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Report E-Bike issues.
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Tell Congress: Don’t Sacrifice Clean Energy, Public Lands, & Essential Services
Will you write to your representative today to demand they protect our health and future? Be sure to include a personal message explaining why these issues matter to you!
Click HERE!
Selling Public Lands
In the middle of the night—literally at midnight—lawmakers voted to approve a last-minute amendment to sell off public lands in Nevada and Utah. The amendment was introduced without notice, barely discussed, and passed without opportunity for public comment or review. Ultimately, every Republican except Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-CO) voted for this amendment, and every Republican and one Democrat, Rep. Adam Gray (D-CA), voted to advance the final reconciliation package, including the sell off amendment.
The land sales affect parcels managed by the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, many of which are near or overlap recreation resources, including mountain biking, backpacking, climbing, and paddling in southern Utah. In Nevada, even local representatives and Clark County officials opposed the amendment, but their concerns were ignored. These lands deserve careful, transparent review—not a fire sale to offset tax cuts.
Maybe even worse, the reconciliation bill still includes language that allows industry to pay to bypass judicial review of NEPA documents, undermining environmental protections and public oversight.
As our VP of Policy and Government Relations, Louis Geltman, said, “In all sincerity, this reconciliation bill is the worst thing we’ve ever seen that actually has a legitimate shot of passing.”
If you haven’t yet, please take two minutes to write your lawmakers and tell them public lands are not a piggy bank for government spending. We encourage you to write your lawmakers in your own words. The way this was done—behind closed doors, in the middle of the night—is unacceptable.
We may not be able to stop every harmful provision, but with enough pressure, we can get land sell-offs and NEPA rollbacks out of this bill.
Contacts Listed HERE!
Instant Message HERE!
Idaho Non-Motorized Trails Initiative Legislative Recap and new Bill, HB487
Highlights of the bill and an invitation to hear about it follow:
LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO
Sixty-eighth Legislature First Regular Session – 2025
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HOUSE BILL NO. 487
BY PETZKE
AN ACT RELATING TO PARKS AND RECREATION;
…. ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 67-7141, IDAHO CODE, TO CREATE A NONMOTORIZED
RECREATION FUND; …… TO ESTABLISH PROVISIONS REGARDING THE USE OF MONEYS IN THE NONMOTORIZED RECREATION FUND;….
….ANNUAL REGISTRATION. The annual fee for operating each
pickup truck, each neighborhood electric vehicle and each other motor vehicle having a maximum gross weight not in excess of eight thousand (8,000) pounds and that complies with the federal motor vehicle safety standards as defined in section 49-107, Idaho Code, shall be:
Vehicles one (1) and two (2) years old ………….………….$69.00
Vehicles three (3) and four (4) years old ………………….$57.00
Vehicles five (5) and six (6) years old …………………………$57.00
Vehicles seven (7) and eight (8) years old ………………$45.00
Vehicles over eight (8) years old …………………….………..$45.00
Of the above fees:
…. Ten percent (10%) shall be deposited into the nonmotorized recreation fund ….
...VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO FUNDS.
A resident or nonresident may make a voluntary donation to support:
The state snowmobile fund…
The cross-country skiing recreation fund …
The OHV recreation fund …
or
The nonmotorized recreation fund …
…Section 67-7141, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:
67-7141. NONMOTORIZED RECREATION — NONMOTORIZED RECREATION FUND
CREATED. There is hereby established in the state treasury a fund to be known
and designated as the nonmotorized recreation fund to be administered by the
director. The fund shall consist of moneys appropriated to it …, and such other moneys that may be provided by legislative appropriation.
…. The moneys derived from the nonmotorized recreation fund shall be used as follows:
(1) For the securing of special leases, use licenses, recreation easements, or permits or for the actual purchase of land under private, state, or federal ownership to be used for public recreational nonmotorized activity;
(2) For the securing, maintenance, construction, or development of trails and other public recreational facilities enhancing nonmotorized use on private, state, and federal lands;
(3) To finance the formulation and implementation, under the park and recreation board’s direction, of a nonmotorized user education program;
(4) To acquire applicable matching federal funds;
(5) To enforce the laws and regulations governing nonmotorized recreational opportunities in the state of Idaho; and
(6) To distribute to governmental entities, Indian tribes, and nongovernmental organizations through an annual grant process determined by
the department.
No more than fifty percent (50%) of moneys derived from the
fund shall be used for the grants …
DISTRIBUTION OF MONEYS. The parks and recreation service fee collected shall be distributed each month …
An invitation
I am reaching out to invite you to a meeting to discuss the legislative efforts on Non-Motorized trails funding over the last few months. HB57, which created a first of its kind Non-motorized trails funding was pushed through committee and ultimately pulled on the house floor before the vote and in the last hours of the Session HB0487 was introduced as a replacement, which covers all of recreation and affects both motorized and non-motorized trails as well as State Parks. I plan to give the highlights of the efforts for HB57 and its demise then go into the details of HB487 which will be voted on next year when the legislature comes back into session.
Furthermore, I will be sending an additional meeting invite to the Idaho Recreation Councils meeting on June 28th. If you plan to attend, please RSVP. This will be a great opportunity to come together as an entire recreation industry from across Idaho to discuss this bill and other issues affecting recreation in Idaho. It will be a great time to discuss issues both motorized and non-motorized trails alike and find ways to improve all of our state’s recreation opportunities. Feel free to forward this meeting to other groups that would be interested in this discussion.
