May 2, 2021 The Yellow Pine Times – Valley County, Idaho
Reminder: We are still under a boil water order.
Community Calendar:
April 17, 2020 – Boil water order issued
March 31 – Weight Limits on SF road
April 2 – Hwy 55 weekday closures
May 5 – 3pm Cinco De Mayo at the Community Hall
May 9 – Next Festival Planning Zoom Meeting
May 15 – YPFD meeting 10am at the Fire Hall
June 12 – VYPA Meeting
(details below)
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Local Events:
Cinco De Mayo May 5
The community hall committee is once again doing its “give back to the community” with Free Tacos at the community hall 3 PM Wednesday, May 5.
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Next Festival Planning Meeting
Sunday, May 9, 2021, Zoom meeting at 2pm. Contact Deb for link and passcode.
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Plumbers Coming to Yellow Pine
Rocky Mountain Mechanical will be coming to Yellow Pine some time in May to do plumbing projects. If you are interested in plumbing work please call (208) 365-PIPE (7473). These guys are professionals and do great work, clean and courteous.
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Heating Maintenance Day
Deb Filler is coordinating with Mastercraft of McCall to schedule a maintenance day in Yellow Pine for propane and pellet stoves. If you are interested, please contact Deb at 208 633-6945. The date will be at least a couple months out.
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Village News:
Yellow Pine Water Grant Presentation
Valley County Commissioner Meeting April 26, 2021, YouTube video, Yellow Pine Water starts at the 2:10:00 mark and lasts about 27 minutes.
Here is the ‘power point’ presentation (in a PDF format) that was given during the public hearing April 26th at the Valley County meeting.
link: 20210426 ValleyCountyPresentation.pdf
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Community Cleanup at the Dump May 1
About 15-20 locals pitched in with rakes and shovels to clean up the transfer station while the Lakeshore truck was in to move (and empty) the dumpsters. Many thanks to these community spirited folks.
shared by GB
shared by TN
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Kentucky Derby at the Tavern May 1
Locals enjoyed a get together, and some campers tired of sitting in their tent in the rain enjoyed the race with us. Thanks Dawn for the Kentucky Shrimp and Bourbon dip and being our inspiration.
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Power Outage
Saturday night, May 1, at 1004pm the power blinked off, on, off and back on.
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Yellow Pine General Store
Laundry is open. Gas Available and rooms for rent.
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Road News
Link: to current road reports.
Upper Johnson Creek road is still closed at Landmark.
The Stibnite road between Yellow Pine and Stibnite mine is open.
The Hwy 55 project resumed April 2nd, expect full road closures Monday-Thursday from 10am to 2pm in the Smith’s Ferry area. Project Website link:
South Fork Salmon River Spring weight limits are in effect March 31 through at least June 1st.
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Critters
Ticks
Tick season started March 11th, and are numerous this spring. Check your dogs and yourself after a walk in the woods.
Pine Martins & Raccoons
Watch your small pets, reports of pine martins living in the dump and raccoons on the north side of the village.
Be Fox & Coyote Aware
* Do not feed foxes human food
* Feed domestic pets indoors
* Make sure your pets are updated on Rabies vaccines
* Small pets could become a snack
Be Mountain Lion Aware
* NEVER run away from a mountain lion. The lion’s instinct is to chase and ultimately catch what they perceive as potential prey.
* NEVER turn your back on a lion. Always face them while making yourself look as large as you can. Yell loudly, but don’t scream. A high-pitched scream may mimic the sound of a wounded animal.
* SLOWLY back away while maintaining eye contact with the lion.
* Safety equipment you may choose to carry could include bear spray, a noise device, like an air-horn, and if you walk in the dark, a very bright flashlight.
* If you are attacked, fight back!
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Yellow Pine US Mail
The 3-day a week mail delivery started Nov 2nd. The Post Office in Yellow Pine is open six days a week year around: M-F 845am-245pm Saturday 9am-245pm. Forever Stamp: 55 cents. Support our local post office and purchase your holiday stamps here.
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Yellow Pine Transfer Station
Community Cleanup at the Dump May 1st was a resounding success!
Yellow Pine Transfer Station (aka, the dump)
Please do not abuse our Transfer Station or we may lose it. Household trash must be placed in the bins, flattened cardboard boxes can also go into the bins. Do not stack trash in front of the doors. Woody yard debris only for the burn pile. No furniture, appliances, tires or construction debris allowed, those items must be hauled out to the Donnelly station by you.
The Yellow Pine Transfer Station is Valley County responsibility. If it is not kept tidy, use of the Transfer Station may be revoked. That would result in residents having to take all household trash and yard waste to the Donnelly Transfer Station.
If Dumpsters Are Full, Contact Lake Shore Disposal at: (208) 634-7176
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Local Groups
YPWUA News:
We are still under a Boil Order. Please conserve water. Turn off your trickle when it is above freezing during the day.
