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
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