Senate committee interviews two Idaho Fish and Game Commission nominees; votes delayed

The Senate Resources and Environment Committee heard presentations from gubernatorial appointee Mike Roach and incumbent commissioner Ron Davies but did not vote on either nomination.

Mike Roach, who introduced himself as a Fairfield, Idaho, resident and a lifelong Idahoan with a degree in wildlife fisheries from the University of Idaho, told the committee he worked for Fish and Game in the 1970s and later served as state natural resource director for Senator Jim Risch from 2009 to 2021. Roach said he has attended two Fish and Game Commission meetings since his appointment and that the commission has “a very varied background” among members.

Roach described management of fish and wildlife as the commission’s primary task. On grizzly-bear management, he said his “limited knowledge” indicated the matter is tied up in federal litigation, and he characterized the department as aware of challenges but constrained by court actions. He told the committee, “Idaho is actively wanting to manage the grizzly bear population,” and said litigation has limited state action.

Roach also spoke in favor of wildlife crossings. “I think that those overpasses are vitally important to the migration routes of our big game animals … and being able to avoid those conflicts with car crashes,” he said, describing a department tour of an overpass near Lucky Peak.

Ron Davies, who said he lives in Clayton and is a retired firefighter-paramedic from Pocatello, described his four years on the commission and several months serving as commission chairman. Senators asked both nominees questions about wildlife management, including grizzly-bear conflicts, elk migrations near I-15 and interactions between state fish-and-game authorities and tribal agencies. Davies said he was not well versed in some tribal-hunting interactions but acknowledged cooperation is important for issues involving anadromous fish and migration corridors.

Committee members indicated they usually allow several days between a confirmation hearing and a committee vote. Vice Chairman Hart told Roach and Davies the committee typically lets a couple of days pass before formally voting to approve or disapprove nominations; neither nomination was recorded as voted on in the hearing.

Why it matters: the Idaho Fish and Game Commission sets policy and regulations affecting hunting, fishing and wildlife management statewide. Commissioners’ backgrounds and priorities shape how the department addresses conflicts such as large carnivore management, wildlife crossings and crop or property depredation.

Next steps: the committee will take up the nominations at a later date; if the committee approves a nominee, the nomination proceeds to the full Senate for confirmation.