Island Park Preservation Coalition
Working Group
Minutes of Meeting
September 14, 2016
The Island Park Preservation Coalition held a working group meeting on Wednesday, September 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
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
Joe Sielinsky, IP Sustainable Fire
Dale Swensen, HFWC
Ann Anthony, Island Park News
Kim Trotter, Yellowstone 2 Yukon
Judy Koehly, Secretary
Members Absent:
Greg Bitter, Vice Chairman
Alynn Crapo, IPPC Website Administrator
Dave Moore, IP Medical Community
Zak Miller, Idaho Farm Bureau
Luke Davis, Agriculture and Ranching
John Stiehl, Fishing, Trouthunter
Kathy Rinaldi, Greater Yellowstone Coalition
Brandon Hoffner, HFWC
Trent Yancey, Fall River Cooperative
Glade Gunnell, IP Business
Hal Buster, FC Ranching
Kevin Phillips, summer and winter recreation
Quilt Drawing: Ken Watts asked Connie Funkhouser and Rosemary Thompson to facilitate the drawing for the quilt that was donated by the Island Park Quilt Guild to raise money for the Island Park Preservation Coalition. Connie Funkhouser thanked the Quilt Guild for their wonderful donation and thanked everyone for supporting the fundraiser. Many members of the Island Park Quilt Guild were in attendance at the meeting for the drawing of the quilt. Connie reported that the total raffle sales were $1,385.00 and that the Breakfast Cookoff proceeds were $876.00 for a total donation to the IPPC of $2,261.00. Connie Funkhouser and Rosemary Thompson will be planning another fundraiser for this winter. The winning ticket drawn belonged to Layne Walker of Running Springs, California. Connie Funkhouser telephone Mr. Walker and told him that he had won. He was very excited. Connie will ship the beautiful quilt to Layne Walker.
Minutes: The July, 2016 minutes were amended to reflect that Dale Swensen had attended the July meeting. After that correction was made, Bob Stantus moved that the July minutes be approved. The motion was seconded by Rosemary Thompson and unanimously approved. The August minutes were amended by the statement sent to the working group earlier by Liz Davy. Bob Stantus moved that the August minutes be approved as amended. The motion was approved by Ellen Stantus and unanimously approved.
Financial Report: Terry Delong reported that the balance on the bank statement as of August 31, 2016 was $4,196.82. Terry reported that we have not heard anything from the IRS regarding the 501(c) status. They are hoping to hear something within the next month.
Current Events:
President Obama has designated two more national monuments. One is the North Woods National Monument in the State of Maine. The land for this monument was a donation. However, the local community is opposed to the designation. The North Woods National Monument is also unusual in that it permits hunting and fishing which are governed by US Fish and Wildlife Department instead of the State of Maine. The second designation is that of the Hawaiian Underwater National Monument which encompasses 154,000 square miles.
Leanne Yancey reported that the US Fish and Wildlife Services had written an article regarding grazing in the Western United States. Ken Watts will send the website for this grazing article to the working group members.
The possibility of a monument designation for the Bears Ears area of Southern Utah has caused lots of arguments. Local tribes do not support the designation, but tribes from other areas are pushing for the designation. Public lands initiatives are being supported in Utah and Wyoming. Congressmen from both states are moving to have local control of government land. Wyoming and Alaska are exempt from the Antiquities Act. Bears Ears and other possible designation sites have asked our group for assistance.
Presentation: Kim Totter of Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative spoke to the group regarding the Island Park Safe Wildlife Passage Initiative. Y2Y is working on safe wildlife passage throughout Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Canada. Among Y2Ys most visible projects working on safe wildlife passage is Banff National Park in Canada, which has 44 crossing structures – 6 overpasses and 38 underpasses – within the Park. Highway 93 through the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana has constructed safe crossings for animals. A crossing may go over or under the highway.
Kim chairs the Island Park Wildlife Passage Working Group of the Henry’s Fork Legacy Project. The group wants to sustain our economic, ecological and cultural heritage as visitation increases in Yellowstone National Park.
One in four accidents along Highway 20 in Island Park involves an animal. That is five times the national average. The average cost for such accidents are $6,000 for a deer, $17,000 for an elk and $30,000 for a moose. Highway 20 is the most dangerous road in Idaho for wildlife vehicle collisions. Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Idaho Transportation Department and the Wildlife Conservation Society studied the crossing patterns of elk and moose in Island Park through the use of collars. That study led to ITD considering wildlife as they begin planning for the next 10 to 20 years of highway maintenance and expansion. The Island Park Safe Wildlife Passage Initiative is encouraging ITD to incorporate animal crossings when bridges are replaced and roads widened. Wildlife passage alternatives range from yellow warning signs to underpasses and overpasses. The expense and effectiveness of these alternatives range dramatically. Highway 20 is 406 miles long. Ken Watts reported that they have the support of Mayor Tom Jewell for wildlife passage. The Idaho Department of Transportation prepares an annual plan, which sets forth a program for the next 5 years.
