BLM Idaho News Release Feed

New Twin Falls District Manager Mel Meier to Report October 9

Fri, 5 Oct 2012 10:35:10 -0600

TWIN FALLS, ID – New Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Twin Falls District Manager Mel Meier will take over at the helm of the District on October 9, 2012. “Mel brings a wealth of experience and perspectives from the national, state and district levels within BLM,” said Idaho State Director Steve Ellis. “Coming from a fourth-generation ranching family in Oklahoma, she brings an understanding of rural communities, coupled with a commitment to the BLM’s mission, customers and stakeholders. This background made Mel an outstanding candidate for the Twin Falls District position.”

Most recently, Mel served as the Associate District Manager for the BLM Southern Nevada District. She began her BLM career in the Washington Office as a Planning and Environmental Analyst. During that time, she provided resource management plan support to several Western states, working on numerous projects, including implementation of the Energy Policy Act and a re-write of the BLM National Environmental Policy Act Handbook and interactive web guide. Her leadership positions since leaving Washington, D.C. also include Planning and Environmental Coordinator and Assistant Deputy State Director, Minerals Management for the BLM in Nevada.

It’s the work at the District level that Mel says she most enjoys. “I am very much looking forward to moving to Twin Falls,” she said. “It’s a wonderful community, and I am committed to forming partnerships and maintaining strong relationships with our permittees, right-of-way customers and other stakeholders.” An avid outdoor enthusiast, Mel enjoys hiking, photography, snow skiing, kayaking and rafting.

Fire Restrictions Lifted on Southwest Idaho Public Lands

Thu, 4 Oct 2012 09:50:20 -0600

BOISE, Idaho–Cooler weather prompted state and federal wildfire officials to lift the Stage 1 Fire Restrictions beginning Friday, October 5th at 12:01 A.M.

BLM?s Blackwell Island Recreation Site to Close for Season

Wed, 3 Oct 2012 12:00:30 -0600

COEUR D’ALENE, ID - The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) Blackwell Island boat launch and recreation area will close for the season at 11 p.m. on Monday, October 8, 2012. The main gate will be locked at this time and restroom facilities winterized. The annual drawdown of Lake Coeur d’Alene necessitates the closure as low water levels make launching difficult. Blackwell Island recreation site traditionally opens just before Memorial Day depending upon lake water levels.

Deadman Hole Recreation Site Now Open!

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 13:30:50 -0600

CHALLIS, ID – After months of renovation, the popular Deadman Hole Recreation site is now open. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) site, located about 12 miles southwest of Challis, Idaho, provides anglers and recreationalists a great opportunity to access the Salmon River. “The new site looks great,” said Ben Roundtree, recreation planner for the BLM Challis Field Office. “We did a lot of work to construct a site that would meet the needs of recreationalists in the area, and I believe we’ve found a good balance.”

Big Southern Butte Road Closed for Maintenance

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 10:10:40 -0600

IDAHO FALLS, ID – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Upper Snake Field Office will close the road to the top of Big Southern Butte, Monday, October 1, 2012 as they complete road improvements. “Public safety is always our first priority,” said Upper Snake Recreation Planner Shannon Bassista. “The road to Big Southern Butte is extremely hazardous due to its steep grade and sharp switch backs. We expect this maintenance to provide long-term accessibility for the public.”

BLM Lifts Closure along Little Salmon River

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 16:45:20 -0600

Effective September 24, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is lifting the emergency closure order that restricted boating along a 12-mile stretch of the Lower Salmon River. The closure between the Lucile Recreation site downriver to the Twin Bridges landing was put in place to ensure public safety and accommodate fire suppression activities for the Sheep Fire. Progress on the western edge of the fire is allowing fire officials to minimize the need to utilize that section of the river.

Challis Wild Horse Gather 2012

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 08:20:50 -0600

CHALLIS, ID – After extensive public input, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Challis Field Office has issued a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) with the final environmental assessment and decision record for the Challis Wild Horse Gather. The BLM has released the final environmental assessment for the Challis wild horse gather slated to begin the end of October. The final documents can be viewed at http://www.blm.gov/id/st/en.html.

The Challis Field Office prepared the environmental assessment in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to analyze the gathering and removal of excess horses to maintain healthy horses on healthy rangelands. The BLM is mandated by Congress through the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 to achieve and maintain an appropriate management level of wild horses to establish a thriving natural ecological balance on public land.

