[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6355918,"mediaKeyId","2217476-308811b98cb1c7412e19494f722f2ad3","parentId",2217476,"title","Gubernatorial appointees testify on lake gates, invasive species and water management transparency","audioSeconds",1801,"startMs",1266835,"endMs",3068692,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2217476-308811b98cb1c7412e19494f722f2ad3&start=1266&end=3068","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2217476-308811b98cb1c7412e19494f722f2ad3/thumbnail_1266835.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6355918/Idaho/Gubernatorial-appointees-testify-on-lake-gates-invasive-species-and-water-management-transparency","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6355918-b1dcba312b3c2ae4565a7d29d5cd8d9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771222869&Signature=QdFdGO7uTI2OqaNstudl-kscYCa8DhwOMHx6nx5rmA3VMC0HzaSFTLo3mzhdWzHiBFXeOtQhWNd1Pl~zW3Z~7-qkfoB7dPhp6QOuAki7iKTcflX4tFkJJt0aG0EgrjrvqlA-1ko1olLySeLqJHtqlgv4Qg6SlHgSmcontWcX4DFLAhTeQu~dEDyY8PFDUhIudLfgDBH7Fo22NFbdpFfAwScvuyfPxPr4oR-dXQV5KlHkVheXFz3qYlWR3gK~-MreHMlezFn9LETLZvwcEpho-DO0XLOfV3mRNh18FfMMWW~Wy9fuwKzz28AiBvuFSpYqkXHHh1HMnjnmG2kx4IPgDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate of Idaho","date","2025-01-20T00:00:00Z","article","Several gubernatorial appointees seeking confirmation spoke to the Resources & Environment Committee about infrastructure, invasive-species vigilance and water-management priorities.

Linda Mitchell, a long-time commissioner on the Pend Oreille, Priest, Lakes and Rivers Commission, told the committee she has watched Lake Pend Oreille for decades and described a cracked steel gate on the lake's outlet structure. She said the outlet gates were designed with an expected 50-year lifespan and are now about 70 years old; a spare gate has been installed and the cracked gate is being repaired. \"If one of the gates fails, it will not be a catastrophe, but it will be an extreme condition,\" Mitchell said, adding that a gate failure could drop the lake level by about 11 feet from its normal summer pool and would have major local economic and property impacts. She said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers owns and manages the dam and that federal action will be necessary for full replacement; she urged continued state engagement.

Craig Hill, reappointed to the Pend Oreille/Priest commission, described long-standing local work on the upper Priest Lake breakwater and on maintaining lake levels to protect fish spawning. He said the commission provides public meetings and education and that the community is vigilant about threats such as milfoil and invasive mussels.

Appointments to the Idaho Water Resource Board also spoke. Dean Stevenson introduced himself as a farmer and irrigator who represents District 3 on the board and discussed recharge and bypass activities intended to stabilize aquifers and support irrigation. Several senators pressed Stevenson on transparency for river bypasses and the practice of sending water downstream to enable recharge programs. Stevenson acknowledged past shortcomings in communicating those activities and said the board will work to improve transparency. He said some bypass/release activity has been coordinated with Idaho Power for cloud-seeding partnerships.

Mark Gibbs, a Water Resource Board member and former legislator, said restoring the aquifer is a priority and discussed larger water projects such as raising Anderson Ranch Dam (listed as a priority for the board) and expanding cloud seeding. Gibbs said data indicate cloud seeding returns of roughly 8–15% on effort in increasing snowpack and stressed the importance of continued cooperation among stakeholders.

