The Courier
News
News from the Heart of Idaho Camas • Lincoln • Gooding
March 22, 2017
Volume 41 ~ Number 12
Camas County to Address Public Airports
Up until three years ago, the legal obligation in Idaho for zoning land around public airports was in the hands of the Idaho Transportation Department’s Division of Aeronautics. Unfortunately, the lack of resources made it nearly impossible for ITD to exercise that authority. In 2014 the Idaho Legislature passed legislation moving the obligation for airport zoning from ITD to local land use agencies, and on March 13, 2014, Governor Butch Otter signed Senate Bill 1265 into law. The new law requires planning and zoning commissions to consider the current and future needs and community impacts of public airports as part of their comprehensive plan, and to complete any needed zoning around airports in accordance with state statutes. The law also identifies public airports as essential community facilities that provide safe transportation alternatives and contribute to the economy of the state. One of the main goals of zoning land around airports is to prevent residential encroachment on airports that may lead to individuals complaining about noise, pollution, and other hazards. Poor planning often leaves airports surrounded by houses, churches, schools, and other sensitive development. With proper planning, communities can better coexist with their airport while protecting local, state, and federal airport investments. On April 4th, 2017, the Camas County P&Z commission will hold a special
workshop to consider the addition of a new section - Section XVII, Public Airports - to the Comprehensive Plan for Camas County. The meeting will be held at the Camas County Senior Center (125 West Willow Avenue) in Fairfield. Photo by Winston Ellis, Camas County Airport Manager
Thomas Kinder Earns Angus Awards
Thomas Kinder, Hagerman, Idaho, has earned the National Junior Angus Association’s (NJAA) Bronze and Silver awards, according to Jaclyn Clark, education and events director of the American Angus Association® in Saint Joseph, Mo. The 16-year-old son of Willis and Cindy Kinder attends Hagerman Senior High School and is a member of the NJAA and the Idaho Junior Angus Association. Thomas has participated in local, state and regional shows and showmanship contests and submitted weight data to the Angus Herd Improvement Records (AHIR®). The Bronze and Silver awards are the first two levels of the NJAA Recognition Program that began in 1972. Junior Angus breeders must apply for the awards, then meet point requirements in many areas of participation before receiving the honors. Applicants are evaluated in areas of junior Angus association activities and leadership, participation in showmanship, contests and shows, using performance testing to improve their herd and their progress in producing and merchandising Angus cattle. The NJAA promotes the involvement of young people in raising Angus cattle, while also providing leadership and self-development opportunities for the nearly 6,000 active members nationwide.