“We estimate there are about 322 wild horses roaming the Challis Herd Management Area (HMA) right now, which is 137 animals over our set appropriate management level of 185,” said Kevin Lloyd, Challis wild horse and burro specialist. “When the horse numbers reach these levels, we begin to see a decline in the health of the rangeland, so it becomes important to gather these horses so we can maintain the diversity of the vegetation, the health of the horse herd and multiple use.”

The Challis Field office has released an informative video regarding the upcoming 2012 Challis Wild Horse gather. It may be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGMcFH8ywvc&feature=plcp.

The Challis HMA includes Jerry Peak and Corral-Horse Basin Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) and six livestock grazing allotments. About 47 percent of the HMA is in the WSAs. Comments received during the public review period were analyzed and considered as part of the Field Office’s decision-making process.

Public observation during the gather will be available every day of the operation; details regarding this opportunity will be released prior to the beginning of the gather. For more information, please contact Kevin Lloyd, Challis wild horse and burro specialist, at 208-879-6200 or email at klloyd@blm.gov.

Volunteer for National Public Lands Day in Challis

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 15:20:30 -0600

CHALLIS, ID – The public is invited to join the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Challis Field Office in celebrating National Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 29, 2012 by volunteering at the Challis Wild Horse Corrals and Challis Bridge Recreation Site.

The Challis Wild Horse Facility temporarily houses wild horses and burros that have been gathered on the range. The facility can maintain up to 250 wild horses. The BLM is looking for volunteers to do some basic repair and improvements of the facility to help ensure the health and safety of the wild horses.

“On Saturday, volunteers will be assisting the BLM in the maintenance of the corrals by painting, removing rocks, spreading gravel and cleaning up the area,” said Ben Roundtree, outdoor recreation planner for the Challis Field Office. “National Public Lands Day activities provide the public an opportunity to gain a sense of reward and accomplishment by making improvements on our public lands.”

The BLM Challis Field Office is seeking volunteers for the following:
• Morning: Beginning at 9:00 a.m., clean-up, painting and miscellaneous maintenance at the Challis Wild Horse Corrals at the end of Hot Springs Road, Challis, Idaho. (The turnoff to Hot Springs Road is 3.7 miles south of Challis on Highway 93.)
• Lunch: At noon, enjoy a BBQ at the Challis Bridge Recreation Site.
• Afternoon: Upper Salmon River trash pick-up at the Challis Bridge Recreation Site following the BBQ.
• Attire: Wear clothes that can get dirty.
• Expected End Time: 4:00 p.m.

“Volunteers will gain an up-close and personal connection with BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program,” said Roundtree. “With their help, our facility will be better prepared to accommodate any visiting animals this fall. The BBQ and cleanup at the Challis Bridge will also provide our volunteers an opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy the rich diversity our public lands.”

Questions regarding the volunteer opportunity can be directed to Ben Roundtree of the Challis Field Office at (208) 879-6212.

National Public Lands Day Events Planned at BLM Sites near Coeur d?Alene and Sandpoint

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 14:55:50 -0600

COEUR D’ALENE, ID – Saturday, September 29, will mark the 18th year for National Public Lands Day (NPLD). The event that began with only three locations and 700 volunteers in 1994 has become an annual event at 2,100 public land sites with over 170,000 volunteers participating.

?Remarkable Raptors? Event Sure to Be a Hit with All Ages

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 14:50:50 -0600

Do you ever wonder about the lifestyles of the magnificent raptors that grace the skies? Where the owls that scan the forest floor at night hang out during the day? What do they eat and where do they sleep? Come join the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Idaho Fish and Game and the West Valley Outdoor Learning Center for the second annual “Remarkable Raptors” presentation and learn more about our local birds of prey and their habits on Saturday, September 29.

All ages will enjoy the live educational birds and mounted specimens used during the evening presentation to provide participants a “bird’s eye” view of the many species of raptors and owls that live in and around the northern Idaho area. The event is free, and a great opportunity for a fun-filled family evening outdoors.

The program begins at 6:00 pm on September 29 at the BLM’s Blackwell Island picnic pavilion. Blackwell Island is located just across the Spokane River south of Coeur d’Alene along Highway 95. Parking fees will be waived for those participating in the evening event.

For additional information about the evening presentation, please contact BLM wildlife biologist Carrie Hugo, 208-769-5048; or Suzanne Endsley, public affairs, 208-769-5004.