Volume XVI Number 2 July, 2013
Consensus in the Clearwater Background The Clearwater Basin is a landscape rich with resources and history. With its towering pines, unbroken backcountry forests, robust fish and wildlife, and rural lifestyle, the Clearwater is a land of abundance. Yet, for decades, competing interests have been at odds. So in 2008, Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) convened the CBC to forge commonsense solutions for the people of Idaho—and for all Americans. Representatives from conservation, timber, state and local government, recreation, economic development, the Nez Perce Tribe and
Every member of the Clearwater Basin Collaborative voted to endorse the agreement.
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Snow Peak, Clearwater country / Jonathan Oppenheimer
For five years, the Idaho Conservation League has met with diverse interests in the Clearwater Basin of north-central Idaho to hammer out an agreement addressing economic development, wilderness protection, resource management, watershed restoration, tribal needs and recreation. In May, after dozens of meetings, hundreds of phone calls and thousands of cups of coffee, every member of the Clearwater Basin Collaborative (CBC) voted to endorse the agreement, which outlines specific actions and recommendations that satisfy the diverse needs of our constituents.
BOARD
Washington Lake, Boulder-White Clouds / Brad Smith
FROM THE DIRECTOR:
A MONUMENTAL MOMENT MB Whitaker
When Cecil Andrus fought a mine at the base of Castle Peak in the White Cloud Mountains during his 1970 governor’s race, he surely didn’t think he’d be working to protect it again 43 years later.
Rick Johnson
Andrus recently joined several of us in the ICL office as we discussed how to finally protect the BoulderWhite Clouds area. His practical approach was clear, “You have an opportunity now. Don’t overreach. Don’t waste time. Get it done.”
A year ago at ICL’s Wild Idaho! conference, Andrus advised us to stop trying to pass a bill in Congress and instead seek a national monument designation through the White House, a strategy he used well in Alaska as Pres. Jimmy Carter’s Secretary of the Interior.
Elaine French, Chair, Ketchum Paul Cunningham, Vice Chair, Boise Kahle Becker, Secretary, Garden City Perry Brown, Treasurer, Boise Tanya Anderson, Victor Mark Benjamin, Ketchum Jerry Brady, Idaho Falls Mark Daly, Boise Lori Gibson Banducci, Boise Kim Marshall, Sandpoint Steve Mitchell, Hailey Tom Page, Hailey Buddy Paul, Coeur d’Alene Mike Richardson, Naples Kim Trotter, Driggs Margrit von Braun, Moscow John Warren, Boise
STAFF Sara Arkle
Community Conservation Associate Natalie Chavez
Finance Manager Nancy Dooley
North Idaho Outreach Coordinator Susan Drumheller
North Idaho Associate Justin Hayes
Program Director Rick Johnson
Executive Director Marie Callaway Kellner
Water Associate Dani Mazzotta
Central Idaho Associate Suki Molina
Deputy Director Aimee Moran
ICL has worked hard with Rep. Mike Simpson and other members of the delegation to create an “Idaho solution.” After seven bills over six sessions of Congress, we are now in the Andrus camp. Seeking a national monument designation is the right strategy to “get it done.” Idaho citizens helped stop a giant open-pit mine in the White Clouds. A measure of protection was secured with the 1972 designation of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The Idaho Roadless Rule provides another layer. It’s time now to finish the work and give the Boulder-White Clouds the protection they deserve. Congressional dysfunction should not hold progress hostage. We need your help. Join us in securing a monument designation for the Boulder and White Cloud Mountains. See how on page 4. Rick Johnson Executive Director
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Development Director Jonathan Oppenheimer
Senior Conservation Associate Ben Otto
Energy Associate John Robison
Public Lands Director Brad Smith
Conservation Associate Courtney Washburn
Community Conservation Director Lana Weber
Membership Coordinator Mary Beth Whitaker
Editor & Designer Erin Zaleski
Membership Associate Boise 208.345.6933 icl@idahoconservation.org www.idahoconservation.org Ketchum 208.726.7485 Sandpoint 208.265.9565
rjohnson@idahoconservation.org
printed on recycled paper
PUBLIC LANDS SPOTLIGHT
Consensus in the Clearwater To learn more about ICL’s work in the Clearwater, go to www. idahoconservation.org
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other interests committed to working collaboratively to identify and implement balanced solutions. What’s in the Agreement? The agreement covers a number of recommendations: > Support for wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, and special management areas > Provisions for rural economic development > Support for increased timber harvest in the roaded “front-country” of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests > Designation of cultural areas important to the Nez Perce Tribe Specifically, it recommends wilderness for the Mallard-Larkins, Great Burn, East Meadow Creek and Selway-Bitterroot Additions, totaling about 300,000 acres within Clearwater and Idaho Counties. The agreement also includes special management area designations for Cayuse Creek and West Meadow Creek, adding about 190,000 acres.
