IDL has advisory committee openings

September 28, 2017

The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) is seeking nominations for two open positions on the Idaho Forest Practices Act Advisory Committee (FPAAC). The committee’s next meeting is set for Thursday, October 26, 2017, in Coeur d’Alene. The purpose of FPAAC, as established by Idaho Code, is to provide technical assistance to IDL and the Idaho State Board of Land Commissioners (Land Board) in matters relating to the Idaho Forest Practices Act. The Forest Landowner South and the General Public Representative North positions are open on the committee. The IDL director appoints the members for three-year terms. Applicants must be Idaho residents. Individuals interested in a position must send a short biography and description of his or her experience and/or training related to forest practices to Gary Hess, IDL Forest Practices Act Program Manager, by e-mailing ghess@idl.idaho.gov. Hess can also be reached by calling 208-666-8636. The committee will meet in person at 9 a.m. Thursday, October 26, at the Associated Logging Contractors office, S10589 Highway 95, Coeur d’Alene. The agenda includes continued discussion of the Streamside Shade and Operational Monitoring Studies associated with the 2014 streamside tree-retention rule (or shade rule), current status of Cable-Assisted, Mechanized Harvesting in Idaho and potential language clarification of existing rules. The public is invited to attend the meeting, and an RSVP is required for any person planning to attend. For further information, or to RSVP, contact IDL Forest Practice Act Program Manager Gary by calling 208-666-8636 or e-mailing ghess@idl.idaho.gov. The FPAAC typically meets two or three times per year, depending on current issues. It is comprised of nine voting members qualified by experience and/or training to provide advice related to forest practices. Members include a fisheries biologist, three private forest landowners who regularly engage in forest practices (one from north Idaho, one from south Idaho and one nonindustrial), two forest practice operators (one from north Idaho and one from south Idaho), and three representatives of the general public (one from north Idaho, one from south Idaho and one at-large).