Island Park Preservation Coalition
Working Group
Minutes of Meeting
June 15, 2016
The Island Park Preservation Coalition held a working group meeting on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 in the EMS Building in Island Park, Idaho. The meeting was called to order by Chairman, Ken Watts, at 6:00 p.m. The following people attended the meeting:
Committee Members:
Ken Watts, IPPC Chairman
Greg Bitter, IPPC Vice Chairman
Leanne Yancey, IPPC Research
Aaron Mckarley – IFG
Ellen Stantus, IP Landowner and facilitator
Bob Stantus, IP Landowner and Recreation
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
Trent Yancey, Fall River Cooperative
Alynn Crapo, IPPC website administrator
Terry DeLong, Treasurer
Glade Gunnell, IP Business
Kathy Rinaldi, Greater Yellowstone Coalition
John Stiehl, Fishing, Trouthunter
Ann Anthony, IP News
Judy Koehly, Secretary
Members Absent:
Zak Miller, Idaho Farm Bureau
Hal Buster, FC Ranching
Dale Swenson, HFWC
Brandon Hoffner, HFWC
Knowledge Experts Present:
LeRoy Miller, Fremont County Commissioner
Jordan Stoddard, Fremont County Commissioner
Tamara Cikaitoga, Fremont County Parks & Recreation
Liz Davy, USFS
Kathryn Hitch, Senator Crapo
Minutes: An updated version of the May minutes were sent out earlier today. Ken Watts asked the group to review them and get back to him with any comments.
Kathy Rinaldi discussed the importance of formal minutes. Ken Watts tabled the approval of the May minutes until the next meeting.
Financial Report: Terry DeLong, Treasurer, reported that the current balance in the account is $2,701.81. Checks were written for printing expenses and post office box rental in the amount of $76.20. A deposit of $66.00 was made in the past month. A pledge of $5,000 has been made to be used when needed.
Website: Alynn Crapo reported that there was no new news regarding the website. Alynn encouraged members to email her with any suggestions for the website. The website has had 42 hits this past week and 127 for the month of May.
Current Events:
Ken Watts has been contacted by Custer County, advising him of a Natural Resources Advisory Committee Seminar/Meeting to be held on July 13. Margaret Byfield will be conducting a training program in Custer. The cost of the program is $35, which includes materials and lunch. Contact them if you plan to attend.
The State of Utah wishes to place federal lands under state control. Utah wants to take this issue to the Supreme Court this year. Other states are carefully watching to see what happens on this issue.
Greg Bitter reported that the State of Wyoming has turned some land surrounding Grand Teton National Park over to the federal government. The State of Wyoming did not want to continue to pay and be responsible for that area. Sally Jewell, Secretary of the Interior was there when the land was turned over to federal ownership. Governor Otter had plans to meet with Secretary Jewell about the monument in Island Park.
The Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act has been introduced. This Act and similar acts have been introduced many times by Harry Reid and Barbara Boxer. Perry Thompson reported that The Next 100 Years organization is planning to be in the area. They are focusing on what should happen with National Park Service lands over the next 100 years.
Greg Bitter discussed motorized vs. non-motorized recreation. Greg said that we need to become educated on concerns on both sides of the issue and be knowledgeable of issues that we may run into. Forest Service trails were discussed, including the Island Park Trail System. Connie Funkhouser reported that the Island Park Trail has areas that are designated non-motorized and areas that are for both non-motorized and motorized. Connie Funkhouser reported that a kiosk had been installed today near Sawtelle Peak Road and Stamp Meadows Road. The kiosk has information regarding the trail, trail maps, information about bear awareness, and thank yous to people who have been instrumental in this project.
Tamara Cikaitoga, Fremont County Park and Recreation Director, asked the group what we want the motorized/non-motorized trails to look like. Tamara reported that Jared Hanson of the Forest Service has done most of the work and he is organizing a work camp for the trails the week before and the week after the 4th of July. They are making improvements near Stonegate and on the Coffee Pot trail. Leanne Yancey asked if any Boy Scout Eagle Projects could help with the trail systems. Scouts are not being used. The Fremont County Commissioners have discussed establishing parking spaces on the North shore of Henry’s Lake and the placement of a kiosk. Metal maps will be prepared together with paper trail maps. Liz Davy reported that some existing trails will be combined with new trails and some will be motorized. Connie Funkhouser thanked everyone for their support of the Island Park Trails.
Aaron McKarley, Idaho Fish and Game, reported on the Sand Creek Wildlife Management Area. It is part of a 32,000 acre area that focuses on wildlife habitat. They look at the wildlife components, i.e. water, food, cover and space for animals. They study how it all affects animal behavior. They have had to close some roads, because people were using existing roads and expanding the roads and going around barricades. Aaron reported that there is not enough law enforcement. Their operating funds are limited. Aaron says that partnerships work best. Funding from organizations such as Pitman Roberk has been helpful.
