Category: Uncategorized

The Idaho Roadless Rule Implementation Commission subcommittee will be having a Special Meeting on January 31st at 2:30pm MST to review background information and have a policy discussion surrounding roadless inventory and theme change with regional US Forest Service officials. The combined public notice/agenda is available on our Idaho Roadless Rule Commission webpage.

POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED.

OSC is accepting applications for the principal representative for aquatic species issues across the state until October 15th. The aquatic species program manager and policy advisor reports to the OSC administrator, Mike Edmondson, and will have statewide responsibilities that focus on the development, implementation, and coordination of conservation and recovery programs for aquatic species in Idaho. This position is full-time, based out of Boise, requires travel, and offers benefits.

Example of Duties:

• • Leads or is a key participant for the agency in a variety of groups, committees, or task forces.
  • Develops the aquatic species program strategy including goals, objectives, policy direction and procedures.
  • Provide technical and policy advice to the OSC Administrator regarding aquatic species conservation actions, initiatives, and federal planning efforts.
  • Assigns work, supervises staff, and evaluates performance.
  • Develops and monitors aquatic program budget.
  • Solicits funding resources and allocates funds where applicable to provide better services to constituents and species.
  • Draft and edit official responses, comments, and letters related to state and federal proposed actions, species petitions and other rare and declining and ESA species associated actions.
  • Participate in recovery planning efforts for candidate, threatened, endangered, rare and declining species with state and federal agencies.
  • Attend meetings and field outings and respond to citizen concerns.
  • Answer inquiries for information and assistance from local, state, and federal agencies and the public with ESA issues.
  • Coordinate with state and federal agencies as well as a variety of stakeholders on policy, projects, and conservation actions for aquatic species.
  • Create and implement State policy among a diverse set of stakeholders to address issues related to federal ESA programs.
  • Negotiate agreements with federal natural resource agencies that rely upon science and common sense, involve all parties affected by ESA decisions, and incorporate Idaho’s economic vitality and values into the decision-making processes.
  • Mediate to resolve conflicts, negotiate agreements, and build consensus among stakeholders and service providers.
  • Compile and analyze data to measure and evaluate program needs and available resources and communicate program performance.

Minimum Qualifications

• • Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in natural resources or environmental policy, ichthyology, fish ecology, environmental science, or related field or equivalent experience
  • Experience in natural resources and land use policy
  • Experience partnering with outside agencies, departments, or organizations to find a balanced approach.
  • Knowledge of the Endangered Species Act and the Natural Environmental Policy Act
  • Knowledge of managing federal grants and reporting
  • At least 1-year working experience regarding ESA, NEPA or policy analysis

See the job listing here for more information about the position. To apply, please send a resume, three professional references, and a cover letter outlining your experience to grace.johnson@osc.idaho.gov.

The Office of Species Conservation is now accepting applications for projects that are proactive and can help prevent wolf livestock conflict in the future. Livestock producers with proactive measures, that may include guard dogs, range riders, trail cameras, and more are encouraged to submit project ideas and application between October and December 31, 2021. For more information see our Wolf Conflict Funding Page.

The Office of Species Conservation is now accepting applications for verified livestock losses due to wolves during the 2021 calendar year. These funds were made available through U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wolf Livestock Loss Demonstration Project Grant Program. Compensation funds are only available to confirmed kills that have been verified by Wildlife Services. For more information see our Wolf Conflict Funding Page.

On June 28th, 2021 Idaho Governor Brad Little issued thank you letters to those that served on his salmon workgroup. In his letter, Little thanked his participants for their dedication, collaboration, and thoughtful effort. These efforts resulted in 29 recommendations, which the governor and his administration plan to use in local, state and regional dialogue. These recommendations, writes the governor, will help Idaho move towards its goal of healthy and abundant stocks of salmon and steelhead. Healthy populations of these fish can aid in sustaining a healthy economy and community. Governor Little concludes his letter by referencing Idaho’s continued efforts in conservation and thanks members once again. Read the complete thank you letter on our Salmon Workgroup webpage .

Governor Brad Little announced on Monday, May 24, 2021 that Mike Edmondson will take over as administrator of the Governor’s Office of Species Conservation (OSC). Edmonson has been serving as interim administrator since August of 2020.

“Mike Edmondson has a long history of working with landowners and industry to ensure that Idaho works to conserve and recover species while our economy remains vibrant. He has a proven track record in natural resource policy, and he was instrumental in leading my Salmon Workgroup. I am confident he will carry over that leadership and collaborative spirit into his new role as OSC administrator,” Governor Little said.

As administrator, a significant focus for Edmondson will be working with state and federal partners on Greater Sage Grouse conservation while ensuring that federal overreach is avoided. He will also implement recommendations of the Governor’s Salmon Workgroup.

Edmondson’s position as administrator is effective as of May 24, 2021. A link to the full announcement can be found here. 

Applications for the upcoming FY22 season of Actions Team funding are now available. Applications are due by May 3rd, 2021. Priorities for funding include helping equip RFPAs to improve fire suppression capabilities, build strategic fuel breaks to slow the spread of wildfire, restore areas that have been degraded by wildfire from encroached juniper trees and annual grasses, restore and improve brood rearing habitat, and enhance the monitoring of sage grouse activity.

Invasive grasses are threatening sagebrush country. Cheatgrass in Sagebrush Country Video: learn about increased wildfire risks, and do your part this summer to protect this important ecosystem.

Media Advisory – Governor’s Salmon Workgroup Meeting April 2020

Agenda – Governor’s Salmon Workgroup Meeting via Zoom – 4/28 & 4/29/20

Presentation 1 – Hatchery Review and Reform Processes in the Columbia Basin – 4/28

Presentation 2 – Tools to Assess Hatchery Performance and Manage Conservation Based Hatchery Programs – 4/28

Presentation 3 – Limiting Factors for Hatchery Management, Endangered Species Act (ESA), Logistics, and Risk- 4/29

Presentation 4 – Spring/Summer Chinook Harvest Programs: Road-map for reducing risk and moving a large mitigation program to full integration- 4/29

There will be a meeting of the Governor’s Salmon Work Group on March 5th from 8:30 am – 6:00 pm.

Agenda