The Courier News from the Heart of Idaho Camas

• Lincoln • Gooding

May 17, 2023

Shoshone Railroad Closed for Repairs

Winter was not kind to the railroad crossing in Shoshone and traffic has been getting slower and slower through town. This past week, a low-boy trailer took out one of the crossing plates causing a temporary closure at the Greenwood crossing. This week (May 16-18) Union Pacific Railroad Company will make repairs to address the aging infrastructure, including removing old steel tracks and replacing with new steel tracks, concrete slabs, and asphalt. Regular traffic will be detoured to other crossings in Shoshone while trucks will be detoured onto to other highways. The crossing reopen when work is complete by approximately 6 p.m. on Thursday.

ITD, Idaho State Police, and local law enforcement caution motorists to slow down and pay attention when driving in work zones, where increased speeding fines and other penalties apply. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and dial 5-1-1 or visit 511.idaho.gov for information on the state highway or interstate system.

F&G Commission Approves Wolf Management Plan

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission unanimously approved a new wolf management plan during its May 11 meeting in Jerome. The wolf plan drew roughly 2,500 comments during a 32day public comment period, and it will shape Idaho’s wolf management over the next six years by outlining goals and strategies to manage Idaho’s wolf population to fluctuate around 500 animals.

The plan calls for managing wolves in balance with other big game, particularly elk, and minimizing conflicts with livestock. It incorporates knowledge gained from nearly three decades of wolf monitoring, management and understanding how wolves interact with other game animals and livestock, and react to different levels and types of harvest.

Commissioner Don Ebert of Weippe, who recently took over as Commission chair, reflected on the decision by saying the Commission understands many people in Idaho don’t support killing wolves, which was reflected in public comments.

“I want those people to know I hear what they say, and I take it to heart,” he said. “I think all of us on the Commission give them due consideration, and I am the last person who wants to go out and kill all the wolves.” But he also noted wolves have recovered well beyond minimums outlined in the Endangered Species Act recovery plan, and current hunting, trapping and management actions have barely kept their populations in check.

The goal is to gradually reduce the wolf population while carefully...

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NRCS Idaho Announces Sign-up for Organic Transition Initiative

The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Idaho is now accepting applications for enrollment in the Organic Transition Initiative (OTI). As part of the multi-agency Organic Transition Initiative, USDA-NRCS will dedicate financial and technical assistance to a new organic management standard and partner with new organic technical experts to increase staff capacity and expertise.

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis; however, to be considered for current available funding for the OTI, applicants should have their applications into their local field office by June 2, 2023. Only certain practices are eligible for funding under the OTI. To review them, please see the following attachment: Idaho Organic Transition Initiative Practice List NRCS will provide producers who adopt the new organic management standard with financial assistance. This opportunity supports conservation practices required for organic certification and may provide foregone income reimbursement for dips in production during the transition period. For more information about the Organic Transition Initiative, visit EQIP Organic Initiative | Natural Resources Conservation Service (usda.gov)

To apply for OTI, contact NRCS at your local USDA Service Center. Find your local Service Center at www.farmers.gov/ service-locator. Contact your Service Center to set up an inperson or phone appointment. On farmers.gov, you can create a secure account, apply for NRCS programs, electronically sign documents and manage your conservation contracts.

Spring Open House at Soldier Mountain

This Sunday, May 21st, join the folks at Soldier Mountain Resort for their first annual Spring Open House! They will be showing off their catering/dessert/drink slinging skills. The open house will be held from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Tickets are FREE!

Community Breakfast at the Wendell Senior Center

This Saturday, May 20th, 8 to 10 Adults - $5.... Under 12 - $3

Camas County Senior Class of 2023

Dear Friends of Camas County High School, Eleven seniors will graduate next Saturday, May 27th, and Project Graduation still needs your help to make their special night... special.

• Donate goods or services to be used as prizes or put into baskets for the seniors.

• Make a tax-deductible cash or check donation (checks must be made out to “Camas County Education Foundation” with memo for “Project Graduation 2022”), any monies left over will be donated to the Education Foundation Scholarship Fund.

• Volunteer to donate food for the evening.