Committee members thanked the appointees and said the committee will consider confirmation votes at a subsequent meeting; testimony in this session served as introductions and an opportunity to hear priorities and concerns.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Resources & Environment Meeting January 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Appointees to lake commissions and the Idaho Water Resource Board described aging dam gates at Lake Pend Oreille, shoreline and septic concerns, Priest Lake maintenance, and water-resource management issues including recharge, bypass flows and cloud seeding. Committee will take confirmation votes at a later meeting.","taxTitle","Resources & Environment, SENATE, Committees, Legislative, Idaho","taxId",57315,"location","Idaho","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6355923,"Committee moves to codify trapping/hunting education, add trespass instruction and supervised-trapper option",184,1072590,1256715,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2217476-308811b98cb1c7412e19494f722f2ad3&start=1072&end=1256","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2217476-308811b98cb1c7412e19494f722f2ad3/thumbnail_1072590.jpg","/articles/6355923/Idaho/Committee-moves-to-codify-trappinghunting-education-add-trespass-instruction-and-supervised-trapper-option","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6355923-fe9b97ec6126de3c199eb33962f5fe69/orig.mp4?Expires=1771222869&Signature=H75c~FcCjzztyzTFvDtLC9jKcLFAxf1zwjOSKeSAy725QbxprA8qLo9hxLIvBtWCgHuKOd62ARjm1-R5P5w1WZQj4xtZlReorEzg73bfxpqDctDRBR-UZl8elRkccJTruUZigVY~7yElr3SGTh8EHcaFjxQNRDRNxawW8jETihXlHpXC3udh57N7rbiaoVurpSETgbCU3-HmpeXir4xoiBXpvuAP9lwz~Z-3XEMTsqQPcfWkZnpYT0UzQ5eoQK9cTCYjA1wEk7BbO2de2hV9S-raGepH5w8koctEMG0iJID1veeqP0SANT6NSn78HzGv6Ip3xnLO-wG0Np2~QyO0gg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Resources & Environment Committee voted to send RS 31922 to print after sponsors described changes to hunting and trapping education requirements and a supervised-trapper pathway.

Dexter Lake, speaking for the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, said the measure would move course requirements from administrative rule into code and add an explicit instruction item: \"good conduct and respect for the rights and properties of others including laws prohibiting trespass and tampering with real and personal property.\" He said that addition was requested by the trapping association and by an organization identified in the transcript as \"F4WM,\" citing incidents of people tampering with trapping equipment in the field.

The request would also let an individual gain in-the-field experience by trapping under the direct supervision of a certified and licensed outfitter or guide without first completing the full trapper-education course. Lake said that if a person later wishes to trap independently they must complete the trapper education course. He told the committee the classroom trapper course is about eight hours and a separate wolf-trapping course is about five hours; sponsors emphasized the value of supervised, hands-on training in addition to classroom instruction.

Senator Guthrie moved to send RS 31922 to print; Senator Hart seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.

If printed, the measure would be drafted into bill language and returned to committee for further consideration.","RS 31922 was sent to print. The request would move trapping and hunting education requirements from rule into code, add instruction on trespass laws, and allow supervised trapping under a licensed outfitter without completing the trapper education course.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6355928,"Panel moves RS 31921 to print to create depredation appeals board for wildlife kills",662,400449,1063185,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2217476-308811b98cb1c7412e19494f722f2ad3&start=400&end=1063","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2217476-308811b98cb1c7412e19494f722f2ad3/thumbnail_400449.jpg","/articles/6355928/Idaho/Panel-moves-RS-31921-to-print-to-create-depredation-appeals-board-for-wildlife-kills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6355928-18b0f93269060586cfd1ed481f0320b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771222869&Signature=Mh9tqBQjFJ6~xEJqCTEhNKQzF0u-l71UwaOPoLFDOMbPx0n3rJl52hegVw8voA8IiXnE~TMpMkCx9dDlaLPV6TXQseSb~ppAF9ScrNM-fpnQUgYLQheHbkeOM91rKEUpm~zR2NROYPKb32P2XBYWkc-HHyTeHYb4j-TFC2Pvi9mY~tQmG0yOLNXWb8PjmRLNUtkP5QCxt2NGrTNLBlWW-JykooqMJxZner7S~l35-j3cUeK0rzfECcmnh661bZUTbWIe6TDS71Sn4rBJPyfheqiS8TU4W2I~MxRvgRGMiwmjTJFatd3mdV7XjLkJk-eyZrqpyR732kRyNh-i6OOKpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Resources & Environment Committee voted to send RS 31921 to print after testimony that the request would create a Depredating Wildlife Appeals Board to review federal Wildlife Services determinations of livestock kills by wolves, bears and mountain lions.

Dexter Lake, representing the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, told the committee that currently Wildlife Services, a branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is the state's only authorized investigator for suspected depredations. He said the federal agency often focuses on examination of the carcass and that, if a producer does not receive a \"confirmed depredation\" finding, the producer may be ineligible for state or federal reimbursement. \"The only authorized investigator in the state right now is Wildlife Services,\" Lake said. \"If the producer doesn't get what's referred to as a confirmed depredation, there's no recourse for that producer in terms of a depredation reimbursement.\"

Under the proposal, an appeals board made up of directors of Fish and Game and Agriculture or their appointees, and a veterinarian, would review evidence submitted by producers and the initial investigator and could change the original ruling. Lake described a four-tier grading system used by Wildlife Services: confirmed; probable (for which state funds may be paid); possible; and unknown. After a ruling, producers apply to the Office of Species Conservation (OSC) to access available funds.