Update Apr 16, 2021: Water usage is holding at around 35k gallons per day, down about 15k since a leak was fixed.
Update Nov 29, 2020: Warren replaced the water meter because of inconsistent readings. With the new meter, the community is currently using over 55,000 gallons of water per day. A leak has been identified and will be repaired as soon as we can coordinate the contractor, equipment needed and weather together. It is difficult to get everything planned in the winter. When the repair is scheduled, the community will have a few days notice before the water is shut down. Since we are using more water than the rated use through the sand filters, the boil order will remain in effect. We continue the grant request process that is extremely slow. – Steve H
The annual Water meeting for 2020 was held July 5th at the Community Hall 2pm.
link: minutes 20200705YPWUA.docx
Boil Your Water Before Using
Boil Water Order issued April 17, 2020.
Link: to Notice
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VYPA News:
VYPA Meetings are the 2nd Saturday of June, July, August, and September (June 12, July 10, August 14, September 11) at 2:00pm at the Community Hall.
Village Council members:
Deb Filler, Chairman
Matt Huber, Vice Chairman
Ronda Rogers, Treasurer
Rhonda Egbert, Secretary
Ron Noel, Member at Large
VYPA Bylaws adopted 8/8/2020 (link)
YPAC Corp Bylaws (link)
Festival
Anyone interested in being a part of the Festival Planning/Working committee, please contact Deb Filler. Meetings will begin at the end of January. Even if you aren’t physically in YP, you can participate in the committee.
Next Festival Planning Meeting May 9, 2021 – Contact Deb for Zoom link and passcode.
2021 Planning Notes updated May 28th (link)
Yellow Pine Music and Harmonica Festival Policy and Procedure Link:
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YPFD News:
The Fire Station recently had a propane heater installed. The heater will be a great addition to the fire station. It will be more efficient at keeping the station above freezing during the winter, especially since we keep water in the engines so they are ready to roll if an emergency occurs. It will also make it more pleasant to hold meetings at the fire station. Big thanks to Fire Chief Tim Rogers for coordinating this.
Meeting schedule for the YPFD. All meetings are at the YPFD Station
Sat. May 15 at 10am
Sat. June 12 at 10am
Sat. July 10 at 10am
Sat. September 11 at 10am Budget Meeting
YP Fire District 2 (east of Yellow Pine Ave) up for election Nov 2nd for 4 year term (per Valley County.) Link:
YPFD had a budget meeting on September 30, 2020 at 10am at the fire station. (No minutes yet.)
Make sure to keep your chimney clean. Cleaning brushes can be borrowed from the YPFD.
Also if you are burning any piles of forest litter and debris – please have a connected and charged garden hose that can reach your piles. If your hose cannot reach where you are burning, follow the good advice of having a shovel, axe, and water bucket at the scene. Rake away from anything that could ignite. Stop burning if winds become an issue. Make sure your fire is out before you leave the area. Nothing like getting surprised by a escaped fire in the middle of the night!
Better yet, “Rake It and Take It” your yard waste (limbs, pine needles, brush, etc.) to the burn pile at the Transfer Station on the south end of the turn-around. Remember, keep the pile neat. Woody debris only, no nails, no cardboard and no furniture! The Boise NF will burn the pile in the fall when it is safe.
YPFD COVID19 Policy
link: YPFD Covid 19 SOP
link: Covid-19 EMS
YP Fire Commissioners:
Sue Holloway – District 1
Dan Stiff – District 2
Merrill Saleen – District 3
Tim Rogers – Fire Chief
Yellow Pine Fire Protection District Community Service Notice
The purpose of this letter is to show how you as a Yellow Pine Resident can help protect your structure against a wildland fire by being “Fire Wise.” Click the link: to view 20190724 Yellow Pine Fire Protection mitigation
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Biz Listings:
The Corner (208) 633-3325
We will now be open 11am-8pm, closed on Tuesdays only. We will still offer smoked tri tip, brisket, and chicken sandwiches and also burgers and chicken wings.
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Yellow Pine Tavern (208) 633-2233
Yellow Pine Tavern open daily:
Monday thru Thursday 8am to 9pm
Friday and Saturday 8am to 10pm
Sunday 8am to 8pm
Indoor Dining with limited seating and Outdoor Dining Available.
Full Breakfast Menu. Burgers, Pizza, Fajitas, Beer, Wine and Pop
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Yellow Pine Lodge (208) 633-3377
Closed Nov 3rd for winter.
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Yellow Pine General Store (208) 633-3300
Rooms, fuel, and laundry available now. Store plans to open by Memorial Day weekend.
