Sept 4, 2016 The Yellow Pine Times – Valley County, Idaho
YPWUA News:
Water Meeting Sept. 17 at 2pm, Community Hall
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Water Project Update Aug 29, 2016
Photo of the finished concrete work at the water system
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Please be conservative when watering lawns. We ask those that are here all week to not water lawns on the weekends so that more water is available for the weekend cabin owners. There will NO lawn watering on all summer holidays and during the Festival weekend!
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YPFD News:
Meeting 10am Sunday September 17 at the Community Hall
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Village News:
Saturday (September 3) – A little buck was found dead on private property in the village Saturday morning before 9am. It was shot with an arrow. Archery season is open. F&G appreciates locals calling it in. The phone number to report poaching is 1-800-632-5999.
Saturday (September 3) – the cannon went off at 109pm to start the Welch Memorial Golf Tournament. Looks like the golfers were having a great time.
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Local Observations:
Monday (Aug 29) partly cloudy and calm morning. No birds. Increasing smoky haze by lunch time. Gusty breezes kicking up after 1pm. Breezy all afternoon, smoke increasing, and dusty. Air quality rather poor. Calmer evening and better air quality.
Tuesday (Aug 30) clouds and smoke, crappy air quality this morning. Heard a few finches calling in the neighborhood, one hummer at the feeder (immature calliope.) We seem to be under an inversion, the smoke became thicker by lunch time, bad air quality. The predicted breezes have not arrived as of 2pm (see Red Flag Warning for today.) Pileated woodpecker flying around and calling late in the afternoon. By 6pm it was “snowing” ash here and still calm. Black and white ash on outside surfaces, thick smoke, barely see VanMeter hill by evening. Rather eerie and very quiet.
Wednesday (Aug 31) clouds and smoke, bad air quality this morning. Pileated woodpecker drumming and calling. Helicopter few over the village at 1033am (probably not LifeFlight.) Slight breeze during the day, not enough to clear the smoke. Late afternoon pileated woodpecker calling in the neighborhood. Somewhat better air quality by evening. Stars out at midnight.
Thursday (Sep 1) partly cloudy, haze of smoke, better air quality than previous days, but still rather poor. A couple of young finches at the feeders, pileated woodpecker calling. No hummingbirds or jays around today. Warm, dry, sunny and gusty afternoon winds. Calmer towards evening and much better air quality.
Friday (Sept 2) overcast morning, calm, humidity up a little, better air quality. A few finches flying and calling. Sprinkles of rain for about 30 minutes, not enough to wet things or settle dust. Cloudy, cooler, breezy day. Better air today. A bit more traffic running around. Cloudy cool evening.
Saturday (Sept 3) Got down to 32 degrees this morning, mostly clear. Loud bang at 902am (report later that a little buck was shot in the village.) A few finches calling. Increasing traffic and dust (a few at excessive speed in the neighborhood.) Warmed up in the afternoon and clouds coming in. Dust hanging in the air at dusk, pink cloud sunset. Traffic at 2am.
Sunday (Sept 4) low of 35 degrees, cloudy, chilly breeze, no birds or hummers around. Busy day, chain saws, 4-wheelers and airplanes. Loud gun shot at 515pm – sounded pretty close. Little sprinkle of rain, enough to dampen surfaces but not enough to settle dust, breezy and quite cool.
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Photo to Share:
Riordan Lake cache
Built to secure food from bears by the geezer’s family and members of the boys’ camp his father operated in the ’50’s-’60’s. Photographed in ’80’s.
link:
[h/t SMc]
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Letter to Share:
Commissioner Cruickshank’s August Newsletter
Sept 2, 2016
From the desk of Commissioner Cruickshank
Wow another month slipped away and now we have a coolness in the air so fall is coming soon.
Wednesday August 3rd
Caught up on emails today. Larry with the Recreation Department came by to borrow a post auger needed to set the fire rings at the Wellington Recreation Campground in Smith’s Ferry.
Thursday August 4th
Another day of catching up with emails and registering for the Idaho Association of Counties Annual Fall Conference in Boise.
Monday August 8th
Commissioner day today where we pay the bills and have reports from Elected Officials and Department Heads. The minutes of the meetings can be found on the Valley County website at http://www.co.valley.id.us/ Minutes are not posted to the website until they have been approved during a commissioners meeting so it may be a week or so before they are available.
We finished the day conducting an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workshop to review the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2017. Each Fire District contracts with Valley County to handle the EMS function for our region.
