This is a weekly roundup of some of ICIE’s activities in and around the Idaho Legislature. Staffing limits mean we can’t cover every meeting. If there’s an item of interest to you at an upcoming meeting of one of the environment or agriculture committees, let us know and we’ll try to cover it. Agendas are available at http://www.state.id.us/. Click on “Legislative” and click on “Calendars and agendas.”
The House Resources & Conservation committee heard a presentation on the 27th from George Bacon, Director of the Idaho Department of Lands. Mr. Bacon asked the committee to print a bill proposed by the department to increase the cap on the cost that private forest land owners pay for fire protection from 60 to 65 cents an acre and from $20 to $40 per improved lot or parcel. This increase would help the department have the equipment and resources to continue initial attach efforts wild fires. The department currently receives $2 million from the general fund for fire preparedness. It also receives $4 million from forest landowner assessments and $4 million in grants. Initial attack reduces the cost of firefighting on Idaho’s forest lands. Last year 250 fires started on state forest land. Three of these fires were not stopped with initial attack and the department spent $5.5 million to fight just those three fires. The increase would allow the department to establish a fund to replace fire equipment as necessary to continue its efforts to protect forest land and residences. The Idaho Land Board makes the final decision on fees, but must stay within the higher cap set by this legislation. *****
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