Email for reservations
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Murph’s RV Park & Mary’s Cabins
FB page link
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Knotty Kat Crochet Works – 208-502-0940
FB page link
open Tue – Sat, 9-5
Yellow Pine eggs $3/doz
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Buck Horn Outfitters LLC 208-633-3614
Tom & Sarah Lanham
156 Yellow Pine Ave, Yellow Pine Id 83677
website:
Facebook:
Wapiti Meadow Ranch – Johnson Creek (208) 633-3217
or 208-315-3554 – cabin rentals
website:
Deadwood Outfitters
website:
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Local Fuel Suppliers
Amerigas Phone: (208) 634-8181
Ed Staub & Sons Phone: (208) 634-3833
Diamond Fuel & Feed Phone: (208) 382-4430 open 830am-5pm Monday-Friday, closed weekends.
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Outside Biz that will service Yellow Pine:
The Star-News
click to subscribe:
A reminder that those who live in other states can subscribe to the online edition only since the mail can take days for hard copy to reach them.
Rocky Mountain Mechanical – Plumbing – Heating – Air conditioning
(208) 365-PIPE (7473), Emmett, will service Yellow Pine
Website:
Elkhorn Heating & Cooling
(208) 906-4067 Middleton, Idaho, will service Yellow Pine
B&T Safety Solutions LLC
208-271-1600 Based out of Donnelly
Snow removal, cleaning chimneys and stoves, we do cabin staining/chinking as well
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Follow The Yellow Pine Times on Facebook (updated more often than emails)
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Local Observations:
Monday (Apr 26) overnight low of 29 degrees, measured 0.09″ rain from Sunday, high thin overcast sky this morning. Colombian ground squirrels out and chirping, first chipmunk sighting, a few finches have returned, hairy woodpecker, nuthatches, collard dove, dark-eyed junco, clark’s nutcracker, flicker calling and jays visiting. Mostly cloudy at lunch time. Leaves are breaking bud on the lilac bush. Mostly cloudy, warm and a little breezy early afternoon. Mostly cloudy and gusty breezes late afternoon, high of 54 degrees. Partly clear and chilly breezes at dusk. Elk “talking” in the neighborhood just before dark. Mostly cloudy before midnight.
Tuesday (Apr 27) overnight low of 29 degrees, mostly cloudy sky and light breeze this morning. Some tree swallows have returned, a few cassin’s finches, red-wing blackbird calling, robins hopping around, jays, nuthatches and colombian squirrel visiting. Partly cloudy, light breezes and warm at lunch time. Mostly clear (looks like haze of smoke to the south), warm and breezy mid-afternoon, high of 62 degrees. Woodpecker drumming off in the distance. Partly cloudy, calm and warm at dusk. Looked mostly clear before midnight, after midnight a very big bright moon.
Wednesday (Apr 28) overnight low of 27 degrees, almost clear sky this morning (tiny patch of thin haze to the north east.) More tree swallows have returned, robin and a few cassin’s finches visiting. Later a female hairy and a male downy woodpecker, two pine squirrels and a golden mantle ground squirrel. Warm, partly cloudy and breezy at lunch time. Mail truck made it in on time. Warm, partly cloudy and light breeze late afternoon, high of 68 degrees. It was still nice and warm at dusk, partly cloudy and calm. Partly or mostly clear after midnight.
Thursday (Apr 29) overnight low of 31 degrees, partly hazy sky this morning. Tree swallows, red-winged blackbird and jays calling, cassin’s finches, hairy woodpecker and 2 pine squirrels visiting. Tiny leaves coming out on lilac bushes. Warm and hazy sky at lunch time. Quite warm late afternoon, mostly cloudy sky and light breezes, high of 77 degrees. Warm, calm and mostly cloudy at dusk. Robins chirping, flash of a hummingbird. Mostly or partly clear before midnight.
Friday (Apr 30) overnight low of 35 degrees, partly hazy sky this morning and light breeze. Lots of birds singing, robins, swallows, cassin’s finches and female hairy woodpecker visiting. Mostly cloudy, warm and light breezes at lunch time. Very warm early afternoon, mostly cloudy and light breeze. Report of a quail in the neighborhood, and a hawk making the wild birds (and chickens) to go into hiding. Quite warm, light breezes and mostly cloudy late afternoon, high of 79 degrees. It was still light outside at 845pm (and warm.) Herd of elk by hole #1 at dusk. It looked cloudy before midnight.
Saturday (May 1) overnight low of 38 degrees, mostly cloudy (haze and wispy thin clouds) breezy and the river sounds louder. Swallows, robins and finches calling, 2 hummingbirds visited and big fat colombian ground squirrels scampering about. Lots of ticks! Overcast at lunch time and breezy. Dark overcast and rain showers on and off started mid-afternoon, high of 69 degrees. Break in the rain and a few small breaks in the clouds late afternoon. Partly clear at dusk, happy robins chirping. At 1004pm the power went off, came back on briefly, went off again and came back and stayed on. Looked cloudy before midnight, likely another rain shower after midnight.