Tuesday August 9th
Today the commissioners met to review the Valley County Fiscal Year 2017 proposed budget and provide some last minute changes before the budget is published. Working through the entire day found us with a proposed budget we can utilize to provide the services we feel are needed to sustain the working of Valley County. All the Elected Officials and Department Heads do a tremendous job of insuring their employees are rewarded for their work and they have the tools needed to do the necessary work of the county. This year we added one new patrol deputy, one new detention officer for the jail and courthouse security, one position back in the appraisal office of the Assessor we removed several years ago and added a few part time positions to assist where over time was being paid out. By using part time we reduce or eliminate the over time using the same amount of dollars.
Wednesday August 10th
Today I reviewed some proposed legislation on the 129,000 pound truck weights and how this is added into current legislation. I then provided comments back to the Idaho Association of Counties staff who is working this issue for the counties.
I also participated in a conference call with the Valley County Clerk, the Road Superintendent and his Office Manager to review the Road and Bridge budget and how to handle the Secure Rural Schools funding within the proposed budget. If we receive the funding we need to be able to utilize the funds. In the event we don’t receive the funding then we don’t do some of the projects this funding would pay for.
Tonight I attended a dinner event with Midas Gold to visit with their Board of Directors and meet the new investment partners. Two of the investors wanted to discuss the importance of what Midas Gold is proposing and how this impacts or benefits Valley County.
Thursday August 11th
This morning I participated in a meeting to welcome new Rotary members and explain what is expected of a Rotarian.
I reviewed changes to the Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) By-Laws for proposal this fall at the IAC Board of Directors meeting.
At noon I met with Melinda one of Senator Risch’s staff to discuss how Valley County is doing. Of course I took the opportunity to discuss the need for the Secure Rural Schools program to continue and the need for the Payment in Lieu of Taxes from the Public Lands as both are very important to provide the services for Valley County.
This afternoon I attended the Midas Gold open house appreciation event at their offices. They were having a BBQ and presentation on the status of Midas Gold activities.
Friday August 12th
Today the Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) District III held their meeting in Cascade. Eight of the ten counties in District III had representatives here to discuss county issues. Reports were heard from various representatives who sit on IAC Committees or Boards for District III. We also had a legislative update from IAC staff Kelli.
Saturday August 13th
The Valley County Fair has been going on all this week. Today was the 4-H Livestock Auction. For the last several years I have assisted as a ring man along with Ron from Cascade to assist the auctioneers to collect bids on animals. What a great event we had this year selling the animals the 4-H members worked on for this fair.
Monday August 15th
Today Commissioner Hasbrouck and myself attended the official Ribbon Cutting event for the Wellington Recreation Park. Valley County has received grants the past few years to purchase some property here to secure the buildings for the snowmobile grooming and to develop a 18 space campground.
We also heard today that Southern Pine Plantation had sold the timber lands they had purchased from Potlatch and all the current timber harvest projects were stopped as a result. In researching the information we learned that the official announcement would not be until next Tuesday the 23rd of August on who purchased the property.
This afternoon I sent in my registration to attend a National Association of Counties Rural Action Caucus Symposium to be held in December.
Tuesday August 16th
I received a call from a concerned father who’s sons were losing their jobs as a result of the recent purchase of the private timber lands. We also discussed the Pioneer Fire and the need to start now with the process of encouraging the Boise National Forest to do some Salvage Timber Harvest which would help offset the need for timber and help support restoration of the landscape after the fire event.
Wednesday August 17th
This morning was a meeting of the Americas Best Communities Project Leads to report on their progress of their specific projects. We reviewed a recent press release sent out by Congressman Labrador supporting the efforts of the Valley County/Meadows Valley plan in the contest. This fall on October 3rd on of the projects is an Economic Summit to bring local leaders together and hear from other professionals in working with Economic Development in businesses. If you would like to attend please visit VALLEYCOUNTYEDC.ORG/SUMMIT and register to attend. Space is limited to 200 attendees so be sure and register soon. If you have any questions please contact the McCall Chamber of Commerce at 208-634-7631 or email admin @ valleycountyedc.org .
This afternoon I met with folks from Wallowa Industries, Sustainable Northwest, Idaho Department of Lands and Wildfire Prevention Associates to discuss the feasibility study being conducted on the potential of Valley County having a Bio-Mass Campus. This Bio-Mass Campus possibility would provide products from the small diameter trees harvested in fire wise projects and other activities in the forest to reduce the need of burning in the fall. Products such as post and pole, firewood, pellets, mulch and wood shavings are just some of the potential uses.
Tonight I attended the Valley County Republican Central Committee meeting in Cascade.
Thursday August 18th
Tonight I attended the Valley/Adams County Farm Bureau meeting in New Meadows. Their topic tonight was understanding the “Transfer of Public Lands” and what that means to farmers and ranchers who utilize the Public Lands.
