File Code:

1350-2/6540

   Date:

February 10, 2004

/s/ Randy Swick

RANDALL G. SWICK

Designated Federal Officer

Southwest Idaho Resource Advisory Committee

enclosures

Cc:

Dick Smith, Boise NF

Suzanne Rainville, Boise NF

Mark Madrid, Payette NF

Andy Brunelle, Capitol City Coord - Idaho

Dave Olson, Boise NF

Linda Steinhaus, Boise NF

Boyd Hartwig, Payette NF

Leadership Team, Boise NF

Leadership Team, Payette NF

Idaho Congressional Delegations

County Commissioners and Clerks

Maggie Mahoney, IAC

Project sponsors

Southwest Idaho Resource Advisory Committee Meeting

AGENDA

February 18, 2004

Meeting location:    Idaho Counties Risk Management Program Building

                                 3100 South Vista Avenue, Boise

10:30 AM                 Welcome, Meeting Objectives, and Agenda Review

                                 (Phil Davis, RAC Chairperson)

                                 1.  Committee membership adjustments

10:45 AM                 Review and Approval of 1-21-04 Meeting Minutes (D), Review and Approval of RAC Expenses (D), RAC Funding Balance Update, and Project Log Update.  (Randy Swick, DFO)

11:00 AM                Review of Project Proposals – Proposal Form Part 1 (D) and Part 2 (D)

                                 (Phil Davis, RAC Chairperson; Randy Swick, DFO)

1.      USFS Fire Lookout Project (#04010) – Jill Osborn, US Forest Service Recreation, Wilderness and Heritage Programs

11:45 PM                 Working Lunch (Lunch will be provided for RAC members).

12:00 PM                 Lunch Presentation: National RAC Training and NFCSC Conference

                                 Review of Project Proposal – Proposal Form Part 1 (D) and Part 2 (D)

                                 (Phil Davis, RAC Chairperson; Randy Swick, DFO)

1.      National RAC Workshop Attendance and Expenses (#04014) – Phil Davis, SW Idaho RAC

12:45 PM                 Public Forum and Project Follow Up

                                 (Phil Davis, RAC Chairperson)

1.      Comments and questions from the public to the committee

2.      Follow up on in-progress or completed RAC Projects – Ray Eklund, Idaho City Ranger District and Paul Rekow, Boise County Weed Control and Lowman VFD Chief

1:15 PM                   Review of Project Proposals – Proposal Form Part 1 (D) and Part 2 (D)

                                 (Phil Davis, RAC Chairperson; Randy Swick, DFO)

1.      Idaho City Noxious Weed Program (#04008) – Mike Bottoms, Boise County Weed Control, Superintendent

2.      Boise County Spray Truck (#04011) – Mike Bottoms, Boise County Weed Control, Superintendent

3.      S. Fork Salmon River Salmon Fishing II (#04012) – Ronn Julian, Cascade Ranger District

3:30 PM                   Decisions to Recommend Projects (DR)

                                 (Phil Davis, RAC Chairperson)

3:50 PM                   Future Meeting Dates and Location

                                 (Phil Davis, RAC Chairperson; Randy Swick, DFO)

4:00 PM                   Meeting Adjourned

(D) = Decision requiring quorum and simple majority for approval.

(DR) = Decision requiring quorum and majority of each Sub Group for approval.

10. Statement of Project Purpose and Expected Outcomes  [Sec. 203(b)(1), and (b)(5)]:

This project will result in a storyline for a documentary film.  The story concept will result in a product that depicts the history of USFS lookouts and their historic importance.  The sponsor is confident that resources are available to produce the documentary. 

The project will result in 3-4 jobs initially with an indirect effect of 1-2 additional job.  The main project itself will result in 10+ good paying jobs with an indirect multiplier of 3 or better.  The project will also allow the local employment base to explore a new and unique job opportunity.      

11. Project Description: The project initial phase includes:

1)         Storyline development;

2)         Scenes to be included in documentary;

3)         Assess lookouts to be utilized;

4)         Identify individuals to be interviewed on camera;

5)         Determine and acquire any needed permits (filming on USFS administered lands); and

6)         Emphasis on the role of the RAC.     

