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Forest management, caribou and mines |
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February 18, 2012 |
By Raul Labrador
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. |
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