Please see the zoom meeting info below as well as the attached legislation for your review. And let me know if there are any questions.
The meeting is scheduled for June 28th from 10am to 3pm. Location TBD somewhere in Boise. We believe there will be a greater number of folks present as we bring the non-motorized group together with motorized and we will find a location suitable for the numbers as we determine a more accurate head count.
If you plan to attend , Please email Sandra Mitchel at smitchel@alscott.com to RSVP for the June 28th IRC meeting.
Respectfully,
Dan Waugh
360-791-1591
Idaho Horse Council Administrator is also inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Non-Motorized Trails Legislation Update
Time: Apr 24, 2025 10:00 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89109943525?pwd=bzKeHF50wbJvdUDvbER0pra3SeUkRi.1
Meeting ID: 891 0994 3525
Passcode: 512561
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SUPPORT THE “Public Lands in Public Hands Act” To help save our public lands from being SOLD
Help save 32,000,000 acres, Look at this
| Springtime is here and it’s a great time to be getting out on your amazing public lands! However, we cannot take these lands for granted— public lands takeover efforts remain a very real threat. Coming off the heels of an inspiring rally for public lands in Boise that drew over a thousand people, we are energized and ready to continue to protect our priceless public lands from transfer to the state and/or privatization. You can speak up to keep public lands in public hands today by following our easy take action link here. Springtime is also baby animal season! The grass is greening up. Animals are returning and emerging from a winter slumber, and we are welcoming the newest pack members, from cubs to calves to chicks. Living in Idaho and the West means that we also live with the wonder and beauty of wildlife. This spring we have the opportunity to help shape how Idaho’s wildlife is managed for generations to come. Right now, the Idaho Fish and Game agency is embarking on a once-per-decade strategic planning effort and they are asking the public to weigh in. This is Idahoans’ chance to have their voice heard for a renewed approach to wildlife management across the state. Learn more below, take action, and attend a public meeting near you! With the state legislative session (thankfully) wrapping up soon, ICL’s government relations team has been keeping a close eye on the last-minute flurry of bills. In particular, we strongly opposed Senate Joint Memorial 104 because it seeks to strip federally managed public lands (Camas National Wildlife Refuge) from public ownership and place them under state control. Unfortunately, the resolution (which is non-binding) just passed the Idaho House on Monday. You can visit our Take Action page for other ways to support our efforts in the statehouse. |
Save Our Public Lands
March 22 was a good turnout for SAVING OUR PUBLIC LANDS.
The Boise BCH was front and center! Keep up the good work!
per: CBS2 News:
On Saturday, Idahoans from across the state gathered at the Idaho Capitol to rally in support of public lands and oppose their privatization by special interests.
The event aimed to urge state leaders to safeguard these lands, which are integral to Idaho’s identity and economy, according to organizers.
“Idaho’s 32 million acres of public lands are the foundation of Idaho’s unique way of life and Idaho’s economy,” said John Robison, Public Lands & Wildlife Director for the Idaho Conservation League. “We live in Idaho for the freedom of enjoying our public lands—and the chance to pass this heritage on to our families and future generations.”
Public lands play a crucial role in Idaho’s economy, with outdoor recreation supporting over 37,000 jobs and contributing $3.96 billion in 2023. However, these lands face significant threats, including forest health issues, wildfire risks, and development pressures. Budget cuts and staffing shortages further strain the management of these lands.
“The future of our public lands is in jeopardy. Now is the time for our leaders to reject these dangerous efforts and make it clear that we will not follow the path toward privatization,” said Alexis Pickering, Executive Director for Conservation Voters for Idaho.
The rally, which began at 11 a.m., featured a range of speakers, including Representative Monica Church and actor Chance Rush, known for his role in “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Other speakers included Paul Mascuch, an Idaho falconer, and representatives from hunting interests.
IDAHO’S RESPONCE (to public lands)
 |
| January 23, 2025 Good morning, Thank you so much for your recent letter concerning the State of Utah’s lawsuit that our office supported over the federal ownership of undesignated Bureau of Land Management lands in our western states. Many people contacted my office with letters of support, opposition, and general interest on the topic and I am grateful for the widespread engagement on this important issue. On Monday, January 13, the United States Supreme Court declined to hear this case, so for now, this case regarding undesignated BLM lands is on hold. However, the conversation about federalism, public recreation access, and management practices is one that our state and country need to have. Regardless of your position, I am thankful for your communication and hope you stay engaged as we set priorities for Idaho lands together. I recently put out a newsletter on this topic and have included a link below. It articulates my position as well as my concerns regarding federal ownership of Idaho lands and their management practices. It may address some of the concerns and correct some of the misinformation that was spread about the Utah lawsuit. Labrador Letter – Idaho Lands in Idaho Hands Again, thank you for reaching out on this important issue. Best regards,  |
Help Save Our Public Lands
Please contact your State Representatives by mail and phone and ask them not to support the release of BLM managed land to state management.
Keep the message short (They don’t want personal details)
Tell them:
- You don’t support the release of public managed lands from the BLM to the State of Idaho.
- This land is where we recreate; Camping, Riding, Fishing, et. Look at how much revenue is spent on this activity in Idaho.
- The state cant afford to manage the land.
- If they support this, don’t count on a vote at the next election.
Go to “Your Legislator” tab to get phone numbers and addresses.
UPDATE – GOOD NEWS on Public Lands
U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Utah’s Effort to Seize Control of Public Lands
Over 9 million acres of public lands in Idaho will remain protected from privatization and exploitation, for now.
More Information HERE.