The North Central Idaho RAC met by phone to discuss and priortize additiona projects to fund with Title II money if additional funds became available. Minutes of their telephone conference meeting are posted here.
The North Central Idaho RAC has set a meeting on September 6th by telephone to go over recommendations for allocating any left over funds or funds that may come back to the Forest if bids come under budget or a project is not implemented.
Meanwhile, the meeting minutes from their August 2, 2012 RAC meeting are now available here.
It only took one meeting, and it happened before the exact amount of Title II funds are officially known. The North Central Idaho RAC met in Grangeville last Thursday, August 2nd, and completed their recommendations to the Forest Supervisor for projects to use Title II funds.
“A big Thank You! to the RAC Members for accomplishing this task today and to Read more…
Grangeville, ID–The North Central Idaho Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will be accepting proposals for review and possible funding for Fiscal Year 2013.
“The authority of the RAC to recommend projects expires on September 30, 2012, so they need to complete recommendations for 2013 in a very tight timeline,” said Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests Supervisor Rick Brazell. “The North Central Idaho RAC has an estimated $800,000 in Title II funds to award for 2013.”
A proposal due date and meeting date has been established by the RAC over the next few weeks. The funds are available through the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act, which was reauthorized by Congress for one year.
RAC-funded projects must be located on National Forest System Lands in Clearwater, Idaho and Latah counties or on nearby lands if the project will benefit resources on the National Forests. Projects can be completed by Read more…
BLM Extends Nomination Period for Advisory Council Vacancies
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is extending the deadline for nominations for six open positions on its Coeur d’Alene District Resource Advisory Council (RAC). The Coeur d’Alene RAC consists of members from Boundary, Bonner, Benewah, Kootenai, Shoshone, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, Clearwater, Idaho and Adams counties.
Nominations are due June 4, 2012.
The BLM is looking for a diverse group of people representing industry, environmental organizations, historical and archaeological groups, state and local governments, Indian tribes, and the general public. Resource Advisory Councils are citizen-based groups that make recommendations to the BLM regarding public land and resource management, including land-use planning, recreation, fire management, livestock grazing, and wild horse and burro herd management. Read more…
A new brochure, “The Lure of Gold – The History of Florence, Idaho and the 1861 Discovery of Gold,” is now available in print or on the Nez Perce National Forest internet site under Maps & Publications/Brochures at this link (16MB).
This project was funded by the North Central Idaho Resource Advisory Committee under the Secure Rural Schools Act and includes an interpretive sign and the brochure.
Many thanks to Roger Inghram, Back Country Horsemen, who volunteered his time to build the frame and will place the sign at the site.
Landscape Architect trainee Morai Helfen, Cindy Schacher and RAC coordinator Laura Smith of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest worked on this project together. We think both the public and our employees will find it an interesting and enjoyable read. If you get a chance, take a drive to Florence this summer and bring along the brochure and get a feel for the history of the area.
North Central Idaho RAC member Dennis Baird commented, “I have followed this project with great care. The results, both at Florence and in the new brochure, are really first class and offer a much broader look at cultural history than is normally the case. Nice work on everybody’s part,” said Baird.
The James Ranch airstrip on the main Salmon River was treated for noxious weeds.
Airstrip and Private Land Buffer
In 2009, the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness CWMA initiated a weed treatment program on the private and Forest Service airstrips along the main stem Salmon River. Agreements were established with seven private airstrip owners. The agreements provided for contracts to complete the initial weed treatments with the land owners taking responsibility afterwards. These contract efforts were completed in 2009 and 2010. In 2011, emphasis was shifted to the Selway River drainage where four airstrips need assistance. Agreements are currently being developed for the Running Creek and North Star private air strips which have been getting some treatment by the involved owners. Inventory data for the Selway Lodge air strip shows it being clean and having no need for assistance! The Montana Conservation Core assisted with treating the Moose Creek and Shearer Forest Service airstrips in 2011. The Moose Creek air strip had also been treated in 2010 with other funds. Plans include treating all four air strips in 2012 with the remaining funds. Afterwards, they should all be in an maintenance mode.
Back Country New Invaders
The Red River District Recreation crews did not utilize any of the available funds in 2011. Inventory efforts were instead completed in 2011 to help delineate those trails and camp sites most deserving in an attempt to keep the relatively clean weed free areas clean of noxious weeds. Plans to treat those weeds and use the remaining balance on other trails will be emphasized in 2012.
Rachel Winston at the Forest Service Slate Creek yellowstar thistle bio control monitoring transect.
Bio-Control
In 2009, Idaho County Weed Control, in conjunction with the RAC, US Forest Service, USDI BLM, and MIA Consulting, initiated a biocontrol monitoring program to determine the effectiveness of numerous releases that have occurred throughout north central Idaho since 1979. Four weed systems were monitored utilizing the Standardized Impact Monitoring Protocol. These efforts were repeated and expanded in 2010 and 2011. A total of 57 permanent monitoring sites spanning seven weed species were visited throughout the 2011 growing season. For Dalmatian toadflax, insects appear to be contributing alone or in combination with favorable spring weather to the weed’s control at 11 sites, have no impact at two others, and more time is needed to draw conclusions at one final site. In the spotted knapweed system, insects have likely been a major contributor in the weed’s control at one site, they may be slightly effective at another site, and appear to be ineffective at all others, though more time is needed for sites where agents were released as recently as 2009.
Two inmates were out splitting and stacking firewood next to the Grangeville Senior Center on Monday, Aug. 29, under supervision of (not pictured) ICSO Deputy Jailer and work program coordinator Rob Agee.
David Rauzi, Editor, Idaho County Free Press – August 31, 2011
GRANGEVILLE — Idaho County Jail inmates are helping with home heating costs for the elderly this winter.
Thanks to $5,827.50 in grant funds through the North Central Idaho Resource Advisory Committee (RAC), the jail, in conjunction with Community Action Partnership (CAP) purchased three logging truckloads of ponderosa pine logs, which are in the process of being cut and split, according to ICSO Chief Jailer Rick Shira.
Two inmates as part of the Idaho County Inmate Worker/Community Service Program started the project at the beginning of the month, according to Shira, “and it will be at least two to three more weeks before they get it all split.”
Credit for the idea goes to Harpster resident Don Morrow (now deceased) who first brought the project concept to the Forest Service, which in turn went to the RAC, according to Nez Perce National Forest public information officer Laura Smith.
Plans are coming together for North Central Idaho RAC and Clearwater Basin Collaborative participants to attend a field trip to the Indian Hill RAC project and others.
CBC and RAC chairs Alex Irby and Kent Henderson have suggested August 30 and 31. If folks want to spend the night at Three Rivers again like last year, it’s best to call and reserve a room now.
Please respond Laura Smith at (208) 983-5142 by the end of this week if you are interested in attending.