Friday August 19th
I participated in a conference call with folks from the National Forest Counties and Schools Coalition and two staff folks who work with the Chief of the Forest Service. The topic to discuss was approval of Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) members for areas that have not been able to approve project requests. Areas in California, Nevada and Montana have not had enough people to meet and thousands if not millions of dollars are not being utilized to do projects to enhance the National Forests in those areas. Additionally over 40 percent of existing RAC members terms will expire and nothing is happening to replace the vacancies in a timely manner. Communication on applications was also a request as some have applied over two years ago and have heard nothing in return as to their status.
Today I also received some information on how Salvage Logging was being accomplished on the Tower Fire which happened a year ago in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. It appears this might be a program that could be utilized on the Pioneer Fire to salvage some of the timber and do restoration work.
Saturday August 20th
This morning I listened to the recording of the objection by New TR Acquisitions on Valley County’s Tax Deed process. As I was out of town I wanted to hear the presentation and discussion before our Board meeting on Monday.
Monday August 22nd
Commissioner day today where we paid bills and heard reports from Elected Officials and Department Heads. Today was the day the Board is to decide the Tax Deed process for the New TR Acquisition Objection. The commissioners approved sending the Tax Deed Process back to the Valley County Treasurer to correct the errors found and re-start the Tax Deed Process with New TR Acquisition. All the minutes once approved can be found on the Valley County website under the commissioners section.
We had a rumor of who Southern Pine Plantation sold their timber lands to however if proved to be just a rumor.
Tuesday August 23rd
I received a call from Lt. Governor Brad Little to discuss the sale of the Southern Pine Plantation timber lands. We discussed the issue of the current timber sales being stopped and what this would mean to the infrastructure in place and losing the knowledge of the timber companies who are shutting down as a result of this new company stopping current harvest sales on this private property.
This afternoon Valley County recorded the Deed transferring the ownership of Southern Pine Plantation to DF Development LLC, a Nevada Limited Liability Company with an address of Cisco, Texas. Upon further research this company is part of the Wilks Brothers who are purchasing large tracts of land in the Northwest. They have also purchased land in Idaho County and have allowed some activities on the land.
I called Lt. Governor Little back with this information and he was going to reach out to the new owners and attempt to find out what their management plans will be for our area.
Wednesday August 24th
I created draft letter to the Boise National Forest Supervisor to encourage Salvage Harvest where possible on the Pioneer Fire landscape. In the letter I discussed the need to maintain our processing facilities and our timber harvest companies as this is needed to assist with restoration of the National Forest and the economy of the region. I shared this draft letter with surrounding county commissioners and asked them to provide a letter of support as well to do salvage logging.
I signed a contract award for a Fire Wise project the commissioners approved on Monday as all the necessary paperwork has been received to allow this project to start.
Friday August 26th
I returned a phone call concerning a question if Valley County could bundle parcels taken in the Tax Deed process. With my understanding of Idaho State Code any parcel taken for failure to pay taxes must be sold on a parcel by parcel basis in the Tax Deed process.
Saturday August 27th
This evening I attended a Republican Women BBQ where all Republican candidates were asked to speak on their work as elected officials. I spoke on my being honored to represent Valley County and how this is accomplished.
Monday August 29th
Commissioner day today. When the minutes are approved they will be on the Valley County website. Two topics worked on today was the Tax Deed for the Mid-Mountain Lodge and two ski lifts were added to our Tax Deed sale as they were not objected to by New TR Acquisitions and we discussed the impacts of D F Development LLC purchasing all the timber lands left from Southern Pine Plantation who had purchased them from Potlatch. These were originally the Boise Cascade Corp lands for many years. Valley County received a letter today terminating the lease we had for our snowmobile grooming program which allowed access across these lands.
I returned a call concerning a road right-of-way issue in a subdivision on who provides easements to build the road and will the county maintain.
Tuesday August 30th
I left a message with a representative who sent us the letter from D F Development LLC asking to speak about our lease being terminated. I followed up my message with an email.
Worked on emails to catch up.
Wednesday August 31st
I attended Rotary today as District 5400 Governor of Rotary was speaking on what Rotary means and the, service above self, we as Rotarians follow.
Well that concludes another month of activities for this commissioner.
Have a great Labor Day weekend.
Thanks for reading my newsletter.
Gordon
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Idaho News:
Valley County to auction Tamarack properties
Shannon Camp, KTVB September 01, 2016
DONNELLY, Idaho — Chair lifts, a zip line and a half-finished lodge are just a few of the Tamarack Resort properties that Valley County says it will soon sell to the highest bidder. It’s the latest chapter in what has been a tumultuous 10 years for this resort just west of Donnelly.
“Valley County will hold an auction on parcels of property that have not paid their taxes for the last three years or more,” said Gordon Cruickshank, chairman of the Valley County Commissioners.
On October 17, Valley County plans to auction off 24 properties in order collect the past tax money it’s owed. Those properties include improvements Tamarack Resort has made on state-leased land including the incomplete Mid-Mountain Lodge and the Tamarack Express and Summit ski lifts.