ITD plans to straighten a section of Targhee Pass on Highway 20 and add an uphill truck-passing lane. The Island Park Safe Wildlife Passage Initiative partners would like to see the state incorporate in wildlife mitigation here. There is a resident moose herd in that area, a grizzly bear was killed there in 2015, and the area is important for other animals like wolverines. A recent ITD study recommends overpasses for wildlife. The design would cost approximately $600,000 and the project is projected to cost $11,000,000 and expected to be completed in 2021. Kim Trotter encouraged group members to contact the county commissioners regarding the safety factor for people and animals.
Many bridges in the state are approaching their 75 year safety lifespans. Y2Y is working with ITD to offer training to bridge engineers. When replacing bridges they can build them slightly differently to allow animal passage.
Kim said that Idaho passed a salvage law, which allows people to pick up road kill. This means that many animals that are killed on the highways are not reported so accurate records are not available. All of the surrounding states already have wildlife passages on their highways. None have been constructed in Idaho. Kim reported that moose and antelope much prefer overpasses to underpasses. The biggest expense is the dirt that is used. Because the majority of US highway construction originates with the Federal Highway Administration, much of the cost may be borne by the federal government.
Dale Swensen addressed the group regarding Water Rights Legislation Language. A copy of Dale’s handout from the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Jerry Peak Wilderness Additions Act as well as the Snake River Headwaters, Wyoming are attached hereto and made a part hereof. Dale pointed out that the language would need to be amended to change the wording to apply to the Island Park area rather than Sawtooth, Jerry Peak and Snake River. Bob Stantus stated that we should protect the fisheries in Island Park. Dale said that he would work on language to be added regarding fishing.
Ken Watts said that we will wait until Liz Davy and Kathy Rinaldi are available to assist with the finalization of the access and road density legislation language. The group discussed travel plan routes which the BLM is currently working on. We will need to change the language when we get other pieces of the legislation in place.
Ken Watts will follow up with Zak Miller regarding grazing language. Ken will also get together with Liz Davy and a representative from the BLM in Idaho Falls.
The presenters were asked to provide information for a briefing book on their discussions to assist with the preparation of the legislative language.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in the EMS Building in Island Park, Idaho.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Judy Koehly, Secretary
Working Group
Minutes of Meeting
September 14, 2016
The Island Park Preservation Coalition held a working group meeting on Wednesday, September 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
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
Joe Sielinsky, IP Sustainable Fire
Dale Swensen, HFWC
Ann Anthony, Island Park News
Kim Trotter, Yellowstone 2 Yukon
Judy Koehly, Secretary
Members Absent:
Greg Bitter, Vice Chairman
Alynn Crapo, IPPC Website Administrator
Dave Moore, IP Medical Community
Zak Miller, Idaho Farm Bureau
Luke Davis, Agriculture and Ranching
John Stiehl, Fishing, Trouthunter
Kathy Rinaldi, Greater Yellowstone Coalition
Brandon Hoffner, HFWC
Trent Yancey, Fall River Cooperative
Glade Gunnell, IP Business
Hal Buster, FC Ranching
Kevin Phillips, summer and winter recreation
Quilt Drawing: Ken Watts asked Connie Funkhouser and Rosemary Thompson to facilitate the drawing for the quilt that was donated by the Island Park Quilt Guild to raise money for the Island Park Preservation Coalition. Connie Funkhouser thanked the Quilt Guild for their wonderful donation and thanked everyone for supporting the fundraiser. Many members of the Island Park Quilt Guild were in attendance at the meeting for the drawing of the quilt. Connie reported that the total raffle sales were $1,385.00 and that the Breakfast Cookoff proceeds were $876.00 for a total donation to the IPPC of $2,261.00. Connie Funkhouser and Rosemary Thompson will be planning another fundraiser for this winter. The winning ticket drawn belonged to Layne Walker of Running Springs, California. Connie Funkhouser telephone Mr. Walker and told him that he had won. He was very excited. Connie will ship the beautiful quilt to Layne Walker.
Minutes: The July, 2016 minutes were amended to reflect that Dale Swensen had attended the July meeting. After that correction was made, Bob Stantus moved that the July minutes be approved. The motion was seconded by Rosemary Thompson and unanimously approved. The August minutes were amended by the statement sent to the working group earlier by Liz Davy. Bob Stantus moved that the August minutes be approved as amended. The motion was approved by Ellen Stantus and unanimously approved.
Financial Report: Terry Delong reported that the balance on the bank statement as of August 31, 2016 was $4,196.82. Terry reported that we have not heard anything from the IRS regarding the 501(c) status. They are hoping to hear something within the next month.