Tamara Cikaitoga, Fremont County Parks and Recreation Director, talked about what is happening in the motorized world. What may be coming down the path? Tamara reported that an increase in fees is coming. Off-road vehicles have an annual registration fee. Island Park has a lot of motorized use. In the next 3 years changes will be made. The current registration fee for OHVs is $12.50/year. Only $6.00 of that fee actually benefits the trails. We must pay to play. Sixty percent of the snowmobile dollars comes from nonresidents. In addition to trail maintenance, enforcement, signage, and education, parking and restrooms must be provided and maintained. The county makes no money from the Sand Dunes. The state is discussing requiring nonresidents to purchase stickers for OHVs like snowmobiles owners do. Wyoming already requires stickers for nonresidents and Montana is discussing it. License plates are state money and stickers are county money. The cost of running recreational programs in the Targhee Forest costs several million dollars each year. Fremont County lives on grants. If we provide more, we will have to get more money. They are discussing asking nonmotorized users to contribute for parking and signs. Nonmotorized users are currently contributing nothing to any of the recreational programs. Nonmotorized users use the forest year round. Nonmotorized includes hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoing, fat bikes, dog sleds, etc. Ann Anthony reported that she will include upcoming events in the newspaper.
Greg Bitter reminded the group that nothing can be accomplished without funding. Greg introduced the subject of Utopia Meditation. LeRoy Miller reported that the County had created a partnership with the BLM several years ago as we have approximately 200,000 visitors each year to the Sand Dunes.
Liz Davy will be a presenter in July. She will discuss travel and roads, motorized and nonmotorized. Liz asked what we want her to discuss. She will talk about trails and recreation travel in the forest in the winter and in the summer.
Greg Bitter said that we need a subcommittee to recommend plans. The USFS and the Blue Ribbon Coalition both have plans for the future. We will need revenue to continue snowmobiling, snowshoing and cross country skiing, using ATVs and UTVs and foot usage on trails, to establish nature trails, parking lots and bathrooms.
Ken Watts reported that the next meeting will be held on Thursday, July 14th. Ken discussed the Breakfast Cookoff at Connie’s. LeRoy Miller reported that they have written a letter to the President regarding the national monument similar to the letter sent by Governor Otter. They added information regarding agricultural and recreational uses, the economy and the tax base.
A motion was made, seconded and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy B. Koehly, secretary
Working Group
Minutes of Meeting
June 15, 2016
The Island Park Preservation Coalition held a working group meeting on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 in the EMS Building in Island Park, Idaho. The meeting was called to order by Chairman, Ken Watts, at 6:00 p.m. The following people attended the meeting:
Committee Members:
Ken Watts, IPPC Chairman
Greg Bitter, IPPC Vice Chairman
Leanne Yancey, IPPC Research
Aaron Mckarley – IFG
Ellen Stantus, IP Landowner and facilitator
Bob Stantus, IP Landowner and Recreation
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
Trent Yancey, Fall River Cooperative
Alynn Crapo, IPPC website administrator
Terry DeLong, Treasurer
Glade Gunnell, IP Business
Kathy Rinaldi, Greater Yellowstone Coalition
John Stiehl, Fishing, Trouthunter
Ann Anthony, IP News
Judy Koehly, Secretary
Members Absent:
Zak Miller, Idaho Farm Bureau
Hal Buster, FC Ranching
Dale Swenson, HFWC
Brandon Hoffner, HFWC
Knowledge Experts Present:
LeRoy Miller, Fremont County Commissioner
Jordan Stoddard, Fremont County Commissioner
Tamara Cikaitoga, Fremont County Parks & Recreation
Liz Davy, USFS
Kathryn Hitch, Senator Crapo
Minutes: An updated version of the May minutes were sent out earlier today. Ken Watts asked the group to review them and get back to him with any comments.
Kathy Rinaldi discussed the importance of formal minutes. Ken Watts tabled the approval of the May minutes until the next meeting.
Financial Report: Terry DeLong, Treasurer, reported that the current balance in the account is $2,701.81. Checks were written for printing expenses and post office box rental in the amount of $76.20. A deposit of $66.00 was made in the past month. A pledge of $5,000 has been made to be used when needed.
Website: Alynn Crapo reported that there was no new news regarding the website. Alynn encouraged members to email her with any suggestions for the website. The website has had 42 hits this past week and 127 for the month of May.
Current Events:
Ken Watts has been contacted by Custer County, advising him of a Natural Resources Advisory Committee Seminar/Meeting to be held on July 13. Margaret Byfield will be conducting a training program in Custer. The cost of the program is $35, which includes materials and lunch. Contact them if you plan to attend.
The State of Utah wishes to place federal lands under state control. Utah wants to take this issue to the Supreme Court this year. Other states are carefully watching to see what happens on this issue.
