Counties should have received their 2013 PILT Payment today from the Department of the Interior. The PILT program was established to provide compensation to counties for tax exempt federal lands located within county boundaries. Statewide, Idaho counties will receive $26,326,163 in PILT payments. Each of Idaho's 44 counties receive PILT. Elmore County is the largest beneficiary of PILT in Idaho ($2,146,303) while Lewis County receives the smallest payment ($7,422). A county's payment is dependent upon the total number of federal acres located within the county, the county's population, and whether or not the county received certain other prior year federal land payments like Secure Rural Schools funding. 

WIR Conference May 22-24, 2013 Report by 

Gordon L. Cruickshank, Valley County Commissioner

From what he heard, saw and experienced during the conference.

Wednesday May 22^nd

9:00 AM to Noon, I attended the WIR Board of Directors meeting

Presentations and topics discussed included;

1. A presentation by TransCanada manager Alex Osborne concerning the development of North American Energy Infrastructure, which included the Keystone Pipeline and the status of other pipelines in the U.S. His company helps provide preplanning of the projects. 
2. Harold Blattie (Montana Counties Executive Director) is on the Federal Lands Access committee and explained the process from his perspective as to how it concerns rural projects.
3. Pam Haze (via teleconference) provided a status report on PILT payments saying they are on track to be paid in June however the payments are subject to sequestration. Reminding everyone that the full 100% payment will expire this year and then PILT reverts back to the old appropriation formula by congress. They have requested the PILT be included at 100% in the 2014 Federal Budget. Cope did ask about the Wolf Depredation funding and requested it be reinstated to help livestock producers with wolf depredation. No more printing of PILT books as the information will be online after June 13th. 
4. We then heard from James Reid who spoke on managing a disaster after it had happened. Which all of us have had to do at some point or another.
5. Ray Suazo the Arizona BLM State Director discussed the challenges of managing 240 million acres and working with budget cuts and hiring freezes that keeps them from filling field and summer positions. Questions were raised on the positions cut provide the data for BLM to operate from so how would that impact BLM in the future? Reply was it will be something they need to consider. Grazing Permits will be postponed along with oil and gas leases. This brought the question that the BLM is cutting off the hand that feeds them to place more impact on the taxpayer.  
6. Ryan Yates our NACo Staff then provided a legislative update. There is lots of discussion on the sequestration and how it impacts the counties. SRS and PILT sequestration is the hot topic as the National Governors and Western Governors Associations along with 60 congressmen and women have voiced their concerns or sent letters asking for the SRS and PILT be exempt from sequestration. Over 100 media markets ran stories on this topic.

Ryan asked if folks were looking at the new NACo “Washington Watch” emails as this is a new way for NACo to keep folks informed of the issues in a more efficient way. If you have not seen please do look at these emails when sent. The Farm Bill will be a big priority for NACo to stay engaged in. Both House and Senate Committees passed the bill. When looking at future appropriations in a conversation with the Speaker of the House he said expect Continuing Resolutions to happen for years. And the final topic for Ryan was the Debt Ceiling. If nothing happens then it will need to be revisited after August.

1. Cope provide a report on the Western Region as he is the representative for NACo. He discussed the issues known by all of us and the efforts to make sure we are being heard. Those topics include; Waters of the U.S., Controversy over Vegetation VS no Vegetation, Forest Planning Rule, Cohesive Wildfire Strategy to name the top ones. Folks wanted to work better to make sure we are being heard on issues such as Sage Grouse, Road Funding(fuel tax and SRS), Wilderness issues with designation VS no designation. Natural Resource issues are why we are all involved. Requests were made to find better ways to communicate and coordinate with agencies to get our message across. 
2. Utah is having an issue with Federal Law Enforcement enforcing laws outside of their agency areas. Some discussion on how other states or counties are handling.
3. A request was made to change the WIR by-laws to include the Western Region Representative be a board member of WIR. 
4. The WIR Board will be meeting in Grand Junction, Colorado for our fall board meeting.

