Hi everybody,
We wanted to update you on a few important wildland issues, and invite you to some events we have planned this summer!
Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) recently announced that he will not pursue legislation authorizing the contentious Upper Lochsa Land Exchange in north-central Idaho. It was reported that following a public hearing held by Senator Risch in November, 97% of the public comments he received were opposed to the exchange. FOC has long-believed that the best solution to this situation is for the pursuit of a complete purchase option that would result in returning the 39,000-acres to the public domain. Learn more.
FOC has joined other conservation groups in challenging the USDA Wildlife Services wolf-killing program in Idaho. The lawsuit is seeking a stoppage of any “wolf control” actions in Idaho until the secretive government agency produces an updated and adequate environmental analysis that incorporates the best available science, and carefully considers the cumulative impacts that federal aerial gunning of wolves, along with state hunting and trapping seasons, are having on gray wolf populations. Thank you to the attorneys at Advocates for the West and Western Watersheds Project for representing us in court. Read more.
Come on out for the 2016 FOC Summer Solstice Benefit Concert on Saturday June 25 with the band Smokin’ Mojo! Grab your dancing shoes, and join us 4:00 – 8:00pm for an evening of funky-blues on a farm near Troy, Idaho. There is no admission fee. All donations go towards FOC wildland programming. Food and beverages will be provided. The concert is family-friendly. You can pitch a tent and stay the night if you like too. Call 208-882-9755 for questions.
Join the Palouse group-Sierra Club and Friends of the Clearwater on July 8-10 for a 3-day family friendly camping trip on the beautiful Weitas Creek. Weitas is a tributary of the North Fork Clearwater River, and located on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests in north-central Idaho. This will be a car-camping trip with opportunities for fishing, swimming, hiking, birding and relaxing. Participants are responsible for their own food, including drinking water and camping equipment. A carpool will be offered. Please call 208-882-9755 for questions.
Feeling lucky? Support FOC by purchasing tickets for our River Odyssey West Adventures (ROW) raffle! You could win a 1-night stay for 2-adults in a glamping tent at River Dance Lodge in Syringa, Idaho, along with a 1-day rafting trip for 2 on the Wild and Scenic Middle Fork Clearwater River. Tickets are 2/$5 and can be purchased at any FOC event or at our office. The prize is redeemable from 7/1/2017 to 8/31/2017. The winner will be announced at our Annual Meeting & Gathering on 11/5/2016. We would like to thank ROW for the generous donation!
For the wild,
Brett Haverstick
Education & Outreach Director