Minutes from SW
Idaho Resource Advisory Committee Meeting
February
18, 2004 Boise,
Idaho
In
attendance:
SW
Idaho RAC Members/Replacements: Phil Davis (Chairperson), Tom
Glass, Barry Ross, John Cramer, Bob Baker, Dale Hanson, David Whaley, John
Gebhards, Randy Harrison, Darel Harris, Lois Van Hoover, John McCarthy, and
Sandra Mitchell
Designated
Federal Officer:
Randy Swick
Others: Nate Helm (Sen. Larry Craig’s office), Tina
Shawl (Sen. Larry Craig’s office), Boyd Hartwig (Payette National Forest), Andy
Brunelle (Legislative Affairs, USFS), Ronn Julian, (Cascade Ranger District),
Tom Hass (Cascade Ranger District), Jill Osborn (Boise National Forest), Paul
Rekow (Boise County Weed Control and Lowman VFD Chief),Mike Bottoms (Boise County
Weed Control Superintendent), Michelle Youngquist (Project Learning Tree),
Alexis Collins (Project Learning Tree).
ü Chairperson Phil Davis called the meeting to order
at 10:43 a.m. DFO Randy
Swick indicated that a quorum was present for conducting routine business and
for recommending proposed projects to the Forest Supervisor.
ü
Chair Phil
Davis asked if anyone had corrections or additions to the January 21,
2004 meeting minutes.
Darel Harris noted that there was an error in the motion to recommend the Third
Fork Culvert Replacement Project, #04007 to the Forest Supervisor for funding
(page 11). Darel said the minutes stated
he had seconded the motion, but he was not present at the meeting. A review of the record indicated Barry Ross
seconded the motion. DFO Swick noted the
correction.
A motion to approve the minutes, as corrected, from the January 21, 2004 RAC meeting was made by David Whaley and seconded by Tom Glass.
Motion carried unanimously.
ü
With reference
to previous discussions on the Third Fork Culvert project, Chair Davis discussed his recent visit to the Rapid River fish hatchery near Riggins. He said that an Idaho Power engineer told
him that fish pass through 30-40’ of culvert at the hatchery, seemingly
contradicting some of the opinions shared at the January RAC meeting. John Gebhards said that fish are able to pass
through culverts in some cases, but not in the case of the Third Fork Culverts.
Chair Davis asked if the RAC needed more research information before approving
culvert replacements on the basis of fish passage impediments, particularly
given the expense. Darel Harris also questioned the cost effectiveness of
replacement solely for fish passage when the culvert is still sound. Barry Ross was concerned that there were no
fish biologists to consult with today, but based on the last meeting they had
indicated these culverts were a barrier to upstream migration. Bob Baker said the RAC had made their
decision on Third Fork Culvert, Project #04007, and they should stand by
it. He did not desire to go back and
question the decision, but felt additional research and information would be of
value for future project consideration.
Chair Davis asked if the group would like to have someone address the RAC on this
issue. He felt an Idaho Power fish
biologist might have a different perspective.
Lois Van Hoover agreed. Dale
Hanson said the primary issue to him was the outlet jump, and felt it could be
modified for much less cost than culvert replacement. John McCarthy asked if John Gebhards knew of
an expert on this issue. John Gebhards
said he could ask around. David Whaley
said that every expert has their own opinion and that it was inevitable to get
conflicting points of view. Darel Harris
was concerned that the RAC’s funding decision on the Third Fork project might
set a precedent for future projects of a similar nature. John Gebhards said the RAC should uphold its
action on this project, but felt it would be appropriate to request more information
from future project sponsors. Chair Davis suggested the RAC fund research on this
issue. Bob Baker thought that was a good
idea.
Chair Davis asked the RAC if they wanted to reconsider their decision to advance
the Third Fork Culvert Project to the Forest Supervisor for approval and ask
for more research. The consensus of the
RAC was to affirm their previous decision to advance the project, but get
better educated for considering future proposals.
ü
DFO Swick
distributed copies of the RAC newsletter RAC-TIVITY from Shasta County to give members a look at RAC activities in other parts of the country.
ü
DFO Swick
provided an update on the Monthly Meeting Expense Report from the January 21,
2004 meeting. The report included travel and per diem costs
for RAC members, and associated meeting expenses. The January meeting expenses totaled
$406.13.
A motion to approve
expenditures from the January 21, 2004 RAC meeting was made by Darel Harris and
seconded by David Whaley. Motion carried
unanimously.
ü DFO Swick provided a Title II funding balance
update. He said the RAC had
approximately 1.1 million dollars remaining to allocate for the current fiscal
year.
ü
DFO Swick gave
an update on the FY’04 project log, including project proposals received since
the January 21, 2004 RAC meeting. He indicated
that the project sponsor had withdrawn Project #04009, Recreation Road
Improvement.
ü Chair Phil Davis
initiated the Form Part 1 and Form Part 2 review of projects. The reviews were conducted in accord with the
RAC’s operating guidelines for project proposal screening and evaluation.
Project Log #: 04010
Project Name: USFS Fire Lookout Project
Project Sponsor: Jill Osborn, Recreation, Wilderness and Heritage Program, Boise National Forest; Keith Eisberg.
Jill Osborn and Keith
Eisberg provided an overview of a proposed documentary film to highlight the
history and value of fire lookouts in Idaho. They
provided a handout with additional information.
Jill said a lot of lookouts in the west have been lost due to lack of
maintenance or other factors. Some are
being rented out to offset maintenance costs.
