ISLAND PARK PRESERVATION COALITION
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Island Park Preservation Coalition
Working Group
Minutes of Meeting
September 20, 2017


    The Island Park Preservation Coalition held a working group meeting on Wednesday, September 20, 2017, 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 Present:
    Ken Watts, Chairman
    Greg Bitter, Vice Chairman
    Leanne Yancey, IPPC Research
    Alynn Crapo, IPPC Website Administrator
    Trent Yancey, Fall River Cooperative
    Joe Sielinsky, Island Park Sustainable Fire
    Ann Anthony, Island Park News
    Connie Funkhouser, IP Business/IPPC Fund Raising/IP Trails Project
    Zak Miller, Idaho Farm Bureau
    Dave Moore, Island Park Medical Community
    Kim Trotter, Yellowstone 2 Yukon
    Perry Thompson, National Park Service, retired
    Judy Koehly, Secretary

Members Absent:
    Kathy Rinaldi, Greater Yellowstone Coalition
    Terry Delong, Treasurer (out of town)
    Dale Swensen, HFWC
    Ellen Stantus, IP Landowner and Facilitator (out of country)
    Bob Stantus, IP Landowner and Recreation (out of country)
    Rosemary Thompson, IPPC Fund Raising (recovering from surgery)
    Luke Davis, Agriculture and Ranching (attending Farm Bureau meeting)
    John Stiehl, Fishing, Trouthunter
    Brandon Hoffner, HFWC
    Glade Gunnell, IP Business
    Hal Buster, FC Ranching
    Kevin Phillips, summer and winter recreation

Knowledge Experts Present:
    Jordan Stoddard, Fremont County Commissioner
    LeRoy Miller, Fremont County Commissioner
    Karen Hiatt, Idaho Department of Transportation
    Ben Burke, Idaho Department of Transportation
    Andrea Gumm, Idaho Department of Transportation

Interested Parties:
    Bill Vroman
    Carl Koehly
    Bruce Ard
    Ron Kynaston

Minutes:
    The April Minutes were approved as written and distributed.  Alynn Crapo will get the April minutes on the website.  Alynn will also put the final version of the legislation on the website.

Financial:
    In the absence of Terry Delong, Ken Watts reported that the current balance was $3,976.19.  Alynn Crapo paid the annual fee for our website.


Legislation:
    Ken reminded the working group that the legislation submitted to Senator Risch was modeled after legislation used in Idaho, Oregon and Washington.  Ken Watts told the group that it may be necessary to travel to Washington DC to push our legislation forward.  Ken suggested that we might approach the Albertson Foundation for funds to help with expenses incurred for such travel.

