ISLAND PARK PRESERVATION COALITION
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​Island Park Preservation Coalition
Working Group
Minutes of Meeting
July 14, 2016


    The Island Park Preservation Coalition held a working group meeting on Thursday, July 14, 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
    Bob Stantus, IP Landowner and Recreation
    Ellen Stantus, IP Landowner and Facilitator
    Connie Funkhouser, IP Business/IPPC Fund Raising/IP Trails Project
    Rosemary Thompson, IPPC Fund Raising
    Perry Thompson, National Park Service, retired
    David Moore, IP Medical Community
    Joe Sielinsky, IP Sustainable Fire
    Kathy Rinaldi, Greater Yellowstone Coalition
    Zak Miller, Idaho Farm Bureau
    Dale Swensen, HFWC
    Brandon Hoffner, HFWC
    Judy Koehly, Secretary

Members Absent:

    Aaron Mckarley, IFG
    Trent Yancey, Fall River Cooperative
    Alynn Crapo, IPPC website advisor
    Glade Gunnell, IP Business
    John Stiehl, Fishing, Trouthunter
    Ann Anthony, IP News
    Hal Buster, FC Ranching
    Luke Davis, Agriculture, Ranching
    Kevin Phillips, Summer and winter recreation
    Jackie Jensen, Chamber President
    Joe Eudey, Citizen at large
    Dedra Eudey, Citizen at large
    Terrence Beck, Citizen at large
    Ron Palmer, Builder

Knowledge Experts Present:

    LeRoy Miller, Fremont County Commissioner
    Jordan Stoddard, Fremont County Commissioner
    Bill Baxter, Fremont County Commissioner
    Liz Davy, USFS
    David Weskamp
    Kim Trotter
    Paula Stubbs
    Renee Baker
    Marilyn Glans
    Shirleen Kynaston
    Ron Kynaston
    John Hoehne
    Mitch Silvers
    Kathryn Hitch

    Minutes:  The June Minutes were unanimously approved as written.

    A number of people are tied up in construction delays on Highway 20.

    Fundraising:  Connie Funkhouser reported on the fundraiser at the Annual Cookoff.  Connie thanked everyone for their support.  Seven teams competed.  The Cookoff raised $1,752.  One half went to Daisy’s Angels ($876) and one-half went to the Island Park Preservation Coalition ($876).  Raffle proceeds of $258 were also raised.  Rosemary Thompson asked about displaying the quilt at the fundraiser for Johnny Sacks Cabin and it was decided that we should.  The quilt will also be displayed during Fire Awareness Week.  Rosemary Thompson thanked the county commissioners for their help in repairing the roadway by the mailboxes near her.  

    Current Events:  Patsy and Ken Watts attended the presentation on the passage of wildlife on Highway 20.  Ken encouraged any one who could to join one of the groups that is trying to protect our wildlife and their safe passage across Highway 20.  

    Kathy Rinaldi reported that we have lost a couple of cows on Red Rock Road.  Kathy reported that they are there to help with bear problems and that they have a fencing program.

    Liz Davy reported that Fire Awareness week would be next week.  On Wednesday, the Forest Service will do a presentation on forest insects, diseases and wildfires.  On Friday, July 22, the Idaho Dept. of Lands and the Fire Warden will conduct tours of IDL’s recent fuels reduction demonstration site near Island Park Village.  On Saturday, July 23, the Island Park Ranger District, the Island Park Sustainable Fire Community and others will have a mock fire camp where we can get a glimpse of what it is like to be a wild land firefighter. The camp will teach about wildfire management, operations, equipment use and how you can help reduce the risk to your property.  You can also sign up for free slash pick up.  

    Ken Watts, Jordan Stoddard, Bill Baxter, Leanne Yancey and Terry Delong attended the Coordination Class held in Challis yesterday.  Custer County is working with the federal government.  Jordan Stoddard reported that Custer County has set up a committee that works with the county commissioners and the federal government.  There were several people there from NRAC.  The committee has an advisory capacity and gets pertinent information to the commissioners. Bill Baxter said that when a county has a good comprehensive plan, it works well with the federal government.  Fremont County is considering forming its own NRAC committee.

    At the June meeting of the Coalition, it was decided that Hunting and Fishing should be moved to the recreation category from the natural resources category.

    Greg Bitter reported that Martin Hackworth of the Blue Ribbon Coalition was supposed to speak at this meeting, but had another meeting right after ours.  He may have decided not to come because of the road construction.