1:30 to 4:00 P.M. I attended the Public Lands Committee Meeting

1. Arizona State Forester Scott Hunt presented on the forests in Arizona. Arizona has the largest contiguous Ponderosa Pine forest in the U.S. and large fires in recent years have hit their timber just like Idaho and reduced the acres of commercial timber available. Their Bark Beetle outbreak is huge. They have partnered and spent $100,000 to help control the Bark Beetle. BLM has helped with $200,000 in grants where their management joins one another. Timber harvest is primarily on State Lands (just like Idaho). Arizona’s CWPP’s cover entire counties. Their Governor has created a Natural Resource Review Council to help with coordination between State and Local Government. They are involved with the four National Forest restoration project called the 4-FRI that is 2.4 million acres with the intent to mechanical treat 1million acres over 20 years. They have one 300,000 acre Stewardship Project that has been bid out for $6 million however the contractor is looking for investors to create his company to move forward. They also have a $10 million bond from the Flagstaff residents to protect their water shed program for the drinking water for the city of Flagstaff. The Wildland Fire Cohesive Strategy will drive more of the future grant approvals.
2. We then heard a presentation on Invasive Species and how the Western States are working to control. Only 7.2% in most states make it to actual on the ground control. If we don’t do something to change this, our Public Lands will be overrun with invasive species. Governor Otter when chair of the Western Governors started doing more to control weeds. Idaho Senator Risch is helping sponsor legislation to get control going. This legislation is using plans that have been developed in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming as these states have stepped out and took on the problem. (Yeh for Idaho) And as a result this legislation is getting traction.
3. We then heard from Randy Phillips the FS liaison to NACo. In 2012 9.3 million acres burned in the U.S. which included state and private lands. He asked for our help in preventing loss to property. (I will save my soap box comment). 2.6 billion board feet of timber sold in 2012 and there is 17.5 million acres of beetle killed trees that grow by 600,000 acres each year. Over 100,000 trees fall each day as a result of the beetle kill.

 

1. Paul Pearce with NFCSC talked about efforts to reauthorize legislation for SRS payments and to get back to managing the forest and grass lands. There have been 7 hearings in the House and 2 in the Senate that asks to sit down and discuss management of the forest. Senate has indicated it will continue with commitment. Asking to return us to average cut of prior years before payments. Environmental groups, Industry, Unions are all at the table discussing. The bill introduced by Congressman Doc Hasting from Washington is locked up in committee as it did not have the right component to get it passed out of committee. NFCSC continues to work to get southern and eastern states to join the efforts even though they get less funding it still has an impact.
2. Brent Gardner from Utah Associations of Counties did a presentation on the issue of law enforcement outside of agency jurisdiction. Working with their legislature to resolve the issue.

Thursday May 23^rd

General Session

We heard different variations of economic development from a speaker who writes in Columbus, Ohio.

Leslie Weldon Deputy Chief Forester was our next presenter. Most folks will remember Leslie as she was the Regional Forester from Region 1. Leslie talked about the importance of collaboration efforts and how they have helped bring folks together. The National Forests in the first 50-70 years was a process of developing the resources for the benefit of society. The last 50 years have been for long term sustainability habitat for fish and wildlife. Invasive species, drought, climate, erosion and fire are causing impacts. Especially fire burning at higher intensity and scorching the ground. 98% of fires are caught in early stages only 2% are not. Housing in private forests is increasing and folks need to fire wise their property to reduce loss. 82 million acres of the forest needs treated and they have identified 12 million that are suitable for harvest. 23 large scale projects greater than 50,000 acres are being worked on for restoration. 1.4 million acres being treated for Bark Beetle infestation. Working on permits for transmission lines, pipelines and cell towers on Public Lands. It is important for the FS to have good relationships with the counties.

Don Thorn then provided insight on “Leadership that Fosters Creativity”

He spoke on Visions and Decisions as you must have a vision to move forward. He cautioned on using the word “should do” and focus on “could do”. Making progress is a goal and keep setting goals that are obtainable. As leaders you have to make decisions prior to having all the information which will cause feeling to get hurt. Look for the best “IDEA” not just your idea.

Workshop Block II

Stuart Brody did a presentation on “Civility Communication for Effective Governance”

Act with elegance and be willing to interact. When you reveal actions by not respecting others views or beliefs you are not being civil to others. Look deeper as to who you are and what we are. The ability to require restraint to the situation showing you are being civil. Talk the “TRUTH” and speak the “TRUTH” If you do not question then you accept. Trust but “VERIFY”

Friday May 24^th

General Session

The official vote was to be held for the WIR 2^nd VP. However my opponent decided to withdraw his name and asked that if he considers running next year for our support. So with no other nominations from the floor I was elected to the WIR 2^nd VP position.

Edward Fox with Arizona Public Service Company presented on Public – Private Partnerships. You can’t stop investing in the infrastructure if you intend to keep the lights on. The challenge is to do it right and what folks are willing to approve. Need to have the ability to look long term. We seem to be so focused on fixing the bad without looking for the good. We need to shift our thought process.

James Ogsbury the Executive Director for the Western Governors Association

He talked about how the western governors work together to get things done. Finding consensus and raising awareness in Washington DC to make sure their concerns are heard. They are reviewing the state of the energy resources in the west for a ten year vision. Along with Land Exchange Reform, Invasive Species, Recreating the State/Federal partnerships, Sage Grouse Task Forces and Endangered Species are on their list of project to work on.

Ann Kirkpatrick U.S. House of Representatives, Arizona

Counties are Innovators and Leaders. We need to create more jobs in the west. Energy infrastructure will be the highest priority. Roads and Bridges are in need of repair. Interest rates are at an all-time low so now id the time to get working. Water is unique to the west with a regional perspective. Tourism is only a piece of the economy we need a diversified balance of the economic base. Using the forest restoration collaborative is a model that is moving forward. Telecommunication resources still need improvement areas where they are not available in rural communities. 