Committee members raised concerns about process and fairness. Senator Taylor asked who would conduct follow-up investigations; Lake replied appeals would not create a new field-investigation team and that producers would be responsible for submitting photos, game camera footage, telemetry or other documentation. When Taylor said relying on photographs could produce an \"inequitable process,\" Lake responded the board could rely on the initial investigator's report and request clarifying input from that investigator.

On costs and timeline, Lake said the request does not include new full-time staff and that, in consultation with Fish and Game and OSC, he expected the board to meet as needed—\"once or twice a year at the beginning\"—and that OSC payment timelines would not require immediate hearings. Senator Cook moved to send RS 31921 to print; the motion passed by voice vote.

If printed and later enacted, the appeals board would create a state-level review mechanism for depredation findings but would not eliminate Wildlife Services' role as the initial investigator.","The committee voted to send RS 31921 to print. The request would authorize a Depredating Wildlife Appeals Board to review Wildlife Services' determinations of depredation and potentially alter confirmed/probable findings that affect reimbursement and control actions.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6355933,"Committee advances proposal to require agricultural producer on winter-feeding advisory panels",355,35580,391544,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2217476-308811b98cb1c7412e19494f722f2ad3&start=35&end=391","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2217476-308811b98cb1c7412e19494f722f2ad3/thumbnail_35580.jpg","/articles/6355933/Idaho/Committee-advances-proposal-to-require-agricultural-producer-on-winter-feeding-advisory-panels","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6355933-907d6ba019f78001773466de111bdb71/orig.mp4?Expires=1771222869&Signature=N1ISnE~eJfLiEnAuEqe2TPtqe9eIkqGbiQ4PyZNyiJ9J3Wvih428D2NuxYdLnAW2y2-9D9MYUWuPlLevuyy37EZO0i9tuKFOawP~Ia2vd6TXXMOKlkeTP6wj6qMBjfH~8vAsI5XGcdkvIUXUR4y~WHrQrHOhw8zTC4L9b~aWw1NPIbg6~Som5FnhOX3t7DRDrzfWu9l1SWd2N~BHtOddFGP3qxJ0lS79emDxm6DKz-H6Q6H01TM4oCDTuOClhMq2jWFnZTl5~90X-4o38C3KSyM8Lo1~FuwQpLhKO0gEXGNLUI04WBWAKpyO15Cg4boHQ8mnZFQcOBBwlMd20oYOkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Resources & Environment Committee voted to send RS 3183 to print after testimony that the bill would require most Idaho Fish and Game winter-feeding advisory committees to include at least one agricultural producer and that committee members come from the district the committee serves.

The measure was presented by Dexter Lake, who identified himself as representing the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation. Lake said the change responds to concerns raised in Bear Lake-area meetings where elk depredation had occurred and local producers were not represented on feeding committees. \"A lot of the producers there didn't know about it and they realized that there really wasn't an ag representative on that committee,\" Lake told the committee. \"This piece of legislation would require...that at least one member be an agricultural producer.\" He added the bill would also require committee members to be residents of the district where each committee is formed.

Committee members asked practical questions about the number and makeup of feeding committees and how an \"ag producer\" would be defined. Lake told the panel that Fish and Game has about five districts and that he believed at least four of those districts have feeding committees. He said Farm Bureau and other agricultural organizations would be relied on to recommend qualified producers rather than inserting a formal statutory definition of \"ag producer.\" \"For terms of our membership we have regular members and associate members...we would refer one of our regular members that have an interest in preventing or guiding winter feeding,\" Lake said.

Senators pressed whether limiting membership to residents of a district could make it harder to fill the panels; Lake said Fish and Game welcomed assistance from organizations such as Farm Bureau and the Cattle Association to identify candidates.

Senator Hart moved to send RS 3183 to print; Senator Harris seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.

If printed, RS 3183 would proceed through the normal bill-drafting and committee process before any final action on the floor.","The Resources & Environment Committee voted to send RS 3183 to print. The bill would require at least one agricultural producer on most Fish and Game winter-feeding advisory committees and that committee members live in the district they serve.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Gubernatorial appointees testify on lake gates, invasive species and water management transparency

Committee moves to codify trapping/hunting education, add trespass instruction and supervised-trapper option

Panel moves RS 31921 to print to create depredation appeals board for wildlife kills

Committee advances proposal to require agricultural producer on winter-feeding advisory panels