“Tamarack has had a long and complicated exit from the bankruptcy procedures that began in 2008,” said the resort’s general manager Brad Larsen.
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Texas billionaire brothers halt logging, snowmobile access on S. Idaho forests
by Rocky Barker Idaho Statesman Sept 2, 2016
Logging companies were abruptly told in August to pull their crews off of 172,000 acres of private land that for decades was owned by Boise Cascade.
But a representative of new owner DF Development LLC, apparently affiliated with Wilks Development and owned by two Texas billionaire brothers who have been buying land across the West, told loggers in an email late Friday that they’d be able to get back into the woods.
“We will try to get operations up and going as soon as we can,” the company said in the email.
The email came after the Statesman reported earlier Friday that at least four logging companies have been forced to lay off around 100 loggers and truckers, causing economic upheaval in Valley, Boise and Gem counties. The new owners also have written Valley County, terminating its leases to roads on the land that are critical access to its popular West Mountain snowmobiling trails.
“The new owners, DF Development LLC, intend to continue forest management operations, but in order to do that we need to get everyone insured, contracts revamped and accounting set up so everyone can be protected and get a paycheck,” a local representative of the new owners wrote in the email to the loggers.
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Work completed on improvements to Goose Creek Grade near McCall
The Star-News Sept 1, 2016
The Idaho Transportation Department has completed improvements to Goose Creek Grade on Idaho 55 west of McCall.
The improvements are intended to enhance safety and provide motorists with a better line of sight as they travel through the canyon. Idaho 55 will be fully opened between McCall and New Meadows today, an ITD news release said.
Improvements include:
• Improved the alignments of the four curves on Goose Creek Grade and installed rockfall protection.
• Adjusted the roadway alignment to lengthen the turning radius and removing rock from the mountainside at each curve.
• Widened the road for better sight distance.
• Constructed drainage areas for better snow storage, water run-off and rock catchment.
For more information, visit the project website at http://itd.idaho.gov/Projects/D3/GooseCreekGrade or call (208) 334-8938.
source: The Star-News
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Threat of West Nile Virus declines
No new infected mosquitoes found in Cascade
By Dan Gallagher for The Star-News Sept 1, 2016
The threat of West Nile Virus in Valley County has declined after new tests found no evidence of the disease in mosquitoes, Valley County officials reported this week.
The county has continued to find the kind of mosquitoes that can carry West Nile virus around Cascade’s Fischer Pond Park, but has not detected the virus itself there since its initial discovery a month ago, said Steve Anderson, the county’s pest control supervisor.
During the first week in August, mosquitoes trapped at Fischer Pond Park on the North Fork of the Payette River and at the Blue Heron camp unit for Lake Cascade State Park tested positive for West Nile.
full story: The Star-News
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Don’t Dump Idaho campaign discourages illegal dumping on public lands
KTVB August 29, 2016
BOISE – It’s an eyesore, a nuisance – and a public health hazard.
The Bureau of Land Management is warning about people dumping trash on public lands.
The BLM says over 1,700 cases of illegal trash dumping have been documented, investigated or ticketed on Idaho public lands since 2000.
Last year, after the Soda Fire in Owyhee County, a crew cleaned up 2,400 intact car tires and many more that had been burned in the fire.
The BLM has a new campaign to get people to stop leaving trash in Idaho’s great outdoors.
It’s called Don’t Dump Idaho.
continued w/photos:
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Idaho seeks federal approval to regulate water pollution
By Keith Ridler – 8/31/16 AP
BOISE, Idaho — Idaho wants to take over regulating pollution discharge into the state’s lakes and rivers from the federal government.
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality on Wednesday submitted an application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to shift control of permitting and enforcement aspects under the federal Clean Water Act to the state.
“It’s a pretty big day for us,” said Barry Burnell, administrator for the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality’s Water Quality Division.
Idaho is one of only four states where federal authorities manage pollution discharge into surface waters, the others being New Mexico, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Idaho officials say a state-run program will have more responsive local experts better acquainted with Idaho making decisions.
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Forest News:
Man Pleads Guilty To Destruction Of Historic Cabin
News Release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho on Tuesday Aug 30, 2016
BOISE – Jason Reed, 22, of Boise, Idaho, pleaded guilty today in United States Magistrate Court to destruction of government property, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Reed was charged by an information filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Reed admitted that in August of 2015, he caused extensive damage to the Trapper Cabin.
The Trapper Cabin is a government owned historic property located at the French Creek Trailhead on the McCall Ranger District of the Payette National Forest, in Valley County, Idaho.
