Island Park Preservation Coalition
Working Group
Minutes of Meeting
August 18, 2016
The Island Park Preservation Coalition held a working group meeting on Thursday, August 18, 2016, in the EMS Building in Island Park, Idaho. The meeting was called to order by Chairman, Ken Watts at 6:10 p.m. The following people attended the meeting:
Committee Members:
Ken Watts, Chairman
Greg Bitter, Vice Chairman
Terry Delong, Treasurer
Leanne Yancey, IPPC Research
Alynn Crapo, IPPC Website Administrator
Bob Stantus, IP Landowner and Recreation
Ellen Stantus, IP Landowner and Facilitator
David Moore, IP Medical Community
Zak Miller, Idaho Farm Bureau
Luke Davis, Agriculture and Ranching
John Stiehl, Fishing, Trouthunter
Judy Koehly, Secretary
Members Absent:
Connie Funkhouser, IP Business/IPPC Fund Raising/IP Trails Project
Rosemary Thompson, IPPC Fund Raising
Perry Thompson, National Park Service, retired
Joe Sielinsky, IP Sustainable Fire
Kathy Rinaldi, Greater Yellowstone Coalition
Dale Swensen, HFWC
Brandon Hoffner, HFWC
Trent Yancey, Fall River Cooperative
Glade Gunnell, IP Business
Ann Anthony, IP News
Hal Buster, FC Ranching
Kevin Phillips, Summer and winter recreation
Knowledge Experts Present:
LeRoy Miller, Fremont County Commissioner
Liz Davy, USFS
Kathryn Hitch, staff for Senator Crapo
Ken Watts, Chairman stated that tonight’s meeting would be a working meeting, because a quorum was not present.
Minutes: The July Minutes were discussed, but not approved.
Financial Report: Terry Delong, Treasurer, reported that the current balance was $4,080.82.
Current Events:
Ken Watts stated that the drawing for the quilt will be held at the next meeting of the Island Park Preservation Coalition on September 14, 2016. Ken reported that President Obama will not be coming to Yellowstone, but that Secretary Jewell will be here to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Park Service.
Ken Watts reported that the Fremont County Commissioners have received a response to their letter to Secretary Jewell of the Interior Department. In that letter, Secretary Jewell/BLM thanked the Commissioners for taking the time to share their views on this important issue. She said that the lands are important to all and that the Department will work with the public in making decisions. They will take into account the stakeholders and provide for economic development. Alynn Crapo will place a copy of Secretary Jewell’s/BLM’s letter on our website.
Ken Watts reminded everyone of the trip to the Partridge Fire area. The Partridge Fire was a managed fire. The purpose of the trip is to look at the project and then talk about management action.
Individuals representing the Bears Ears area of Utah have contacted IPPC through Facebook. They are locally trying to oppose a possible national monument. Sally Jewell has visited the area. A majority of the local people are against the designation of a national monument and want to know what we have done and are doing. They want to put it on their November ballot. They expressed an interest in joining with us.
A movement is being formed in the Western United States to revise or repeal the Antiquities Act. Legislation has been drafted that includes six states and 50 counties stating opposition to using the Antiquities Act to make national monuments in those states. Ken Watts has contacted Representative Simpson’s office to ask why they did not do anything to get on the list. Commissioner Lee Miller will talk to Senator Risch about it on Saturday.
The recreational access legislation was discussed. The consensus of the working group was that the roads on federal lands in the Island Park area shall be maintained at a level no less than the maintenance as of January 1, 2016 with emphasis given to increasing connectivity and functionality. Federal land access shall be coordinated with Fremont County and the City of Island Park. Fremont County is not taking on any more roads because they do not have the personnel or the equipment to do so. Schedule A is already in place to take care of roads. The USFS does not have the money to maintain the roads. A discussion was held regarding how to get funding for road maintenance. Lee Miller said don’t put the burden of the roads on the county, leave it with the federal government. A discussion was held about the difference between roads, trails and routes and motorized and nonmotorized routes. The matter was tabled for the September meeting. We don’t want to limit the enhancement when we propose the legislation. Should we ask for more money for roads or wait for later? There are five levels of road maintenance. How do we get money for road maintenance? Liz Davy stated that the group can ask for appropriations after the legislation has passed. We want to maintain and enhance at a rate no less than current road density and total miles – retain it at this as a minimum.
Ken Watts and Greg Bitter will meet with Liz Davy prior to the September meeting to work on the language.
Pay to play and the use of stickers by out of state recreationists was discussed. The Idaho panhandle is opposed to this proposal.
Hunting and fishing SNRA+ will be unchanged.
Ken Watts stated that everything we have resolved will be on a list, then we will know where we are.