Sunday (May 2) overnight low of 38 degrees, breezy, mostly cloudy sky and fog belts mid-mountain, measured 0.14″ from yesterday’s rain showers. Loud airplane circled over at 9am. Lots of cassin’s finches visiting, and two hummingbirds, no tree swallows – they must have headed for warmer places again. We had all 3 types of ground squirrels today, chipmunks, colombian and golden mantel, no pine squirrels. Hawk in the neighborhood scaring song birds (and chickens.) Mostly cloudy and breezy at lunch time. Partly cloudy and breezy late afternoon, high of 54 degrees. Report of an osprey on the nest along the EFSF river.
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Idaho News:
177 new Idaho COVID-19 cases, 1 new death
April 30, 2021 Local News 8
Idaho officials reported 177 new COVID-19 cases and one new death Friday.
That brings the total confirmed and probable cases reported since March to 187,656.
There are a total of 150,349 confirmed cases and 37,307 probable cases in all 44 of the 44 counties in Idaho, according to numbers released from the local health districts and the state. …
The state said 603,715 people have received the vaccine, and 1,057,549 total doses have been administered. 486,271 people are fully vaccinated. …
The state said 13 new hospitalizations have been reported bringing the total number to 8,113, and 1 new case has been admitted to the ICU bringing the total to 1,376. …
1 new death was reported bringing the total recorded deaths to 2,046.
full story:
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Idaho April 26, 2021 Daily Cases
source: KTVB
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Valley drops mask rule at courthouse
Masks still required for courts, McCall DMV
By Max Silverson for The Star-News April 29, 2021
Starting Monday, masks will no longer be required to enter the Valley County Courthouse in Cascade, county commissioners decided on Monday.
The lifting of the ban applies to the courthouse, the Valley County Sheriff’s Office in Cascade, road department offices in Cascade and Lake Fork, the trash transfer station near Donnelly, the U of I Extension Service in Cascade, and the county’s weed-control office south of Cascade.
Masks will still be required in court facilities within the courthouse, including courtrooms, the clerk’s office and conference rooms because of an order from the Idaho Supreme Court, Valley County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Brian Oakey told commissioners.
The Valley County Courthouse Annex on Deinhard Lane in McCall also requires masks because of the Supreme Court order.
The McCall Department of Motor Vehicles office inside Idaho First Bank is still subject to the city’s mandatory mask mandate.
continued:
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McCall sets standards for lifting of mask order
Some criteria already met to limit spread of COVID-19
By Drew Dodson for The Star-News April 29, 2021
Guidelines to lift an order requiring face masks in the City of McCall were adopted last week by the McCall City Council.
The guidelines were drafted by local health officials at the request of the council after the council on April 8 extended the mask order to May 26.
“If cases remain where they’re at now, you’re a week away from meeting all of the criteria,” Central District Health Program Manager Gina Pannell told the council last week. …
Currently, 53% of people age 16 and older have been vaccinated in Valley County, or about 5,056 out of 9,552 residents in that age category. …
full story:
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Valley County COVID-19 vaccination rate rises to 53%
By Tom Grote for The Star-News April 29, 2021
A total of 53% of Valley County residents over age 16 had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by Monday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reported. That is up from the 52% rate reported last week.
A total of 5,069 county residents had received the vaccine out of an estimated 9,552 total population age 16 or over, according to the H&W’s online COVID-19 tracking site.
No new COVID-19 cases were reported by St. Luke’s McCall or Cascade Medical Center during the past week. The total stands at 745 cases have been reported in Valley County since the start of the pandemic.
Four confirmed deaths and two suspected deaths related to COVID-19 among Valley County residents have been reported by Central District Health.
Both hospitals reported plentiful openings for appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations.
continued:
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CDH updates health advisory for Ada, Boise, Elmore, and Valley Counties
by CBS2 News Staff Thursday, April 29th 2021
Central District Health updated its health advisory on Thursday for Ada, Boise, Elmore, and Valley Counties to include some situations where masks are no longer needed.
The advisory started with a mask advisory reinforcement.
“Wear a face covering when you are in an indoor public or private setting where you are not able to consistently maintain six feet of physical distancing between you and anyone outside of your household,” CDH explained in its advisory update.
However other situations have changed.
continued:
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Idaho passes COVID-19 milestone of 1 million vaccine doses; case counts remain low
By Idaho Statesman Apr 26, 2021
Idaho has passed a COVID-19 vaccine milestone, administering more than one million doses of vaccine as case numbers continue to decrease, according to data published Monday.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare said 1,020,224 vaccine doses had been administered by Monday. Just over 460,000 people have been fully vaccinated, while 131,837 people have received part one of a two-dose vaccine. Nearly 285,000 of those doses have been administered in Boise-based Central District Health’s four counties.
Still, Idaho is falling behind the national pace in vaccine distribution, Health and Welfare’s online data dashboard shows. Nearly 33% of Idaho’s eligible population (people 16 and older) have been fully vaccinated, compared to the national average of 35.4%. About 72% of Idaho’s senior population has received at least one vaccine dose, whereas 81.6% of seniors have nationally.
continued: at KIVI
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Valley County gets $1.4M in federal funds for roads, schools
By Max Silverson for The Star-News April 29, 2021
Valley County recently received about $1.4 million in federal funding for county roads, schools, search and rescue and firewise projects from the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000.
