The IWJV, Pheasants Forever, and Idaho NRCS have partnered to establish two new biologist positions based in NRCS offices in Preston (Pratt Griffeth - jgriffeth@pheasantsforever.org) and Coeur d'Alene (Kenna Frantzich- kfrantzich@pheasantsforever.org). These positions will be working regionally across southeast Idaho (Preston position) and northern Idaho (Coeur d'Alene). The primary role of these positions is to support NRCS in the implementation of NRCS Farm Bill Conservation Program delivery in key landscapes including agricultural irrigation infrastructure improvements that sustain wet meadow habitats, wetland restoration and management, mesic habitat restoration, stream and riparian habitat improvements, and other actions that enhance fish and wildlife habitat on working lands. These positions will also be supporting NRCS State Office easement division staff to enhance management of existing WRP and WRE parcels through science-based wetland management approaches that improve the habitat value on enrolled lands. In addition, these new positions can support connections between landowners and land trusts to help advance protection of working lands in Idaho. Both positions have started recently and we will be working to connect them with local partners in the coming months.
Teton Regional Land Trust partners with landowners to conserve over a mile of creek frontage along Bitch Creek
Teton Regional Land Trust (TRLT) and the Fosdick family recently completed a 183-acre conservation easement that protects over a mile of frontage along Bitch Creek in Fremont County, Idaho just north of the Teton County border. This property borders a conservation easement on the south side of the creek that the Fosdicks placed under easement with the Land Trust in 2005, resulting in both sides of Bitch Creek being protected in perpetuity along this stretch. Both easements have been donated by the Fosdicks.
“Since coming to Teton Valley in 1988 we knew that this was a place that we wanted to be a part of and preserve,” said Debbie Fosdick. “To have a conservation easement in place to protect the property, waters, and wildlife corridors gives us the assurance that this protection is in place. With the possibility of increasing development, David and I knew that putting the additional acreage located in Fremont County was important. To have both sides of that part of the Bitch Creek corridor in a conservation easement would help ensure preservation of what we both value. Hopefully, other landowners might join us.”…
Payette Land Trust Partners with Cougar Island Landowner on a Conservation Easement
Last month the Payette Land Trust (PLT) announced that they and the owners of the Stone House located on Cougar Island have agreed on a conservation easement designed to limit future development and commercial uses on the 2.52-acre property.
North of the City of McCall and at the tip of Ponderosa State Park peninsula lies Cougar Island, a tree-covered haven surrounded by the deep blue waters of Big Payette Lake.
Cougar Island is highly visible from the north end of Ponderosa State Park and from several vantage points along Warren Wagon Road, west of the island. With its high visibility, Cougar Island is key to the unique character of the area.
PLT is proud to be a part of this year long process involving numerous members of the United Payette Coalition and local individuals working to conserve Cougar Island as it exists now. By purchasing the conservation easement, PLT helped close the transaction between the homeowners and Idaho Department of Lands.
“While this is just one portion of the Island, we see this as a Win, Win, Win” said Craig Utter, Payette Land Trust executive director. “This is a win for PLT, the members of United Payette Coalition and area residents who have worked so diligently for the past year to conserve Cougar Island as it exists now. It’s
a win for an Idaho family that wanted to own the land under their home, a home they have owned for over 10 years. It’s a win for the State Endowment, the sale will add over $2 million to the Endowment Fund.”
The property was one of five Lots presented for sale at the Idaho Department of Lands September 14th Cougar Island auction. The property is held under the State of Idaho’s Endowment Trust.
Only one of the five properties received a bid at auction. The bidder was the owner of the Stone House and the lessee of the Lot. With the sale, the 2.52-acre property moves into private ownership while the other four Island Lots remain in Endowment ownership.
Payette Land Trust (PLT) works with families in Adams, Idaho, Valley and Washington counties to further their conservation ethics, working to balance conservation and development in the region. PLT believes in conserving the rural landscape of West Central Idaho for the benefit of our community and future generations.
Currently, PLT owns two properties and holds 13 conservation easements on private land.
Congratulations, PLT! Well done!
To learn more about PLT and its work in the West Central Mountains of Idaho, visit http://www.payettelandtrust.org
Photo of Cougar Island courtesy of United Payette.