DeVoto Cedar Grove, Clearwater National Forest / Jay Krajic
Learn More
These areas would be managed to protect water quality and wildlife habitat, limit motorized travel to specific routes, and prohibit new mining claims. These designations require an act of Congress to implement. For timber management, the plan builds on progress we’ve already made as part of the Selway-Middle Fork Collaborative Landscape Restoration Project. That effort has already attracted over $14 million in investments and created and sustained over 160 jobs in a region where unemployment regularly exceeds 10%. A CBC landscape assessment will guide aquatic and terrestrial restoration in the basin. The CBC will continue to work with the Forest Service to identify and implement sustainable logging practices that restore watershed and wildlife habitat. The CBC also wants to ensure adequate funding for important county services like schools, roads and public safety. Idaho and Clearwater Counties rely on “county payments” to offset the loss of private taxable land within their borders. The agreement recognizes this need. What’s Next? ICL will work with our partners to build support for the agreement. Some components require congressional legislation, so we’ll work with Crapo and other members of the Idaho delegation on these aspects. Other administrative elements require close coordination with the Forest Service, Nez Perce Tribe, Idaho Department of Fish and Game and others. It’s an exciting time in the Clearwater. We’ve cleared a major hurdle, but the race is far from won. We need your help to get to the finish line. Jonathan Oppenheimer Senior Conservation Associate
joppenheimer@idahoconservation.org 33
WILDLANDS
A Monumental Opportunity Pledge to support the Boulder-White Clouds! We’ll let you know when and how you can help with the monument efforts. www. idahoconservation.org/ supportBWC.
The Boulder and White Cloud Mountains of central Idaho are a wild place. Here, 150 peaks reach over 10,000 feet and four rivers begin. It’s where the world’s highest-elevation salmon run exists and where you can see plants found nowhere else on earth. The Boulder-White Clouds provide critical alpine habitat for elusive species such as wolverine and mountain goat. But more than just a place of amazing beauty and habitat, the BoulderWhite Clouds offer extraordinary backcountry recreation and a rich history in mining and conservation.
National monuments are designated under the Antiquities Act. Such designation would address many of the primary ecological threats to the area, such as increasing motorized use and grazing pressure. It’s an opportunity to highlight the area’s spectacular ecological, cultural and historical values as well as to ensure larger and more permanent landscapelevel protection. By better balancing the values that Idahoans cherish, we can make sure that the BoulderWhite Clouds remain wild, now and forever. Dani Mazzotta Central Idaho Associate dmazzotta@idahoconservation.org
Castle Peak, White Clouds / Jay Krajic
For more than a decade, ICL and Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID) have worked unwaveringly to protect the wilderness of the Boulder-White Clouds. This dedication shaped the Central Idaho Economic and Recreation Act (CIEDRA), a bill seeking to designate the heart of the Boulder-White Clouds as wilderness. CIEDRA has been introduced in six consecutive sessions of Congress, each time being held up. The reality is now clear—Congress is not the place to go to solve problems.
With challenge comes opportunity. Building from lessons learned over a decade of work on CIEDRA, we now have a chance to move forward on a new path to permanent protection for the Boulder-White Clouds. As you read on page 2, we are pursuing a national monument proclamation from the Obama administration for the Boulder-White Clouds.
It’s an opportunity to highlight the area’s spectacular ecological, cultural and historical values as well as to ensure larger and more permanent landscapelevel protection.
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ENERGY
Help Us Clean Up Idaho’s Energy! The Energy Foundation, a partnership of major foundations interested in sustainable energy, has generously agreed to match your gift to ICL’s energy program! With those funds, we can continue pressing for clean energy at the Public Utilities Commission. Right now, burning coal in surrounding states provides about half of Idaho’s electricity. To keep these decades-old plants running, our utilities plan to spend tens of millions over the next few years. At the same time, the utilities plan to spend hundreds of millions to prevent smog, asthma, acid rain, and other threats to our environment and public health stemming from burning coal. While limiting pollution is good, this spending does nothing to reduce
the resulting climate-warming carbon pollution. Idaho faces the choice of a generation: Do we double down on dirty coal or “shutter” these plants and invest the money in a clean, modern energy future? Soon ICL will challenge the utilities’ plans to spend our money to prolong dirty coal. They have lawyers, engineers, accountants and economists. We don’t. So to meet this challenge, ICL needs you. The Energy Foundation will match your gift. Contact Lana Weber (208.345.6933 x 16) to help ICL meet the match of the Energy Foundation and protect Idaho by reducing power generation from coal–fired power plants.