Of that money, about $894,000 went to the Valley County Road Department.
About $349,000 went to the McCall-Donnelly School District and about $50,000 went to the Cascade School District.
Also, about $105,000 went to a fund used for search and rescue and to programs to thin and prune trees near homes to prevent wildfires.
continued:
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Trident swap would give state 21,241 acres
N. Idaho timberland eyed for trade with land around McCall
By Drew Dodson for The Star-News April 29, 2021
The Idaho Department of Lands would gain nearly 1,000 more acres than it would trade away around Payette Lake under a land exchange application submitted by Trident Holdings.
Trident proposed to trade 21,241 acres of timberland in northern Idaho for 20,250 acres of state land around McCall, according to the Boise company’s application submitted to the lands department.
Trident does not currently own the northern Idaho timberlands, but has contracts in place to buy the lands upon approval of the land exchange, Trident founder Alec Williams said.
continued:
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Despite snow, rain, Pacific Northwest faces drought
by Associated Press Thursday, April 29th 2021
Despite a healthy amount of snowfall in the North Cascades over the winter and some recent rain, the Pacific Northwest slid into the “abnormally dry” drought category last week.
Kelsey Jencso of the Montana Climate Office says there’s been an intensification of dryness since February. Much of Washington, Oregon and Idaho are already experiencing moderate, severe and even extreme levels of drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Ryan Lucas of the NOAA’s Northwest River Forecast Center said low precipitation will likely continue through July. He says rainfall isn’t keeping pace with normal levels.
source:
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Mining News:
Road to Stibnite reopens after Feb. 23 avalanches
Perpetua crews clear 1,500 feet of roadway
By Drew Dodson for The Star-News April 29, 2021
The road to the site of Perpetua Resources’ proposed gold and antimony mine near Yellow Pine has been re-opened following a series of avalanches in February.
Stibnite Road was re-opened earlier this month after Perpetua spent about $88,000 and five weeks clearing debris from about 1,500 feet of roadway, said Mckinsey Lyon, a Perpetua spokesperson.
“The majority of the work was in moving debris, however there was minor damage to the outside bank armoring along the road,” Lyon said. “The road itself stayed intact.”
The clean-up means that the road is open to recreational traffic earlier in the season than normal, Valley County Road Superintendent Jeff McFadden said.
Work was done by Perpetua’s crew with excavators, front-end loaders and bulldozers stored at Stibnite, as well as crews Perpetua hired from O-K Gravel Works of Cascade.
Warm temperatures and rain triggered three avalanches on Feb. 23, leaving a debris field up to 30 feet deep across Stibnite Road.
Nobody was hurt in the slides, but one employee was temporarily stranded at Stibnite, the historic mining district 40 miles east of McCall that Perpetua is seeking permits to mine.
In March, Perpetua and Valley County commissioners agreed to wait for the snow to melt rather than have the county clear the road.
“We got permission from the county to conduct the work at our own cost,” Lyon said, noting the repairs were inspected by the county and the Payette National Forest.
“We were concerned that the ‘let it melt’ approach would block the road well into the early summer and potentially prohibit necessary work at Stibnite,” she said.
That work consists of about $7.5 million in clean-up of historic mining waste that was authorized by an agreement between Perpetua and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency earlier this year.
In April 2019, a series of avalanches along Stibnite Road blocked the adjacent East Fork South Fork Salmon River, causing it to wash out the roadway.
Those slides caused about $700,000 in damage to the road, which took about six months to rebuild.
Federal and state emergency money paid for $674,000 of that work, while the county paid for about $26,000. Perpetua also assisted with clean-up of the 2019 slides.
An agreement with the county requires Perpetua to pay for routine maintenance on Stibnite Road, like snow plowing. However, the county is responsible for major maintenance work.
Since 2010, Perpetua has spent about $1.2 million maintaining Stibnite Road and Johnson Creek Road, the road most commonly used to reach Yellow Pine from Warm Lake Road east of Cascade.
source: © Copyright 2009-present Central Idaho Publishing Inc. All rights reserved (used with permission.)
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Perpetua to offer $4,000 scholarship to graduating senior
Perpetua Resources has announced a $4,000 scholarship for one graduating senior in honor of Ken Assmus, a company employee who died Jan. 5 of complications of the COVID-19 virus at age 64.
