Category: All News Releases

(Boise) – After nine weeks of lobby closures at Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) offices statewide, reception areas opened again Monday. Despite these closures, and with about 70 percent of IDL employees working remotely, critical support of Idaho’s economy has continued successfully.

IDL helps the economy with sustainable management of Idaho Endowment Lands, providing timber sales and opportunities for land and mining leasing, among other things. Important funding for schools and other beneficiaries generated from business on endowment land has also been maintained during the COVID-19 crisis.

IDL’s 16 offices statewide are open to the public with proper safety guidelines. All office locations are also accepting appointments to help limit exposure to COVID-19 for high-risk groups.

“Our lobby openings are consistent with the Governor’s Idaho Rebounds plan to safely and responsibly open up more businesses in stages,” said Director Dustin Miller. “I congratulate our talented staff who, despite the closures, have ensured that endowment lands have been managed during this time for sustainability, as well as for the economic opportunities it provides to so many businesses across the state.”

“Endowment lands generate millions for Idaho public schools and other institutions, but also play an important role in supporting small, local businesses,” said Governor Brad Little. “The ability of the Idaho Department of Lands to support businesses during the COVID-19 crisis will help Idaho’s economy rebound.”

Online services were expanded during the closure, helping IDL to continue to serve customers across the state, and will continue to be a benefit to the public. Contracting opportunities for forestry work, seedling planting, janitorial services, road maintenance and equipment acquisitions were also successfully offered and accepted.

As an example of IDL’s endowment land management and how it contributes to the economy, in fiscal year 2019, $1.3 billion in services and goods (including Idaho-produced toilet paper) were generated from timber harvests alone. Timber sales generated $77 million in revenue, supported more than 6,600 jobs, and more than $270 million in wages.

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

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Media Contact
Robbie Johnson
PIO – Idaho Department of Lands
(208) 334-0236
pio@idl.idaho.gov

(BOISE) –Helping fund Idaho public education with Idaho Endowment Land revenue is a primary role of the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL), as mandated by the Idaho Constitution.  With that important duty in mind, Director Dustin Miller announced the hire of Scott Phillips as IDL’s new Policy and Communications Chief. His first day was May 18.

Phillips previously served as the Communications Director for Superintendent of Public Instruction and State Board of Land Commissioners (Land Board) member Sherri Ybarra. He was also her Land Board representative.

“While we will miss Scott at the Idaho State Department of Education, I look forward to continuing to work with him in his new role,” said Ybarra. “His depth of experience with Land Board members and public schools will be an incredible asset to the Idaho Department of Lands.”

Phillips also served two Idaho state controllers on the Land Board and was a Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Jim Risch. The Land Board is made up of Idaho’s top five elected officials and provides direction to the Idaho Department of Lands.

“We strive for excellence in managing endowment land, and work to build consensus among diverse groups of stakeholders, including elected leaders, local governments, and the general public,” said Miller. “Scott has already served on the front lines of endowment land policy and brings proven leadership to his new position.”

Phillips will oversee IDL’s external communications and legislative affairs and coordinate IDL’s policy development and rule-making activities, among many other responsibilities.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Phillips. “I grew up in Orofino and my family owned a logging company. I have lived my life with a deep-rooted appreciation for Idaho’s natural resources and the important role logging plays in creating jobs, materials, along with helping schoolchildren. I am committed to bringing all the right people to the table in how we best serve Idaho and our endowment beneficiaries.”

IDL also manages the lands beneath Idaho’s navigable waterways including riverbeds and the beds and banks of Idaho’s navigable lakes and provides regulatory oversight of forestry practices and some regulation of Idaho’s mining industry. Funding for beneficiaries, which also includes state veterans homes and hospitals for the mentally ill, also comes from the Idaho Endowment Fund.

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NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:

Robbie Johnson, Public Information Officer, (208) 334-0236 or pio@idl.idaho.gov

(BOISE) –Beginning May 10, Idahoans must obtain a fire burn permit from the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) before starting debris burning activities. Closed fire season takes place annually between May 10 and extends through October 20.

With the threat of COVID-19, the burn permit system is more important than ever, protecting firefighters by reducing the number of false alarms and allowing fire crews to respond only when truly needed. Having a burn permit on record means fire managers can also respond more quickly to fires that escape. This can also potentially reduce the liability of the burner if their fire escapes.

