The Latest from ICL
Simpson Introduces Legislation to Reauthorize the LWCF
Idaho's Rep. Mike Simpson recently introduced a bill to reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Meanwhile, several of his colleagues in the House of Representatives continue to hold the program hostage.
Paris Report: Three Key Issues in Draft Agreement
In report today from the Paris COP21 climate talks, ICL member Gary Payton describes the key issues that are involved in the draft final agreement of the world's nations to address the very present threat of global warming.
Lifting Oil Export Ban Will Fuel Climate Change
The Senate may vote this week on a bill to lift the nearly 40-year-old ban on export of domestic oil. This will result in more dangerous Bakken oil trains rumbling through North Idaho.
Bogus Basin, the Boise Valley and Climate Change
Pat Ford ponders the ski resort as an indicator of climate change.
Lewiston Trib: Abandoning Upper Lochsa Is Not an Option
The Lewiston Tribune offers a compelling option to address the widespread public concern over the proposed Lochsa Land Exchange...Reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund and apply some of those funds to purchase the private timber lands which provide important fish and wildlife habitat near Lolo Pass.
Road to Paris: What's Happening? Why Now?
Gary Payton is in Paris observing the United Nations-sponsored Climate Talks. This is the 3rd installment of a series of guest blogs about his experiences as a witness to these historic discussions.
Snowmobilers Can't Get Enough
Only 6% of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests are recommended for wilderness protection under a new land management plan adopted by the Forest Service earlier this year, but snowmobilers aren't satisfied with the decision.
Cleaning Up Abandoned Mines in Idaho Could Cost $1 Billion
If efforts to seize public lands are successful, costs for abandoned mine cleanup could total more than $1 billion, according to a new report. State taxpayers would be solely responsible for these costs. Instead, a state takeover of public lands should be abandoned, and mining laws should be reformed to ensure adequate funding for mine reclamation.