Current Events:
President Obama has designated two more national monuments. One is the North Woods National Monument in the State of Maine. The land for this monument was a donation. However, the local community is opposed to the designation. The North Woods National Monument is also unusual in that it permits hunting and fishing which are governed by US Fish and Wildlife Department instead of the State of Maine. The second designation is that of the Hawaiian Underwater National Monument which encompasses 154,000 square miles.
Leanne Yancey reported that the US Fish and Wildlife Services had written an article regarding grazing in the Western United States. Ken Watts will send the website for this grazing article to the working group members.
The possibility of a monument designation for the Bears Ears area of Southern Utah has caused lots of arguments. Local tribes do not support the designation, but tribes from other areas are pushing for the designation. Public lands initiatives are being supported in Utah and Wyoming. Congressmen from both states are moving to have local control of government land. Wyoming and Alaska are exempt from the Antiquities Act. Bears Ears and other possible designation sites have asked our group for assistance.
Presentation: Kim Totter of Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative spoke to the group regarding the Island Park Safe Wildlife Passage Initiative. Y2Y is working on safe wildlife passage throughout Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Canada. Among Y2Ys most visible projects working on safe wildlife passage is Banff National Park in Canada, which has 44 crossing structures – 6 overpasses and 38 underpasses – within the Park. Highway 93 through the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana has constructed safe crossings for animals. A crossing may go over or under the highway.
Kim chairs the Island Park Wildlife Passage Working Group of the Henry’s Fork Legacy Project. The group wants to sustain our economic, ecological and cultural heritage as visitation increases in Yellowstone National Park.
One in four accidents along Highway 20 in Island Park involves an animal. That is five times the national average. The average cost for such accidents are $6,000 for a deer, $17,000 for an elk and $30,000 for a moose. Highway 20 is the most dangerous road in Idaho for wildlife vehicle collisions. Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Idaho Transportation Department and the Wildlife Conservation Society studied the crossing patterns of elk and moose in Island Park through the use of collars. That study led to ITD considering wildlife as they begin planning for the next 10 to 20 years of highway maintenance and expansion. The Island Park Safe Wildlife Passage Initiative is encouraging ITD to incorporate animal crossings when bridges are replaced and roads widened. Wildlife passage alternatives range from yellow warning signs to underpasses and overpasses. The expense and effectiveness of these alternatives range dramatically. Highway 20 is 406 miles long. Ken Watts reported that they have the support of Mayor Tom Jewell for wildlife passage. The Idaho Department of Transportation prepares an annual plan, which sets forth a program for the next 5 years.
ITD plans to straighten a section of Targhee Pass on Highway 20 and add an uphill truck-passing lane. The Island Park Safe Wildlife Passage Initiative partners would like to see the state incorporate in wildlife mitigation here. There is a resident moose herd in that area, a grizzly bear was killed there in 2015, and the area is important for other animals like wolverines. A recent ITD study recommends overpasses for wildlife. The design would cost approximately $600,000 and the project is projected to cost $11,000,000 and expected to be completed in 2021. Kim Trotter encouraged group members to contact the county commissioners regarding the safety factor for people and animals.
Many bridges in the state are approaching their 75 year safety lifespans. Y2Y is working with ITD to offer training to bridge engineers. When replacing bridges they can build them slightly differently to allow animal passage.
Kim said that Idaho passed a salvage law, which allows people to pick up road kill. This means that many animals that are killed on the highways are not reported so accurate records are not available. All of the surrounding states already have wildlife passages on their highways. None have been constructed in Idaho. Kim reported that moose and antelope much prefer overpasses to underpasses. The biggest expense is the dirt that is used. Because the majority of US highway construction originates with the Federal Highway Administration, much of the cost may be borne by the federal government.
Dale Swensen addressed the group regarding Water Rights Legislation Language. A copy of Dale’s handout from the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Jerry Peak Wilderness Additions Act as well as the Snake River Headwaters, Wyoming are attached hereto and made a part hereof. Dale pointed out that the language would need to be amended to change the wording to apply to the Island Park area rather than Sawtooth, Jerry Peak and Snake River. Bob Stantus stated that we should protect the fisheries in Island Park. Dale said that he would work on language to be added regarding fishing.
Ken Watts said that we will wait until Liz Davy and Kathy Rinaldi are available to assist with the finalization of the access and road density legislation language. The group discussed travel plan routes which the BLM is currently working on. We will need to change the language when we get other pieces of the legislation in place.
Ken Watts will follow up with Zak Miller regarding grazing language. Ken will also get together with Liz Davy and a representative from the BLM in Idaho Falls.
The presenters were asked to provide information for a briefing book on their discussions to assist with the preparation of the legislative language.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in the EMS Building in Island Park, Idaho.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Judy Koehly, Secretary