The burn permit is free of charge, good for up to 10 days after it is issued, and can be obtained online at burnpermits.idaho.gov.  Permits issued through the self- service website are available seven days a week and are immediately issued and valid. A permit may also be issued by calling an IDL office, phone numbers can be found at www.idl.idaho.gov/about-us/supervisory-areas/.  Permits are not required for recreational campfires.

IDL will not issue burn permits within districts where local burn bans are in effect. If there are other burning restrictions in effect or additional or alternate permits required, the burn permit website will provide instructions on how to contact those entities.  Information on burn restrictions based on air quality can be found by calling Idaho Department of Environmental Quality at (800) 633-6247 or by visiting http://www2.deq.idaho.gov/air/AQIPublic/Map/OutdoorBurn.

State burn permits may be issued in person, however, the lobbies of IDL offices are currently closed to the public due to COVID-19.  Individual meetings may be scheduled by calling the office and customers are asked to wear face masks during the meeting. The public is highly encouraged to obtain a permit by phone or through the IDL burn permit website to lessen exposure.

During the closed fire season, Idaho law (38-115) requires any person planning to burn outside city limits within Idaho, including crop residue burning, obtain a state fire burn permit.

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NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS:

Sharla Arledge, Public Information Officer, (208) 334-0286 or pio@idl.idaho.gov

Jennifer Russell, Fire Prevention and Outreach, 208-666-8669 or jrussell@idl.idaho.gov

Boise, Idaho – Idaho Governor Brad Little has designated May as Wildfire Awareness Month. As always, the goal is to do your part to prevent human-caused wildfires. But during the COVID-19 outbreak, preventing fires can also prevent wildland firefighters and emergency responders from getting sick.

Wildland fire agencies, including crews with the Idaho Department of Lands, are using measures to ensure all wildland firefighters are trained, qualified and prepared for fire activity considering the risk of illness due to the coronavirus. “Once started, fire does not acknowledge fence lines, jurisdictional boundaries, or a health crisis,” said IDL Director Dustin Miller. “This year we are joining our agency partners to remind the public to do everything possible to prevent wildfires to protect our state. As well as to protect our fire crews from being unnecessarily exposed to the coronavirus.”

“Don’t Let Your Summer Go Up in Smoke” is the new motto for the Idaho Fire Prevention and Education Campaign that was created with support from the Idaho Department of Lands, Idaho Firewise, U.S. Forest Service, Nez Perce Tribe and the Bureau of Land Management. Wildfires impact some of the most pristine and treasured places and things in Idaho. We want those legacies to last for many generations and it takes all of us to be personally responsible for fire safety this summer.

IDL is responsible for fire prevention, fire mitigation, and fire suppression. There are 10 Forest Protective Districts and two Timber Protective Associations that are responsible for the protection of more than 6 million acres of state, federal, and private forest and rangelands under a state-wide cooperative agreement. The department works with tribal and interagency partners across jurisdictional boundaries to ensure statewide fire protection.

Visit IDL’s Facebook Fire Information page for resources on how you can help prevent wildland fires every day in May.

Governor Brad Little’s Wildfire Awareness Month PSA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXLXZZtcbuU&feature=youtu.be

(Boise) – Today is Arbor Day – a national, annual observance that began in 1872 and celebrates the role of trees in our urban, community and remote forests. Idaho’s stay-home order is still in effect due to COVID-19, but you can celebrate Arbor Day at home in Idaho with #MyIdahoTree.

This year, the Idaho Department of Lands is planting nearly 2 million tree seedlings on Idaho Endowment Land. Those who participate in #MyIdahoTree will have a seedling planted in their honor this spring near Kooskia, Idaho. The seedlings will help restore an area hit by the devastating Clearwater Complex Fire in 2015. Pictures of the fire, the damaged area and seedlings can be found for download here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/x6elj0ndyng5dkz/AABwzWYNUE5h6ZDLjPQFD8toa?dl=0

To participate, post on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #MyIdahoTree today and this weekend for Arbor Day. Or find IDL on social media and comment on one of our posts. Those not on social media can email IDL to submit their name for a seedling at comments@idl.idaho.gov. IDL staff will share pictures of the trees when they are planted this spring.

“Tree planting is a major effort that we undertake each year and is a critical part of sustainable forest management,” said State Forester Craig Foss with the Idaho Department of Lands. “We care for our forests from seedlings to mature trees. Then we watch for the best time to harvest, before they become over-mature and vulnerable to insects, disease, and wildfire.”