Reed advised Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Ronald E. Bush that he broke out the cabin’s windows, wrapped a winch cable from his father’s ATV around the deck of the cabin, and pulled the deck off its foundation. He then admitted to wrapping the winch cable around a log on the corner of the cabin and pulled the two bottom logs, causing the cabin to partially collapse.
The Trapper Cabin was built in 1936 and is one of two cabins left in Idaho that were built and utilized for predatory control by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It was built in the Rocky Mountain style log cabin, using peeled lodge pole pine logs and mud chinking. It is the only cabin on the Payette National Forest that was built in this style. Prior to the damage caused by Reed, the cabin was in good condition and was eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The cost to restore the cabin is $31,919.20. Reed has agreed to provide restitution in full.
The charge of destruction of government property is a class A misdemeanor and is punishable by up to one year in prison, one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $100,000.
Reed is scheduled to be sentenced on November 14, 2016, before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Ronald E. Bush at the federal courthouse in Boise.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Forest Service.
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Trapper Cabin Damage
Photos courtesy Payette National Forest
Photos show The Trapper Cabin before it was vandalized, left, and after it was damaged last year by Jason Reed of Boise, right.
Posted Sept 1, 2016 in The Star-News
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Trapper Cabin
The Trapper Cabin was built in 1937 by the U.S. Biological Survey (currently known as the USDA Wildlife Services) for predatory animal control. The cabin has a Rocky Mountain log cabin style unique on the Forest and is one of two cabins left in Idaho that were built and used for predatory control.
Location: The cabin is on the McCall District of the Payette National Forest. It is located north of Upper Payette Lake. Payette National Forest, Rural Valley County
source:
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Forest Service eyes turning 2 Idaho lookouts into rentals
Associated Press, KTVB September 04, 2016
KAMIAH, Idaho – The U.S. Forest Service is taking public comments on a plan to make available two former fire lookouts and two cabins available as rentals in northern Idaho.
The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests is looking at opening the Scurvy Mountain Lookout and Wallow Mountain Lookout as rentals for $45 per night each.
The agency is also looking at opening the Gold Meadows Cabin and Liz Creek Cabin as rentals for $40 per night.
None of the structures have previously been available as rentals.
Comments are being taken until Oct. 14.
Copyright 2016 KTVB
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Still growing, Pioneer Fire prompts closure of Deadwood Reservoir
KTVB September 01, 2016
VALLEY COUNTY – The massive Pioneer Fire has prompted the closure of Deadwood Reservoir, a popular recreational destination in Valley County.
An information officer for the Pioneer Fire says the reservoir will be closed at least through the coming Labor Day weekend, and will likely remain closed for as long as the fire continues to burn.
The fire has grown to almost 165-thousand acres – nearly 258 square miles – and is 52 percent contained. Hot temperatures and low humidity this week helped the fire spread dramatically to the north – toward the reservoir.
[Note: as of Sunday morning the Pioneer Fire was 181,065 acres.]
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Pioneer Fire growth slows as weather cools
KTVB September 04, 2016
BOISE – Cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and rain are helping the fight against the Pioneer Fire in Boise County, officials said.
The weather helped to limit the fire’s growth to 765 acres on Saturday, mostly in the Bearskin Creek area.
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[Note: See YPTimes Fire News for latest updates.]
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Officials speak out on salvage sales
By Janet Monti messenger-index.com Aug 26, 2016
The Aug. 24 Messenger Index asked if there is an ember of life for salvage sales from recent forest fires. The answers are varied and complex.
Idaho Lt. Gov. Brad Little said, “If the U.S. Forest Service is not urged by the communities, county commissioners, land owners, timber people, the window of time to salvage the trees closes. I told the forest supervisor we have to form a secure line for the pending sals in the areas that have burned for all this to be salvaged.”
Idaho’s Congressmen are also concerned about the timber salvage taking place in a timely manner.
In addition, the U.S. Forest Service shared information about the value of salvage operations for rehabilitation of burned forests.
[h/t SMc]
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Hazel #1 Minerals Plan of Operations Project Update
USDA Forest Service Sept. 2, 2016
The Forest Service is seeking scoping comments for the Hazel #1 Mineral Exploration Project located on the Idaho City Ranger District. Information regarding this project can be found on the project webpage,
http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=49769
The Forest Service is contacting interested persons, groups, and agencies to make them aware of the project and to gather pertinent feedback. Even if you have no specific concerns, I am asking that you respond if you desire to stay on the project’s mailing list.
To be most helpful, please submit your scoping comments by October 3, 2016, and make your comments as specific as possible. Your comments will help us refine the proposal, and identify preliminary issues, interested and affected persons, and possible alternatives. Comments received in response to this request will be available for public inspection and will be released in their entirety if requested pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act. Comments received in response to this request will also be available for public inspection on the “Public Comment Reading Room” on the Hazel #1 Mineral Exploration Project webpage
http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=49769
For further information on the Hazel #1 Minerals Exploration Project, please feel free to contact, Melissa Swain, Minerals Administrator, 208-392-6681.