We will leave Water Rights SNRA+ exactly as it is.
Zak Miller, representing farming and ranching was the speaker. The USFS designates the grazing areas and how many permits are given for each area. There can be from one to six ranchers in any area. The permits are given annually. In the Ashton area 26,000 animals can graze for 1 month. One AUM is equal to a cow and a calf. The USFS and BLM manage the lands. Zak stated that cows and calves are much larger than they were when the AUM allotments were initiated. There are currently 21 active allotments. The allotments set the number of AUMs allowed. Every allotment is different because of resources. Water is highly important. Permitees make improvements to the land i.e. wells, water troughs, fencing, etc. The improvements also help wildlife. The permittee pays $2.11 per month per AUM. Typically a permittee will pay $40 per month per AUM on private land, but all costs are taken care of by the landowner. All improvements made by the permittee fee become the property of the Forest Service. The $2.11 goes into the General Fund.
Agriculture accounts for 20 percent of Idaho’s economic impact. 124,000 jobs are agriculture related in the State of Idaho. Ag business sales in Fremont County are $157,000,000 annually. The University of Idaho states that agriculture accounts for 29.7% of the income in Fremont County. Zak Miller stated that grazing on public lands is a privilege and not a right. It is possible that a permittee may not have his permit renewed or could be subject to a change in the number of animals allows on his or her allotment. Zak said the Island Park has a forgiving environment and that it is a great place to run cattle.
Ken Watts asked Zak if water rights could be sold. Zak stated that all water rights with permits belong to the forest. Landowners can transfer their water rights. Zak feels that the land should be utilized, it should not be idle. Zak’s wish list: (1) there should be more water development because it would be better for the environment and for the animals. (2) there should be more fuel management to prevent fires. (3) there should be a reasonable plan to manage predators and (4) there should be multiple use legislation.
Zak thinks there should be more AUMs. He says cattle and sheep help each other. Elk and deer have different eating habits than cattle. Many environment and conservation groups don’t want cattle on forest land. Zak wants to show them how the diversity works. Zak says that ranchers are very considerate of the environment. He says that ranchers manage, care and love the land. Grazing associations put money into the forest grazing projects. Proper management is required.
Ken Watts asked Zak Miller to draft a legislation statement on grazing.
Ken Watts stated that the next meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 14, 2016.
The meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy B. Koehly, Secretary
Working Group
Minutes of Meeting
August 18, 2016
The Island Park Preservation Coalition held a working group meeting on Thursday, August 18, 2016, in the EMS Building in Island Park, Idaho. The meeting was called to order by Chairman, Ken Watts at 6:10 p.m. The following people attended the meeting:
Committee Members:
Ken Watts, Chairman
Greg Bitter, Vice Chairman
Terry Delong, Treasurer
Leanne Yancey, IPPC Research
Alynn Crapo, IPPC Website Administrator
Bob Stantus, IP Landowner and Recreation
Ellen Stantus, IP Landowner and Facilitator
David Moore, IP Medical Community
Zak Miller, Idaho Farm Bureau
Luke Davis, Agriculture and Ranching
John Stiehl, Fishing, Trouthunter
Judy Koehly, Secretary
Members Absent:
Connie Funkhouser, IP Business/IPPC Fund Raising/IP Trails Project
Rosemary Thompson, IPPC Fund Raising
Perry Thompson, National Park Service, retired
Joe Sielinsky, IP Sustainable Fire
Kathy Rinaldi, Greater Yellowstone Coalition
Dale Swensen, HFWC
Brandon Hoffner, HFWC
Trent Yancey, Fall River Cooperative
Glade Gunnell, IP Business
Ann Anthony, IP News
Hal Buster, FC Ranching
Kevin Phillips, Summer and winter recreation
Knowledge Experts Present:
LeRoy Miller, Fremont County Commissioner
Liz Davy, USFS
Kathryn Hitch, staff for Senator Crapo
Ken Watts, Chairman stated that tonight’s meeting would be a working meeting, because a quorum was not present.
Minutes: The July Minutes were discussed, but not approved.
Financial Report: Terry Delong, Treasurer, reported that the current balance was $4,080.82.
Current Events:
Ken Watts stated that the drawing for the quilt will be held at the next meeting of the Island Park Preservation Coalition on September 14, 2016. Ken reported that President Obama will not be coming to Yellowstone, but that Secretary Jewell will be here to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Park Service.
Ken Watts reported that the Fremont County Commissioners have received a response to their letter to Secretary Jewell of the Interior Department. In that letter, Secretary Jewell/BLM thanked the Commissioners for taking the time to share their views on this important issue. She said that the lands are important to all and that the Department will work with the public in making decisions. They will take into account the stakeholders and provide for economic development. Alynn Crapo will place a copy of Secretary Jewell’s/BLM’s letter on our website.