    Liz Davy passed around maps showing all routes in the Island Park area of the National Forest.  Liz reported that some of the recreational activities available in the National Forest include, snowmobiling, skiing, snowshoeing, outfitter/guides, fat bikes, hiking, biking, motorized and non-motorized activities and special events.  The terrain and the weather dictate the different activities available in the various National Forests. Our motorized trails accommodate vehicles that are 50 inches in width or less.  Our motorized roads accommodate larger vehicles.  Idaho is the only state with a roadless rule.  The Forest Service must comply with all current laws, which are quite restrictive and difficult to change.  There are three areas in the Island Park area set aside for research involving the ecosystem and plants.  There is a Continental Divide Trail, which is for hikers and bikers.  The 1990 Travel Plan, which oversees motorized and non-motorized trails was adopted in 1997.  In 1998, 1999 and 2000 a judge ordered the closure of several roads in the national forest.  Road density is a significant factor in the Travel Plan.  

    The Caribou-Targhee National Forest contains 3.2 million acres.  The annual recreation budget for that property if $1,500,000.  Liz Davy reported that the Caribou-Targhee National Forest contains:

    44 Campgrounds
    14 Rental Cabins
    15 Boating Sites
    1536 miles of non-motorized trails
    1294 miles summer motorized trails
    38 miles of cross-country skiing trails
    1053 miles of snowmobile trails
    3 ski areas
    185 recreation residences
    76 outfitter/guide permits
    15 organized camps

    The Ashton/Island Park Recreation area contains:

11 Campgrounds
    3 Rental Cabins
    9 Boating Sites
    170 miles of non-motorized trails
    55 miles summer motorized trails
    36 miles of cross-country skiing trails
    400 miles of snowmobile trails
    83 recreation residences
    50 outfitter/guide permits
    1 organized camps

    The Ashton/Island Park Recreation area has 10 to 12 permitted special events annually.  Upper Mesa Falls has over 100,000 visitors annually.  There are two wilderness areas in the Caribou-Targee National Forest:  Jedidiah Smith Wilderness Area containing 123,451 acres and Winegar Hole Wilderness containing 10,715 acres.  


    Liz Davy reported that 27% of the budget comes from the forest budget and that the remainder comes from grants.  They are responsible for Mesa Falls, Big Springs, Johnny Sacks Cabin, and national water trails.  She has 5 people in recreation year round and 4 seasonal employees. The Forest Service has two road graders which must cover 2,800 miles of road.  Liz was asked about her wish list and she responded that she would like enough money to  maintain the current programs as they are; money to adequately fund fuel mitigation; money to manage OHC program and the development of forest product industries.  Liz reported that recreational usage is increasing.  

Greg Bitter asked for input for a wish list for Island Park Access to the National Forest and the following issues were discussed:

More cross country trails.
Want to see a motorized connectivity plan of ATV/UTV motorized units.
Move trails next to Highway 20 away from the highway.
Reduction in user-made trails.
Should we designate off-road trail areas?
ATV/UTV summer trails and registration fees – electronic versions
Noise reduction.
Island Park Community Trail (non-motorized) section alternative to sharing.

A discussion was held on ideas to get money to Liz Davy to help fund these projects.    Should we take the information we have and turn it into a legislative statement?  Commissioner LeRoy Miller said that it may be possible to secure Rural Schools Money.  The amount of Rural School Money goes into the President’s budget and is then appropriated by Congress annually.  A discussion was held regarding paying to play.

It was decided that the matter of freezing some minimums into the legislation be tabled until the next meeting.  

Ken Watts asked Zak Miller and  Luke Davis  to be the speakers at the next meeting.  They will discuss farming, ranching and grazing.  

Public Input:  None

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 18, 2016, at 6:00 at the EMS Building.

The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

                    Respectfully submitted,



                    Judy B. Koehly, Secretary

    
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  • US 20 - SH 87
    • Island Park Public Meeting Announced
    • US 20 Point Papers
    • Records requests
    • U.S. 20 Developments
    • Know the Delphi Technique
    • ITD Meeting #3
    • Wildlife Overpasses and Fencing
    • Gov. Brad Little meeting in Island Park
    • Community Meeting #2 Presentation
  • Home
    • Map
  • MEETING NOTES
    • 2015 Notes >
      • Community Meeting 9/29/15
      • October Notes
      • November Notes
      • December Notes
    • 2016 Notes >
      • Community Meeting 1/11/16
      • January Notes
      • February Notes
      • March Notes
      • April Notes
      • May Notes
      • June Notes
      • July Notes
      • August Notes
      • September Notes
      • October Notes
      • November Notes
    • 2017 Notes >
      • January Notes
      • February Notes
      • March Notes
      • September Notes
    • 2018 Notes
  • DRAFT LEGISLATION
  • TARGHEE OVERPASS
  • PRESENTATIONS
  • SUPPORT INFORMATION
  • WILDLIFE OVERPASS INFO
  • DONATE
  • CONTACT US
  • Take our Survey!