Sincerely,
Aaron Stockton – South Zone NEPA Planner, Boise National Forest
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After 2 bad fire years, this fire season light in Northwest
By Nicholas K. Geranios – 9/3/16 AP
After two consecutive years in which wildfires set acreage records in Washington state, this fire season has been very light. In fact, wildfires have been smaller and less destructive in Washington, Oregon and Idaho this year thanks to a heavy winter snowpack and some rain in the spring and summer months.
Firefighters are cautiously optimistic the fire season might be drawing to an early close as fall approaches.
“When you get into fall weather, temperatures are cooler and the humidity goes up, especially at night,” said Jessica Gardetto, a spokeswoman for the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho. “That tends to help bring the fire season to a close.”
As of Aug. 31, 432,129 acres had burned this season in the three Northwestern states, Gardetto said. At the same date last year, 743,882 acres had burned, Gardetto said.
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Critter News:
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Hunting Season Has Opened – Things to Consider While Hunting on National Forest Lands
Date: September 3, 2016
Contact: Brian Harris (208) 634-0784 cell: (208) 634-6945
McCall, ID– Hunting Season began this week on your public lands managed by the Payette National Forest, and forest staff would like to remind visitors of the rules and regulations that apply to hunting on Forest lands.
These rules and regulations have been put in place to balance the desires of all forest visitors, make sure everyone has an enjoyable experience, and to protect the landscape so that the Payette National Forest is able to continue to provide the same, or better experiences and resources into the future.
Please note that fire restrictions are not in effect on the Forest, however; we ask that all forest users use caution with campfires and warming fires. Two human caused wildfires were reported and extinguished over the past few days – one caused by an abandoned warning fire, and the other from an abandoned campfire.
Each year, we receive many comments from hunters about the following hunting-related activities on the forest:
Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Use: Use of all OHVs (ATV/four-wheelers, UTVs/side-by-sides, and off-road motorcycles) is restricted to areas shown on the Payette National Forest’s Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). This map is available on the Payette National Forest website and for free at all Payette National Forest offices (Weiser, Council, New Meadows, and McCall Ranger Districts, and the McCall Forest Supervisor’s Office). The MVUM is also available as a free download for smartphone and mobile device map apps, such as Avenza PDF Maps. Use of motor vehicles on routes not specifically shown on the map is prohibited.
Please report any vandalism of national forest gates. Roads are closed or gated for a combination of reasons such as: to protect vulnerable road surfaces; to provide hunting opportunities for non-motorized hunters; and, to protect deer, elk, and bear populations from excessive motorized hunting pressure. Preventing excessive motorized hunting pressure is necessary for the long term health of these populations in order to continue to provide the current number of hunting opportunities. We work in collaboration with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game in order to do our best to meet these objectives.
Payette National Forest Stay Limits: Campsites on undeveloped parts of the forest may only be occupied (including by unoccupied RVs or camping equipment) for up to 18 consecutive days. After this period, camps must be relocated at least five miles away from the original site. Please note that stay limits on undeveloped areas of many national forest units and lands managed by other agencies are commonly only 14 days—please check with the responsible agency in advance. Fee campgrounds on Payette National Forest may only be occupied for 14 consecutive days.
This rule is intended to prevent visitors from “staking out” a popular site for an entire hunting season. With stay limits in effect, popular sites must be shared more equitably among hunting parties and other campers.
Use of hunting blinds: Stay limit rules associated with campsites also apply to hunting blinds; they must be removed after 18 consecutive days. Also, construction of permanent or semi-permanent hunting blinds is not allowed. Failure to remove man-made components of hunting blinds is treated in the same manner as garbage left behind by visitors and is illegal.
Campfires: Always pay careful attention to fire restrictions. The Payette National Forest is not currently in fire restrictions, but this can change with whether and vegetation conditions and many other areas do have current fire restrictions in effect. Visit this website for information on Fire Restrictions: http://www.idahofireinfo.com/p/fire-restrictions.html
Every year on the forest, firefighters must respond to wildfires that originate from campfires left behind in hunting camps, and not properly extinguished. Always fully extinguish your campfire before leaving camp. Leaving a campfire unattended is illegal, and violators can be legally responsible for the astronomical costs of suppressing a wildfire resulting from their carelessness.
Thank you for your cooperation and please have a safe and successful hunting season!
If you have questions, please contact our District offices as listed below:
Weiser Ranger District – 208 549-4200
Council Ranger District – 208 253-0100
New Meadows Ranger District – 208-347-0300
McCall Ranger District – 208-634-0400
Krassel Ranger District – 208-634-0600
The Payette National Forest – It’s All Yours! Go! Play!
