Author: By the U.S. Forest Service

15JAN

Forest Service looking to secure grants to improve recreation in the Pocatello area

POCATELLO — In January, the Westside Ranger District will apply for grants from the State of Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation for the 2020-21 field seasons. IDPR provides a variety of funding programs and grants to government entities in Idaho for the enhancement of off-highway vehicle use and other recreational opportunities. 

The state programs are primarily funded from off-highway vehicle registrations and state gas tax revenue.

“This is a great program that allows us to improve our current recreation system,” said Rob Harris, recreation technician for the Forest Service. “This year we are applying to the OHV, motorbike, and recreational trails program to request funding for several projects.” The Westside Ranger District hopes to receive funding to assist with the following: 

West Fork Mink Trail Bridges. Funds would be used to purchase and install two wooden trail bridges and complete stream crossing rehabilitation for the West Fork Mink Cr. Trail #059. This bridge project will remedy two deteriorated fords on the creek, improve water quality, improve stream esthetics/functionality/health and enhance the year-round recreational experience.

Slate Mountain to Gibson Jack area trail tread refurbishing. Funds would be used to repair high-use trails on the district and employ a seasonal trail crew for the summer season. 

Recreation/Trails motorcycle replacement. Obtain funding to replace current machines that are in unsafe/inoperable conditions. Motorcycles will be used to access the Forest’s motorized trail system in order to complete various management actions.

Westside Ranger District trail signage. Funds will secure materials to improve signage of trail systems on the Westside Ranger District. Improvements will focus on the area bounded on the north by Gibson Jack Trail, traveling south to the Slate Mountain area.

Westside Trail bikes. The proposed funding would purchase two mountain bikes for maintenance and patrol purposes on the Westside Ranger District.

For questions or comments on these project proposals, contact Seth Schaub or Robert Harris at the Westside Ranger District by calling 208-236-7500 or emailing seth.schaub@usda.gov or robert.e.harris@usda.gov.

23DEC

Kim Obele selected as Westside District Ranger

POCATELLO — The Caribou-Targhee National Forest is pleased to announce the selection of Kim Obele as the Westside District Ranger. Kim will start her position in February. Current Acting District Ranger James Johnson will continue to fulfill that role until the end of January.

“I am excited Kim accepted the position; she will be a great addition to our forest team,” said Mel Bolling Caribou-Targhee Forest Supervisor.

Obele is currently the District Ranger on the Magdalena Ranger District on the Cibola National Forest in Magdalena, New Mexico. She has degrees in Rangeland Ecosystem Science, accounting and business administration. In addition to her experience in the Southwest Region, she worked her way up the ranks as a Rangeland Management Specialist in the Rocky Mountain Region in Colorado on the Arapaho and Roosevelt national forests and Pawnee National Grassland and also spent time on the Comanche National Grassland.

“The opportunities and challenges in Pocatello are a good match for my background with room for professional growth,” Obele said. “I’m eager to work with community members, partners and organizations to develop relationships that will improve natural resources and access to public lands.”

She has a strong multiple use land ethic; experience working with partners, collaboratives, employees and community leaders on complex issues; and a track record for cultivating a safe and positive work environment.

Obele is married to a retired police officer and enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as hiking, camping and sports shooting. She and her husband look forward to exploring the trails around the area with their German Shepherd, Sascha.

For more information, contact the Westside Ranger District at 208-236-7500.

10JUL

Volunteers needed to construct fence to improve Pocatello’s municipal watershed

The U.S. Forest Service and the city of Pocatello are partnering to construct a wildlife-friendly fence to protect the municipal watershed southwest of Pocatello in the Gibson Jack and West Fork Mink Creek drainages. The agencies are looking for volunteers to help install the fence. Two work days are scheduled for July 20 and Aug. 24.

Training will be provided, but volunteers should bring leather gloves and eye protection. Those interested in participating should contact the Westside Ranger District at 208-236-7500 so they can coordinate logistics and necessary gear. Volunteers may also meet at the Cherry Springs Nature Area at 9 a.m. July 20.