Assmus, of Spokane, Washington, worked for Perpetua Resources, formerly known as Midas Gold, for 12 years and was the senior Geographic Information Systems specialist. …
Scholarship applicants must be a graduating senior at McCall-Donnelly High School, Cascade High School, Meadows Valley High School, Heartland High School in McCall, Council High School, Salmon River High School in Riggins, Shoshone-Bannock High School in Ft. Hall and Lapwai High School in Lapwai.
full story: The Star-News April 29, 2021
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Perpetua pledges up to $6,000 for Idaho STEM Action Center
Perpetua Resources is helping the Idaho STEM Action Center Foundation to reach its fundraising goal by pledging to match up to $6,000 in donations during the Idaho Gives Campaign.
The foundation is focusing its efforts this year on science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning opportunities for students, educators and communities to help build needed workforce skills and a stronger state economy.
Donations will help provide STEM learning interaction through camps, student competitions, learning materials, instruction, professional mentorship and other programs.
continued: The Star-News April 29, 2021
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Public Lands:
Payette National Forest Proposes Rental Cabins for Rent
McCall, Idaho, April 29, 2021 – The McCall Ranger District of the Payette National Forest is interested in hearing your comments on a proposal to 1) increase fees at two existing rental cabins, and 2) to begin using four cabins, currently administrative sites, as rental cabins for public use.
Burgdorf Rental Cabin: The cabin would be available from July 1 to September 30 for $160 per night with running water. The cabin sleeps 5-8 people. The cabin contains a flush toilet; shower; propane heat, lights and appliances; beds with mattresses; kitchen gear; cooking stove; wood stove and other amenities. The cabin is located adjacent to the Forest Service-operated Burgdorf Campground. Nearby are trails for both motorized and non-motorized use.
Warren Guard Station: The Warren Guard Station includes two buildings proposed for rentals, which would be available to rent from July 1 to September 30. The bunkhouse has two halves, which are accessed by private entrances with each unit containing 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. Each half sleeps 4 people at $120 per night. The ranger cabin is a classic Forest Service cabin with an old time feel and is in very good condition. It has three bedrooms, 1 bathroom (shower/tub, sink and flush toilet), kitchen, and living room. It sleeps 6-8 people at $130 per night. The site would also house a volunteer host during the operating season.
Paddy Flat Guard Station: The Paddy Flat Guard Station includes a bunkhouse currently available for rental. The unit sleeps four people and includes a kitchen and bathroom. The proposal is to increase the nightly rate from $75 to $100. Further, an additional building at this site would be available as a recreation rental. This second dwelling includes a kitchen, two bedrooms, and a bathroom (flush toilet, shower, sink). The house has propane heat and running water. It sleeps four people at $100 per night.
Buck Park Cabin: Buck Park Cabin is a rustic cabin currently available for rental at $20 per night. It sleeps three people and has a wood stove for heat and cooking. No plumbing or electricity is available. A vault toilet is located outside. The proposal is to raise the nightly rate to $50.
McCall District Ranger Jenni Blake stated, “We recognize how important these sites are to our history and local communities. These new fees will help us maintain these unique and valuable guard stations while also providing additional recreation opportunities to the public.”
The majority (95%) of the revenue collected at recreation fee sites remains on the forest to operate, maintain and improve the facilities and programs.
Currently, these sites are used by Forest Service personnel on an as needed basis. Each administrative site has several building facilities, some of which would remain available for Forest Service personnel, while others would be available for rent.
All new fee proposals and fee increases will be presented before a citizen’s advisory committee. The public is welcome to attend and comment at all advisory committee meetings. The meeting is expected to be held in the winter of 2021/2022. The exact meeting time, location and agenda will be announced on the Payette National Forest website and through the local media. These fee proposals will also have extensive reviews by both the Forest Service Regional and Washington Offices.
In 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act which allows the Forest Service to retain funds collected at certain recreation sites and use these funds locally to operate and maintain and improve these sites. Before the Forest Service received the authority to retain funds locally, all fees collected by the Forest Service went to the national treasury.
If approved, the cabins would be placed on (link) for rental information and reservations.
Photos of these proposed rental cabins can be found on the Payette National Forest webpage at: (link). At this time, comments are being accepted on the rental cabin proposals. Please send your comments to Emily Simpson, Payette National Forest, 500 N. Mission St. Bld. 2, McCall, Idaho 83638 or emily.simpson@usda.gov. Comments will be taken until September 30, 2021.
Brian Harris
Public Affairs Officer
Tribal Liaison
Payette National Forest
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USDA Forest Service Midvale Telephone Fiber Optic Cable Installation Update
April 29, 2021
The Payette National Forest is seeking comments on the proposed Midvale Telephone Fiber Optic Cable Installation project on the McCall Ranger District. The project is located in T22N, R4E, sections 1 and 12 and T22N, R5E, sections 7-11, 14, and 23, Idaho County, Idaho. More information including a map can be found on the project webpage at (link).
