Wild and Scenic Rivers Act has Idaho roots
The Wild and Scenic Rivers act protects 12,734 miles of the nation’s rivers, but it’s a cornerstone federal environmental law with distinctly Idaho roots.
Today in Idaho River History: Salmon abundance eased cost of living in Idaho
Ninety-nine years ago today the Idaho Statesman published this article about the contribution salmon abundance makes to Idaho’s economy and well being.
As a Daughter of Idaho's West Central Mountains, I Hear You.
On the banks of Payette Lake, I stood beside land owners, business owners, anglers, kayakers, hunters, boaters, teachers, tribal members and my 5-month old nephew. Myself, and over 200 people on September 1, gathered for the Rally for the South Fork Salmon. We raised our proud, clear voices in uneasy opposition for the Midas Gold Stibnite Project. We spoke our truths, truths which haven’t been tarnished by the Midas dollar.
Idaho's free-flowing rivers and wild salmon need your help
A column from IRU Executive Director Kevin Lewis.
Puget Sound orca calf tragedy connected with Idaho salmon
A Puget Sound orca in late July brought the plight of endangered killer whales to the national and international spotlights when a grieving mother swam with her dead calf on her nose for a week or more. The tragedy was broadcast widely, but one of the underlying causes of the decline of Puget Sound killer whales—the decline of Columbia and Snake river salmon—was practically nonexistent in those stories.
Midas Gold offers short-term gain for long-term loss
Earl Dodds served as Big Creek District Ranger on the Payette National Forest for more than 25 years. He writes here about Midas Gold an the need for the communities of west central Idaho to push back.
Free the Snake Flotilla to draw hundreds to lower Snake River Sept. 7 and 8
Now in its fourth year, the Free the Snake Flotilla has become a popular fall event for people from around the Pacific Northwest. Join the Flotilla Sept. 7 and 8.
Central Idaho communities consider 'Partnership Agreement' with Midas Gold
Midas Gold is advancing its work to make partners out of west central Idaho communities and has offered to create a trust in an apparent bid for political support. According to a McCall City Council agenda, Midas is focusing its efforts on McCall, Cascade, Council, Donnelly, New Meadows, Riggins and the village of Yellow Pine, as well as Adams, Idaho and Valley counties; and the West Central Mountains Community Partnership—basically every municipality in proposed mine’s direct area of impact.
IRU guide education reaches thousands
Since early May IRU Conservation Associate Ava Isaacson has traveled to every corner of Idaho meeting with dozens of outfitters and hundreds of raft guides. The point of this far-reaching two months of intensive work is to teach the teachers, who collectively have the ability to reach thousands of people in the course of a summer season.
Lewiston Tribune editorial: Will Idaho's lame duck governor extend his reach?
In an editorial published this morning, the Lewiston Tribune urged Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter not to tie the hands of Idaho's future elected leaders during the waning hours of his administration with regard to management to endangered salmon.
Idaho shouldn't give up its independent voice for salmon
IRU and allied groups sent a letter earlier this month to Gov. Otter expressing that he should not sign away Idaho’s ability to argue on behalf of wild salmon.
IRU pushes back on 37 South Fork Payette mining claims
New placer mining on the South Fork of the Payette River faced strong opposition from conservation interests during an administrative hearing June 6. “I do not accept that mining is the highest and best use on a Wild and Scenic river, or an eligible Wild and Scenic river,” said IRU Executive Director Kevin Lewis.
Northwest energy picture changing rapidly, report says
There’s trouble ahead for the Bonneville Power Administration, according to a report released this month. The report says the agency is faced with mounting fixed costs and an increasingly competitive free market—a combination that could lead to something sometimes referred to as an economic “death spiral.”
Sacred Salmon Ceremony welcomes salmon back to Idaho
Every year upstream of Riggins a group of Idahoans gather at Spring Bar to welcome Idaho’s amazing wild salmon home. It’s a small gesture for a species on the brink of extinction, but a spiritual tradition that keeps hope alive for Idaho’s imperiled fish.
Streamline episode 3: Economist sees dim future for lower Snake dams
Episode 3 of IRU's podcast, Streamline, digs deeper into the dollars and cents of the lower Snake Rive dams. Economist Tony Jones, featured in the podcast, has been studying the lower Snake dams for decades and has come to the conclusion that they simply aren't needed, and in fact constitute an unnecessary strain on public coffers.
Hundreds of Idahoans say they're concerned about South Salmon mine proposal
Hundreds of Idahoans attended two events in Boise and McCall this month to share why the specter of mining in their beloved South Fork of the Salmon River scares them.
U.S. House passes HR 3144
The U.S. House of Representatives voted against Idaho’s endangered wild salmon and the families who depend on them today when it voted 225 - 189 to approve a bill overturning a federal judge’s order.
Act now to stop the 'Salmon Extinction Act'
Act now. Ask your representatives to stop HR 3144 and protect wild salmon and steelhead from extinction. This ill-advised legislation was passed out of committee last week, and the House of Representatives is expected to vote on it next week.
IRU joins 50th anniversary Wild and Scenic panel in Moscow
IRU joined a panel discussion at the University of Idaho School of Law focusing on the fiftieth anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
South Fork of the Salmon River among America's Most Endangered Rivers of 2018
The South Fork of the Salmon River in Central Idaho was named today as one of America's Most Endangered Rivers.