Do we double down on dirty coal or “shutter” these plants and invest the money in a clean, modern energy future?
Ben Otto Energy Associate botto@idahoconservation.org
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AROUND THE STATE
Fun Run Raises Thousands Bay Trail Fun Run / Chris Bessler
ICL celebrated National Trails Day in North Idaho with the Bay Trail Fun Run, the first event of its kind along the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail. More than 300 people participated in the 5K and 10K trail run, raising over $12,000 to help purchase a critical link in the trail along the shores of Lake Pend Oreille.
The fun run was cohosted by ICL, Friends of Pend d’Orielle Bay Trail, and Trinity at the Beach. The start and finish were on the beach, with the first half of the run on the lakeshore and the second half along the Sand Creek bike trail. ICL has been a major player in securing this
shoreline trail that connects Sandpoint and Ponderay for the public. We are now helping Friends of Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail with a campaign to raise $400,000 to purchase waterfront for the trail. With less than $50,000 left to raise, trail acquisition is close at hand. Nancy Dooley North Idaho Outreach Coordinator ndooley@idahoconservation.org
Oil and Salmon Don’t Mix Pair of Chinook salmon / USFWS
This summer the Payette National Forest is reviewing Canadian mining company Midas Gold’s proposal to expand drilling exploration in the headwaters of the South Fork Salmon River. The “Golden Meadows” project at Stibnite would require large convoys hauling diesel fuel, gasoline and jet fuel. The South Fork is one of the most important spawning and rearing areas remaining for Chinook salmon. Unfortunately, petroleum products are extremely toxic to fish: a fuel spill could wipe out all stages of fish in a stream, from eggs to adults.
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Because of this high risk, in the early 1990s, the Forest Service decided to prohibit all large fuel loads along the South Fork Salmon River road. Though these protections are still on the books, they haven’t been enforced lately. ICL has asked the Forest Service to revisit the issue and ensure that clean water protections are enforced. John Robison Public Lands Director jrobison@idahoconservation.org
Reining in Suction Dredge Mining Under the new program, miners cannot suction dredge for gold in waterways with unnaturally high levels of sediment. Dredge mining operations are also prohibited where spawning habitat is available to threatened and endangered salmon, steelhead and trout. Miners will also have to avoid wild and scenic rivers, national
recreation areas, and wilderness areas.
Suction dredge mine / Brad Smith
Each year, more than 500 suction dredge miners take to Idaho’s streams in search of gold. This destructive practice overturns fish spawning beds and stirs up sediment. In April, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a long overdue program to regulate these operations in Idaho.
The program protects thousands of miles of Idaho streams from suction dredge mining. The EPA will spend much of 2013 educating the public about the new program and then begin enforcing it in 2014. Brad Smith Conservation Associate bsmith@idahoconservation.org
The Great Idaho Land Grab of 2013
Instead of detailing everything wrong with this land grab, let’s focus on actions ICL is taking to stop it. We will monitor the study committee, providing testimony and materials to
the members. And we’ve already begun working with supporters, business leaders, economists, hunters, outfitters, our conservation partners and everyday Idahoans who want public lands to remain in public hands.
Hells Canyon / Jay Krajic
In April, the Idaho Legislature passed two resolutions. The first established a study committee to decide whether and how the state should demand title to federally administered public lands. Somewhat illogically, the second went ahead and demanded title. But the real goal is not to manage these lands but to auction them off to the highest bidder.
After all, Idaho’s public lands— Hells Canyon, the Sawtooths, the Frank Church, the Selkirks, and the Clearwater—are treasures that belong to all of us. We’ve said it before, and we’re saying it again…Idaho is not for sale! J. O.
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PEOPLE
Changes to Our Board A special thanks to Pat Haas for nine years of stellar service on ICL’s board of directors, including five years as board chair. We value your strong leadership and wonderful friendship! Swing by the office to say hello! Thanks also to Jerry Sturgill for his three years on our board. We appreciate your commitment and humor! Matt Bullard, we’ll miss you, too. Thanks for volunteering on the Boise Foothills campaign in 2001 and serving on our board for six years.
And welcome to our new class of ICL board members!
with Rathbone, Warwick & Daly Investment Consulting in Boise.
