Malheur, for Real This Time

Pat Ford notes we have entered the next phase of the Bundy “story”. But he says surely they are not the story.

Dredge Miners Seek Radical Expansion

Idaho’s streams are under assault by some members of the dredge mining community who are attempting to radically rewrite state laws that regulate which rivers are open to this damaging hobby.

It Was the Week of the “Do Over”

Three of the bills that we highlighted last week returned for a do over this week. ICL remains opposed to all three.

Soil and Private Well Testing Now in Coeur d’Alene Basin

Idaho DEQ is offering free soil and private well testing for residents within the Coeur d’Alene River Basin Cleanup Site. DEQ is urging residents get it done before the remediation program is downsized.

Congrats, Suki, on 25 Years at ICL!

As of this week, Deputy Director Suki Molina has worked for the Idaho Conservation League for 25 years. Suki is a key reason that ICL is a highly functioning nonprofit. How has she done it?

Lands, Gas, Gold and Wolves…Oh My!

This was the busiest week of the Idaho Legislature so far. Several troubling bills were introduced dealing with public lands, suction dredge mining, oil and gas drilling, and wildlife. And the Tie of the Week is a nod to Idaho voters who overwhelmingly established that “clean water in the streams of Idaho is in the public interest.”

Idaho DEQ Offers Free Nitrate Testing

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is providing free nitrate testing for owners of private groundwater wells.

Supreme Court Puts Hold on Clean Power Plan

Yesterday the Supreme Court granted the coal industry’s desire to halt development of the EPA’s Clean Power Plan. While Kentucky may be excited, this decision could harm Idaho. What we need is a plan to make a sensible, predictable transition to our clean energy future. The longer we import dirty, out-of-state coal, the more damage we do to our air and economy.

Public Lands a Public Nuisance?

Idahoans have demonstrated public lands are critical to their quality of life. Time and again, they’ve stood up to Idaho politicians who have made a grab to control and sell off our most treasured landscapes. Far from being a nuisance, public lands in Idaho are an asset.

Banning Bag Bans

The Legislature is full of surprises. This year, the House was the first to “let one out of the bag”; the bill to “ban bag bans” cleared the House and is headed to a Senate committee.