10. Statement of Project Purpose and Expected Outcomes  [Sec. 203(b)(1), and (b)(5)]:

The project proposes to facilitate the development of RAC members in the performance of their committee assignments and responsibilities, and information exchange with other RAC members from across the country.  

11. Project Description:  To underwrite travel and per diem expenses associated with SW Idaho RAC member attendance at the National RAC Workshop to be held in Sparks, NV on March 25.  The agenda includes:

National RAC Workshop

March 25, 2004

John Ascuaga’s Nugget Hotel - Sparks, Nevada

Purpose:  For Resource Advisory Committees to share information on best practices and accomplishments under P.L. 106-393.

9:00 a.m.                 Welcome and Introductions                                                             

9:10                                         Overview of RAC Accomplishments and                                       

                                                Preliminary findings from PL 106-393 Study                                                   

9:30                                         Telling the Story with Pictures,                                                        

                                                How to Build Support for Your Work                                                                                              

9:45                                         Break

10:00                                       RAC Panel I:  How to get others involved                        

11:00                                       RAC Panel II: How to Leverage your RAC Dollars

12:00 noon                             Lunch                                    

1:00 p.m.                 Match up of Needs with Solutions:  setting the table for networking

1:15                                         RAC Panel III: How RACs conduct their business

2:15                                         New Legislation, How it may affect RAC Projects         ;              

                                                Healthy Forests Restoration Act, Stewardship

Contracting provisions of the 2003 Farm Bill

2:45                                         Break

3:00                                         RAC Panel IV: Round table on creative projects                                           

4:00                                         Networking at RAC Tables

5:00                                         End

Average per diem cost for each attending RAC member would be approximately $200 for meals and two nights lodging, plus travel costs (mileage reimbursement and/or airline ticket cost, roundtrip Boise/Reno) and possible miscellaneous expenses.

10. Statement of Project Purpose and Expected Outcomes  [Sec. 203(b)(1), and (b)(5)]:

Boise County Board of Commissioners, Boise County Weed Control and the Boise Basin Cooperative Weed Management Area will assist Idaho City in developing a noxious weed treatment program and obtain the necessary equipment. It is our goal to establish a city operated weed program to deal with weeds on city property. Idaho City will commit the necessary resources to maintain and operate the program once it is established. Idaho City has an established infestation of Spotted Knapweed that affects city streets, utilities and recreation areas.

11. Project Description:

The Spotted Knapweed infestation with in the Idaho City limits acts a hub with transportation corridors radiating into the National Forest, promoting weed spread onto public lands.  In the past Idaho City has hired Boise County Weed Control to treat the weeds on city property at a cost in excess of $1000 annually. With the development of the park and recreation areas these costs will only increase. The park area was acquired from the BLM and is infested with Spotted Knapweed and Canada Thistle and is immediately adjacent to USFS managed land posing a significant threat for continued spread and reinfestation. Idaho City Ranger District and Boise County Weed Control have treated this adjacent land with both herbicides and biological controls. The advent of a city operated program will not only link required weed control activity directly to the land owner, but significantly benefit public lands by enhancing treatment on contiguous lands.

Boise County is proposing to purchase a pickup mounted skid type spray tank, pump and motor, and hose reel. The cost of this unit is approximately $3000. Idaho City has agreed to train and license at least one Public Works employee as a Professional Herbicide Applicator, obtain the necessary insurance, purchase herbicides and allow the use of a city pickup to haul the sprayer when necessary.

The training is contained in self-study material available from Idaho Department of Agriculture for about $30. There is no cost for testing and license of government employees. There is a requirement for continuing education of applicators with costs varying from $125 for the annual Idaho Weed Control Association conference to free one-day workshops offered all over southwest Idaho.

The costs of herbicides vary greatly with what results are desired and the location being sprayed. Currently this cost is billed to the city when Boise County Weed Control makes an application.

The spray unit is a seasonal item. The occasional use of a city pickup should have no added cost the city except for fuel.

