and ponderosa pine trees, the fire was kept small. But the blaze exposed fire crews to life on the fire line at about as hot as it gets.

When it comes to fire behavior, an extra 10-degrees of heat makes monitoring even a contained fire more critical. In these conditions, low humidity and hot sun can bring remaining fine fuels closer to the point of ignition. That means hot spots have a higher chance of smoldering and popping into flame.

The nights are warm as well, with low temperatures up to 70 degrees. That’s not low enough to cool things down or help prevent areas from flaring up.

To stay prepared for additional fires during the extreme heat, fire managers are taking extra steps to keep wildland fire crews safe. Hydration is very important. Crews are instructed to hydrate overnight, before they even arrive on a fire, avoid energy drinks and alcohol, and eat food that supports hydration.

“Even with all of this extreme heat, we are still working to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said Bryan Durkin, one of IDL’s Assistant Fire Wardens. “We’re keeping units separated from other units, spreading out, and wearing masks when riding in vehicles. While working on the fire line, our crew follows social distancing guidelines as much as possible.”

Thompson Fire facts:

• Reported July 28 at 6:43 pm
• Burned about a half-acre in grass, fir and ponderosa pine trees on private land within the IDL’s Southwest Forest Protective District, one of 12 districts in the state.
• The Centerville Volunteer Fire Department and IDL’s Engine 6 fire crew were assisted by planes dropping fire retardant and a 20-person crew on loan from the nearby Golden Fire.
• The fire was contained at about midnight on the same day it started, July 28
• The Engine 6 crew spent the night on the fire and will continue returning to work hot spots until the fire is completely out.

 

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Media Contact: Robbie Johnson, Idaho Department of Lands PIO

(208) 908-1786  –  rjohnson@idl.idaho.gov

(Boise) – Revenue is generated from Idaho endowment lands in many ways, including through leasing agreements. So far, only one wind turbine in eastern Idaho is built on these lands. Now, the Idaho Department of Lands is looking to lease potentially thousands of acres in southwest Idaho for an alternative energy project.

Multiple businesses have approached IDL with alternative energy plans after Idaho Power unveiled a goal to provide 100-percent clean energy by 2045. The first proposal for endowment land is in Elmore County. If a lease agreement is made, more than 6,000 acres could have either wind turbines or solar panels.

Leasing endowment land is unique because a proposed use of the land is shared publicly to allow other interested parties to compete to use the land for the same purpose. This provides fair opportunity for endowment land leasing while also generating the best long-term financial return to the beneficiaries, which are primarily Idaho schools.

A print advertisement for an alternative energy lease will run in Elmore County starting this week. The lease advertisement can also be seen on the IDL website. The deadline for proposals for leasing the land is September 1, 2020. An alternative energy project could be built at the location in about three years.

“Idaho Power’s clean energy goal has really opened the floodgates for companies looking to Idaho as an option for wind and solar,” said Josh Purkiss, IDL Real Estate Program Manager. “Companies have pointed out multiple locations on endowment lands in southern Idaho that are ideal.”

IDL’s Energy Resource Leasing program is expected to expand with more proposals, meaning there will be more opportunities for businesses, and more “alternative” ways to generate funding for Idaho schools and other beneficiaries.

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Media Contact: Robbie Johnson, Idaho Department of Lands PIO
(208) 908-1786  –  rjohnson@idl.idaho.gov

By Dustin Miller

Director, Idaho Department of Lands

If you have seen the forests around Payette Lake in McCall, you have laid your eyes on Idaho endowment lands. Have you used the new Payette Lake Trail? Then you have walked those lands. Or maybe you or someone you know has enjoyed lakefront property because of endowment land leasing opportunities.

Even if you haven’t done any of those things, you still benefit from endowment lands in McCall. If you went to public school in Idaho, those endowment lands helped fund your education. Those lands are funding schools today. If you pay taxes in Idaho, the amount is decreased because of endowment land revenue. If you or someone you know works in the timber industry, those workers – as well as the greater economy – have benefitted from endowment lands.

How does this all happen? When Idaho became a state, Congress granted Idaho endowment trust lands for the sole purpose of funding specified beneficiaries, which are largely public schools, but also the University of Idaho, state hospitals for the mentally ill, Lewis-Clark State College, state veterans homes, Idaho State University, the Capitol Commission, Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind, and Idaho’s juvenile corrections system and prison system.

How the State Board of Land Commissioners (Land Board) must manage these lands is also written in the Idaho Constitution. Article IX, Section 8 mandates that they will be managed “…in such manner as will secure the maximum long-term financial return to the institution to which [it is] granted.” Under the direction of the Land Board, we generate revenue from endowment lands through timber sales, as well as by leasing the lands for grazing, farming, conservation leasing, communication sites, recreation, residential/commercial real estate, minerals, and more. The Idaho Department of Lands is the administrative arm of the Land Board charged with the day-to-day management of these lands.