Tanya Anderson, Victor, is executive director for Teton Valley Community Recycling and is connected to environmental and education nonprofits in eastern Idaho. She has worked for several international and U.S.-based environmental nonprofits.
Kim Trotter, Driggs, served as Director of the Idaho Water Project for Trout Unlimited for many years. She studied resource ecology at Duke and currently runs a community charitable foundation based in the Teton Valley.
Mark Daly, Boise, is a fifthgeneration Idahoan and outdoor enthusiast. He served on the board of the Idaho Foundation for Parks and Lands and also on the Bishop Kelly Foundation Board as a team leader for a major capital fundraising campaign. Mark is a partner
Outgoing chair Pat Haas (left) and new board members (left to right) Tanya Anderson, Mark Daly, Kim Trotter and Margrit von Braun.
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Margrit von Braun, Moscow, is a retired academic dean at the University of Idaho where she also directed the Environmental Science Program. She and her husband cofounded TerraGraphics Environmental Engineering in 1985 and TerraGraphics International Foundation in 2011, specializing in environmental health issues related to mining. Suki Molina Deputy Director smolina@idahoconservation.org
SUSTAINABILITY
Keep Boise Great
But how can a community preserve its heart well into the future? How can we best promote a healthy environment, economy and community moving forward? This is the true definition of “sustainability”: preserving the things we need for a happy and healthy life for our children’s children.
Boise Greenbelt / Sara Arkle
But it’s time to turn from “good” to “great.” Over the past few years, the Idaho Conservation League has urged city leaders to adopt a comprehensive and visionary approach to sustainability. In April, the Mayor and City Council began a conversation that we hope results in creation of an office of sustainability for Boise. Now, with the support of the full City Council and Mayor, we can work to keep Boise great. In April, the Mayor and City Council began a
Sara Arkle Community Conservation Associate sarkle@idahoconservation.org
The city of Boise has been poised to address the issue of sustainability head on since Mayor Dave Bieter signed the Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement in 2007. Since that time, many city projects have incorporated energy efficiency measures.
conversation that we hope results in creation of an office of sustainability for Boise.
Wild Idaho! 2013 / Dani Mazzotta
If you live in Boise, I don’t have to convince you that it’s a great place. From the Foothills to the Boise River, there’s plenty of opportunity for you to get outside and enjoy life. We live here because we love Boise. So thinking about the future of our community just makes good sense.
Wild Idaho! Awards Each year at Wild Idaho! the Idaho Conservation League recognizes individuals for their contribution to conservation work. This year, the Keith and Pat Axline Award for Environmental Activism went to Jerry Pavia and Will Venard for their longstanding work to protect Long Canyon in North Idaho. The J. Robb Brady Award for Environmental Journalism went to Cynthia Sewell of the Idaho Statesman for coverage of the Dynamis project. ICL also recognized outgoing board chair Pat Haas for his exemplary service. Mary Beth Whitaker Designer & Editor mbwhitaker@idahoconservation.org
This year’s annual Wild Idaho! conference focused on conservation and politics (see page 10). 9
PEOPLE
Reasons to Celebrate! A Spectacular Wild Idaho! This year’s Wild Idaho! conference focused on conservation and politics. ICL supporters enjoyed an engaging presentation from keynote speaker Dr. James Weatherby of BSU, hearing also from BSU’s Dr. John Freemuth, Idaho Statesman’s Rocky Barker, and Selway-Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation’s Rob Mason. The live and silent auctions raised over $12,500 to help us protect Idaho’s clean water, wilderness and quality of life. A spirited jump in the lake raised another $13,000 for ICL’s water program! Marie Kellner, ICL water associate, passionately described her work, prompting some participants to join staffers Ben Otto and Jonathan Oppenheimer in the annual lake jump. Seeing so many people jump into Redfish Lake on behalf of Idaho’s water was fantastic!