Boise County Weed Control would assist with equipment purchase, training, herbicide recommendations and any other aspect of establishing a noxious weed control program.

This spray equipment with proper operation and maintenance should last 5 or more years and provide Idaho City with an ongoing program and added employment and certification for a city employee.

10. Statement of Project Purpose and Expected Outcomes  [Sec. 203(b)(1), and (b)(5)]:

The proposed project is to purchase a truck and spray equipment, enhancing Boise County Weed Control’s ability to treat noxious weeds on both public and private lands. The proposed truck would be a 1-ton flat bed, increasing the capacity to haul water and herbicide mixtures allowing extended time and distance between refills. The proposed spray equipment would include a dual reel Intelli-Spray unit with a 300-gallon tank. The spray unit would provide added capacity for water and allow 2 people to apply herbicides at the same time. The increased capacity and using 2 sprayers with one vehicle is expected to significantly reduce the time and distance traveled required to treat noxious weeds. By maintaining the current workforce and increasing efficiency Boise County Weed Control will be able to treat more acres and decrease the cost per acre of weed treatment.

11. Project Description:

The project is to purchase a flat bed pickup and Intelli-Spray unit with dual hose reels for treatment of noxious weeds on public and private land. The County Weed Control workers perform a significant amount work on public lands in the Idaho City and Lowman Ranger Districts through cooperative agreements. In 2003 the revenue from public land managers accounted for over half of the county’s weed control budget. Making herbicide applications more efficient, decreasing the cost per acre of treatment, will result in more acres treated for the dollars spent to maintain healthy public lands.

The proposed truck would be a 1-ton 4-wheel drive with dual rear wheels and a flat bed ready to accept the spray unit. The load capacity will readily allow the use of a 300-gallon tank providing a 50% increase in water hauling ability over our current pickups and spray rigs. The increased capacity will reduce the number of times required to fill a tank. Often workers have to travel 10 to 15 miles to a water source and refill then return to the job site. The larger tank will reduce travel and refill cycle reducing time and cost.

The proposed Intelli-Spray unit is equipped with a 300-gallon poly tank, 9 hp gasoline engine, pump and dual hose reels with 300 feet of hose each. The design of the Intelli-Spray system makes handling the hose for spot treatment much more efficient and reduces fatigue on the operator. The pump is equipped with an extra port to allow use of spray booms for roadside applications. The hose design is such that it resists snags and moves easily through trees and brush reducing the effort and time spent “pulling hose.” The addition of a second hose reel allows for two applicators to work at the same time since the second person is not required to “pull hose.”  These features make the unit more versatile and will increase productivity over equipment currently used.

This vehicle and spray equipment is expected to have a useful life expectancy of 10 years and return the investment many times over.

10. Statement of Project Purpose and Expected Outcomes [Sec. 203(b)(1), and (b)(5)]:

Last year (2003) the Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game, Valley County Sheriff Department, the Boise and Payette National Forests, and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribal police successfully joined forces and finances to provide improvements in customer satisfaction and facilities, resource protection, and oversee the salmon sport fishery season on the South Fork of the Salmon River.  Although many positive improvements occurred last year, the Cascade Ranger District would like to provide additional parking/camping facilities, hardened roadway shoulders, stairways for river access, and hand railings. This project is intended to build upon these improvements and provide for public safety, reductions in direct sediment delivery, improved dispersed camping, and protect the beneficial sediment reducing design of the existing paved road.

11. Project Description:

1. Improvement of the existing roads, roadway shoulders, turnouts, and dispersed campsites along roads #493 and #495 in the Dollar Creek area by shaping and gravelling.  The intent is to encourage dispersed camping outside the river corridor and closure area (See Map).

2. Hardening of the roadway shoulders of South Fork road with a layer of 1” diameter aggregate from Nickel Creek Parking area to the end of existing shoulder hardening at milepost 4.5 (See Map).

3. Construction of wooden stairways and/or box steps filled with 1” aggregate off road-fills and steep ridges/slopes in 8 key areas, installing hand railings on some stairways that are most difficult to negotiate (See Map).