Endowment lands impact all of us in one way or another. But it’s the beneficiaries that have our undivided loyalty. This loyalty is core to the constitutional purpose of endowment lands. No matter how desirable some competing interests may be, we are constitutionally bound not to be swayed by anything that is not in the best long-term financial interest of the beneficiaries. Given our long-term land management mission, we also understand that improving the ecological condition of the lands we manage improves the bottom line for our beneficiaries.

This approach is what the state has strived to achieve in the McCall area for more than 100 years. We will continue with this approach as we listen to proposals from interested parties for endowment land use in the McCall area.

We understand that the thought of a proposed exchange of 28,000 acres of endowment land around McCall comes as a shock to many. We realize how much is at stake. That’s why the Land Board paused the leasing, selling, or exchanging of endowment land in the McCall area unless that land was already part of a previously approved action. This allows us the opportunity to conduct a thorough and honest evaluation of McCall endowment lands and what will bring the best long-term financial return, before we take any new actions on these lands.

Continuing with our timber harvests around the lake, offering additional land leases, or even exchanging certain parcels are all options. Making these choices can be difficult, but remaining loyal to the beneficiaries will give us clarity as we look to the future of endowment lands in Idaho, and what options will best serve the school children of today and tomorrow.

(Boise) – The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) continues its hold on leasing, selling, or exchanging endowment trust land in the McCall area, unless that land was already part of a previously-approved action. Accordingly, new business proposals about endowment lands are not scheduled for any decision or presentation at this meeting, including Trident Holdings, LLC’s land exchange pitch.

Instead, the July 21 Idaho State Board of Land Commissioners meeting will include an update and timeline on IDL’s new and comprehensive review of the management of the 28,000 acres of endowment land in McCall and how that land can best serve endowment land beneficiaries. IDL will complete this study before formally considering anything from outside parties.

“The ultimate goal of the study is to guide us as we remain loyal to our constitutional mandate to use endowment lands to generate the maximum long-term financial return to the beneficiaries,” said IDL Director Dustin Miller. “That could mean continuing our current programs in McCall, ranging from our effective forest management, timber sales, and replanting efforts, or adding to our leasing opportunities.”

The Idaho State Board of Land Commissioners Regular Meeting

July 21, 2020 in the State Capitol, Lincoln Auditorium (WW02)
Lower Level, West Wing, 700 W Jefferson St., Boise.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM (Mountain).
This meeting is open to the public.

All attendees must comply with current COVID-19 safety protocols for public gatherings.
Contingent upon safety protocols, the public may participate in person or via webinar.
Please contact Renée Jacobsen, rjacobsen@idl.idaho.gov, for webinar information.
Meeting will be live streamed at https://www.idahoptv.org/shows/idahoinsession/ww02/

Please remember that endowment lands are not the same as public lands, and they are not owned by the general public: In the Idaho Constitution, Article IX, Section 8 mandates that endowment lands will be managed “…in such manner as will secure the maximum long-term financial return to the institution to which [it is] granted.” Money from endowment lands comes through timber sales, as well as by leasing lands for grazing, farming, conservation, communication sites, recreation, residential/commercial real estate, minerals, and more. While these lands offer managed recreation opportunities, they are not taxpayer-funded public lands such as those managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

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Media contact: Robbie Johnson, PIO, 208-334-0236, pio@idl.idaho.gov

BOISE, Idaho – As the COVID-19 crisis continues, protecting yourself and others is critical to keep us safe, maintain outdoor recreation opportunities, and to support outdoor businesses. Today https://recreate.idaho.gov/ was launched to help all of us support those goals.

The website is part of the Recreate Responsibly Idaho campaign that was established to provide guidance and resources for recreating Idahoans to adapt their activities to our COVID-19 situation. From social distancing tips to general safety reminders, it’s now more important than ever to ensure that our favorite outdoor activities don’t contribute to the spread of COVID-19.

Since its inception this spring, this campaign has gained wide support from federal and state agencies. It is also now being used as a guide to follow Idaho Governor Brad Little’s recommendation to make Idaho your summer vacation destination this year.

“The most important thing we can do to rebound the economy is for people to do the right thing, so people have the confidence to get out,” said Governor Brad Little. “The better we do at controlling the spread of the COVID-19 virus and keeping people safe, the more confidence people are going to have to participate in our economy.”

The website offers information on where to find activities and how to recreate responsibly by:

• Observing social distancing, especially at congested sites like trailheads and swimming beaches
• Wearing a face mask in congested areas
• Limiting the size of groups
• Washing your hands often
• Planning your trip in advance to avoid any site closures and to limit unnecessary exposure
• As always, if you feel sick, stay home. Don’t endanger anyone else!