“Preserving and ensuring water quality is important to the citizens of Pocatello,” said Lori Bell, Westside District ranger. “This project gives people a chance to come together and help manage their public lands” 

“This project will help the city for years to come,” Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad said. “Not only have several partners contributed financially to the success of this endeavor but now every individual has a personal opportunity to physically contribute to improving our watershed.”

Idaho Fish and Game donated $20,000 to pay for fencing materials and the city of Pocatello and USFS marked the fence line. Forest Service Fire Crews cleared the line of vegetation prior to fire season and then the Youth Work Crew installed the H-braces. They are now looking for volunteers to help with the final step of installing fence posts and stringing barbed wire.

For more information, contact the Westside Ranger District at 208-236-7500 or the city of Pocatello at 208-234-6225.

10JUL

Volunteers needed to construct fence to improve Pocatello’s municipal watershed

The U.S. Forest Service and the city of Pocatello are partnering to construct a wildlife-friendly fence to protect the municipal watershed southwest of Pocatello in the Gibson Jack and West Fork Mink Creek drainages. The agencies are looking for volunteers to help install the fence. Two work days are scheduled for Saturday and Aug. 24.

Training will be provided, but volunteers should bring leather gloves and eye protection. Those interested in participating should contact the Westside Ranger District at 208-236-7500 so they can coordinate logistics and necessary gear. Volunteers may also meet at the Cherry Springs Nature Area at 9 a.m. Saturday.

“Preserving and ensuring water quality is important to the citizens of Pocatello,” said Lori Bell, Westside District ranger. “This project gives people a chance to come together and help manage their public lands”

“This project will help the city for years to come,” Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad said. “Not only have several partners contributed financially to the success of this endeavor but now every individual has a personal opportunity to physically contribute to improving our watershed.”

Idaho Fish and Game donated $20,000 to pay for fencing materials and the city of Pocatello and USFS marked the fence line. Forest Service Fire Crews cleared the line of vegetation prior to fire season and then the Youth Work Crew installed the H-braces. They are now looking for volunteers to help with the final step of installing fence posts and stringing barbed wire.

For more information, contact the Westside Ranger District at 208-236-7500 or the city of Pocatello at 208-234-6225.

27JUN

Day use fee implemented at Bloomington Lake

Beginning in 2019, the Bloomington Lake Day Use Area, along with several campgrounds within the Montpelier Ranger District, will be managed by a recreation service provider partner, Aud and Di. Once the fee tubes are installed, which is expected in mid-July, a $5 per vehicle day-use fee will be assessed at the popular Bloomington Lake Day Use Area in Southeast Idaho. Holders of the Federal Recreation Annual Pass will pay $2.50 per vehicle. The fee will be used to service and maintain the day use area’s recreation facilities and invest in amenity updates.

While previously a no-fee site, the continued popularity of the area and increased visitation has resulted in a significant strain on day-to-day operations. Aud and Di will use the day-use fees to maintain site amenities and ensure appropriate sanitation monitoring at Bloomington Lake.

“All our campgrounds, as well as the Minnetonka Cave, operate under a concessionaire permit,” said Montpelier District Ranger Mike Duncan. “We decided to add Bloomington Lake under this strategy to alleviate some of the constraints on our workforce.” Partners such as Aud and Di provide services and can respond quickly to customer needs and expectations. The day-use fee will allow the company the tools necessary to provide quality services to the high number of individuals accessing the site.

Bloomington Lake is a high-elevation (8,200 feet) 10-acre glaciated lake with a healthy trout population. Access is by Bloomington Canyon by high-clearance vehicles only. The last quarter-mile is limited to foot travel only. This area is managed as a Special Emphasis Area in the Caribou Revised Forest Plan for its unique geologic, ecological, botanical and zoological resource values.

Fee envelopes will be placed at the Bloomington Lake parking lot. Visitors will be required to fill out a fee envelope, remove the visitor portion for placement in their vehicle, and deposit the day use envelope in a fee tube. Additional information will be available on kiosks at the parking area.

Questions or concerns should be directed Mike Duncan, Montpelier District ranger, at 208-847-0375.