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Death threats surround Profanity Peak wolf pack removal; WSU apologizes for statements
By Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review Aug 31, 2016
Death threats have been reported surrounding the Washington Fish and Wildlife Department’s decision to eliminate the cattle-killing Profanity Peak wolf pack in Ferry County, according to the Seattle Times.
The threats have been received by people on both sides of the emotional issue, the newspaper reported today.
Fuel was thrown on the volatile issue last week when the Seattle Times ran a story quoting a WSU researcher who said the cattle were grazing on an allotment near a wolf den and that the attacks on cattle were predictable. The story ran while state personnel were involved in the dangerous work of trying to hunt the wolves by helicopter.
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KWVR Oregon Wolf Education weekly Wolf Report
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“Lethal control action” aimed at problem wolves near Jackson
August 29, 2016 KIDK
JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI/KIDK) – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirms several calves and one adult cow were killed by wolves on private land just north of Jackson last week.
Agency spokesman Tyler Abbott said “lethal control actions” were initiated in cooperation with Wildlife Services to find and remove the wolves responsible.
… Abbott said it is a very active time for wolf activity throughout the region with new pups joining adults in their packs.
full story:
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Wildlife officials end wolf trapping as cattle attacks stop
AP Sep 02, 2016
JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) – Wildlife officials have stopped trapping for a group of wolves suspected of killing livestock on private land near Grand Teton National Park.
The News and Guide reports that two of the four wolves that U.S. Department of Agriculture-Wildlife Services personnel have been trapped and killed and the other two have not been seen harassing cattle.
Officials announced Thursday they would stop looking for the two remaining wolves.
Officials linked these particular wolves to attacks that killed two adult cows and injured four calves over the past two weeks.
Wildlife officials say that since the two wolves were killed there has not been any cattle predation.
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Decision imminent on fate of world’s only wild red wolves
By Jonathan Drew – 9/3/16 AP
RALEIGH, N.C. — The fate of the world’s remaining wild population of red wolves will be decided soon.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to announce in September whether it will maintain, modify or abandon a 30-year effort to return the wolves to the wild in eastern North Carolina.
Meanwhile, conservationists say the wildlife service is already neglecting its duty and have asked a federal judge to step in. A Sept. 14 hearing is scheduled on their efforts to block what they say are harmful or lethal ways of removing wolves from private land.
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New study questions wolf DNA
September 2, 2016 By WEI Staff
Stop the freight train — brand-new DNA study involving North American wolves and coyotes threatens to derail the whole concept of what we consider “pure wolves,” as well as the federal reintroduction programs dealing with them.
Researchers from Princeton University studied the genomes from a variety of gray and red wolves as well as coyotes. Both the gray species (Canis lupus) and the red (Canis niger, so-named from a black phase of them) wolves were initially listed as endangered in 1973.
The federal Endangered Species Act allows for the protection of threatened or endangered species and subspecies (the Mount Graham red squirrel is one of the latter) but does not authorize safeguards for hybrids.
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Sask. man recovering in hospital after wolf attack at Cameco mine
August 31, 2016 By WEI Staff
“A 26-year-old man is recovering in hospital after being attacked by a wolf while on shift at a northern Saskatchewan mine.
The incident happened Monday morning at 12:05 a.m. CST at Cameco’s Cigar Lake uranium mine, about 660 kilometres north of Saskatoon.
Cameco spokesperson, Rob Gereghty told CBC News that a contractor at the mine was mauled by an unprovoked wolf while taking his lunch break outside.”<<<Read More>>>
Wolf attack in northern Saskatchewan 3rd in 12 years
“On Dec. 31, 2004, Cameco miner Fred Desjarlais was jumped by a wolf outside the Key Lake mine. Desjarlais wrestled the wolf to submission before being rescued by a busload of co-workers.
And then ten months later, Ontario geology student Kenton Carnegie was killed by wolves at Points North Landing, a mining supply camp in the same area as Key Lake.”
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Hunters fend off wolves after dog attacked at wilderness camp
August 31, 2016 By WEI Staff
“A group of hunters say they were forced to fight off two wolves after their dog was attacked at their wilderness camp in the N.W.T.’s Mackenzie Mountains last weekend.
Only a few hours after the group had set up camp for their week-long adventure, they heard noises outside their tent. When Andrew Stanley went outside to see what was happening, he saw two husky-sized wolves attacking his dog, Charlie.
One wolf had the dog by the neck, and the other was biting the dog’s legs, back, and belly. When Stanley approached with his rifle, the wolves let go of his dog and fled, but not before Stanley was able to shoot one of the wolves dead.”