The McCall Ranger District is proposing to amend Midvale Telephone Company’s permit to replace outdated buried telephone line with fiber optic cable starting at Burgdorf and proceeding south and east along Forest Road #246, then east and south along Forest Road #21 to the Secesh Area. The route is approximately 11.93 miles long, with approximately 6.6 miles on National Forest System (NFS) lands. Facilities will be buried in the designated utility corridor located within previously disturbed portions of the road right-of-way. The fiber optic line will cross under streams by directional boring (~10 feet below the streambed) or over streams by fastening the duct to the abutments of drainage culverts. Design features will be considered in the analysis, and included as terms and conditions of the permit, to avoid or minimize undesirable impacts to Forest resources and visitors in compliance with applicable laws, policies, and regulations.
The purpose of this project is to respond to an application from Midvale Telephone Company to amend their existing permit. The project is responsive to Mobile Now Act of 2017 and Forest Plan direction to consider special uses such as communication sites and utility corridors that cannot be accommodated off NFS lands. This project is being evaluated as a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act provided in 36CFR 220.6(e)(2) – Additional construction or reconstruction of existing telephone or utility lines in a designated corridor.
The Forest Service is contacting interested individuals, groups, and agencies to make them aware of the project and to gather pertinent feedback. To be most helpful, please submit your comments by June 4, 2021, and make them as specific as possible.
The project webpage provides you tools to engage in this process as you wish. From “Get Connected” on the right-hand side of the page, click on “Subscribe to Email Updates” if you wish to receive electronic communication about this project. Use the “Comment/Object on Project” link to access a simple webform to submit your comments on this project. The “Public Comment/Objection Reading Room” contains published comments received on this project.
Webform submission is preferred but written comments may be mailed to: District Ranger Jennifer Blake, 102 W Lake Street, McCall, ID 83638. Please be specific on which project or projects you are commenting.
As a categorical exclusion there are no additional designated public comment periods for this project so this “scoping” phase is the best opportunity for public input.
For further information on this project, please contact District Ranger Jennifer Blake at 208-634-0400 or jennifer.b.blake@usda.gov.
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USDA Forest Service Rugged Ridge Outfitter Assigned Camps Update
April 29, 2021
The Forest Service is seeking scoping comments on the proposed Rugged Ridge Outfitter Assigned Camps project on the McCall Ranger District of the Payette National Forest. The project area is located in T24N, R6E, Sections 13, 17, 22, 28, 32, 35; T 24N, R 7E, Section 31; T 23N, R 6E, Section 34; T 23N, R 7E, Sections 18, 28, Idaho County, Idaho in Idaho game management unit 19A. More information including a map can be found on the project webpage at (link).
The McCall Ranger District proposes to amend an existing permit to authorize two new assigned sites. No new permanent structures or facilities would be permitted. Design features will be considered in the analysis and included in the terms and conditions of the permit to avoid or minimize undesirable impacts to Forest resources and visitors in compliance with applicable laws, policies, and regulations.
The purpose of this project is to respond to an application to provide adequate access to the permitted hunting area. This project is responsive to Forest Plan direction to authorize commercial services that meet established national standards and broaden the range of recreation opportunities and experiences provided on National Forest System lands.
This project is being evaluated as a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act provided in 36CFR 220.6(e)(3) – Approval, modification, or continuation of special uses that require less than 20 acres of NFS lands.
The Forest Service is contacting interested individuals, groups, and agencies to make them aware of the project and to gather pertinent feedback. To be most helpful, please submit your comments by June 4, 2021, and make them as specific as possible.
The project webpage provides you tools to engage in this process as you wish. From “Get Connected” on the right-hand side of the page, click on “Subscribe to Email Updates” if you wish to receive electronic communication about this project. Use the “Comment/Object on Project” link to access a simple webform to submit your comments on this project. The “Public Comment/Objection Reading Room” contains published comments received on this project.
Webform submission is preferred but written comments may be mailed to: District Ranger Jennifer Blake, 102 W Lake Street, McCall, ID 83638. Please be specific on which project or projects you are commenting.
As a categorical exclusion there are no additional designated public comment periods for this project so this “scoping” phase is the best opportunity for public input.
For further information on this project, please contact District Ranger Jennifer Blake at 208-634-0400 or jennifer.b.blake@usda.gov.
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Fire Season:
BLM officials: Idaho seeing more wildfires than normal, fire season could start early
By Frankie Katafias Apr 27, 2021
While Idaho is at relatively low risk for natural hazards, the most common — and most severe — is wildfires.
In 2020, the Bureau of Land Management’s Idaho Falls District reported a total of 150 wildfires. Of those, 130 were listed as “human-caused,” burning over 14,000 acres of land.
Last year’s fire season was considered fairly mild, but this year’s season could start much earlier than anticipated. Fire experts say a dry spring created a higher fuel load, and despite recent rain, a major warm-up will quickly dry those fuel loads and make them a wildfire hazard once again.
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Critter News:
Female grizzly bear killed in eastern Idaho; $40,000 reward offered
by CBS2 News Staff Monday, April 26th 2021
A reproductive female grizzly bear was found shot and killed in the Island Park area last month.