Current Events
    The group discussed articles that have appeared in the Island Park News and the Post Register.  The Department of Interior has a lot of things going on currently, especially in the Western area of the United States with the appointment of Ryan Zinke, as Secretary of the Interior.
    Highway 20 Improvements:  Karen Hiatt, Ben Burke and Andrea Gumm, from the Idaho Department of Transportation reported on the status of the Targhee Pass portion of US Highway 20.  Karen Hiatt reported that they are still in the comment period, which will close on September 29, 2017.  Karen encouraged attendees to submit comments prior to that time.  The group discussed purpose and need and the possibility of an animal overpass.  The Department of Highway will consider input from the community.  The plan is to improve the road and the curve and make the road safer for people and animals.
    Legislative Progress:  
Ken Watts reported that during the summer the legislation and local maps were finalized.  The legislation was sent to Senator Risch on June 22, 2017, with a copy being sent to all other Idaho legislators.  The legislation was sent to Senator Risch because of his position on the Energy and National Resources Committee.  Ken has received no response from Senator Risch nor any of his staff.  On August 1, 2017, Ken sent copies of everything to Representative Labrador, with copies to Senator Risch. Ken received a call from one of Representative Labrador’s staff who reported that they would try to move the legislation forward, pending the outcome of legislation to change the Antiquities Act.  At this time, nothing has been presented to a committee in the House or in the Senate.  
On August 22, 2017, Ken Watts spoke to Amy Taylor of Senator Risch’s office in Idaho Falls.  Amy told Ken that Senator Risch wants Senator Crapo to take the lead because he had worked with us for 2 years.  Amy has been invited to attend all the Coalition meetings.   
On August 25, 2017, Ken Watts contacted John Hoehne, Senator Crapo’s Chief of Staff and conveyed to John the process he has been through with our legislation.  John Hoehne met with Senator Crapo and discussed the situation.  Senator Crapo has agreed to work with us and help us.  Senator Crapo wants to talk to Senator Risch regarding the legislation.   Ken Watts has requested that Senator Risch meet with Senator Crapo, but has received no comment from Amy Taylor.  Ken sent a follow-up e-mail to John Hoehne a couple of days ago but has received no response.  Amy Taylor indicated to Ken that there are not enough conservation groups involved in the Island Park Preservation Coalition.  Ken reminded the group that all groups are invited to our meetings.  (See list above.)  Ken will let the group know when he receives any response.
Senator Risch’s staff is having a retreat in Island Park today and tomorrow, but they have not expressed any wishes to meet with any of the IPPC people.
Ken Watts reported that he met with Trent Yancey and Brian Case of Fall River Electric.  Brian told Ken that he has been involved in similar legislation concerning the Columbia River.  Brian said that the Columbia River group had letters of support from many different supporters.  It was suggested that we form a subcommittee to obtain letters of support.  Leanne Yancey made a motion that we form a subcommittee.  The subcommittee would have a list of names of individuals and groups, to meet with, develop talking points and provide an example of a support letter.  The size of the subcommittee was discussed.  Ken Watts will form a subcommittee and prioritize our list for outreach.  Group members were encouraged to reach out to any individuals or groups on the list they know and request letters from them in support of our legislation.
Bob Stantus suggested that the Working Group meet on a quarterly basis going forward.  It was also suggested that we get our message out to gubernatorial candidates.
Speed Limits:  Ken Watts asked the group if they wanted to make any proposals regarding speed limits in Island Park.  The group is in favor of reducing the speed limit.  Comments were made about commercial trucks speeding.  
Karen Hiatt of the Idaho Department of Transportation addressed the group.  She told us that 85% of drivers on Highway 20 between Ashton and the Montana line were traveling at a rate of 70 miles per hour.  For every 1,000,000 miles traveled on the Chester to Ashton portion of Highway 20, the accident rate is 04%.  For every 1,000,000 miles traveled on the Targhee Pass portion of Highway 20, the accident rate is 1.8%. 
It was reported by LeRoy Miller and Jordon Stoddard that in Fremont County from January through August of 2017, 47 animals had been reported as killed on our highways.  That number includes 8 elk, 26 deer, 2 dogs, 1 buffalo and others.
The following is suggestions for a subcommittee that will be formed to move the legislation forward:  (Copied from the white board.)

SUBCOMMITTEE
Talking Points
Taken From                Outreach            Subcommittee

Legislation            Farm Bureau                Presentation
Memorial, State        Fall River                    Talking Points
Governor Endorsements    Greater Yellowstone Coalition          Collect Endorsements
                Idaho Cattlemen                Outreach
                City of Island Park                  Meeting Presentation
                Henry’s Fork Foundation
                Island Park Chamber
                City of Ashton
                Elected Representatives
                ISSA
                Trout Unlimited
                Department of Interior
                Idaho Recreation Council
                Harriman State Park
                Fremont Madison Irrigation District
                Frank VanderSloot
                County Commissioners
                Henry’s Fork Watershed Council
                Idaho Department of Fish and Game
                Hunting Interests
                The Nature Conservancy    
                Blackfoot Communication
                Wilmore Lumber Company
                Private Businesses    

Comments and Suggestions During Karen Hiatt’s Facilitation
(Copied from the white board.)

Reduce night time speeds
Flashing Signs
Variable Speed Limits (Control Speeds Remotely)
Lower Average Overall Speed
Slow Down Truckers
Enforcement
Traffic Calming
Increase Visibility
Reduce speed limit to 45 South of 47 to state line
Plans between bottom of Ashton Hill and Swan lake
Use of Variable speed signs during animal migration
Use of more firebreaks
Deer cannot read signs
    The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
                            Respectfully submitted,


                            Judy B. Koehly, Secretary


    September Notes
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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!