Dear Wildlanders,
We wanted to bring you up to speed on important public land issues in the Clearwater Basin of north-central Idaho.
With the help of attorneys from the Nez Perce Tribe and Earthjustice, FOC and allies recently challenged the Army Corps of Engineers Lower Snake River Sediment Management Plan. Plaintiffs contend that there are serious flaws in the environmental and economic analysis completed by the agency. A judge recently denied plaintiff’s request for a preliminary injuction, however, meaning that dredging can proceed near the Clearwater and Snake River confluence, while the court weighs the merits of the case. We will keep you informed. Read the complaint.
We continue to work with Western Watersheds Project, Center for Biological Diversity and others to rein in the rogue federal agency Wildlife Services. Our Notice of Intent recently forced the agency to conduct an updated Environmental Assessment of their reckless wildlife killing program in Idaho. Read our joint-scoping comments that were recently submitted.
The Nimiipuu Protecting the Environment are hosting a Tribal Environmental Summit at Washington State University on Saturday January 31 from 8:30 – 4:30pm. The event will take place at Cleveland Hall in the College of Education. Speakers will be addressing the Alberta Tar Sands, Keystone XL Pipeline, gray wolf management and grizzly bear recovery. Contact Julian Matthews for details at jmatthews@alumni.uidaho.edu.
Circle your calendars on Saturday February 7th for the 2015 FOC Benefit Concert at the spacious 1912 Center in Moscow. The blues-Americana band Yellow Dog Flats will be playing at this family-friendly event, with snacks and refreshments being available. Concert admission is $10. We will also be kicking off our spring raffle at the event! Call 208-882-9755 for details.
On Saturday February 21, we are teaming up with the Palouse-Sierra Club for the Lolo Pass Winter Adventure. Come spend the day with us snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests near the Idaho/Montana border. That evening we will be staying at the Lochsa Lodge and delivering an educational program on the imperiled wolverine. Call us at 208-882-9755 if you are interested.
Keep it cold and wild,
Brett Haverstick, Education Director