The Courier
News
Capital For A Day in Gooding
On Monday, Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter and a dozen or more state officials came to Gooding for the Governor’s 97th Capital for a Day. The Gooding Basque Center was a full house with county and city leaders from Gooding and neighboring counties. Gooding Mayor, Walt Nelson, welcomed the state officials and thanked everyone for the great turnout. After a brief introduction of various department heads, the Governor open the meeting up for comments and questions from the public. Subjects of discussion included: the Little Wood River through Gooding and Shoshone; the protection of ground water quality, particularly after last year’s flooding that contaminated wells north of Shoshone; supporting existing and attracting new businesses to our small communities, and helping our young people find job opportunities closer to home; and fighting the growing problem of opioid addiction throughout the state. The subject that generated the most discussion was the proposed plan to move the Idaho Transportation Department’s District 4 administrative office from its current location in Shoshone. Last week, the Idaho Transportation Board voted unanimously in favor of a resolution to analyze three alternate locations near the Interstate 84/U.S.93 junction. Based on economic and social impact studies, the board felt that a new location for the offices would be the best use of public funds and provide highest public benefit. The Lincoln County Commissioners, along with District 26 representatives, have been trying to keep this move from happening because of the detrimental effects it will have on the Shoshone community. Lincoln County Commissioner, Rebecca Wood, said they have been making great strides towards improving Lincoln County’s economic and labor opportunities. Losing the ITD facility would be a major setback and take the community years to recover. ITD board member, Jim Kempton, said it is a difficult task to balance public expectations and funding realities. ITD has had a budget shortfall of over 100 million for several years, and to overcome that challenge, they need to find the most efficient use of funds. He reiterated that the resolution does not constitute a final decision by the board to relocate the office, but is intended to provide necessary data for the ongoing discussion. He also added, the board’s proposal must go before the Governor and the Idaho Legislature for final approval.
News from the Heart of Idaho Camas • Lincoln • Gooding
December 20, 2017
Vol 41 ~ Num 51
Wildlife Conservation
By Mike Demick, Conservation Information Supervisor The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, a bill introduced December 14 in Congress, will deliver a modern enhancement in how fish and wildlife conservation is funded before species become more rare and costly to protect – if it becomes law. The bill (HR4674) would redirect $1.3 billion annually in existing royalties from development of energy and mineral resources on federal lands and waters to be dedicated to the Wildlife Conservation Restoration Program, an authorized sub-account within the long-established Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Program. Wildlife conservation has been primarily funded through state fishing, hunting and trapping license fees along with PittmanRobertson and Dingell-Johnson excise taxes on hunting and fishing equipment. For over 75-years, those programs, under the direction of the Idaho Fish and Game Commission, have been successful in preserving, protecting, perpetuating and managing many of Idaho’s wildlife populations. Not since the enactment of the Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson acts has there been an opportunity to pass new legislation of such importance to protecting what is every American’s birthright – our great natural heritage. The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act would be one of the most important pieces of conservation legislation in a generation. However, additional funding for proactive strategies that complement existing programs would help the Idaho Fish and Game Commission conserve and manage the full array of Idaho’s fish and wildlife. Guided by language in the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act legislation, Idaho Fish and Game would use its share of funds to more effectively implement Idaho’s State Wildlife Action Plan – the guiding document that provides the strategic direction to implement proactive, non-regulatory, action-based solutions to conserve fish and wildlife with an emphasis on more than 200 species of greatest conservation need. Species in the Plan familiar to Idahoans include the greater sage-grouse, wolverine and wild steelhead. “Our nation’s fish and wildlife are among its most valuable resources along with clean air, water, healthy forests and agricultural lands that support all of us,” continued on page 7...