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Department of Lands seeks staffing, one‑time funds and protections for fire suppression fund; governor backs transfers and firefighter bonuses
Summary
The Idaho Department of Lands told the JFAC it needs new fire‑program staff and greater fire suppression reserves; the governor recommended substantial transfers to the fire suppression deficiency fund and firefighter bonuses, and the department and Timber Protective Associations sought parity for private‑lands firefighters.
The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) presented its FY 2026 budget requests to the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee, emphasizing fire suppression funding, new fire‑program staff, and continuing investments in forest management and the Good Neighbor Authority program.
Dustin Miller, director of the Idaho Department of Lands, described ongoing program growth tied to wildfire response, abandonment‑mine remediation and the Good Neighbor Authority (GNA), the federal partnership that allows state management and restoration work on national forest lands. Director Miller said GNA is now self‑funded from timber receipts and will move off the regular appropriations schedule into a continuously appropriated fund, which will still be visible to the committee.
Department staff asked for six new full‑time positions tied to the fire program modernization effort, including a fire emergency support program manager, fire aviation section manager, statewide forest assessment program manager, assistant fire…
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