Wild Idaho! 2013 at Redfish Lake / Brad Smith
Thanks to everyone who attended Wild Idaho! 2013, and special thanks to those whose generosity made our auction a great success:
AAA Idaho Agency for New Americans ARTA Arthur B. Schultz Foundation Kahle Becker Barb Bergeson Studio Big Creek Ranches Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd. Bogus Basin Ski Resort Cheesecake Factory The Chocolat Bar Ann Christensen City Peanut Shop Dawson Taylor Discovery Center of Idaho Draggin’ Wing Dragonfly The Flicks Flying M Coffeehouse Shell Forman John and Elaine French Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Margaret Fuller
Gold Fork Hot Springs Grand Targhee Resort High Country News Idaho Botanical Garden Idaho River Sports Idaho Steelheads Hockey Club Lava Lake Lamb Life’s Kitchen Mike Medberry Norita Murray NRS Nuu Muu Patagonia Jerry Pavia Recreational Equipment Inc. Boise Sage Yoga Sturtevants Mountain Outfitters Sun Valley Trekking Whole Foods Market Chris and Carol Yoder
Idaho Gives—Big! On May 2, the Idaho Nonprofit Center hosted its first annual online giving event, Idaho Gives. This inaugural 24-hour event was a huge success for ICL, surpassing our $10,000 goal by raising $11,044! ICL hosted events throughout the day in Boise and Ketchum, and many of you contributed online or dropped by to chat and donate! Special thanks to the businesses that helped make the day a success: Guru Donuts, Dawson Taylor Coffee, St. Lawrence Gridiron, Crooked Fence Brewing, and North End Organic Nursery. Our thanks also to volunteer musicians Bill Coffey, Mike Rogers and Bennet Larsson Barr, whose talent helped make the occasion festive! Erin Zaleski Membership Associate ezaleski@idahoconservation.org
Redfish Lake, site of the annual fundraising lake jump. Brrr! 10
Volunteers Our thanks to the volunteers, without whom our achievements would not happen. Aiden Ackerman Colton Ackerman Shelly Ackerman Dana Anderson Stephen Anderson Bennett Larsson Barr Chris Bessler Davey Breakey Jeff Breakey Barbara Brown Claire Casey Bill Coffey Pam Conrad Arlene Cook Berkeley Cox Brian Cox Roberta Crockett Tom Crockett
John Cyr Patrice Delaney-Davies Karlyn Dennis Mike Deprez Denise Dombrowski Eddie the Trout Daisy Erskine Annie Faggard Joanie Fauci Chuy Fragoso Deb Fragoso Jared France Karen Glaeser Kasten Grimm Nichole Grimm Dayna Gross Aria Horowitz Margo Johnson
Brandon Jones Rebecca Klopman Jeff Kuhns Kevin Lakey Bryce Lambert Mary Ellen Largent Lindsey Larson Gary Lirette Vicki Longhini Bob Love Mary Luzmoor Jennifer Macdonald Katie Maddux Pam Marcum Bella Martin Grady Martin Kris Martin Paul Martin
Lisa Matlosz Erin Meek Mary Meek Becky Mills Kerry Molina Cris Neira Tom O’Gara John Ohara Cindy Peer Michelle Polhemus Rick Price Gina Pucci Mike Rogers MaryAnn Rowe Sharon Rowe Paige Russell Chris Simpson Claudia Snider
Lance Snider Sarah Sorenson Michael Spurgin Gigi Stroud Jackie Suarez Tricia Sullivan Mary Lou Taylor Judy Thompson Melinda Van Dyk Ed Wardwell Lucy Weber Ella Weber-Wells Liam Weber-Wells Robin Yeary Jared Yost Conrad Young Ian Zaleski
What’s the easiest way to support ICL? Become a monthly donor through the Advocates for Idaho program! With your monthly gift, you… > Help ICL save money in printing and postage—and you have no extra paperwork! > Give ICL consistent financial support—and you know you’re making a difference today and tomorrow. > Join ICL in protecting conservation values in Idaho—you can be confident we’re working for you year round.
When you become an Advocate for Idaho, you choose the amount significant to you. You may increase, decrease or suspend your monthly gift at any time. Together, we will make a difference for Idaho’s future! Become an Advocate for Idaho today! Contact Lana Weber, 208.345.6933 x 16 or visit www.idahoconservation.org/donate to set up your monthly giving! 11
Membership Renewal Made Easier! Your annual membership renewal date is printed on the mailing label below. Please help save costs by renewing your membership before it expires. Renew online at www.idahoconservation.org or use enclosed envelope. If you have a smart phone, you can scan the QR code at left to access our website!
Idaho Conservation League 208.345.6933 PO Box 844 Boise, ID 83701
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Address Service Requested
40th Anniversary Celebrate 40 years of ICL! Join us in your area: Sun Valley, July 25
6–8 pm Thursday at Dollar Mountain Lodge Elkhorn Road, Sun Valley Tickets $60, 2 for $100 More details at http://www.idahoconservation.org/40th
Sandpoint, September 14
www.teannalach.com
Saturday at Trinity by the Beach Restaurant Sandpoint Tickets and info soon More details at http://www.idahoconservation.org/SP40th