Ken Watts reminded everyone of the trip to the Partridge Fire area. The Partridge Fire was a managed fire. The purpose of the trip is to look at the project and then talk about management action.
Individuals representing the Bears Ears area of Utah have contacted IPPC through Facebook. They are locally trying to oppose a possible national monument. Sally Jewell has visited the area. A majority of the local people are against the designation of a national monument and want to know what we have done and are doing. They want to put it on their November ballot. They expressed an interest in joining with us.
A movement is being formed in the Western United States to revise or repeal the Antiquities Act. Legislation has been drafted that includes six states and 50 counties stating opposition to using the Antiquities Act to make national monuments in those states. Ken Watts has contacted Representative Simpson’s office to ask why they did not do anything to get on the list. Commissioner Lee Miller will talk to Senator Risch about it on Saturday.
The recreational access legislation was discussed. The consensus of the working group was that the roads on federal lands in the Island Park area shall be maintained at a level no less than the maintenance as of January 1, 2016 with emphasis given to increasing connectivity and functionality. Federal land access shall be coordinated with Fremont County and the City of Island Park. Fremont County is not taking on any more roads because they do not have the personnel or the equipment to do so. Schedule A is already in place to take care of roads. The USFS does not have the money to maintain the roads. A discussion was held regarding how to get funding for road maintenance. Lee Miller said don’t put the burden of the roads on the county, leave it with the federal government. A discussion was held about the difference between roads, trails and routes and motorized and nonmotorized routes. The matter was tabled for the September meeting. We don’t want to limit the enhancement when we propose the legislation. Should we ask for more money for roads or wait for later? There are five levels of road maintenance. How do we get money for road maintenance? Liz Davy stated that the group can ask for appropriations after the legislation has passed. We want to maintain and enhance at a rate no less than current road density and total miles – retain it at this as a minimum.
Ken Watts and Greg Bitter will meet with Liz Davy prior to the September meeting to work on the language.
Pay to play and the use of stickers by out of state recreationists was discussed. The Idaho panhandle is opposed to this proposal.
Hunting and fishing SNRA+ will be unchanged.
Ken Watts stated that everything we have resolved will be on a list, then we will know where we are.
We will leave Water Rights SNRA+ exactly as it is.
Zak Miller, representing farming and ranching was the speaker. The USFS designates the grazing areas and how many permits are given for each area. There can be from one to six ranchers in any area. The permits are given annually. In the Ashton area 26,000 animals can graze for 1 month. One AUM is equal to a cow and a calf. The USFS and BLM manage the lands. Zak stated that cows and calves are much larger than they were when the AUM allotments were initiated. There are currently 21 active allotments. The allotments set the number of AUMs allowed. Every allotment is different because of resources. Water is highly important. Permitees make improvements to the land i.e. wells, water troughs, fencing, etc. The improvements also help wildlife. The permittee pays $2.11 per month per AUM. Typically a permittee will pay $40 per month per AUM on private land, but all costs are taken care of by the landowner. All improvements made by the permittee fee become the property of the Forest Service. The $2.11 goes into the General Fund.
Agriculture accounts for 20 percent of Idaho’s economic impact. 124,000 jobs are agriculture related in the State of Idaho. Ag business sales in Fremont County are $157,000,000 annually. The University of Idaho states that agriculture accounts for 29.7% of the income in Fremont County. Zak Miller stated that grazing on public lands is a privilege and not a right. It is possible that a permittee may not have his permit renewed or could be subject to a change in the number of animals allows on his or her allotment. Zak said the Island Park has a forgiving environment and that it is a great place to run cattle.
Ken Watts asked Zak if water rights could be sold. Zak stated that all water rights with permits belong to the forest. Landowners can transfer their water rights. Zak feels that the land should be utilized, it should not be idle. Zak’s wish list: (1) there should be more water development because it would be better for the environment and for the animals. (2) there should be more fuel management to prevent fires. (3) there should be a reasonable plan to manage predators and (4) there should be multiple use legislation.
Zak thinks there should be more AUMs. He says cattle and sheep help each other. Elk and deer have different eating habits than cattle. Many environment and conservation groups don’t want cattle on forest land. Zak wants to show them how the diversity works. Zak says that ranchers are very considerate of the environment. He says that ranchers manage, care and love the land. Grazing associations put money into the forest grazing projects. Proper management is required.
Ken Watts asked Zak Miller to draft a legislation statement on grazing.
Ken Watts stated that the next meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 14, 2016.
The meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy B. Koehly, Secretary