FORT HALL — The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes have been coordinating with State agencies and Tribal departments during the past several weeks to ensure the safety of wintering elk and for travelers driving along sections of Interstate 15 and 86; and rural roads on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation.

Elk migrate onto their Reservation winter ranges for forage and refuge from cold temperatures and deep snow. Due to the recent extreme winter weather, elk herds have been pushed to lower elevations along the interstates and nearby Reservation roadways, posing a potential hazard to motorists.

As a precautionary measure, the Tribes have requested Idaho Department of Transportation utilize several LED message boards, to warn motorists about the possibility of wildlife on the Interstates by repeating a “Warning, Elk on Roadway” message to passing motorists near Fort Hall. According to Leander Watson, Tribal Big Game Program Biologist, “the Tribes are working to prevent wildlife/vehicle interactions on Interstates and rural Reservation roads. A supplemental feeding program has been initiated along with road closures and additional signage cautioning motorists of wildlife presence on rural Reservation roads.” Watson adds, “We (the Tribes) take on these proactive measures to ensure that we have a viable and sustainable population of elk and other wildlife for future generations.”

The Tribes are aware that these elk herds provide great viewing opportunities but during these critical winter months, these animals are at their most vulnerable. The Tribes are asking the public refrain from any travel through their winter grounds to avoid triggering a mass migration across a public roadway. The Tribes ask motorist to please slow down and be cautious because the roads are slick and there may be wildlife species present on or along the Interstates and rural reservation roads.

NOTE: City of Pocatello officials said they will be responding to the following Shoshone-Bannock Tribes press release on Wednesday. Here is the press release from the tribes:

The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes are excited to begin enhancing the City Creek Trailhead area to better preserve plant and animal life, and improve responsible access for hikers and bikers. The Tribes have owned the City Creek Trailhead area for years.

According to Chairman Blaine Edmo, “the signage will not limit any access to the recreational users. We are looking forward to cooperating with users of the City Creek trailhead area to provide for continued safe, responsible, environmentally sensitive use of the area.”

The Fort Hall Reservation used to be much larger than it is today. It encompassed what is now the City of Pocatello. In 1888, before the City of Pocatello existed, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes granted a railroad right of way through the Fort Hall Reservation. The right of way included land in the City Creek area because it was a water supply for steam engines the railroad needed. A condition the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, Congress, and the Railroad company agreed upon was that when the property was no longer used for a railroad purpose it would revert to the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. In the early 1900’s steam engines were replaced with internal combustion engines, and the Railroad company stopped using the water supply easement. At that time the City Creek property legally reverted back to the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes because it was no longer used for a railroad purpose.

In 2012, the Department of Interior informed the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, the Union Pacific Railroad, and the City of Pocatello in writing ownership of the area had already reverted to the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. Since then, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes have allowed continued use of the area.

The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes are good stewards of the land. The Tribes recognize the area is an important natural resource to City residents. The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes want to improve the recreational safety of the City Creek area and do not intend to restrict all non-Indian use.