The Idaho Department of Lands manages about a million acres of forests growing on Idaho Endowment Lands. In fiscal year 2019, timber sales generated more than $43 million in net income for beneficiaries, which are primarily public schools. At the same time, $1.3 billion in services and goods were generated from timber harvests on endowment lands, which supported more than 6,600 jobs, and more than $270 million in wages.

 

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Contact:

Robbie Johnson
Public Information Officer
Idaho Department of Lands
208-334-0236
pio@idl.idaho.gov

Boise, Idaho – Outdoor recreation remains a great way for Idahoans to take care of their physical, mental, and emotional health during the coronavirus situation, but Governor Brad Little and natural resource managers urge everyone to protect their health and the welfare of others while hiking, biking, fishing or doing other activities.

Recreate Responsibly Idaho is new campaign that offers guidelines for Idahoans who want to recreate outdoors. Information about outdoor recreation opportunities and other information is available at https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/recreate-responsibly./

Those who want to recreate outdoors should consider carefully before traveling outside of their home county while the statewide stay-home order is in place. All of us must work to keep areas open for recreation during the COVID-19 crisis. By following the Recreate Responsibly Idaho guidelines, we can minimize closures resulting from people overcrowding areas and ignoring social distancing.

State and federal lands and many other recreational areas are largely open for day use, even under the Governor’s statewide stay-home order, but people must recreate responsibly by observing social distancing, limiting how far they travel, and reducing their impacts on any place they visit. “People should get outside and get some fresh air,” Governor Little said. “It’s healthy and reduces the stress we’re all feeling these days. But it has to be done responsibly with people protecting their health and the health of the larger community.”

Recreate Responsibly Idaho is a campaign to improve the outdoor experience for everyone, backed by Governor Little, Idaho and federal resource agencies, and outdoor industry groups.

If you want to recreate, please:

Practice social distancing – staying six feet away from others not in your household

– Enjoy the outdoors close to home whenever possible, following the statewide stay-home order and reducing the spread of COVID-19

– Stay home if you’re sick to prevent putting others at risk

– Check before traveling to a campground, a forest or a fishing hole if you decide to go somewhere

Contact information for recreational sites is available at https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/recreate-responsibly/. Most government campgrounds and many boat ramps are closed.

– Spread out – if a trailhead or boat launch is congested, find another place or come back during off-peak hours

– Bring supplies (water, food, hand sanitizer, toilet paper) to be self-sufficient, ensuring you have a good time and avoiding contact with others in the community you visit

– Prepare to pack out your trash as garbage service may be unavailable

– Refrain from high-risk activities (climbing sketchy terrain, riding an expert-level trail) to ensure medical resources are available for the virus fight

Have fun outdoors and stay safe!

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NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: Marissa Morrison Hyer, Press Secretary
208-943-1686 or marissa.morrison@gov.idaho.gov

Concerns about long-term declines in sage grouse populations and habitat prompted unprecedented large-scale efforts in Idaho and other western states in recent years to conserve the species while continuing land-use activities.

For the Idaho Department of Lands, that means balancing sage grouse habitat conservation while also honoring Idaho’s constitutional mandate to maximize revenue generation on Idaho Endowment Lands. Endowment lands belong to state beneficiaries, which are primarily public schools.

Access IDL is our new gateway to online customer self-service and upcoming online services. We provide access to timber sale information, map services, state land activity records, and leasing opportunities. We are here to help – even from a distance. Please visit the Access IDL page and see if you can get what you need online, otherwise please contact one of our Supervisory Area offices. Our offices continue to be closed to the public during the COVID-19 crisis, so please call before visiting.

(Boise) – In response to yesterday evening’s earthquake, Idaho Department of Lands (IDL)
Division of Minerals, Public Trust, and Oil and Gas is working with operators to conduct initial
checks on oil and gas wells in Payette County. No initial problems have been found. IDL
inspectors will be conducting further inspections of the facilities and wells through the end of
the week.

Initial checks on surface mines across the state also have not indicated any problems. IDL field
staff will continue to work with mine operators, as well as state and federal agencies in
evaluating the situation. The main focus will be on facilities and water handling operations to
ensure that earthen dams and holding ponds have not been damaged by the earthquake.

Media contact:
Sharla Arledge
Public Information Officer
pio@idl.idaho.gov
208-334-0286

Some notable changes in forest health: In 2019, fir engraver mortality was observed on over 95,000 acres compared to 101,000 acres in 2018. Approximately 71,000 acres were impacted by mountain pine beetle compared to 65,000 acres in 2018.

See the report: https://www.idl.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/04/2019-Idaho-Forest-Health-Highlights.pdf