ICL newsletter

["bill london" <bill_london@hotmail.com>]

For those who are interested in Idaho legislative news from the perspective 
of the state's premiere environmental group, here's a sample copy of the ICL 
emailed newsletter.  If you want to receive further issues, please use the 
contact information at the bottom of the newsletter for a free subscription.
BL
>
>Idaho Conservation League
>Natural Resource News
>
>   January 17, 2000   Vol.5, Issue #1
>
>The Idaho State Legislature began for the second time yesterday, albeit
>during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.  The death of the Senate ProTem
>Jerry Twiggs postponed the session for one week.  This was an unfortunate
>surprise to all and our thoughts are with his family.
>
>It is now time to ramp up once again to protect our wildlands, wildlife and
>water quality.
>
>First, this is a good time to introduce myself.  I am Dallas Gudgell.  I am
>taking over Scott Brownıs responsibilities for Idaho Conservation League.
>The first of which is the Idaho State Legislature.  Iıll be sending out the
>Natural Resource News (NRN) approximately every week throughout the 
>session.
>
>I will be very active and visible in all the areas of interest to ICL.  I
>and ICL staff will be working these issues hard, and making our presence
>felt in the capitol.  We plan to foster cooperative relationships and build
>presence for next years campaigns.
>
>What will we see?
>
>ENDANGERED SPECIES
>
>The Office of the Governor may be back with a move to bring significant
>political control of  Idahoıs endangered species into his office, although
>Gov. Kempthorne did not make a proposal in his state of the state address.
>The governor did say any new office for endangered species should have
>³appropriate resources,² indicating there may not be a willingness at the
>legislature to fund any new state role.
>
>A new office anywhere could cost the general fund upward of $200,000.
>Currently non-listed species are managed by the Idaho Fish and Game, and
>listed species are managed by the federal government. The purpose and
>function of a new office is not clear. The Governor may be trying to have a
>strong hand in setting policy in advance of an endangered species listing.
>Such policy would most likely be heavy on politics and light on science.
>The questions we will be asking is what is the need and purpose of this
>office, as well as what is the willingness to adequately fund it to take
>real actions beyond political stances.
>
>  FISH AND GAME BUDGET
>
>The Fish and Game Department is again seeking license and permit fee
>increases to gain the much needed $4.4 million budget increase.  This is
>especially important for Fish and Game to continue non-game work.  Without
>an increase to the budget the first programs to be cut will be non-game
>programs.  We support the fee increase and the additional $4.4 million for
>the Fish and Game.  A coalition of sporting and conservation groups will be
>working hard on this issue.  The Governor supported the fee increase in the
>State of the State, but it is not certain at what level.  There is a great
>need to continue adequate funding of non-game programs, weather it is
>general fund money or license fees,  but it is unlikely revenue will be
>additional general funds.
>
>DEQ AS A DEPARTMENT
>
>The Office of the Governor proposes to make the Division of Environmental
>(DEQ), which is currently within the Department of Health and Welfare, the
>states 20th separate department.   This is a good idea and can go further 
>to
>elevate the status of protecting natural resources.  DEQ as a department
>will have more leverage when negotiating with neighboring states, and may
>streamline decision making.
>
>WATER QUALITY RULES
>
>DEQ has proposed changes in water quality rules related to Total Maximum
>Daily Load (TMDL) rules, which establishes how much pollution can be
>introduced into streams and lakes.  The proposed rules are weaker than
>current regulations, with a red flag in calling for a ³cool water 
>standard².
>It looks like a bogus standard to give an out if waters can not meet the
>current, stricter cold water standard for aquatic biota.  A new cool water
>standard in the rules will not fix water quality problems.  I will work to
>strengthen these rules and eliminate the 'cool water standard.
>
>HAM AND EGGS
>
>DEQ also has new proposed rules on Confined Animal Feeding Operations
>(CAFOs).  These would be the first such rules on Idahoıs books, but the
>proposal is  very weak compared to other states.  Many groups feel that
>these rules are NOT better than no rules.  If the rules remain inadequate,
>it will be necessary to demonstrate how Idaho will be exposed to carpet bag
>CAFOs from states with stronger regulations.
>
>OTHERS ISSUES
>
>Other issues may repeat themselves this year, like; land use, takings and
>other property rights issues. The cattlemanıs association may have a bill
>that proposes to take the money from water quality regulations and 
>volunteer
>programs out  of DEQ and put it in the Department of Agriculture.  This is 
>a
>bad move.  Even DEQ will likely oppose this move.
>
>Wolf management by the state may be presented in a management plan. The
>first drafts of this plan were written by livestock interests, with limited
>inclusion of wildlife biologists and no involvement from wolf supporters.
>The initial drafts also eliminated the successful role of the Nez Perce
>Tribe from wolf management. With the recent Federal Court decision that
>established the legality of the wolf reintroduction program, there may be 
>an
>opportunity for  setting up a long-term management plan. But the draft plan
>is not close to balancing wolf protection with other concerns among
>livestock growers and communities.
>
>Other issues of great concern to ICL, such as salmon and steelhead recovery
>and Roadless Area management, may get some grandstanding attention in
>resolutions and memorials. But the will of the Legislature or the Governor
>to present an active plan to do something on either of these issues appears
>to be lacking. If the State of the State speech rhetoric continues, we can
>expect a lot of hot air and fed-bashing but no action.
>
>The Legislative hotline is: 1-800-626-0471 OR 208-332-1000
>Legislation email: infocntr@Iso.state.id.us
>
>State Legislation can be accessed directly on ICLıs web page:
>www.wildidaho.org
>
>For more information contact Dallas Gudgell at the Idaho Conservation 
>League
>at (208) 345-6933. email: <dgudgell@wildidaho.org>   To recieve future
>issues respond to my email address and ask for Natural Resource News press
>distribution.
>
>
>--
>J. Dallas Gudgell
>Conservation Associate
>Idaho Conservation League
>PO Box 844
>Boise, ID 83701
>Ph. (208) 345-6933, ext.17
>fax (208) 344-0344
>http://www.wildidaho.org
>
>If it's not wild
>It's not Idaho
><< NRNv5no1press >>
><< NRNv5no1press >>

______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com