U.S. Congress
I
have the pleasure of representing a large
district ranging from Nevada in the south to
Canada in the north. As such, my office deals
with a diverse range of issues affecting the
different regions of the district.I want to take this opportunity to share with you some of the issues currently at the forefront in northern Idaho. The federal government has been especially active in northern Idaho during the past few months.
In November, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed the designation of critical habitat for caribou in Bonner and Boundary Counties. Last month, the U.S. Forest Service released a draft forest plan and draft environmental impact statement for the Idaho Panhandle National Forest.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration ordered the closure of the silver shaft at the Lucky Friday mine last month, as well. While these are not the only significant federal actions conducted recently in Idaho, I wanted to address these issues today.
Many of you have contacted me through phone calls, emails and letters expressing concern and sometimes even outrage regarding these actions.
I want to assure you that I, along with my staff in both Idaho and Washington, D.C., have been working tirelessly to learn how these actions will affect the citizens of Idaho. We have attended numerous public meetings and are in contact with many municipal and county officials whose communities will be significantly impacted by these changes.
In the case of the proposed critical habitat for woodland caribou, I am studying the proposal submitted by U.S. Fish and Wildlife and the anticipated effects on our communities and neighbors who rely upon access to our national forests for business and recreation.
The county commissioners in both Bonner and Boundary Counties are working with U.S. Fish and Wildlife to arrange hearings and meetings for public participation.
I am also reviewing the draft forest plan and environmental impact statement for the Idaho Panhandle National Forests issued by the Forest Service. I will work to ensure that the scenic beauty of Idaho is protected, while still ensuring that the forests are open to the activities that support Idaho’s communities. We can preserve our land while still exploring economic opportunities that will enrich our state.
Finally, I am following the situation with the Lucky Friday mine very closely. Many of the miners directly affected by the closure have contacted me to share their concerns about how their lives have changed and how they still seek work. I have been in contact with the key businesses and local government officials in the Silver Valley affected by the closure of the mine and will continue to work closely with other members of Idaho’s Congressional Delegation to resolve the situation.
If you have not already done so, please contact one of my offices to voice your thoughts and concerns on these wildlife and environmental changes affecting Idaho. As always, thank you for your continued civic participation. I am here to serve you, so please let me know if there’s anything our office can do for you.