The Sawtooth Society works with stakeholders at the federal, state and local levels to address issues of importance to the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Listed below are the highest priority issues at the current time. We always welcome your input and your help on these issues critical to protecting the gem that is the SNRA.

US FOREST SERVICE/STATE OF IDAHO LAND EXCHANGE
The State of Idaho owns four parcels within the boundaries of the SNRA, one of which is very visible and on which the State has begun to mine gravel. The Sawtooth Society believes that use – although uses of State lands are unencumbered by the original legislation - is completely incompatible with the intent of the SNRA and is working with both the State and the U.S. Forest Service to accomplish an exchange of these parcels to the Forest Service.

Typically such land exchanges can take up to a decade to complete and we believe it is essential for discussions to begin in earnest. This is the Society’s top priority public policy issue and we will act as a catalyst to bring the parties together and keep the talks moving until an exchange is complete.

RODEO GROUNDS CONSERVATION EASEMENT
The U.S. Forest Service has been working over the last several years with the Rodeo Grounds to obtain a conservation easement on its lands to the west of Stanley. While both parties have agreed upon a price it is proving very difficult in this economic climate to obtain federal appropriations to accomplish this agreement. The Sawtooth Society supports this conservation easement and we will continue to work with Congress to obtain the requisite funding. It will also look at other alternatives to obtain the necessary funding.

SAWTOOTH VISION 20/20
This important strategic planning effort, which was completed in 2006, is now well into the implementation phase and will be updated in 2009. The Sawtooth Society and the U.S. Forest Service cooperatively led the development of this long-range vision and strategy document. The Sawtooth Society believes this document represents an important and collaborative effort by a broad array of stakeholders and provides long-term shared strategies to best manage the SNRA.

PRIVATE LANDS BOOKLET
There is often confusion about what uses are allowed on private lands within the SNRA. A second edition of the “Private Lands Ownership Booklet” has been completed in 2009 and is the result of several years of work by the Society and the U.S. Forest Service. The booklet lays out the regulations that apply to private land, including describing a voluntary certification process and conservation/scenic easements. The booklet can be obtained from either the Sawtooth Society or the SNRA offices at either Ketchum or Stanley.

CENTRAL IDAHO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND RECREATION ACT (CIEDRA)
The Idaho Congressional delegation, led by Congressman Simpson, continue to seek passage of this bill to establish Wilderness status for the Boulder and White Cloud mountains. The Sawtooth Society will support these efforts as long as the legislation does not adversely impact the SNRA and adequately balances its recreation, resource, natural and historic objectives.

CELL TOWER
A private company has requested permission from the U.S. Forest Service to place a cell tower near Galena Pass to service both cell phone users and safety-related uses. The Sawtooth Society is on record opposing the cell tower based primarily on the visual impact aspects of the proposal; however, it does recognize the importance of addressing the safety-related benefits to visitors and residents of the SNRA.

CATASTROPHIC WILDFIRE
With the large volume of beetle-killed trees in the SNRA the Sawtooth Society strongly favors aggressive efforts by the U.S. Forest Service to help mitigate the risk of a catastrophic fire. In recent years the U.S. Forest Service has taken important steps to address this issue, but any traveler through the SNRA readily knows great volumes of dead materials remain. Which in the right conditions a catastrophic wildfire could ignite, creating large-scale negative environmental, aesthetic and economic impacts on the area. The Sawtooth Society will continue to support the additional removal of dead timber and establishment of corridors to protect the SNRA, especially in areas adjacent to established residences and businesses.

Photo by: Erik Barnes www.lightinthelandscaping.com


Photo by Steve Bly blyphoto.com


Photo by: Sue Van Der Wal


Photo by: Sue Van Der Wal