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Deaths of grizzly bears down in Yellowstone region
9/3/16 AP
POWELL, Wyo. — Both conflicts with and deaths of grizzly bears are down in the Yellowstone region this year from Wyoming to Idaho, but they’re not out of danger yet.
This fall, bears will be preparing to hibernate and wildlife officials are ready to intervene if there are confrontations with humans.
Wildlife officials said the availability of more food is reducing bear and human interactions.
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US judge: Government can keep killing salmon-eating birds
By GILLIAN FLACCUS – 9/3/16 AP
PORTLAND, Ore. — A federal judge has ruled that the U.S. Army Corps Engineers can continue killing double-crested cormorants that prey on Columbia River salmon and steelhead in a move that shows just how complex the debate has become over how to best sustain imperiled fish species emblematic of the Pacific Northwest.
Following the ruling made public Thursday, the Audubon Society of Portland on Friday called the decision “deeply disappointing.”
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Fish parasite found in Silver Creek
August 29, 2016 Idaho Mountain Express
State officials have found Silver Creek fish infected with the same parasite that caused a massive fish die-off in Montana’s Yellowstone River.
Idaho Fishery Manager Jeff Dillon confirmed the presence of the parasite, but said it was found in live rainbow trout and hasn’t yet been linked to fish mortalities. Dillon said biologists noticed skin lesions on the fish during a routine survey, which resulted in testing.
Dillon said stressed fish are more susceptible to the parasite and other diseases, which may explain why the Idaho fish have survived infection.
Dillon said the parasite can cause proliferative kidney disease, or PKD. He said it sometimes affects trout but most often sickens whitefish. Dillon said the parasite originally came from Europe but was first found in the United States in the Hagerman Fish Hatchery in 1980.
The first report of the parasite in the wild in Idaho was in 2012, when Dillon said they found it in a small number of infected fish in the south fork of the Snake River. The incident was small and isolated, according the state Department of Fish and Game.
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported that the whitefish die-offs in the Yellowstone River could number into the tens of thousands. The Chronicle also reported suspended recreation on the Yellowstone River as officials investigate.
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Letter to Share:
A plea to steelheaders to treat wild fish with care
Anglers will soon begin to seek steelhead in the Salmon, Clearwater, Grande Ronde, and Snake rivers. The fish they hook will consist in part of wild steelhead listed under provisions of the Endangered Species Act. Unlike hatchery steelhead, the wild ones have an intact adipose fin. Anglers must release them unharmed.
Wild steelhead numbers this year amount to only about half of the low return last fall, and about 40 percent of the 10-year average count at Bonneville Dam. ESA-listed wild fish make up only about 20-25 percent of the total steelhead run, a result of habitat lost, hydroelectric dam projects, and Columbia River gillnets that kill or stress fish, particularly large steelhead that spend two or more years at sea.
Steelhead that pass Lower Granite Dam this year faced Columbia River water temperatures in excess of 71 degrees from Bonneville Dam to the Snake River confluence. That stressful experience used more marine-stored energy than usual.
Sport anglers can help wild steelhead by handling exhausted fish very carefully. These valuable potential spawners should be kept in water, not brought onto the river bank or into the boat for hook removal or photos.
Stress and damage to gills increase for fish handled out of water. These fish remain in Idaho rivers from late September until they enter tributaries to spawn in spring, and are vulnerable to repeated hooking and handling.
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game does not discourage out-of-water handling of wild steelhead for ego pictures, although it should follow the lead of the state of Washington and make it illegal.
I hope anglers will take special care by keeping wild fish in water during hook removal.
Don Chapman, McCall
Posted Sept 1, 2016 in The Star-News
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Fun Critter Stuff:
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Stray dog falls in love with runner during marathon
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New Cat Door
Yesterday, I spent an hour and half installing a new cat door so Philo the Cat could come and go as he pleases. This is his reaction.
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Fish & Game News:
News Releases
https://idfg.idaho.gov/press
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Notifications sent following fishing license data breach
By KEITH RIDLER – 9/3/16 AP
BOISE, Idaho — Notices that personal information might have been compromised will be sent to hunting and fishing license holders in Idaho and Oregon following the breach of a vendor’s computer system. They likely will be sent in Washington state, too.
Officials in Idaho and Oregon said Dallas-based Active Network will mail the notices to people in their states following the computer hack last week that shut down online license sales.
Washington officials said they’re in contact with the company and expect similar letters to be sent in their state, but that hadn’t been finalized Friday. Officials say the number of records exposed could be in the millions.
Online license sales have been halted in all three states until the extent of the hack is fully understood.
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Tips & Advice:
Kitty Litter in Your Tent?
Before packing your tent up for the season, put some clean kitty litter in a sock and tie it in a knot. Put it in the tent. This will help keep mold and mustiness away.
– Farmers’ Almanac
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The Yellow Pine Times 