Greg Bitter reported that the State of Wyoming has turned some land surrounding Grand Teton National Park over to the federal government. The State of Wyoming did not want to continue to pay and be responsible for that area. Sally Jewell, Secretary of the Interior was there when the land was turned over to federal ownership. Governor Otter had plans to meet with Secretary Jewell about the monument in Island Park.
The Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act has been introduced. This Act and similar acts have been introduced many times by Harry Reid and Barbara Boxer. Perry Thompson reported that The Next 100 Years organization is planning to be in the area. They are focusing on what should happen with National Park Service lands over the next 100 years.
Greg Bitter discussed motorized vs. non-motorized recreation. Greg said that we need to become educated on concerns on both sides of the issue and be knowledgeable of issues that we may run into. Forest Service trails were discussed, including the Island Park Trail System. Connie Funkhouser reported that the Island Park Trail has areas that are designated non-motorized and areas that are for both non-motorized and motorized. Connie Funkhouser reported that a kiosk had been installed today near Sawtelle Peak Road and Stamp Meadows Road. The kiosk has information regarding the trail, trail maps, information about bear awareness, and thank yous to people who have been instrumental in this project.
Tamara Cikaitoga, Fremont County Park and Recreation Director, asked the group what we want the motorized/non-motorized trails to look like. Tamara reported that Jared Hanson of the Forest Service has done most of the work and he is organizing a work camp for the trails the week before and the week after the 4th of July. They are making improvements near Stonegate and on the Coffee Pot trail. Leanne Yancey asked if any Boy Scout Eagle Projects could help with the trail systems. Scouts are not being used. The Fremont County Commissioners have discussed establishing parking spaces on the North shore of Henry’s Lake and the placement of a kiosk. Metal maps will be prepared together with paper trail maps. Liz Davy reported that some existing trails will be combined with new trails and some will be motorized. Connie Funkhouser thanked everyone for their support of the Island Park Trails.
Aaron McKarley, Idaho Fish and Game, reported on the Sand Creek Wildlife Management Area. It is part of a 32,000 acre area that focuses on wildlife habitat. They look at the wildlife components, i.e. water, food, cover and space for animals. They study how it all affects animal behavior. They have had to close some roads, because people were using existing roads and expanding the roads and going around barricades. Aaron reported that there is not enough law enforcement. Their operating funds are limited. Aaron says that partnerships work best. Funding from organizations such as Pitman Roberk has been helpful.
Tamara Cikaitoga, Fremont County Parks and Recreation Director, talked about what is happening in the motorized world. What may be coming down the path? Tamara reported that an increase in fees is coming. Off-road vehicles have an annual registration fee. Island Park has a lot of motorized use. In the next 3 years changes will be made. The current registration fee for OHVs is $12.50/year. Only $6.00 of that fee actually benefits the trails. We must pay to play. Sixty percent of the snowmobile dollars comes from nonresidents. In addition to trail maintenance, enforcement, signage, and education, parking and restrooms must be provided and maintained. The county makes no money from the Sand Dunes. The state is discussing requiring nonresidents to purchase stickers for OHVs like snowmobiles owners do. Wyoming already requires stickers for nonresidents and Montana is discussing it. License plates are state money and stickers are county money. The cost of running recreational programs in the Targhee Forest costs several million dollars each year. Fremont County lives on grants. If we provide more, we will have to get more money. They are discussing asking nonmotorized users to contribute for parking and signs. Nonmotorized users are currently contributing nothing to any of the recreational programs. Nonmotorized users use the forest year round. Nonmotorized includes hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoing, fat bikes, dog sleds, etc. Ann Anthony reported that she will include upcoming events in the newspaper.
Greg Bitter reminded the group that nothing can be accomplished without funding. Greg introduced the subject of Utopia Meditation. LeRoy Miller reported that the County had created a partnership with the BLM several years ago as we have approximately 200,000 visitors each year to the Sand Dunes.
Liz Davy will be a presenter in July. She will discuss travel and roads, motorized and nonmotorized. Liz asked what we want her to discuss. She will talk about trails and recreation travel in the forest in the winter and in the summer.
Greg Bitter said that we need a subcommittee to recommend plans. The USFS and the Blue Ribbon Coalition both have plans for the future. We will need revenue to continue snowmobiling, snowshoing and cross country skiing, using ATVs and UTVs and foot usage on trails, to establish nature trails, parking lots and bathrooms.
Ken Watts reported that the next meeting will be held on Thursday, July 14th. Ken discussed the Breakfast Cookoff at Connie’s. LeRoy Miller reported that they have written a letter to the President regarding the national monument similar to the letter sent by Governor Otter. They added information regarding agricultural and recreational uses, the economy and the tax base.
A motion was made, seconded and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy B. Koehly, secretary
