Crapo Chairs Farm Bill Hearing in Moscow, Reviews Fires, Elk Collaborative, Water Issues

Idaho Falls â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will spend this week in the Idaho Falls and Lewiston-Moscow-Orofino areas working on a broad range of issues from federal energy policy to follow-up work on his Elk Initiative and water issues relating to recreation in Hells Canyon. Crapo will also be chairing a Subcommittee on Forestry, Conservation and Rural Revitalization of the United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry field hearing to hear testimony on federal farm policy. Crapoâ??s schedule includes the following events. Times listed are local; all events listed are open to the media. The schedule is subject to change.Tuesday, August 8th:Noon Idaho FallsAddresses Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce on topics including federal energy policy, funding issues and the Idaho National Laboratory. At the Red Lion Hotel, 475 River Parkway. 2:00 p.m. Idaho Falls Meets local American Cancer Society cancer survivors and representatives participating in the upcoming â??September Celebration on the Hillâ?? event in Washington, DC. At Crapoâ??s offices, 490 Memorial Drive, Suite 102. Wednesday, August 9th:10:00 a.m. Orofino Attends briefings and participates in fixed-wing aircraft aerial tour of area fires to gauge progress of actions regarding the Elk Initiative effort. Joined by Idaho Fish & Game Director Steve Huffaker; Tom Harbour, National Fire Director for the U.S. Forest Service; Dr. Jim Peek, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation; Keith Lawrence, Wildlife Director, Nez Perce Tribe, others. At the Orofino Airport, 12730 Highway 12, west of Orofino. Media availability before and following the briefings and flight.Wednesday, August 9th: 3:15 p.m. Grangeville Meets with Idaho County Commissioners on federal funding and ESA-related issues, 320 W. Main, Grangeville. Thursday, August 10th:9:00 a.m. Pittsburg Landing Takes extensive tour of Hells Canyon via jet boat to discuss issues including water levels for boaters, FERC relicensing, proposals for protected areas, and beach erosion. Departing from Pittsburg Landing near White Bird and ending in Lewiston. Video, still pictures, available following the tour.Friday, August 11th: 9:00 a.m. Moscow Chairs U.S. Senate Agriculture Subcommittee hearing on the Farm Bill at the University of Idahoâ??s Menard Law Building. Participants expected to testify at the hearing include leaders from the Idaho Grain Producers, Dry Pea and Lentil Commission and USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council, Idaho Dairymenâ??s Association, Potato Growers of Idaho, Association of Soil Conservation Districts, Idaho Cattle Association, Nature Conservancy of Idaho, Nez Perce Tribe, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, University of Idaho, Idaho Rural Partnership, Clearwater Economic Development Association, Idaho Food Bank, and others.4:00 p.m. Orofino Delivers keynote speech before the Public Access Symposium. Will discuss collaboration, economic development, rural economic issues during the conference at the Rivers Edge, 615 Main Street. # # #