Field reports: Idaho parks launches program to raise money

PARKS – The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation is launching a program that allows vehicle owners to voluntarily pay a $10 fee when they register their cars that gives them access to 30 state parks to raise money for the embattled agency.

Director Nancy Merrill hopes the idea, modeled after a successful Michigan program, will alleviate financial pressure on her agency that has been mounting since Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter weaned it from taxpayer support two years ago.

A similar annual parks pass currently offered costs $40 and raises $800,000 annually. Merrill is banking on the reduced price — and access to a much-broader audience through Idaho’s car registration program — to bring in an additional $1.9 million annually.

Associated Press

Jumbo Glacier Resort decision coming

PUBLIC LANDS – After 20 years of debate, the British Columbia government apparently is nearing a decision on whether to authorize development of a large four-season resort on and around glaciers near Jumbo Pass in the Purcell Mountains above Invermere.

Environmental and recreation groups have opposed this resort from the beginning, arguing it would be detrimental to grizzly bears in some of the best grizzly habitat in the region. They also say existing resorts, such as nearby Panorama Resort, already are short of customers without adding more competition.

Rich Landers

North Idaho officials set caribou meeting

WILDLIFE – Bonner County commissioners plan to meet with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service officials to discuss altering the federal agency’s plan to protect habitat for woodland caribou in the Selkirk Mountains.

The meeting is set for Tuesday at the Inn at Priest Lake in Coolin.

Commissioners say the plan to designate nearly 600 square miles as critical habitat in North Idaho and northeastern Washington will harm the local economy by restricting logging, snowmobiling and forest access.

Associated Press

Idaho to determine hunting seasons

WILDLIFE – The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will hear an annual report from Fish and Game Director Virgil Moore and meet with state lawmakers when the commisson meets Wednesday and Thursday in Boise.

Routine items on the Fish and Game Commission’s agenda include setting seasons for upland game, furbearers and turkey, a legislative budget preview and a big game briefing

Rich Landers

City parks seeks outdoor trip helpers

PARKS – The Spokane Parks & Recreation Department’s Outdoors Program is looking for outdoors lovers who would make good outdoor trip assistants for group outings.

Assistants, who receive free training and discounts on gear, help leaders with adventures involving snowshoeing, nordic skiing, kayaking, canoeing, rafting, hiking and bicycling.

Info: Catherine Lyle, 625-6216 or email clyle@spokanecity.org.

Rich Landers