Recreating responsibly also means using trail etiquette, packing out your trash, and keeping campfires safe. No fireworks may be used on public lands or endowment lands in Idaho.

Multiple state agencies including Idaho Fish and Game, Idaho Parks and Recreation, Idaho Department of Lands, Idaho Department of Commerce, and Bureau of Land Management joined together in this effort to promote safe recreation in Idaho during COVID-19. The Recreate Responsibly Idaho campaign has grown to include the new website, as well as a paid advertising campaign for television, radio, and social media that begins this month.

Boise, Idaho – Aged and over-crowded trees are at the most risk for insects, disease, and wildfire, and now the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) can better determine where those trees are located and how to better manage endowment forests.

IDL keeps an inventory of timber to assist in the planning process of keeping forests productive and healthy, while also raising money through timber sales for Idaho Endowment Beneficiaries like Idaho public schools. Over the years, inventory methods have improved by including sampling of more plots, trees, and locations on a more robust schedule around the state. This inventory process has shown that about a 33 percent increase of timber harvesting is needed to keep up with tree growth and meet the long-term desired standing volume of the timber asset.

The State Board of Land Commissioners provides direction to the Idaho Department of Lands and approved the increased harvest plan. IDL manages about one million acres of endowment timberlands, which makes up about five percent of forests in Idaho.

“The harvest increase allows us to address the excess standing volume, or in other words, the too many overly mature trees that should be harvested rather than left at risk for insects, disease and wildfire,” said Jim Elbin, Trust Land Division Administrator. “Our endowment forests will be more resilient and resistant to those threats because the forests will be healthier, and our state will be helped by the increased revenue in timber sales.”

The 33 percent increase in timber harvests is expected to boost timber revenues at the same rate. Even before the plan for increased harvests, in fiscal year 2019, $1.3 billion in services and goods were generated from endowment land timber harvests. Sales generated $77 million in revenue, supported more than 6,600 jobs, and more than $270 million in wages.

“The elevated harvest rate is expected to last between five to 25 years, but we will be updating our inventory and evaluating our harvest levels every five years,” said Elbin. “Our goal is to keep forests healthy and provide the best long-term return to the beneficiaries.”

Tree seedling planting will also increase with the additional tree harvests. In 2020, IDL is already planting nearly 2 million seedlings. 

Editor’s note: Download broadcast-quality video and images of people working in the timber industry for use in news coverage: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wpzx2s8hhtq0v0a/AAAfHFyqRUofIKkYeX-inBIwa?dl=0

More about IDL: When Idaho became a state, Congress granted Idaho Endowment Trust Lands for the purpose of funding specified beneficiaries. Chief among the endowment beneficiaries are public schools, as well as the University of Idaho, state hospitals for the mentally ill, Lewis-Clark State College, state veterans’ homes, Idaho State University, the Capitol Commission, Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind, and Idaho’s juvenile corrections system and prison system.

The Land Board provides direction to IDL in managing approximately 2.5 million acres of state endowment trust lands in Idaho. The Land Board also oversees IDL’s regulatory and assistance duties, and in managing Idaho’s public trust lands, which are the thousands of miles of land beneath Idaho’s navigable waterways. The Land Board is made up of Governor Brad Little, Secretary of State Lawerence Denney, State Controller Brandon Woolf, Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, and Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra.

(Boise) – Forest visitors, including hikers and mountain bikers should be aware that logging contractors removing dead trees with Douglas-fir dwarf mistletoe are working along the Bogus Basin Road north of the resort and areas around Bogus Basin. Forest users may encounter delays up to one hour along National Forest System (NFS) roads 297, 374 and 374E. Trails may be temporarily closed only while the contractor is working in the area. One to two logging trucks are expected on those roads per day with operations taking place Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. – 5 p.m.

“We have not a set schedule for which trails will be temporarily closed, but they will be signed and we urge visitors to use caution when in the area,” said John Wallace, Assistant Timber Management Officer, Idaho City Ranger District. “Roads are remaining open and for driver’s personal safety, they should alert the logging operator of their presence before proceeding through active operations. There should be enough room for vehicles to pass between log decks, slash piles and equipment parked along the roadside. In some instances vehicles may have to wait for the road to be cleared to pass, or to turn around.”

The logging contractor is expected to be working on NFS roads 297, 374E and 374 through the middle of July. Operations will impact access to the Shafer Butte Campground during that time. No logging operations will occur within the Shafer Butte campground and the campground will remain open after its scheduled opening, June 14, 2020.

The Good Neighbor Authority timber sale is administered by the Idaho Department of Lands as part of USDA Forest Service’s Bogus Basin Forest Health Project.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Venetia Gempler, Boise National Forest | (208) 373-4105| venetia.gempler@usda.gov

Sharla Arledge, Idaho Department of Lands | 208-334-0236 | sarledge@idl.idaho.gov