Veterans need or help they fought for us now we need to fight for them.

Workshop Block III

Sage Grouse Conservation Efforts in Multiple States

A presentation by Wyoming and Colorado on their programs to deal with Sage Grouse issues.

Wyoming has 40% of the Sage Grouse population. Determined that what is good for the grouse is good for cattle as a healthy range helps all. Wyoming continues to debate that cattle are not a threat and the BLM objects however the Fish and Wildlife folks seem to be agreeing with Wyoming. Their goal is to prevent the listing by providing scientific data. May not be a perfect plan just hopes they have done what they can.

Colorado created a Sage Grouse Team and now 9 counties have a plan however their Governor doesn’t support the work. Colorado had a plan in 2008 that was supported by many groups. Now they have a collection of plans and are using the Cooperating Agency Status to work with BLM. 5 plans were discounted and they are struggling to have local input recognized. They have a new plan that calls for mandatory recommendations on Public Lands and volunteer cooperation on private lands. They also place a scientific approach to the data that had to be verified for folks to trust. They had found data however it was unreliable so they created their own verified data to work from. Now have two models to work from. They also required equal footing by all agencies and not treated as a subordinate. Their suggestion is to get informed on the issues so when you talk about you know what the issues are.

Closing Luncheon and Installation of WIR Officers

We finished the day with lunch and the installation of Jerome Selby Mayor, Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska as Immediate Past President (I do need to add that Jerome was raised in Valley County, Idaho), John Martin Commissioner, Garfield County, Colorado as President, Lesley Robinson Commissioner, Phillips County, Montana as 1^st Vice President and Gordon Cruickshank Commissioner, Valley County, Idaho as 2^nd Vice President. 

Please check the NACo website for additional information on the conference. 

Thanks to all who support the opportunity for me to represent Idaho on the WIR Board. 

I would also like to thank all the folks from Idaho who attended this conference. If my count is correct there were 12 of us in attendance. 

Thanks again to all the county elected officials in Idaho for standing up and being the leaders of this great state to get things done.

Recap written by Don Davis, NACo Representative and Lewis County Commissioner

The NACo Board of Directors had their annual meeting with WIR at the 2013 WIR Conference May 22-24 in Coconino County/ Flagstaff, Arizona. This conference is an opportunity for NACo and WIR leadership from across the country to be brought together  to listen to and discuss public and forest lands, disaster preparedness and recovery, public-private partnerships and other issues and challenges important to western counties and communities. This conference also provides an opportunity to hear national speakers and discuss federal legislation.

Featured speakers included Bruce Bugoski, personal motivational author and columnist; Ed Fox, vice president of state and local affairs, Arizona Public Service Company, and James D. Ogsbury, executive director of the Western Governors Association.

Wednesday began with Committee Meetings. I attended a Roundtable Discussion on County and Tribal Government Collaboration. Arizona counties like those here in Idaho that have tribal governments within their borders face both challenges and opportunities when dealing with issues that impact the community at large. This session focused on possible solutions to challenges faced by county and tribal governments and how collaborative efforts could be pursued to address them.

Wednesday evening I attended the NACo/WIR Boards of Directors’ Reception hosted by Coconino County. This event was held at Heritage Square in Flagstaff and we were treated to 50’s music and many food booths set up by local vendors.

Thursday was the opening general session presided over by the Honorable Jerome Selby, Mayor Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska and President NACo Western Interstate Region. 

Morning Workshops held were on Public-private partnerships: utilizing the private sector to address the needs of your county; smart justice practices and cost savings measures. Lunch was served outdoors at Potter’s Square before the afternoon workshops began. The afternoon sessions were on forest health: the economics of treatment versus large-scale forest fires and beyond civility: communication for effective governance.

The NACo board of directors business meeting was held Thursday afternoon, called to order by President Chris Rodgers.

A new Board member was seated at this meeting, the Honorable Ben McAdams, mayor Salt Lake County, Utah. Committee reports were heard as well as the president’s report and a report from Executive director Matthew Chase. We heard a federal legislative update from Deborah Cox, director, legislative affairs, a report from Bert Jarreau, chief innovations officer and a WIR overview from Ryan Yates, associate legislative director.

Thursday evening we attended a WIR conference-wide event called “A county fair of our own” held at Coconino County’s historic fort tuthill county park. A carnival like atmosphere prevailed with games, magicians and live music. A barbeque was enjoyed by all.

On Friday the general session opened and we heard from featured speakers; Edward Fox, vice president, state and local affairs, Arizona public service company, The Honorable Ann Kirkpatrick (D- Az) U.S. House of Representatives and James D. Ogsbury, executive director of Western governors association. Workshops for Friday were; a multi-state overview of sage grouse conservation efforts in the west and recovering after disaster and protection your community from further disaster.

The conference ended Friday with a closing luncheon and installation of WIR officers. Our own Valley county commissioner Gordon Cruickshank was seated as WIR 2^nd Vice President, Congratulations Gordon.