She noted they are a valuable part of the history and heritage of the
west. The intent of this film would be
to capture that history. It also
coincides with the agency’s Centennial celebration.
Jill introduced Keith
Eisberg, filmmaker and cinematographer.
He said he had been working on the project for 10 months to get support
for it. Keith was asking the RAC for
seed money which would be used to develop a story line and a script, while he
continued with other efforts to raise money for the project. He said films also create jobs, particularly
in the communities where the filming occurs.
Keith noted he has a residence in Yellow Pine. He would be employing 6-10 local people
(likely Yellow Pine/Cascade area) just for the storyline and script. Some of those people would receive training
as well. Keith said the local Boise Public Broadcasting station would be the
presenting station, with the film being available nationwide on PBS stations.
He referenced a letter of support from PBS.
It is his intent to interview some RAC members and provide a short
synopsis of RAC in the film. He also
said that it was his intent to show the film to members of Congress. Keith said he would be directing and shooting
the film himself.
Darel Harris asked if
new technology had eliminated the need for fire lookouts. Jill said the technology has changed the
need for lookouts but many are still used today. She said the Forest Service still manages and
protects active and historic lookout sites, but they do create a maintenance
liability. She said that if they are not
used as fire lookouts or cabin rentals they are usually torn down. Keith indicated the film would increase
public awareness of fire lookouts and their role in protecting our
environment. He said 2,000 lookouts
existed at one time and currently only 900 remain. He said the people he talks to think lookouts
should be preserved. Jill said lookouts
are a way to teach people about the landscape of the west, and management of
national forests.
Chair Davis said his initial review of the project led him to
question its appropriateness for Title II funding. He and DFO Swick raised the question to the
State RAC coordinator, Andy Brunelle.
Chair Davis asked Andy to share his thoughts with the RAC. Andy indicated he had done some research
through the National RAC project database.
To date, RACs’ throughout the country have funded over 50 conservation
education type projects. He also
consulted with other RAC coordinators and the Washington Office. They referenced the legislative intent to
implement stewardship objectives, including conservation education and public
understanding of stewardship concepts.
He specifically cited an example in northern California where RAC funding was used to fund Forest Service
interpretive services at Smith River. A copy of that project
agreement was included in the handout.
Chair Davis asked which Forest Supervisor would approve this
project. Keith said he had been working
with the Boise National Forest and that he preferred to maintain that
continuity. Chair Davis asked if Dick Smith was aware of the project. Jill said he had not been contacted yet, but
she would follow up.
John McCarthy asked
what the total budget would be for the project and where the other money would
come from. Keith indicated this was a
baby step; they need the script first to determine the balance of funds
needed. He said that the RAC funds would
be a small amount in relation to the overall budget, but that he would rather
not discuss the details in a public setting.
Keith went on to explain that Forest Service support was important in
getting other organizations to support the project. He said with the RAC support and seed money
he was confident he could raise the additional funds. John also asked Keith for a quick summary of
his credentials. He summarized his
academic credentials, including college film classes at USC and in New York, and his background and experience in documentary
filmmaking. In addition to documentary
films, he has also worked on commercials and feature films. His recent work included the films, Twin Falls Idaho, Torque, Charlie’s Angels II, and North Fork. He has
been nominated for a Spirit award in cinematography for the latter. Keith also referenced the letter of
acceptance from PBS and indicated their standards are very high.
Jill said there was a
potential for a video spin off which could be distributed through interpretive
outlets.
Keith acknowledged
the film would be a huge undertaking. David Whaley said the project seems to be
a good all around fit and connects well with the intent of the RAC legislation.
Chair Davis directed the RAC to proceed to the Form Part 1
evaluation for Project #04010 (USFS Fire Lookout). The RAC completed the Form Part I evaluation:
|
Matching
Funds
|
Multiple
Benefits
|
Affordable
|
Completed in
One Year or Annual
Increments
|
Long-term
Benefits
|
Finite
Project
|
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
RAC Decision: A motion to advance the project
from Form Part 1 to Form Part 2 was made by David Whaley and seconded by Sandra
Mitchell. The motion carried unanimously
(12-0).
Chair Davis directed the RAC to proceed with Form Part 2
evaluation for Project #04010. He also
noted that the Valley County Commissioners had reviewed this proposal and
supported it.
Evaluation Relative to Criteria: 40
|
Multiple Benefits
|
Community
Stability and
Job Opps
|
Cooperative
Relations
|
Benefit/
Cost and
Affordable
|
Project
Quality
and Coord
|
Matching
Funds
|
Urgency
To
Implement
|
Tangible
Outcome
|
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
|
5
|
5
|
RAC
Decision: A
motion to recommend Project #04010, USFS Fire Lookout Project, to the Forest Supervisor was made by
David Whaley and seconded by Sandra Mitchell.
Motion carried unanimously (12-0).
The recommended funding amount is as stated in the respective Form Part
2, $50,000. Project approval and
agreement forms will be prepared.
Tom Glass asked what
the schedule was for finishing the project. Keith said they expected to have a
final product completed in approximately one year. Chair Davis said that was timely in terms of generating
interest to renew Title II legislation.
ü
Lunch:
A working lunch was provided. Project
#04014 was reviewed.
Project Log #: 04014
Project Name: National RAC Workshop
Project Sponsor: Phil Davis
Discussion: Andy Brunelle provided
an overview of the agenda for the forthcoming National RAC Workshop in