The bear’s cub, which was in the bear’s den, also died as a result of its mother’s death.
“The loss of a reproductive female grizzly is a real tragedy,” said Doug Petersen, regional conservation officer. “Someone out there knows what happened to this bear and we are asking them to come forward and share that information with us.”
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From birds to bobcats, this non-profit rehabilitates injured and orphaned wildlife across SW Idaho
By Karen Lehr Apr 30, 2021
It’s springtime in the Treasure Valley, which means by now there’s a good chance you’ve spotted some ducklings or another kind of baby animal. That signals the start of the busy season for the Animals in Distress Association and the Ruth Melichar Bird Center.
The non-profit organization has been rehabilitating animals in Southwest Idaho for the last 34 years.
“We get many orphaned ducklings and baby birds,” director Jennifer Rockwell said. “And it’s never-ending. Once you hang up the phone, you get another call.”
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West Valley Humane Society: Please do what you can before you abandon pets
by CBS2 News Staff Monday, April 26th 2021
A kennel with four kittens inside was left abandoned at the West Valley Humane Society.
It included a note.
“Please take good care of my kitties,” the letter stated. “I can no longer take care of them. I am now a senior without a place to go.”
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Letter to Share:
Gamebird Foundation Fundraiser
Hi all, to get a good look at some of the great ceramic coasters and cups done for The Gamebird Foundation, just click on the link below and it will open page 1. Of to the right is page 2, just click on it and it will open more pages. To order just look at the # at the bottom of the picture and determine the quantity of each that you want.
These coasters and cups are from Andy Sewell’s original paintings and are all signed by Andy. Folks that have looked at the coasters and cups that know art say they are the top of the line. We had a lady stop by yesterday and she just couldn’t believe the quality. Andy is one of the best in the USA.
All proceeds from the sale of the coasters and cups go to The Gamebird Foundation and the feeding, raising and releasing of wild pheasants and Red-Leg partridge from chicks to adults and releasing them into the best good habitat we can find. We raise and release thousands of these birds every year and it takes every dollar that we can raise from folks like you and your donation’s to keep the project going. All money that comes into TGBF is a donation, as we are a 501c3 non-profit anything over the cost of the item you buy is a tax deductible contribution.
To order or pay for the coasters and cups, you can go to our web page [below], and click on donations, you can email me at jhagedorn611@gmail.com or thegamebirdfoundation@gmail.com, call me at 208-883-3423 … Right now we have $10,000.00 worth of starter feed that we have to pay for by the end of May. Please help. Take a look at the link below and order now. You won’t want to get left out.
Link: to see the coasters
Link: to the Gamebird Foundation
“The Pheasant Guy”
Jim Hagedorn
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Fish & Game News:
During the spring wildlife baby boom, young animals are better off left alone
By Brian Pearson, Conservation Public Information Specialist
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
Spring is here, and so is the peak of baby wildlife season. People are bound to see young wildlife when they venture outdoors during the spring and early summer, and there is a pretty good chance that they will see a baby animal that appears to be alone, with mom nowhere in sight.
IDFG/Randy Poole
While a well-intentioned human’s first instinct might be to rescue these cute, cuddly and seemingly helpless creatures, Fish and Game officials have a simple suggestion to people who discover baby animals that appear to be abandoned: The best thing you can do for them is to leave them be.
Every spring, Fish and Game receives calls from well intentioned humans who have “rescued” baby animals that they assume have been lost, abandoned or orphaned. While these people typically mean well, they are often doing more damage than good when they intervene, and typically, mom was not far away to begin with.
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Youth-only controlled hunts offer kids exclusive opportunities for big game tags
By Brian Pearson, Conservation Public Information Specialist
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
Fish and Game offers thousands of youth-only controlled hunts for deer, elk, pronghorn and black bear
Idaho Fish and Game offers lots of opportunity for kids to apply for tags for deer, elk, pronghorn and black bear controlled hunts set aside exclusively for youth. The controlled hunt application period for deer, elk, pronghorn and fall black bear hunts runs from May 1 to June 5, and winners will be posted online by July 10.
Youth controlled hunt tags are available for many of Idaho’s best hunts, including 17 deer hunts, 15 elk hunts, five pronghorn hunts, and one black bear hunt. Youth hunts also provide a good opportunity for experienced hunters to mentor youngsters at separate times from general hunts.
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More F&G News Releases
link:
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Crazy Critter Stuff:
Penguin chicks need swimming lessons from keeper
by Tijana Milich, Zenger News Monday, April 26th 2021
Two African penguin chicks at the Dallas Zoo experienced their first swim in front of visitors.
Video shows the penguin pair being led to the pool by a zookeeper. Hesitant about what they are supposed to do, the chicks stare at the water. One of the penguins is picked up and placed in the water by a zookeeper. The other penguin follows, jumping in the pool on its own.
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Seasonal Humor:
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(photo captured from KTVB news story, probably courtesy Sam Jensen.)
